The Problem With Hexes

by Lexi Ostrow

  She stood up, drawing in a deep breath as she realized how turned on she was when her legs squeezed together as she rose and sent a wave of pleasure through her.

  “We can keep talking about how to go after Remy.”

  She ran a hand through her hair as she opened his hall closet. She’d been here long enough to know exactly where the ingredients were. The bottle of crushed forget-me-nots slipped, but landed on her foot and didn’t shatter.

  Gathering them on the floor, she sat, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and tugged the cauldron out of the bottom of the closet where it hid under coats.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I don’t want you because I’m drunk, Jonathon. I want you because you’re the person who’s helped me find myself again. You’ve made me laugh, pissed me off so much I wanted to light you on fire, and made me so helpless with desire I swear I’ve dreamed about you kissing me for so damn long that when you first did it, I almost came undone that moment.”

  She started emptying the vials into the cauldron after taking out the pestle. Jonathon’s presence wrapped around her without so much as a single physical touch when he walked up behind her, standing over her shoulder but not squatting down.

  “That didn’t answer my question.”

  Deidre didn’t answer him, she just ground the pestle against the bottom of the cauldron. The flowers and seeds crushed together, but it was the emerald that sparkled brightest.

  “A sobriety powder?”

  “Exactly.” She put her hand over his as he went to slide his fingers through the powder.

  “You stopped that so you could brew a sobriety powder? Fuck,” Jonathon slid his hands over his hair. “I clearly did something wrong if you realized you were drunk and not just enjoying my touch.”

  “I’m not drunk, I’m a bit buzzed. Two glasses that quick is bad, and you had three.” She scooped her hand over the bowl and lifted out some of the powder, sprinkling it over her tongue. The bits of emerald scratched a bit, but she swallowed, and the slight blur of alcohol faded leaving on her pulsing need for Jonathon behind. “We’ve danced around this for weeks. I want you fully aware and ready to show me what I’ve been missing because this might be the only night we have.” Her hand wound seductively up his leg, her fingers grazing his shaft through the pants.

  “God damn,” Jonathon groaned as he wrapped his hand in her hair and tugged her against him, purposefully letting her know how hard he was. “Give me the stupid powder.”

  She resisted the urge to laugh as she bent and scooped her hand through the dry potion, and he opened his mouth.

  “You’re different,” she wound her arms around his neck, dropping the potion onto his tongue. “It’s never been like this before.” She whispered against his lips as she kissed him.

  “Like what?”

  “Like I wanted it so badly, I could do a million different things and still go right back to needing your touch.”

  “Like here?” Jonathon’s words were husky as his flat hand moved up the leg of her sweat pants, grazing over her core through the layers.

  Deidre gasped as her eyes blurred at the almost phantom touch.

  “Exactly there,” She pressed against him, spreading her legs just enough for him to step between them before she rolled her hips against him.

  Jonathon’s lips covered hers with a growl as his hand slipped below her waistband. Long fingers grazed over her swollen nub, and she cried out into their kiss.

  He smirked against her mouth. “That is so much better than thinking I did something wrong.”

  Her eyes lost focus again as his fingers dipped inside her underwear and slid against her folds. “Goddess,” Deidre gasped, nearly collapsing against him. So many weeks of thinking the hex drove her to desire him, and it was Jonathon creating the magic all himself.

  Her knees buckled when a finger slipped inside her body.

  “You’re so wet, Dee.” A second finger joined the first. “So ready.”

  She couldn’t stop her hips from gyrating as she went up on her tiptoes any more than she could control the release building within her far too quickly. Had he not been holding her, she would have slipped as a wave of pleasure caused her head to fall back.

  “Jonathon,” she gasped, her lips leaving his and trailing over his neck, suckling his ear lobe and then kissing his mouth again.

  “Yes?” He used his knee to spread her legs further.

  “If you stop, I will kill you.”

