by Michelle Fox
“You have Brownies?” Marion asked, curious. She’d never seen one before, but their housekeeping skills were legendary. The only thing was, they liked to be silent and invisible. You weren’t supposed to see them at all. If you did, they would leave.
“Yes. My mother’s cousins.” Starting down a dark hallway opposite the kitchen, he said, “The bedrooms and bathroom are over here.” He opened a rough, handmade pine door and dropped her bag inside. “This will be your room.”
Marion peered around Aidan to see a single bed with a plain blue comforter. A table, also made of pine, stood next to the bed and held a lamp and alarm clock.
“I’ll be over here.” Aidan turned to open the door across the hall. She followed him into a much larger room with a much larger bed. Where her walls had been painted a rather bland beige, his were covered in a deep green. The comforter on his bed was black and dark cherry tables flanked each side. Wide windows ran along the exterior wall, giving an unobstructed view of the grove.
“Nice.” She eyed the bed, which looked to be a king in size. “That’s an awfully big bed for one person.”
He grinned at her. “Well, maybe I won’t be alone.”
Marion swallowed and, remembering her plan to test Aidan’s identity, decided to take advantage of the sexual tension between them. “That could be arranged,” she said with a coy smile.
She walked toward him, a wicked glint in her eye, and traced a finger down one cheek, across his chin, and up the other. Detecting no mole, she moved in closer and pressed her lips against his, cupping both his cheeks in her hands, searching with her thumbs. Still no mole.
She didn’t have much time to consider her findings as Aidan pulled her tight against him, taking control of the kiss. He teased her mouth with his tongue until she thought she would melt. Any doubts she had about Aidan’s identity disappeared. Eric had never kissed her like this, never made her feel like her clothes were a nuisance. Never made her think it was a perfectly grand idea to be tossed on the bed
But Aidan did.
He kissed his way down her neck to a sensitive spot behind her neck, one connected to her nipples, which hardened instantly. Still nibbling at her neck, he ran a lazy thumb over her nipples, alternating from side to side until she couldn’t help but writhe against him.
When he moved to lift her shirt over her head, she offered no protest other than to insist he take his shirt off too. Clothes just got in the way. They kissed, skin-on-skin, hands tracing each other’s bodies.
Aidan pushed her back onto the big bed, slipped his hands behind her back to her bra and unclasped it, tossing it on the floor with their clothes. ”I’ve wanted to do this to you since I first met you.” Cupping a breast in each hand he nuzzled the space between them and then took a nipple in his mouth.
Marion arched back and moaned. His mouth may have been just on her nipple, but she felt the sensation throughout her body, particularly between her legs where a liquid heat burned. Aidan must’ve sensed the meltdown in her core because he peeled off her pants and plied her thighs apart with gentle caresses. Slipping a finger between the folds of her skin, he stroked her, rubbing in a regular, uninterrupted rhythm until she quivered.
He continued to tease, causing pleasure to arc through her body like an electric current. While she tried to catch her breath, he focused on her breasts again, flicking her nipples with his tongue.
Marion had never imagined that sex could feel so good. Her few forays into foreplay with Eric had been awkward and unpleasant. Sometimes painful as Eric’s touch often went from soft to hard. He had delighted in her pain and after the first few dates, Marion realized he wasn’t the partner for her. He had been furious at her rejection.
Ironically, this was why she was currently drowning in pleasure under Aidan’s knowledgeable touch. If she hadn’t met Eric, she wouldn’t be here with Aidan right now. And that is how things come full circle from good to bad, she thought, almost managing a wry smile between the gasps Aidan elicited.
“I don’t think I can take much more,” she finally panted. There was an emptiness inside that she desperately needed to fill. The time for teasing was past.
Aidan nodded and stripped off his pants as quickly as he could. Pulling a condom from the bedside table, he unrolled it slowly along the length of his shaft. Marion watched, eyes wide, wondering how something so long, so...hard was going to fit inside her.
