Tides of Time (The Legacy Book 1)

by Luna Joya

  “I’m lucky you came by that morning.” He rubbed his thumb along her hand. “Do you all have to eat afterward?”

  She shook her head. “We physically recharge in different ways. Mina eats. Delia sleeps. It depends on how much power we exert.”

  “And you?”

  She looked away. Hers was more challenging. She could immerse herself fully in the ocean to recover some of her strength, but not all of it.

  Her sister didn’t hesitate. “Cami needs love. She replenishes through love.”

  “Ugh, you make me sound like a bad Valentine’s day card.” She wanted to crawl under one of these plush cushions.

  “You feed off love?” Sam asked her.

  Mina laughed. “Not off it. From it. Though I’m sure getting off doesn’t hurt.”

  “Mina.” She cringed.

  “What? Our mother gets her power through a fertility and love goddess ancestor. You think those traits didn’t rub off on at least one of us? We’ve always known it was you.”

  She stared at her lap, not daring to glance up at Sam. He traced long strong strokes along her palm and knuckles that quieted her nerves.

  “I help you refuel?” She heard the sincere humor in his voice and looked up. “I can dig that.”

  Mina slapped her hands on her thighs. “That’s totally my cue to go check out the view from my room.”

  Sam insisted on going first to scope out Mina’s room. He wanted to make sure the hotel staff had delivered the small bag of clothes and toiletries Lottie had sent with him. He brushed a kiss over Cami’s cheek and walked into the suite. She watched him move with possessive need. Why’d he have to be hot enough to make her crazy? After this morning and now this conversation, she wouldn’t blame him if he kept going.

  She shivered and touched her necklace. The pendant had burned in the lobby earlier, but that kept happening randomly. She’d need to talk to Ama about it.

  Mina frowned at her. “You okay?”

  “This morning at the beach I thought I saw…my ex.”

  “Neil,” Mina hissed. “That skinny rat bastard.” Her fists clenched. “You were so quiet when you were with him. We never once heard you laugh.”

  “I couldn’t. Neil said his own laugh made him sound like an ass so no one else should do it either.” She pushed aside the worry. “It doesn’t matter. I’m probably imagining things. All the weird hang ups and blocked calls ringing on my phone lately. They play tricks on the mind.”

  “You’re still getting those?”

  “I’m going to the phone place tomorrow before work.”

  “Glad you’re staying with Sam until then.”

  She sighed. “As long as the magic doesn’t push him away. You should’ve seen him this morning.”

  Mina dropped her chin into her hands. “You’ve got to give him a chance. He’s a good fit for you.”

  She pulled her knees to her chest. “I don’t exactly have a good track record.”

  Mina groaned. “Cams, you don’t have any track record. You dated one womanizing abusive nightmare. When will you realize you didn’t do anything wrong?”

  She bit her lip. She couldn’t share the whole story. Not with Mina. Not with anyone. “Sam says I’m bossy. Maybe I pushed Neil to be controlling.”

  “Neil was born a controlling asshole, and you are bossy. That doesn’t mean you’re controlling. Maybe Sam has a weakness for cute bossy.” Mina’s lips twisted. “You’re just scared.”

  She bristled. “I’m not scared.”

  Mina raised a finger in an eerie semblance of Ama. “You are, and it’ll wreck things if you let it.”

  The admonishment stopped her. “What have you seen?”

  Mina smiled sadly. “It doesn’t work like that, and you know it. No shortcuts. No easy answers. Especially not the ones we would like.”

  She stared at her sister. When had Mina grown up? And was she right? “I will try.”

  With a loud click, the door to the suite opened.

  “The room is good to go,” Sam called.

  Mina’s voice dropped to a whisper. “You need to be proud you got away from a bad relationship and move on. On to Sam. All over Sam. All the time.”

  Cami tossed a throw pillow at her. Mina dodged easily and laughed before raising her right hand. “I swear I won’t even leave my room. I’ll put a chair under the door and lock every single latch. I might even take a nap.” Mina dashed out of the suite.

