Celtic Love Knots Volume 1

by Tina Bendoni, Michelle Hasker

  "It's easy with you. You make me feel so good.” She looked at him through hooded eyes, and reached for him. “But now it's my turn to make you feel just as good."

  Surprisingly, he moved out of her reach. “No, tonight was about you."

  "But..."

  "Shhh.” He put his finger on her lips. “I love pleasing you. Now tell me how your day went."

  Alyson was amazed by this incredible man. He was everything she had ever dreamed of. She giggled to herself at that thought. He should be everything she ever dreamed of, since it was only in her dreams that she had him. It was strange, and a bit crazy, but she had grown to love her fantasy man. She looked forward to going to bed every night, hoping she would meet him when she slept. She only wished he could be real.

  The one friend who knew about her fantasy lover worried about her relation to the real world.

  "Alyson, you need to find a real man,” Bree had argued with her earlier that night.

  "I don't need a man, Bree."

  "You obviously need something, Al, if you're dreaming of the perfect man at night, and you're content with just that."

  Alyson had sighed. She knew Bree was right. Perhaps she did spend too much time thinking of her dream man, but no one in real life came close to him. She had tried dating, but they all fell short.

  "Bree, you of all people know a woman doesn't need a man to be complete. I love my job and I have great friends. What more do I need?"

  "A real man."

  Alyson shook her head, knowing there was nothing she could tell her friend that would change Bree's mind. And if she were honest with herself, she knew Bree was probably right.

  "And I have the perfect plan."

  "What?” Alyson had been friends with Brianna for over ten years, and she knew when Bree got that look in her eyes, trouble wasn't far away.

  "A spell."

  "A what?"

  "A spell to bring you your perfect man."

  "And you're accusing me of living in a dream world?"

  Bree ignored the sarcastic comment as she went about opening small packages and vials, which she proceeded to pour into the small cauldron in front of her.

  "It is Samhain, the time when the veil between the worlds is the thinnest. Now is the best night to do it."

  "Do what?"

  "Conjure you a real lover from another dimension."

  Alyson Foxxe looked at her best friend of the last ten years. Brianna had thought up some harebrained things in her life, but this topped them all. It wasn't that Brianna was pagan; it was her insistence on all these silly spells and potions that never did what they were supposed to do.

  "And what makes this man you want to conjure any better than the one in my dreams? At least I know what I'm getting into with him, and I only have to see him when I want to."

  "This will be a real man, Alyson. One of flesh and blood."

  Alyson snorted at her friend's comment. “Yeah, right, a real man. One from a different dimension. What happens if I don't like him? Or if he has a wart on his nose?

  Bree huffed at Alyson. “He'll be perfect for you. And anyway, he'll only be here while the veil is thinned. Twenty-four hours, max."

  "Oh, great, now not only do I have a fantasy lover, I'll have a real man who is perfect, and who will disappear in twenty-four hours. Oh, sure, that makes things a whole lot better.” Alyson shook her head at Bree's logic. “Now, wait a minute, isn't it the veil between the living and the dead that's thin tonight?"

  "Well, yeah, that is one translation, but some of us think it means all worlds, and tonight, we're going to test that theory."

  "Who is some of us?"

  "A bunch of the women I work with."

  Deciding not to touch that comment specifically—having met some of those women—Alyson questioned her further, “Brianna, what makes you think this spell will work any better than all the others you've tried over the years?"

  "This is a new one. I just found this grimoire in a used bookshop."

  Alyson shook her head. “And you think something of real value would be in a used bookstore?"

  "Hey, you never know, and it looks really old."

  Alyson sighed again and watched Brianna as she proceeded to mix ingredients. Finally, unable to control her curiosity any more, she peeked into the cauldron. “Are you sure you're doing it right? That you have all the right ingredients?"

  "More or less."

  "More or less?"

  "Well some of the ingredients you can't get at the local herb shop, you know. So I kind of well, um, substituted."