Aidan must’ve noticed her concern because he said, “Are you sure you want to do this?”
Marion nodded.
“Because we can stop, if you’re not ready.”
“No, it’s just...”
“What?”
“I haven’t ...” She bit her lip and looked at him with wide eyes.
“I know it’s been a long time since Eric. Don’t worry, I’ll go slow.”
In answer, she fell back on the bed, cupping a breast with one hand, and opening herself for him with the other.
***
Aidan almost lost it right there when Marion offered herself to him. Knowing her history with Eric, he understood how much trust it took for her to take the next step with him, especially after knowing him for such a short time.
She was beautiful. That was the only word for it. Her round curves, the pink tips of her breasts and the sweet heat between her legs were more perfect than he could’ve imagined. She’d been hiding for far too long underneath those baggy clothes of hers and he couldn’t wait to explore every delicious inch.
He’d offered to stop. Gave her complete control over whether or not they would make love. He had held his breath until she answered, afraid she would say no. Afraid he hadn’t been enough for her.
But she had given herself to him with a wicked smile. One he returned as he advanced on her. Crawling over her, he positioned himself between her legs. He paused briefly to touch her breasts again, pleased at the way her eyes glazed and her breath quickened.
Gently he pressed himself against the edge of her center. She was wet, but unyielding, tighter than he would’ve expected. With teasing persistence, he won his way through, groaning as her heat gripped him. She lifted her hips, trying to help him go deeper, and gave a soft, satisfied cry as he penetrated her fully. Aidan began to rock them both in a slow steady rhythm, one hand stroking her core as they moved.
She cried out in release and the muscular spasms of her core milked him until he shouted his own climax. They sprawled on the bed, hands and legs intertwined.
“That was amazing,” Marion said with a satisfied smile.
“And only the beginning,” he said, scooping her into his arms. She molded herself to his body as if she’d been made for him; head resting on his shoulder, arm draped around his neck, and body curled against his chest like a cat about to purr. He’d never been this comfortable with the lady in his arms.
“There’s more?”
“You have no idea. Wait here.” Aidan rolled out of bed and disappeared down the hallway. When he returned, he held what looked to be an ancient clay jug covered with Fay glyphs and two glasses. Pouring the contents of the jug into a glass, he offered it to her. “Drink.”
Marion took a hesitant sip hoping the wine tasted better than its sour smell. To her surprise, it had a smooth, herbal aftertaste. “Interesting. What is it?”
“It’s an herb wine that works as an aphrodisiac.”
“Really?” She gave him a skeptical look.
“You’ll see.” He smiled. “Now, if you’ll follow me.” He took her by the hand and led her to the bathroom, which glowed with the light of dozens of candles.
While she sipped at her wine, he filled the tub with steaming water and a handful of herbs from a clay pot on the vanity. The hot water released the fragrant scent of roses and rosemary. Marion inhaled deeply, enjoying the aroma.
When the bath was full, Aidan pulled her to him and kissed her. His hands wandered over her body, stirring her senses with their light touch. She stood naked before him, rounded breasts tipped wi
th puckered rosebuds, the curve of her hips drawing his eye to her center. He knew if he touched the cleft nestled between her legs she would be wet already. The wine had given her cheeks a deep pink flush and her eyes gleamed with desire.
Marion leaned in to kiss him, nibbling at his lower lip. She skimmed her hands across his chest, smiling when his stomach tensed at her touch. Kneeling, she curled her hand around his thick, hard shaft, stroking his velvety skin. When he groaned, she laughed softly. Holding his gaze with hers, Marion took him into her mouth. She ran her tongue along his shaft and circled the head, teasing.
Before he exploded, he pulled away from her.“Not so fast. We’ve got a lot to do tonight.” He held out a hand and pulled her to her feet.
Aidan stepped into the tub, which was easily large enough for them both, and extended a hand to Marion once again. She joined him and sat between his legs with her back to him.
