Craved
Epilogue

Renee:

Renee set aside the trowel and wiped her forehead with the back of her hand. After a month of legislation, the Turkish government re-approved their excavation site. Damon argued that it would've been sooner had she allowed him to use his power, but she wanted to do this on her own. Now she led the team with Damon staying with her as support. Even Travis returned.

The land felt different, more alive than before.

She was a full-time archeologist, having quit her teaching job, yet still sent her class pictures and updates of her archeological dig. A few colleges had called asking her to be a guest speaker for their history and archeological classes. She missed teaching, so she might take them up on the offer. Fly home for a week, do a seminar, fly back. And at Damon's insistence, they'd fly first class or hire a private jet.

He was hers, and she belonged to him. She wanted to help Damon's people. If there were more crystals, she'd replace them so others wouldn't have to suffer, changing into demons like Clive. If the crystal shard hadn't benefited them, she'd be scouring the earth for another. Using her skills to locate another for his people filled her with a purpose more so than just excavating.

Her mom had recovered from her injuries, thank goodness. And Renee had plans to meet up with her and her stepfather next week. It was still awkward between her and Tom, but it was getting better. She now understood why he did the things he had and his motives.

"How's it going?" Damon asked, the morning sun highlighting his hair.

"Good, we've made progress clearing out the rest of the throne room."

He nodded and squatted beside her, his warmth enveloping her as he ran a hand down her arm. "How are you? Tired? We could go back to the tent and-"

"No." She laughed. "Not now, it's way too early to abandon everyone. You may have slacked off when you were lead archeologist, but I won't."

"Oh?" His eyes twinkled. "Even if I promised you a foot and back rub afterward?"

"Tempting." She leaned closer to him and brushed her lips across his. "But this is research for your people. I don't want to be responsible for someone turning just because I was horny."

"So, you do want me." His crooked smile made her breath hitch.

"Always." From the corner of her eye, she noticed Carla bent over something. It appeared to be a scroll or something. "Wait. Carla, what is that? Did you replace anything?"

A wind stirred, causing a dust cloud to whip near them. Damon wrapped his arms around Renee, shielding her from the debris. When the wind calmed, Carla stood, her gaze darting from side to side. "Hey, are you okay?" Renee detangled herself from Damon and went over to Carla.

"Fine. I'm fine." Her hands shook slightly.

Renee lowered her voice. "It looked like you had a scroll or something?"

Carla jerked backward but shook her head. "N-no, must have been a trick of the light." She ran her hands down her khaki shorts. "Nothing but dirt." Without another word, she took long strides toward camp. "What was that about?" Damon asked behind her.

"I'm not sure." Renee bent over where Carla was digging, but true to her worker's word, there was nothing but dirt.

"Do you think she found something? A crystal?" he whispered.

Renee shook her head. "No, it was thin and yellow, like parchment paper. But it couldn't have just vanished. Unless it was so old it disintegrated."

"Look, I've worked with Carla before." Damon clasped her hand. "If she found something, she'd be shouting it to everyone. She wouldn't hide something like a scroll, even if it did crumble in her fingers. And there would be fragments. See, there's nothing here."

"You're right." She squared her shoulders. "Still, I'll question her later about it."

"Later? You mean after you've had your way with me?" He kissed her knuckles, and she blinked to focus as his gift swirled around her as though he were running his hands all over her. She laughed. "Stop that. Not here." They were alone in the excavated throne room. Above them, sounds drifted down from her crew as they finished their breakfast and gathered their tools.

"Just a quickie? I've got super hearing, so no one would be able to sneak up on us."

"Tease, no. I want you concentrating on me when we're together, not listening for others." She pulled away and smacked a kiss quickly on his lips. "Besides, I plan on making you pass out when I'm done with you tonight."

"You're right. I just worry you're exhausting yourself by working before sunrise to past sunset. I'm concerned about replaceing another crystal to help my people as much as you, but it's not worth your health. You're allowed to take a few minutes for a break."

Heat crept into her cheeks, and her whole body was vibrating with need now. Just hearing his seductive undertones brought back delicious sensations running through her. She leapt into his arms, wrapping her legs around his middle and kissed him until she wished they were anywhere but down in this excavated room. "I love you, Damon."

"I love you too."

"Prove it." She smiled as wicked thoughts filled her mind.

"It would be my pleasure." He set her down, never breaking contact. His warm hand in hers, they headed to camp.

"Damon and I have some things to discuss. Carry on and I'll check on your progress of the dig in an hour... maybe two," she called to her team.

"Oh, I expect this will take more than a few hours."

She lightly punched his shoulder but smiled. "Shhh."

He wove them through the tents toward theirs located in the back and out of earshot. Inside their tent, Damon slid out of his white shirt. "Days even."

"I'll leave you satisfied." She sauntered toward him, running her hands across his muscled chest. "Then it's back to work."

"Yes, Taskmaster. Just being around you gives me pleasure, but I can't get enough of you."

She placed her finger over his lips, "Enough talking. Show me."