  "Substituted?"

  "Yeah, sure. We do it all the time. The spells were written when things were different. Lots of herb names have changed over the years, too. Don't worry. What's the worst that can happen? Now stand back a minute, I need space for this.” Bree shooed her best friend back a step as she took a deep breath and began her incantation.

  As above, so below,

  Let my friend's spirit flow

  Bring to her a man of flesh,

  One with whom her soul can mesh

  Hours together, only twenty-four

  Yet, by her choice, let it be more

  Her dream lover, only she can see

  For this one night, let it be

  At that, Brianna threw the last of the ingredients in, and everything went up with a whoosh, forcing Alyson to quickly back up further, and then cough from the smoke.

  "Was that supposed to happen?"

  Brianna laughed as she, too, coughed at the puff of smoke. “Who knows? Well, I guess that does it."

  "Does what? Do you see a sexy stud standing here waiting for me?” Alyson pointed out, tongue-in-cheek.

  "Well it isn't supposed to happen immediately; give it time."

  "You only gave me twenty-four hours with him, Bree, and Halloween is almost over."

  "Don't worry. It will work."

  Shaking her head, Alyson reached for her coat. “And you say I live in a dream world. Thanks for trying, sweetie. You know I love you.” At the door, she stopped once more. “Don't worry, Bree, I know Lucas isn't real, that he's only my subconscious working overtime. Eventually, I won't need him anymore. When I'm ready, I will find someone new, but for the time being, I'm gonna enjoy it while I can."

  * * * *

  Alyson shook herself out of her reverie and returned her attention to her lover. She grew serious. “Bree said something to me that got me thinking, Lucas."

  "Uh oh.” He smiled, having heard of Bree and her antics many times. “What did she do or say this time?"

  "I'm not sure I should meet you anymore."

  Lucas sat up quickly. “Why? What happened? Did you meet someone?"

  She reached out to touch her dream man. “No, and that's just it. I've been enjoying this time with you too much. I haven't wanted to find anyone else. It's time I turn my attention back to the real world."

  "But this can be as real as you want to make it."

  "But it isn't actually real, Lucas. I need to move on.” Alyson sat up and shook her head. “Hell, look at me. I'm arguing with the man my subconscious created so I wouldn't be lonely. That alone is enough for me to know I need to stop. I'm sorry, Lucas, but this has to end. I'll always remember you. Thank you."

  With that, Alyson wished her surroundings to change. Gradually, the scenery, the woods, all began to disappear.

  "But, Alyson, no. There is still so much I need to tell you. Things we haven't done."

  The bed faded into nothingness until they were standing side by side. “Lucas, there is no more. I truly am sorry, but I need to do this.” And finally, with one last kiss, Lucas disappeared into nothingness.

  * * * *

  Alyson found herself in her bed, awake. She had done it. It was time to move on. Her dream lover was gone. Somehow, she knew he wasn't coming back. It was for the best, she told herself as she lay there, but the silent tears coursing down her face belied her thoughts when she drifted off to sleep.

  Al
yson woke up to a sound. There was something in her room. Slowly, she opened her eyes to see what was there.

  "Holy shit!” Alyson couldn't believe her eyes. She knew she was awake. This wasn't possible. She closed her eyes and concentrated. This couldn't be happening. She opened her eyes again. Nothing had changed.

  "How is this possible? This can't be real."

  "It is, my love. Very real."

  "No, you belong in my dreams. Not here, not in real life."

  "You called me to you.” Lucas approached her, his smooth body flowing across the bedroom. He sat on the bed and reached for her hand before she even thought to react.

  "No, I wished you away."

  "But you also called me to you. Did you not do something this evening to make this possible?"

  "No. Nothing.” Then it hit her. “Bree!"

  "Your friend? But what does she have to do with this?"

  "She cast a spell earlier tonight. Asking for a man for me."