He then grabbed some scented soap and a washcloth, squeezing it until a rich lather formed. He then scrubbed Marion’s back.
She gave a moan of delight. “That feels wonderful.”
Aidan moved the cloth across her nipples slowly, smiling at her gasp and the way she threw her head back. Marion squirmed, her bottom rubbing against his hard length, reminding him of his own need.
Giving her breasts a reprieve, he dragged the rough fabric across her stomach and between her legs. When he’d thoroughly washed and aroused her, he abandoned the cloth in favor of his hand, caressing her core until she shuddered in climax.
Slipping a finger into her folds, he checked to make sure she was wet. Satisfied that she was ready, he gently lifted her by the shoulders and turned her until she was facing him. He pulled her toward him, leaning down to take a nipple in his mouth.
Marion threw her arms out, bracing herself against the wall and the edge of the tub. “This is too much.”
He gave her a wicked grin. “No. It’s not even close to being enough.” He thrust into her as he spoke, his shaft sliding in with little resistance this time. Instantly her wet passage gripped him and he groaned. Nothing had ever felt so good, so right, not even with the Lady herself. Who knew he could find such satisfaction with a human witch?
He didn’t have time to think much beyond that as Marion moaned another orgasm and his own release followed shortly thereafter.
Marion collapsed against him, laying her head on his shoulder. “Wow,” was all she said.
Aidan knew how she felt.
Chapter Ten
Back in the dining room, they sat in front of a roaring fire Aidan had started in the living room's stone fireplace and drank more wine. The fire felt good even though they were in the desert. Perhaps that had something to do with the grove. Maybe the weather ran different right along with the plants and trees.
A deep relaxation made Marion’s arms and legs heavy. She sank into the robe he'd given her, soaking up the warmth and utterly content. Her eyelids felt like they wouldn’t stay open without some outside assistance, but the wine revived her. So much so that she had a second and then a third glass.
“That was amazing,” she said between sips of wine. “I’ll never think of baths the same way again.”
“Me either.” His robe gaped, showing off his amazing chest. She thought about going to sit in his lap and running her hands across it again, but decided to finish her current glass of wine first.
“But haven’t you done this before?”
“Oh many times, but it was never so intense before.”
“So, what’s next?”
“You’ll see.”
“Tell me.” She licked her lips and smiled.
“It’s against the rules.”
She pouted. “Rules? There are rules?”
“Yes.”
“Isn’t what we’re doing just...sex?” Marion knew about sex magic, but it went beyond what they’d done. There were invocations and incense and all sorts of details to make the act a divine one.
Aidan shook his head. “No. Absolutely not. In Fairy, sex is sacred.”
“How so?”
“Sex is a type of magic. A sacred magic that always creates, never destroys.”
“You mean people can get pregnant.”
“Correct.”
“But we used condoms.”
“Doesn’t matter. It’s still sacred.”
“So we’re having ritualistic elf sex?” She giggled at the question.
Aidan smiled and shifted, giving his expanding cock room to grow. “In a way.” He leaned over and gave her a hard kiss, tongue pushing between her lips, forcing her to open for him. She yielded, matching his intensity. Desire swirled through her again, making her breasts throb and her core tingle. Would she ever be satisfied? The electric sensation that shot through her as Aidan parted her cotton robe and caressed her nipples made her think they had a long way to go before she would be.
Aidan gently pinched the peaks of her breasts, tugging until she arched her back to release some of the tension.
“Part of tonight is about letting go of the past.” he said, his voice solemn.
She nodded.
“Do you trust me?” he asked as he pulled a length of black silk from his robe's pocket.
Marion raised an eyebrow. “What’s that for?”
“I want you to give yourself to me without question.” He moved behind her and lowered the silk over her eyes. “Can you do that?”
“I think so.”
“The second you have doubts, tell me.” He guided her from the living room to the bedroom where he set her on the bed. Moving quickly, he secured her hands over her head and tied her legs apart.