  Cami shook her head, not trusting those promises but unable to make her stubborn sister change her mind. And what the hell was she supposed to do about Sam? She dug the heel of her hand against the ache in her heart.

  “You all right?” Standing behind her, Sam rubbed knots in her neck she hadn’t even realized were there. A moan escaped her. “You’ve got to be exhausted after being up all day when you’re on night shift schedule. And with all the magic you’ve used.”

  He sounded so matter-of-fact, like he’d been discussing normal boring non-witch things. She wanted to deny the toll today had taken on her. She even made it so far as to tip her head up to meet his gaze when the resolve crumbled.

  “Anything I can help with?” He traced his thumb along her jaw.

  She gave into the need thrumming through her. She climbed to her knees facing him.

  “Actually, there is.” Without giving herself time to second-guess the impulse, she grabbed him and pulled him down for a kiss.

  Chapter Seventeen

  The moment Cami’s lips locked on his, Sam tamped down the urge to tug her body against his and hold her there until he could be sure he hadn’t lost her. She’d stayed. She’d confided her own secrets. She needed him to recharge after all the magic—shit, he could barely think the word—the powers, the whatever she’d used today for him. To save him. To convince him. Damn, if he didn’t need her too.

  She kissed him with passion and ferocity, and he couldn’t fight the desperate desire to return each lick and nip. It was as if he’d drowned this morning when he’d been stupid enough to leave her, and each pass of her tongue against his brought him back to life. When she dropped her hands from his face, he yanked her closer. He wanted her to feel how badly he craved her.

  He grunted when she catapulted over the couch into his arms and slammed her sweet center against his erection. His hold tightened around her to keep them both upright because his control was slipping the more she wiggled.

  Her chuckle vibrated low and wicked against his mouth.

  “Witch,” he growled.

  She laughed, a happy sound of delight that went straight to his heart. He watched those shining eyes of hers glow and sparkle. He’d have to make her laugh with such glee again and again.

  She shot her fingers through his hair and nibbled at his lower lip. Her greedy mouth bit at his, and the hunger there had him struggling not to drop her. Or worse, to toss her on the couch and finish what she’d started out on the terrace. He clenched his jaw, resolute in his determination to take things slower this time. Those little sounds she made when she rubbed her breasts against his chest weren’t helping.

  With his hands on her ass, he fumbled his way into the bedroom. “Not rushing this,” he said against her mouth. Damn, if she didn’t take his parted lips as an invitation to conquer. He moved quickly across the suite, wondering why he’d gotten them so many rooms and trying not to crash with her into furniture. Cami wasn’t helping matters. She crawled up him, tugging at his clothes.

  Finally, he hit the bedroom and thanked whoever had the foresight to leave the door open for them. A massive crescent-shaped white leather couch dominated the room before a wall of windows showcasing a view of the Hollywood skyline. He lifted his head from the kiss long enough to steer her into the room without hitting anything. A miraculous feat considering his current state of arousal.

  Sheer panels of shimmering fabric hung from the ceiling in the middle of the room to barely hide the king-sized bed behind the couch. He aimed for the gap in the panels. “That bed
was made for sex. Decadent, mind-blowing sex.” She licked a sweep of her tongue over the shell of his ear, and the last word came out as a hiss.

  “Indeed,” she murmured. Her warm breath tickled the hairs below his temple, sending a thrill through him. He struggled to stay upright. Why’d the bedroom have to be so big and the bed so far away?

  “Not going to make it to the bed.” He dropped with her onto the couch, Cami straddling his lap.

  She wet her lips, and his gaze locked on her rosy, swollen mouth. When she bit her bottom lip, he wanted to do the same. He needed to bite that spot, to taste her there. Leaning forward, he tried to do just that, but she arched toward him. She rubbed against him, all lush curves. He could taste the soft skin of her breasts instead. The sensitive spot that made her crazy, that would keep her writhing against him like this.

