by Deanna Chase
“I’m not a goddamned swinger, Brinn. I already told you we aren’t a thing. Not anymore and never again. And you for damned sure aren’t my soul mate. I’m in love with Carrie.” Then he turned to Darwin. “You honestly thought I was going to go along with this?”
Silence filled the room as Darwin shrugged, and Carrie was certain everyone must’ve been able to hear her heart frantically pounding in her chest. “Love?” she managed to squeak out.
Austin turned to her, caught her eye, and squeezed her fingers. “That can’t be a surprise. Not after tonight.”
It was, and it wasn’t. She already knew she loved him. She had for years. He was her best friend, after all. But was she in love with him? Yes. The word was right there on the tip of her tongue. And the thought of him engaging in any sort of sexual activity with Brinn made her stomach turn.
“Carrie?” he asked, suddenly sounding worried. “Are you freaking out?”
“No!” She grinned at him. “Not at all. I love you, too.”
He let out a sigh of relief and opened his arms. “Come here, love.”
She glided into his embrace, wrapping her arms around him and holding on tightly as she pressed small kisses to his neck. “I love you so much.”
He stroked her hair and said, “I didn’t mean to blurt it out like that, but now that it’s out there, there’s no sense in denying it.” Pulling back slightly, he smiled down at her. “Now what are we going to do about it?”
“Excuse me!” Brinn cried out and slapped the riding crop down on an end table, causing it to make a sinister sound that made Carrie’s skin crawl. Brinn pointed at Austin. “You belong to me. And that bitch isn’t going to steal you away.”
“Hey! Who are you calling a bitch?” Carrie demanded as she stepped in front of Austin as if to shield him from the crazy woman. “You’re the one who broke into his house and brought your submissive fiancé along for the ride.”
“I had him first,” she spat out, stalking toward Carrie with that riding crop still in her hand. “I was willing to share, but now I think I’ll just take you out with the trash.”
Oh, hell no, Carrie thought. The woman wearing cheap-ass fishnets that already have a run in them did not just call me trash. How dare she? Carrie put her hands out in front of her and called up her cool magic. She wasn’t normally a fighter, but this was one challenge she wasn’t going to back down from. Not when Brinn obviously wasn’t going to leave them alone. “You want to do this, then let’s do it.”
“Bring it, witch,” Brinn said, waving the leather riding crop through the air.
“Carrie,” Austin said from directly behind her. “You do not need to do this.”
Without glancing back, she said, “Of course I do. She’s never going to leave you alone as long as she thinks there’s a chance with you.”
“Unless we can break the spell, she’s always going to think that,” he said.
He had a point. But she wasn’t going to just stand there and let Brinn insult her. She did have her pride.
“Ready to cry your eyes out?” Brinn asked with a sneer.
“Ready to find out how it feels to be caught with your pants down?” Carrie asked.
She rolled her eyes. “I’m not wearing pants.”
“I know.” Carrie pointed her fingers at Brinn and said, “Wardrobe change.”
Magic crackled over Brinn, transforming her porn-star outfit into one of a preppy college girl. Only the pants were three sizes too large and immediately fell to her ankles, leaving Brinn in her new white granny panties.
Brinn looked down at herself and let out a horrified cry. “Oh my god. I look like I turned into my mother. I can’t have a threesome like this. It looks like I just stepped out of an old Sears catalog. How can I be sexy in this?”
“Just take it off,” Darwin said from his place on the floor. Sometime during Carrie and Brinn’s exchange, he’d stripped down to a G-string and had gotten down on all fours.
Carrie threw her head back and laughed. “Oh my god,” she gasped out. “How is this even happening?”
Austin put his arm around her and pulled her to him. “Remember, it’s because of the curse. She isn’t completely in her right mind.”
“Oh, Austin,” she said through a giggle. “Don’t be so naive. Look at Darwin. Take a good long look and tell me what you see.”
“He’s just a man wearing dental floss up his ass crack.”