  "Any man?"

  "Well, she asked for the perfect man, or the man of my dreams.” Alyson shook her head. “Something. I don't remember."

  He smiled that smile that always sent butterflies fluttering in her stomach. “There you have it. She asked for your dream man, and here I am."

  "No, it's not possible."

  "I assure you, my dear, it is."

  "But you're a dream. I made you up."

  "Do you truly believe that?"

  Did she believe it? Could she have made him up? He really was perfect. He listened to her when she needed him to. They talked about their days. He helped her figure things out. Hell, he even argued with her when he thought she was wrong. Would a dream lover do that? He had to be a fantasy. Of course he was. She'd just wished him away. But he was here, now. In flesh and blood. Alyson lived in a calm, rational world. There was no way this could possibly be real.

  "You're too perfect to be anything but my imagination."

  "No, I'm sorry, Alyson, but I am real, and I always have been."

  "What are you talking about?” Confusion vied with elation as her eyes searched his face for a sign of deception. Or insanity.

  "I come from another world, another dimension, if you will."

  "That's impossible."

  His deep laugh sent electricity through her body, a flush rushing to her skin. “You keep saying everything is impossible. If it wasn't possible, I wouldn't be here."

  "Give me a break, Lucas. My life is simple and by the book. I run an event planning company, not write science fiction."

  "Can't you just accept I am here?” He brought her hand up to his mouth. “Accept it, and enjoy it?"

  His hot smooth lips caressed her hands, enticing her to respond; promising her the pleasure she could find when lost in his body.

  "But..."

  He moved into her, pushing her back down on the bed. “No buts. Let's just enjoy the time we have."

  With that, he kissed her. Alyson had experienced his kisses in her dreams, but somehow, here in the real world, they were even more intense, sending her senses into overdrive as she lost herself in the feel of him. From where their lips met, tingles began and spread throughout her entire body, intensifying all she felt.

  The cotton of her sheet rubbed against her legs, constricting her, forcing her to kick it off in response. Her shirt was too restrictive, and she wanted it off. Now. She needed nothing touching her but him.

  Pushing him away, she pulled her nightshirt off over her head, and reached for his.

  He beat her to it, removing it in one swift motion. It was quickly followed by his pants, baring his beautiful body to her gaze.

  She reached for him, pulling him down on top of her once again. She needed this, wanted this more than anything in her life.

  His lips met hers once again briefly and then started working down. They slid down her cheek to her chin, straight to her neck where he left little love bites, as she arched in response. His hands were never still as they cupped her breasts, caressing them firmly.

  Further his mouth roamed, down to her breast, to her tight, puckered nipples, then he took one in his mouth and sucked it. A sound escaped from deep in her throat as he attended to her other breast with his hand, massaging it, and flicking the nipple with his thumb.

  His other hand stroked down her sides, working its way to her hip and then across to the nest of hair at the juncture of her legs.

  Without hesitation, he went straight to her pussy, separating her lips, then one finger went inside her, and another pressed against her clit. Alyson moaned at the familiar feel of him, her hands kneading his back, his shoulders. She exulted in the feel of him when he inserted another finger inside her. She grabbed onto his shoulders as he pumped her hard with his hand, playing with her, getting her wetter. Her nails created small crescent moons on his back as her body tightened in response to him.

  He pulled away from her breast and removed his hand from her just when she felt she was ready to come.

  "Wha—” she questioned.

  "Shhh.” He smiled at her as he moved his body, positioning his mouth at her crotch, and his penis at her mouth.

  "Oooh, yeah.” She watched his large cock in front of her eyes as it jumped in anticipation of her touch. Reaching out slowly, she started at the base and ran a nail up the tip of his shaft. His body shook in response. She took that to be a good sign, then reached her hand around him, squeezing gently as she bent her head to him. The groan that escaped his mouth as she took him into hers emboldened her further.