  Determined, he slipped her shirt overhead. Her bra was red and lacy with hints of the awesomeness beneath. He dipped a finger to trace the lines and whirls and cutouts. He forced himself to slow, to still his hands that shook with need. She tipped her head forward and a curl fell against his forehead, teasing and light. He ghosted his fingers up her back, unhooked the clasps of her bra, and stopped at the catch in her breath.

  “This okay?” Damn, his voice almost broke like a fumbling teenager.

  “Yes.” The word, whispered long and slow, tightened something low in his gut.

  He slipped the straps from her shoulders and palmed the fullness of her breast, rubbing a thumb to circle her nipple in slow rounds to calm his own raging desire. Cami made a sound in the back of her throat that told him she liked this as much as he did.

  He inched his hand back, and she moved into his touch. The noises from outside fell away. There was no traffic, no helicopters, no blaring music through the open suite doors. Only Cami’s needy whimpers.

  Her nipple peaked, and he touched the other to watch it do the same. He turned her toward the rosy light streaming through the window to study her curves. The colors painted her skin to perfection.

  Her breath quickened when he skimmed each breast and ran his thumbs along the heavy crease underneath. His lips replaced his hands, and he sweetly drew the tip of each into his mouth, sucking and licking the tight buds. He wanted to taste every bit of her.

  She moaned when he rolled her nipple between his thumb and forefinger. He needed more of those sounds. Her eyes slid shut, and she lowered and rocked against him, silently demanding he go further. Not yet. He couldn’t. He would be lost before they started. He kissed her mouth, and she opened for him, drawing his tongue against hers.

  Sam groaned as she circled her hips against his lap, his erection rock hard beneath her. He’d never last long if she kept grinding that gorgeous body on top of him. He stood without breaking the kiss, and she swayed off balance a second before he tugged her close. A mistake. Before he could take another breath, she managed to yank his belt off and reached for the button of his pants. He staggered them both to the bed.

  He needed a moment to ground himself, to keep from throwing her on the bed and burying himself inside her until they both forgot their secrets or why they kept them. She was so damn perfect.

  The change in her when they were intimate together was incredible. She went from calm and still lagoon waters, to a tempest at his touch. It was fucking amazing how she responded to him so passionately. He swept his fingers along her collarbone, lingering on the delicate curves and edges.

  Cami unzipped his pants and palmed his erection, stealing all thought with her touch. He leaned into her, desperate for more. She danced her fingers there, teasing with a light graze before grasping him tighter. He groaned at the sensation. She was a freaking tsunami, and he had no chance withstanding her.

  He took a steadying breath and glanced at the streaming rose and gold light filtering through the room to lick at her skin. Calling on all his diminishing willpower, he tugged her hand away and ignored the ache left behind. He needed all of her, every single gasp and sigh. He wouldn’t waste a second of the promised satisfaction for a quick hand job.

  She reached for him again, but he refused to rush. He wanted to enjoy the view of Cami in the glow of the setting sun through the large windows. He slowly pulled her shorts from her hips and slid them down her legs. She was glorious, all curves and dark skin spread across the white bed. Small chill bumps rose on her arms, and he kissed them away. He skimmed an unsteady hand up her calf to her thigh and then higher to her panties. He snagged the thong and inched it off slowly, his calluses catching on the lace. She toed his pants, restless and impatient.

  “Your turn,” she told him.

  “In a minute.” He slowed his breathing and reveled in her beauty, her powers, everything about her. He lowered his mouth and licked along her smooth thigh. He smiled as her fingers tangled in his hair to tug and demand. She didn’t waste much time on foreplay. Cami wanted everything all at once. She couldn’t be sexier.

  “Now,” she moaned and tried to force him up her body.

  Not a chance. He licked and kissed between her thighs, savored her sweetness, and delighted in driving her mad until she dug her fingers into his shoulders and panted. No man could resist that. He jerked off his pants and underwear before climbing on the bed. He rose above her to look down at her. Her chest rose and fell with hard, heavy breaths, and she ran her hands over his arms. She clutched at him, trying to bring him closer.

  “Tell me what you need,” he said. He wanted to make sure they were together in this longing.