  He chuckled and parted her lips with his tongue as his fingers continued to dip and swirl inside of her. “I like women when they’re on the edge.” His pace slowed, his fingers barely moving.

  Only the motion of her rocking hips continued to draw panted breaths from her as he tortured her while doing nothing at all.

  She couldn’t keep her eyes open any longer. Giving in, Deidre continued to ride his fingers, not caring that he did nothing except hold her up. He knew what he was doing, she could tell from the subtle flicks of his thumb over her clit.

  No sound save for her panted breaths reached her ears. If Jonathon spoke, Deidre heard nothing. She knew the sharp intakes of breath put her closer and closer to what she needed. What she wanted. Deidre knew nothing as the pleasure tightened her thighs and seemed to pour over his fingers as she moaned.

  Jonathon’s thoughts ping-ponged across his mind. Pleasure her. Taste her. Go slow. The thoughts slammed into him not because it had been months since he’d slept with anyone, but because he’d never slept with anyone he could see himself with long-term in the big picture of his life.

  Blowing a breath, Jonathon grit his teeth together to stop from grabbing himself. Watching the release danced in her bright eyes was torture and bliss all at once. His cock throbbed with the need to bury himself in her wet heat, but this was about first times, not rushed or sloppy bar bathroom hookups.

  Finally, the channels of her body stopped tightening around his finger, and Jonathon let his fingers slip free.

  “Goddess,” Deidre breathed, her eyes still loosely shut.

  “Keep thinking those thoughts.” Jonathon bent and wrapped his arm under her knees so he could lift her. She was light, but the weight of his need to take her had him stumble when he turned to get to the bedroom.

  “Very smooth.” She purred against his ear before dropping a kiss.

  “Very ready,” he guided her hand between them before setting her on the bed.

  The smile that curved over her lips was fuel enough. Setting her down, Jonathon let his eyes roam over her. The black sweat pants hung low on her hips, and the gray tank top barely covered breasts that he knew weren’t in a bra – she never wore one when they were at home. His mouth went dry at the realization that it was now or never. When this was over, she could change her mind. He could change his mind.

  They had this afternoon. This one afternoon and then the hex could destroy them all.

  Pushing the thought back, Jonathon let instinct drive. A beautiful woman lay before him, cheeks flush with desire and body wet with just one of the releases he planned on inciting. Jonathon let his fingers catch the waistband of her sweats and tugged them off.

  Leaning down, he kissed her right knee, trailing upward. His hands grazed up her outer thigh as his lips dropped a tender caress along her inner thigh. Deidre’s groan echoed in her eyes, as they lay nearly closed from pleasure. Jonathon dragged his knuckles, letting them brush against her stomach as he pulled her tank top off.

  She moved with him, her hands splayed above her head as he continued to strip her bare.

  “Beautiful,” he breathed, watching as her stomach moved with each breath. Jonathon kissed her belly button and let his hands move over her breasts. “So damn beautiful, Dee.”

  “I’ve been told that before, but somehow it feels more important when you say it.”

  He laved her nipple, setting one hand beside her head and used the other to unbutton his jeans. He knew how badly he wanted her, but damn near to
uching himself could have been his undoing. Without realizing it, Jonathon had spent weeks desiring the woman beneath him even when she told him not too.

  With damn good reason.

  “It’s because I’m a young, virile warlock.” He kissed her shoulder and leaned over her again, rubbing against her even as he tugged his briefs off.

  She leaned partially up on her elbows and spoke dryly. “Of course, that’s it.” She rolled her hips under him, rubbing their bodies together. “Or maybe it’s just that for the first time, I’ve found the person who matches me – irritating habit for irritating habit.”

  “Well, then, I’m damn grateful to this fucking hex,” he lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her, heat flooding through him even though he didn’t deepen their kiss.

  Deidre’s hand moved down his chest as a look as seductive as any siren crossed over her face. Lust shone out of her eyes, and her lips stayed puffy and red from his kiss, almost bruised almost from the intensity of just a few kisses.