And then he left her alone for several long minutes. Time in which the absence of his touch became painful. The lack of sensory input was a desert and Marion was parched. She moaned.
“Are you okay?”
“Touch me,” she whispered. “Make it okay.”
He did, but not with his hands, with something else. Something soft and thin, possibly a feather. Whatever it was, he used it to trace her body, raising goose bumps and making her shudder with need.
“Did Eric ever make you feel like this?” Aidan asked, his voice harsh.
“No.” Marion shook her head back and forth.
Aidan lay a gentle hand on her thigh, stroking from the inside of her knee to the cleft of her liquid heat and back down the other leg. He repeated this path several times and Marion tried to move her core in line with his hand, but he danced around her.
Then he started kissing his way up her leg with soft lips. Before she knew it, and before she was ready, he was teasing her with his tongue. Just as her hips lifted up off the bed to give the orgasm space to ride through her, he would back off. Then start again, making her burn, letting her cool. In the end, her body took control. The next time he stroked the sensitive nub between her legs, she bucked wildly, panting her release in hoarse moans.
She hung, arms and legs limp in their bonds, enjoying the post-orgasmic glow, but Aidan didn’t give her too long to recover. She heard the rustle of a condom wrapper and then Aidan was thrusting between her legs. Marion didn’t think another orgasm was possible, but he settled into a steady rhythm, hitting a sensitive spot inside of her over and over again. Tension rose and peaked in a crush of pleasure. Aidan grew even harder inside her and then, he too, came, nuzzling her neck, his hard shaft throbbing inside her.
He collapsed on top of her and rested for a moment before moving to untie her arms and legs. He unwound her blindfold and kissed her sweetly on the lips.
“I never thought sex could be so...so...good.”
“Eric was your first, right?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
“And he strikes me as the type who didn’t care about anybody but himself.”
“Exactly.” She stretched and yawned. “And to think I fought so hard against getting to know you.”
“Aye. To think I thought myself cursed when I met you.”
She went stil
l, eyes going wide. “What do you mean by that?”
***
Aidan froze, his heart giving a hard thump of panic. He hadn’t meant to say that, and even though it was a compliment, he doubted Marion would see it that way. Bollocks. Things had been going so well.
Marion propped herself up on her elbow. “Aidan?”
He shook his head and thought fast, fighting the unexpected urge to tell the truth. “I just meant that I didn’t think I would meet anyone.”
She relaxed against him, resting her head on his chest. “And I didn’t think I’d ever meet anyone after Eric. It was too risky.”
“Why did you take the chance on me then?”
She flushed. “Well, for one, Raven doesn’t take no for an answer. Two, I thought dating you might help with my love potion, and three, you were cute.”
“You thought I could fix your love potions?”
“Well, not directly. I guess I’d shut down so much after Eric that I didn’t have any power to influence love no matter how good the recipe or the potion pot.”
“You think that’s why your potions kept exploding?”
“Yeah. Too much negative energy or something.”
“And now?” He kissed her on the top of her head, inhaling the lavender scent of her shampoo.
“Too soon to tell, but the sex is amazing.” She pressed her lips against his chest in a soft kiss.
“Would you have dated me if you hadn’t had problems with your potions?” Aidan asked.
“I would have wished that I had,” she said slowly. “In a way, I’m glad my bad potions brought us together.”
“Me too.” He gave her another kiss and squeezed her to him. And then, before he could stop it, the truth spilled out. “I would never have gotten rid of this curse without you.”
She looked up at him, a frown creasing her forehead. “What curse?”
He couldn’t stop it. Couldn’t not say the words. It was a compulsion beyond his control. Apparently the 'and let her see you true' part of the curse meant he had to tell Marion all about it. Well, trolls balls. With a sinking feeling in his gut, he said, “The Queen cursed me to please a lady less-than-perfect, and well, you were less-than-perfect.”