  Her hand moved slowly up and down his shaft, her mouth just barely over the tip, playing with her tongue as she sucked his length.

  Her gasp was muffled by the cock in her mouth when he brought his own mouth to her, licking and lapping her juices while he worked to bring her to orgasm.

  She sucked harder and faster on him as his actions brought her closer and closer to her own orgasm. His fingers were back inside her, pumping in her while his tongue licked her, sucking hard at her clit, as though determined to make her come.

  She tried to concentrate on what she was doing, giving him pleasure, but she soon lost herself in his actions and her tension built. Suddenly, he pulled himself away from her and he bit one last time, followed by a hard suck, sending her over the edge with a scream.

  Quickly he moved, turning his body, inserting himself inside her before her first real orgasm of the night finished, sending her over the edge again with his thick cock when he rammed it into her.

  She met him thrust for thrust as he pushed himself in and out, sending her over the edge again and again while her body trembled around his in eternal need. One final push, and she felt his seed spill into her as he came with a loud groan, croaking out her name when he collapsed on top of her, his body slick with sweat.

  Alyson decided she didn't care right now why he was with her now, just that he was, was enough for her.

  * * * *

  "Okay, can you explain this all to me now, please?” Alyson looked at Lucas over breakfast the next morning. For the first time ever, she had experienced falling asleep in his arms, and waking up the same way. It had felt so good she hadn't been up to questioning him more. Now she needed answers, though.

  "All right.” Lucas put down his fork and reached for her hand. Last night, she had felt a spark at his touch. She thought it was her imagination, a carryover from her dreams. Apparently not. With his touch, she immediately felt a combination of lust and security run through her body.

  "Like I said last night, I come from a different dimension."

  "How do you know?"

  "What do you mean how do I know?"

  "What makes you say you aren't from a different part of this dimension?"

  "Let me just explain, okay? I come from a different world, in which magic not only works, but is accepted as commonly as electricity is here.

  "Relationships work differently, too. We all know who we are destined to love from the time we hit puberty. We may not always kn
ow their names, or even what they look like, but always, we find them, once we are ready.

  "For me, it was different. I knew my special someone was out there, but I couldn't find her. The connection was there, but too weak to follow in the normal way. I thought maybe she just wasn't ready for me yet, but that wasn't it.

  "Our shaman finally helped me figure out that I needed to start searching other worlds, other dimensions—realities if you will—to find my love. We knew once I did, all she needed to do was acknowledge that connection, and we could be together.

  "That woman, my one love—is you."

  "That's impossible.” Alyson shook her head, not wanting to believe such a fantastical story. Another dimension? Come on.

  "You keep saying that, but the facts prove you wrong."

  "According to you.” She pulled her hand away from his and stood up to start pacing. “Okay, then, how did you get from my dreams to my reality?"

  "Your friend provided the needed link. She sent out a request for the perfect man for you. That was me."

  "A little full of yourself, aren't you?"

  "It has nothing to do with being full of myself. It is the way things in my world work. Our two souls belong together."

  "But she only asked for twenty-four hours."

  "I know, and so I will only stay that long.” Lucas nodded his head, looking grim.

  "But why? If you are my true love, as you say, why would you leave after only twenty-four hours?"

  "Because I have no choice. Her spell was a miracle. I had no idea how to get to you otherwise. It has given me the chance to put my petition before you. The rest is up to you."

  "What do you mean?"

  "You need to decide if there is reason enough to come with me. If I can be everything you need."

  "I would have to leave here?"

  "Yes."

  "But my business, my friends and family are all here."

  "I know, and I'm sorry, but it is the only way we can be together."

  "What about the women of your world? Do they have to give up everything?"

  "It is different for them. Once a couple meets, they take time to get to know each other and make decisions together, just as any couple should. Sometimes they are from the same area. Sometimes she moves, others, the male does. Hell, sometimes they find neutral ground. But the point is they have two things we lack. Time and flexibility."