“Right. But he’s doing it for Brinn. He’s not cursed, is he?” she asked.
“Of course not,” he said, giving her a horrified look. “I’m not into guys, and if I was, it certainly wouldn’t be one that wears ass floss.”
She snickered. “But Brinn is going to marry him. That has nothing to do with the curse. You know what that means?”
He shrugged, appearing not to comprehend what she was trying to say.
“She’s a freak when you’re not around. This isn’t new for them. I bet they play ride the pony on a fairly regular basis. And see that welt on Darwin’s left ass cheek? That isn’t new. I bet she gave it to him a couple of days ago.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake, don’t ask me to look at his ass cheek,” Austin said, shielding his eyes.
“Why not?” Brinn piped up. “He has one fine ass. Better than yours, I suspect,” she said to Austin. “Not that you’ll show it to anyone. You always were a prude.”
“Prude?” Carrie said before she could stop herself. She didn’t particularly want to be in the middle of Austin and Brinn’s drama, but Brinn had left her no choice the minute she started suggesting foursomes.
“Are you saying he isn’t?” Brinn asked, raising one skeptical eyebrow.
“That’s what I’m saying,” Carrie said. “But he’s not into whatever kink you have going on with Darwin over there, and neither am I. I think it’s best if you both just go.”
“But the window…” She glanced at the gaping hole where the front window used to be. “I have to fix it.”
“I’ve got it,” Carrie assured her.
“But…” Brinn let her gaze drift to Austin and once again the adoring puppy-dog face took over. “He’s so dreamy, don’t you think?”
“Sure, dreamy,” Carrie said, irritated again. “But he’s not yours anymore, remember? You’re marrying Darwin tomorrow.”
Her expression softened as she glanced over at her barely clad fiancé. “You’re right. And if we don’t get it on soon, we’re both going to be on edge tomorrow.”
Carrie held her hands up. “No one is stopping you.”
Brinn let out a huff of maniacal laughter. “No one except you, you bitch.” Before Carrie could respond, Brinn raised both hands and shot her right in the chest with a clear bolt of magic.
Paralyzing spell, Carrie thought as her entire body turned numb.
“Brinn!” Austin said, running toward Carrie and catching her just before she fell. He placed her in one of his oversized armchairs, then returned to Brinn, ready for a fight. “What did you just do?”
“I took out my competition. That’s all.” She jerked her head toward Darwin. “Now come, pet, we have to make sure this threesome is going to work before we tie the knot tomorrow.”
Austin opened his mouth to no doubt protest her delusions one more time, but before he could get any words out, Brinn pounced on him. She wrapped both her arms and legs around him then covered his mouth with hers and kissed him with everything she had.
A silent scream got caught in Carrie’s paralyzed throat as she watched the crazy witch dry hump her boyfriend.
Chapter 9
“Get. Off. Me,” Austin ordered, using both hands to try and pry Brinn from his body.
But the batshit-crazy witch clung to him as if holding on for dear life and said, “Come on, Austin. You know you want me. You’ve always wanted me.”
“Brinn! Stop.” Unable to take anymore of her relentless attack, he let his magic fly, zapping her with a magical current that made her jerk away from him.
“What the hell are you talking about?” he called over his shoulder as he rushed to Carrie’s side.
“When we were together, I pretended to be vanilla in the bedroom because that’s who you wanted me to be. Just once I went off script and risked your stupid kissing curse, and then you ditched me. Lighten up, will you? As soon as you let your inhibitions go, you’ll see how good we can be together. That soul mate connection combined with spanking and bondage… just think about it.”
“You aren’t my soul mate,” he said, shaking his head. All this time he’d been under the impression that his kissing curse had turned her from a sweet, almost innocent girl to the domineering one standing in front of him, but had he been wrong from the start? Clearly, she’d been a lot more adventurous than she’d let on.
“Yes, I am,” she said angrily. “Darwin, tie up his little girl friend. We’re going to show them exactly what they’re missing.”
