Gift of Fire (Gift #2)

Jonas locked the door of the bedroom, his movements precise and careful. Then he tossed the flashlight into his duffel bag and sat on the edge of the bed. Eyes narrowed, he watched Verity as she collected her nightgown and robe.

"Do you really believe I'm just using you?" he finally asked.

Verity busied herself with the buttons of her blouse. "I shouldn't have said that. I was angry because you were making a fuss about Oliver Crump."

"You've never been absolutely sure of me, have you? You can't forget that the reason I came into your life in the first place was because I knew you could help me control my damn talent. That's why you're stalling about marrying me. A part of you is scared to death that the only real tie we have is a psychic one."

"That's not true, Jonas. We have a lot of other ties, as you've pointed out."

"We sure as hell do. Including the fact that we're both about to become parents." Jonas raked his fingers through his hair. "I guess I shouldn't have made that scene about Oliver and his crystals."

"No, you definitely should not have snapped at me the way you did," Verity said stiffly. "I like Oliver.

He's sweet and genuine. I was only trying to tell you that if finding the stupid crystal really means so much to you, he might be able to help."

"I didn't want him linking with you, goddammit."

"I don't 'link' with him. Not the way I do with you."

"Well, what do you do with him when you play with those crystals?" Jonas demanded. He shot to his feet and began pacing the room. "I saw the way the two of you were touching each other when you were trying to cure Maggie's headache."

"I'm not sure what was happening, if anything. But I got the feeling Oliver can somehow tune in to crystals and I… I can help him. A little." Verity sank down on the bed, hugging her nightgown and robe.

"The same way you help me in the time corridor?" he demanded harshly.

"No. It's much different. It's not personal the way it is with you. There's no sense of direct contact. I'm sorry, Jonas. I can't really explain it." She glowered at him. "What's the big problem here, anyway? I thought you didn't believe in the power of crystals."

"I think I believe in the power of one particular crystal," he said bluntly. "The one that man in the vision left behind here in this villa. We need it to find out what's going on in that little room at the end of the passage."

"I don't think we should try to find out what's going on in that room, Jonas. I don't like it. I don't like any of it."

He came across the room to stand in front of her. "I have to know, Verity."

She looked up at him. "Why?"

"I don't know. I just have to find out the truth. I won't be able to rest until I solve this thing."

"Even if it means involving me and Oliver Crump?" she taunted.

Jonas caught her arms and hauled her to her feet. "We don't need Crump."

"I'm not so sure. I don't know anything about crystals. He's the one with the expertise."

"We can do this without him, dammit."

"How do you know? I'm the one who seems to be able to use the crystal, and I'd like some professional advice from Oliver."

Jonas's jaw was set rigidly. "You want to work with Oliver Crump on a professional basis? All right, I'll allow you to work with him on one condition."

"Jonas, I don't think you understand the situation. I'm doing you the favor. You've got no right to set conditions on how I do it."

"The hell I don't," he snapped. "Before you try anything with Crump and his damn crystals, I want your word of honor that you'll marry me."

Verity's eyes widened in amazement. She could hardly believe what she was hearing. "Let me get this straight. You won't let me work with Oliver, not even to help you find that crystal, unless I agree to marry you?"

"I love you, you redheaded witch," he said in a thick voice. "I'm not going to risk losing you to some other man who might be able to latch on to you with a psychic connection. I'd rather call off the search for the crystal than take that chance."

Verity stood very still in his grasp, trying to marshal her thoughts into some coherent order. "You think if I agree to marry you that would keep me from getting lured away by another psychic?"

"If you agree to marry me, you'll honor your promise. I know you, Verity."

"Not well enough, apparently, if you think you have to blackmail and threaten me in order to get me to marry you." She smiled suddenly.

He stared down at her, his eyes wary. "Verity?"

"I love you, Jonas, I've told you that a hundred times. I'll marry you."

He folded her close with a low growl of relief. "Jesus, it's about time, lady."

Verity leaned her head on his shoulder and relaxed into his warmth. She wrapped her arms tightly around his waist and savored his lean strength. "You know something, Jonas? When I first met you I would never have guessed that you'd be the marrying kind."

"And I had the impression you'd opted for professional singlehood. We both had a lot to learn about each other."

"I hope we're doing the right thing."

"We are," he told her with grave assurance. He raised her chin with his finger and brushed his mouth across her lips. "Believe me, the only option we have open is to get married. I couldn't stand living with any other alternative. I realized that the night you told me you were pregnant."

He moved his lips lightly across hers again, and then he began to deepen the kiss. His arms tightened around her and Verity was pulled snugly against the taut outline of his thighs. He deliberately widened his stance and urged her closer so that she could feel his heat. His manhood, trapped beneath his jeans, pushed against the gentle curve of her stomach. Verity gave herself up to the passion that always seemed to flow so easily between them.

"It's going to be hard to think of myself as a married woman," she murmured against his throat.

"Don't worry, I'll remind you every chance I get." Jonas picked her up and settled her down on the bed.

"Jonas?"

"Yeah?" His voice was a lazy, sleepy growl in the darkness.

"If we're going to get married, I think we should do it right."

"Right? What do you mean? There's only one way to do it. You get some blood tests, a license and a ring, and you say a few words in front of a duly constituted authority. Then you get to go to bed. What's the big deal?"