  “You.” Her eyes were dazed, her voice hoarse.

  He shook his head, sliding a finger inside her. She was so slick and wet. Ready for him. “You have to tell me.”

  “I want you.” He slid another finger alongside the first to stretch her, and she gasped. “Inside me. Now.” She smacked his shoulder. Her need clawed at him.

  He withdrew his fingers and slipped his erection over the slickness there. “Is this what you want?” He rubbed himself back and forth, so close but never entering.

  “Yes.” She hissed.

  He almost slammed into her then, but teasing her, building the anticipation was so very satisfying.

  “Feel how hard I am for you? How much I want to be inside you?” He knew she didn’t want to wait. That she needed instant gratification because she told him in urgent damn near pornographic whispers. Such a dirty mouth when she was turned on. He loved it. Couldn’t get enough of it. Couldn’t get enough of her.

  She wriggled, grabbing at his shoulders. “Sam, now,” she insisted.

  “So bossy.” He started to laugh and stopped when she reached down and grasped his length and squeezed. Stars burst across his vision, and he couldn’t hold back. He grabbed the nape of her neck in one hand and her ass in the other before sliding fully inside her.

  Her body burned beneath him, so tight. Their moans mingled in the hot breath between them. She dug her fingernails into his back as the passion stormed through her in a shuddering climax that clenched him so hard he fought to hold back. The craving and desire took over when her body spasmed around him again.

  He pounded faster while he caught her gasps of pleasure. He’d made her come again and again. It was his undoing. He’d never be able to let her go. Not when she made him feel so invincible. That was his last thought before he completely lost himself in her.

  He stayed propped on his elbows above her while their breathing slowed. Both their hearts beat so heavily that he could feel hers against his own pounding pulse. He rolled to his side and drew her against his body. He shuddered when her foot ran up his leg, catching at his hip to pull him closer.

  “Sam?”

  How he loved hearing her sigh his name, feeling the weight of her head snuggled against his chest.

  “This is too much.” She waved a hand to sweep the room, but it was obvious she was too worn out to be more specific.

  He almost laughed. According to her, anything he did was too much. “You stay with me tonight and it’s not
.”

  She ran fingertips over his ink. “My magic doesn’t scare you away?”

  He turned her in his arms, leaning close to kiss her forehead. “I can’t stay away from you.”

  She trailed her fingers over his left bicep. “You never told me what your tattoos stand for.”

  “My life,” he said simply. “My grandma Corraza is Polynesian. I learned the symbols from her.”

  “A sea turtle?” she asked. “A honu in Hawaiian?”

  His muscles flexed under her touch. “How do you know that?”

  “I vacationed with my sisters a couple years back off North Shore in Oahu. We rented paddle boards to go up the Anahulu river with guava juice and wine.” He heard a smile in her voice. “We floated and enjoyed the view with the company of several honu.”

  “Several, you say?” He pressed her hand over the inked shell.

  She tapped a finger silently against his skin, and he realized she was holding back.

  “Did you?” He gave in to his need to know. “Did you and your powers have something to do with that?”

  She pulled her hand along the edges of the shell pattern. “Perhaps.” She looked up to meet his gaze. “Are you sure you’re cool with this?”

  “Definitely. So what’d you do? Call all the turtles nearby to come hang out?”

  “Basically.” She hugged him tighter. “They swam beneath us, waved a flipper or two, and popped a head up occasionally. It’s already a safe haven back there along the river behind the bridge.”

  “Just you and your sisters paddle boarding?”

  “We sat on the boards more than we paddled. Having wind and water powers in the group helped with drifting away from the rocks and other people.”

  “I’ll bet.” He grinned. “You’re hell on a surfboard. Did you surf that trip?”

  “No, I was busy playing with some spinner dolphins.” She cleared her throat. She was still uncomfortable talking about her powers, but damn they were amazing.

  She was amazing.

  “We’ll have to go to Hawaii together someday,” he blurted out. Luckily, she nodded against him. He was going to have to get a better hold over himself around her. He was planning forever when he’d barely won her back for the night.