“You got it, Brinn,” Darwin said easily as if her request wasn’t completely crazytown.
Austin, who’d just kneeled by Carrie’s side, stood and cut Darwin off just before he reached them. “Don’t even think about touching her.”
“Get out of his way, Austin,” Brinn said meanly. “Or else I’m going to have to incapacitate you as well. Then I’ll have Darwin whip Blondie over there. And trust me when I say he knows exactly where to place the welts so they’re discreetly hidden.
Austin was so angry, his entire body started to vibrate. Magic crackled over his skin, and he was certain that if he unleashed it, Brinn would be tossed through the air as if she were a ragdoll. He would’ve done it if only he hadn’t felt so much guilt due to the curse she’d carried all those years. He didn’t want to have to hurt her, but if she or Darwin touched Carrie, all bets were off.
“Darwin,” Brinn said, impatience coloring her tone. “Do it.”
The warlock glanced between Austin and Brinn, seeming uncertain about what to do. She glared at him, then Darwin turned to Austin and said, “Sorry, man. What she says goes.”
“Really?” Austin said, running a hand through his hair as he tried to keep himself under control. If he didn’t, he’d end both of them for having the audacity to attack Carrie. “Fine then.” He turned to Brinn, focused on his magic, and let it fly. The white stream of light hit her right in the throat and lit up her body like a lightning rod. The spell was temporary, but if it worked, it’d be enough to end this particular altercation.
“Brinn!” Darwin gasped out. He spun, turning on Austin. “What did you do to her?”
“See for yourself.” Austin waved an angry hand at his former girlfriend.
She stood perfectly still in the middle of his living room, all traces of the magic Austin had unleashed gone. She had a silly smile on her face as she turned to Darwin.
“Brinn?” he asked hesitantly. “Are you all right?”
“Sure,” she said sweetly and pressed a hand to his cheek. “But why are you wearing that? It’s not at all what I had in mind.”
He glanced down at his bare chest and G-string. “This is what you told me to wear.”
She shook her head. “No silly. You’re supposed to be in a diaper. Go change.” As the words came out of her mouth, her face scrunched up in confusion and she shook her head. A moment later, her mouth worked as if she was trying to get something else out, but the words wouldn’t come. Finally, when she spoke again she said, “Then find some vegetables and make some baby food. I want to feed you before I put you to bed.” Her hand flew up to cover her mouth as if she was trying to keep herself from saying anything else.
Austin let out a loud laugh. His spell had worked perfectly. Any order she gave Darwin for the time being would require him to behave like a baby who needed to be coddled. There’d be no more talk of hurting Carrie.
“Um, okay,” Darwin said, sounding more than a little confused. But without even questioning her, he disappeared down the hall, presumably to find something to turn into a diaper.
Brinn started stomping her feet and wailing about how her life was so unfair. Austin ignored her and bent to Carrie’s side. She was still unconscious, but her color was good, and she was breathing normally.
“Carrie,” he said. “Wake up, sweetheart.”
No response.
“Come on, love. I need you to open your eyes.”
Nothing.
“What did you do to her?” Austin asked Brinn. But she was too far gone into her tantrum to answer him. He wanted to shake Brinn, but he knew it was his spell that was making her unable to communicate properly. He needed to get Carrie to the healer. With any luck, Mystia would be able to reverse whatever sleeping spell Brinn had unleashed.
Austin scooped Carrie up into his arms, ignoring the pain from his fresh stitches, and carried her outside. Just before he closed the door to his house, he saw Darwin emerge from the hallway wearing a white towel as a diaper. He paused and struck a pose against the wall, putting one pasty-white leg out. “What do you think, Brinn? Want to spank me?”
She took one look at him and started to wail, the piercing sound making Austin wince in pain.
“Oh, a tantrum,” Darwin said, still unaware that Brinn wasn’t in full control of her actions. “I like it. Give me more, Brinn. Louder. Show me what a bad boy I’ve been.”