  “Dee,” he growled as her fingers played over the head of his dick, dancing but not gripping.

  “You played with me,” she whispered as the tips of her fingers continued to move against him. “I think that means it’s my turn. Anemos.”

  A coolness rushed over his cock, and Jonathon bit his lip, straining not to come undone at the erotic shock of the act.

  “That’s not playing fair,” he groaned as she finally wrapped her hand around him stroked.

  “I believe you’re the one who said what’s the point in having magic if you don’t use it.”

  She moved her hand quicker and then slower, the friction building and lessening at a maddening rate.

  Jonathon couldn’t stop his eyes from sliding shut as the pleasure become more than he could stand. His body was alive, pulsating with electricity from the need her hand created.

  Closing his hand over hers, Jonathon guided her hand, changing the tempo until he lost himself in a buzz of delight for a few moments.

  “Stop.”

  She gave one hell of a throaty, seductive laugh before her hand went lax under his. Jonathon let go and then paused.

  “Birth control?”

  “Spells,” she slid down the bed. “Always spells.”

  “Good,” With one motion, he held himself against her, rubbing gently until his balls damn near drew up against him from the pleasure of coating himself in her wetness.

  His lips found hers, pressed against them, and kissed her open-mouthed as he thrust down, pushing inside her body.

  She groaned. He grunted. He stopped the kiss. Jonathon held himself there, propped up with one hand beside her, and then put his hand on the other side, framing her as he opened his eyes and looked down.

  Deidre’s eyes stayed closed, her lips parted slightly. The look was all it took. His hips moved. Slow, deep thrusts and long, more deliberate pull-outs drew his erection in and out over her sensitive nub. Jonathon couldn’t hear his own breathing, but the strained pants and gasps from Deidre drove him wild.

  Pants that grew desperate, frantic, as she began to increase the pace. Jonathon gave in, driving faster and faster into her perfect body. His hips slapped against hers, and her breasts bounced against his chest as he leaned against her more.

  “Jonathon,” she whispered, her body twisting as she moved to keep up with his thrusts. “Goddess, Jonathon.” She cried, not with release, but need.

  Nearly lost in a haze of his own desire, Jonathon let his thumb find her swollen center and rub. One flick. One thrust.

  Over and over. His breathing grew shallow as he struggled to hold back his release until she found hers. She trembled beneath him, her arms landing on his shoulders and squeezing as he focused on Deidre.

  “Efcharístisi,” he whispered into their kiss.

  Deidre cried, her fingers digging into his shoulders, as her thrusts slowed.

  Grunting, Jonathon slammed in and out, the friction building as her channel pulsed around him until the pleasure in his stomach burst, exploding a breath from his lungs as his body released.

  He wanted to keep going, to bring her to the edge again, but he couldn’t. Exhaustion rolled through him with the force of a tidal wave, and it was all he could do not to collapse on top of her.

  “What was that,” she breathed, her hands leaving his shoulders to run through his hair.

  He shivered as the motion sent another jolt of pleasure through him. He pulled out slowly, ignoring the slight cold over his sensitive shaft. “That is me having magic and using it.” Jonathon lay beside her.

  “Well, you having magic and using it is the most damn creative, perfect, thing I’ve ever felt.”

  The smug smile crept onto his lips as he closed his eyes and groped around the bed to take her hand in his. “Using magic to control reactions is key in any good partnership.”

  His eyes shot open as realization sparked. “Dear god, why didn’t I think of this before?” Jonathon rolled, not happy with ruining the moment, but knowing it was necessary.

  “Where are you going?” Deidre didn’t growl but instead seemed concerned.

  “I know how we can tell someone about the hex.”

  “What?” That was a shout.

  He was already padding across the room to look for his intention amulet in his top drawer. “I know how to control the hex. My mother gave me an intention charm as a kid. She told me only to use it if someone needed to be controlled and not to abuse its power.”