Austin felt bile rise up in the back of his throat as he slammed the door on them. Those two definitely needed therapy. And as much as he hated the fact that they were still in his house, he had Carrie to take care of. He’d worry about them later.
Please don’t let them do any freaky crap on my bed or my new leather couch, he thought as a shudder ran through him. But as he secured Carrie in his truck, he took one look at her peaceful face and put the kinky couple out of his mind. There was only one person he cared about in that moment, and he was going to do everything in his power to bring her back to him.
Austin jerked to a stop in front of Mystia’s home and attached office. The lights were off, but considering it was the middle of the night, he wasn’t surprised. He left Carrie in the car, ran up the steps, and banged on the door.
No answer.
He knocked again and rang the doorbell. When neither produced a response, he pulled out his phone and dialed her number.
“Hello, Mystia is currently unavailable. In case of an emergency, please call Healer Hopkins on the mainland.”
He muttered a curse, hung up, and dialed Cooper. His line went straight to voicemail, too, and the message indicated he’d whisked his girl away for a short trip to New York City.
“Crap.” When had they decided that? Right after they’d left his house? Probably. Cooper had his pilot’s license and access to a family plane. It didn’t take much planning when he wanted to go somewhere. Austin pressed his fingers to his forehead as he tried to figure out what to do next. He had to find someone to help Carrie. Wasn’t there anyone else on the island who was a trained healer? He wasn’t willing to wait until morning when Healer Hopkins could catch the ferry.
He quickly scrolled through his contacts on his phone, hoping someone would jump out at him. There was no one until… he stared at his mother’s contact number and forced himself to hit Call.
She answered on the first ring. “Austin! I was just thinking about you, honey. I was in the garden and came across the garden gnome you got me when you were a boy. Do you remember that? It’s the little witch in the pink dress with polka dots. You said you wanted to marry her someday.”
“Sure, Mom,” he said, repressing a sigh. Why it didn’t occur to her to ask why he was calling in the middle of the night was beyond him, but his mother never really did spend much time worrying about details. “Listen, is Quinton around?”
“Sure. But he’s in the middle of an offering. Want me to have him call you back?”
/> An offering meant he was in his broken-down man shed smoking a joint. “No, there’s an emergency, and I need his healer skills.”
“Oh, my. Are you okay? What happened?” she asked, finally concerned for his wellbeing.
“I’m fine. It’s Carrie Carmichael. She’s been put under a sleeping spell, and Mystia appears to have taken off for a few days. I just need—”
“Say no more. I’ll get Quinton and we’ll be right over.”
“No, I’m coming to you. I’ll be there in five minutes.”
“Okay, sweetheart,” she said. “Drive safely.”
He didn’t answer. Instead he ended the call and jumped back into his truck. Four minutes later, he was in his mom’s driveway and began carrying his girlfriend up the two hundred and twenty-one stairs to his mother’s elaborate treehouse. By the time he stepped through the front door of her home that was nestled in a cluster of oak trees, he was winded and sweating, and he was pretty sure at least one of his puncture wounds was bleeding.
“In here,” his mom said, gesturing to their guestroom that looked out over the churning seas of the Atlantic Ocean. She was wearing one of her long flowing skirts, a tank top, and Birkenstocks that she’d had for as long as he could remember.
Quinton was sitting in a rocking chair in a corner of the room, smoking a pipe. His long blond hair was tied back into a ponytail, and he wore hemp drawstring pants and a T-shirt that had a Grateful Dead logo on the front. All he needed was a VW bus and a bong to complete his hippy persona.
He didn’t open his eyes or acknowledge them in any way. He just rocked back and forth, chanting something under his breath that Austin didn’t understand. Latin maybe. Or perhaps some sort of native language, though Quinton was of English descent and didn’t have a drop of native blood anywhere in his family tree, much to the man’s dismay. He’d once told Austin that he just knew he was destined to be a shaman, but since he wasn’t of native descent, he had to settle for being a healer.