  “A what?” Deidre stepped up beside him. If she was pissed he ruined their bed play, she said nothing, though she did make it a point to lean against him and let her hand run down his stomach.

  “They’re old. Mostly forgotten. My mother is Native American. Their magic is a bit different.”

  “I didn’t know that.”

  “You never asked.” His fingers grasped around the moon amulet. “I’m sorry, Dee. I swear to you this wasn’t what I planned.”

  “If you can destroy this hex, you can do whatever the fuck you want, Jonathon.”

  It killed him when she removed her hand, but they could do plenty of that again if this worked. “Phone. Phone. Damn it, why can I never find this thing.”

  “Kitchen counter.”

  He looked over his shoulder and smiled at her. She hadn’t even attempted to dress. No, Deidre Adams sat on the edge of his bed buck naked and fucking stunning. It seems fitting.

  Ignoring the need to kiss her, Jonathon went for his phone. Business first. Pleasure second. It had gotten him this far.

  Snatching his phone off the marble countertop, he jammed his finger into the text message application while holding on to the amulet. Control. Send the text.

  He scrolled until he found Patrick’s name but didn’t want to type one-handed.

  “The weregator alpha hexed Deidre and me. We’re going to drown the city. Find him.” Sucking in a breath, his finger hovered over the stupid blue arrow. “Do it,” he growled and pushed it.

  Pain slammed into his hand as the phone exploded. “Fuck!” Heat drew fast blisters over his index finger and thumb.

  “Here,” Deidre was there, slamming a wet cloth over his hand.

  The fiery sensation stopped.

  “Are you insane?” She snarled, her eyes going to the sparking phone he’d dropped to the floor.

  “I thought it would work.” The amulet slipped from his hand, the moonstone cracking against the counter, but not breaking as it fell to the hardwood floor. Elation siphoned out. “Fuck.”

  Deidre slipped her hand through his. “We decide these things together next time. Thankfully I know you have healing potion in your bathroom under the sink.”

  Jonathon let his head fall back. “I can’t believe this. It has to be Remy, and we can’t find him or get anyone else to find him. If he cast the hex, he’s blocked from tracking spells just like last month.” His growl rumbled through the apartment.

  “We’ll go back up there.”

  “No. His congregatio
n will rip us apart.”

  Again, Deidre slipped her hand into his. “We will figure this out. We can take turns falling apart and comforting each other. For now, let’s go see about records for all of the weregator property.”

  Jonathon sighed. “With age comes wisdom.”

  She smacked him playfully. “Watch yourself.”

  A smile lifted the corners of this mouth. “I ruined the mood, didn’t I?”

  “Was there going to be more?”

  “There was most certainly going to be more.” He turned to face her, grabbing her wrist and gently tugging her against him. “I was going to taste you.”

  Her groan sent blood rushing to his dick.

  “I hate that you said that right now.”

  “Well, that just gives us motivation to figure this out quickly.”

  Deidre snorted. “And there is the Jonathon I know. Back to work right after the orgasms wear off.”

  “I assure you, I’m going to prove that statement wrong the minute Remy is locked away, and we’re safe.” The words were a growled promise, and Jonathon liked the way her eyes went round with desire.

  Eighteen

  “Thanks, Tanner.” Jonathon’s voice fell. He ended the call and set the phone down. “Nothing.”

  “So, that’s it?” Deidre fought back a wave of despair.

  They’d spent the last four hours driving to all Crescent City Gator properties. Tanner volunteered to help. According to the fun-loving cop, he didn’t need to know what was up if they had a problem, he was in.

  Too bad every house came up empty. It wasn’t rare for wereanimals to vacation together – even less so near the full moon. Still, Remy had to be their man. Gators could swim. Gators were constantly hunted.

  “I don’t want to think so, but we just hit a dead end. As much as I want to go up to the swamp with magic blazing, if we’re wrong, we’ll both be sent before the Council. Not to mention, even our magic wouldn’t be a match for over a hundred gators – regardless of what form they’re in.”