Charmed & Dangerous

by Candace Havens

  “Doctor Sam puts the glasses on old Thomas and tells him he looks distinguished. Now he never takes them off. We go in at night and sneak them off his nose so he doesn’t break them in his sleep.”

  Kira turned those brown eyes on me. “So you know he’s a good guy. Now what are you going to do about it?”

  I made a cross-eyed face at her and moved the conversation to Kira and Caleb. I couldn’t share the real reason. He’s a warlock. Even though I’ve sort of gotten over that myself.

  Honestly, I have no idea how I feel about Sam. He’s smart, funny, adorable, and pretty much everything I’d want in a man, except he’s a warlock. I’ve been kind of upset that he hasn’t tried to sleep with me, but at the same time I’m not sure I would go through with it. Except for that one lapse in college, I’ve never slept with a warlock.

  Margie picked up on my change of subject and quizzed Kira. “So do you miss Caleb?”

  Kira twirled her hair around her finger. “No. Yes, of course I do.” She giggled. “And no, Bronwyn”—she turned on me—“we haven’t done the nasty yet, but I’m sure you’ll be the first to know.”

  We all laughed at that and moved the subject to something safer. Ex–boy toys.

  It’s been so long since I just hung out with the girls. As crappy as I feel this morning, it was definitely worth it.

  Too drunk to drive home, Kira and Margie passed out on the twin beds in the guest room. Something makes me think Kira might be a sensitive. I’ve picked up on ghosts in the house, but last night when I showed Kira the guest room she shivered and looked around.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked her.

  “Nothing. Well, I feel like someone is watching me.”

  At odd moments I’ve felt a presence in the house, too. Nothing malevolent. About the time I notice it’s there, it dissipates. But it did surprise me that Kira felt it. There may be a little witch in her after all.

  Darn, just time for tea and then I’ve got to get to work.

  10 P.M.

  Had a message from Miles. Have I mentioned what a snippy little twit he can be?

  “Bronwyn. Brussels is off. Be in Dubai on Friday. Sending an itinerary via e-mail.” Click. Not a good-bye or any kind of real explanation. At least the Middle East is warmer than Brussels. Wonder about the change but imagine I’ll find out soon enough.

  Wednesday, 7 A.M.

  Spells: 0

  Confused witches: 1

  I have to write all this down because the experience is so intense I don’t want to forget a minute of it.

  I’d been working in the conservatory, for hours possibly. All of the herbs came up nicely. I was knee-deep in dirt, repotting some of the basil and oregano, which always shoots up too fast, when I felt someone behind me.

  I stood and his arms wrapped around me from behind, slipping just under my breasts. I knew instantly from the smell of patchouli that it was Sam. Intoxicating.

  Leaning into him, I felt his arms pull me closer. He kissed my ear and nibbled it, gently sending pleasure down my spine.

  In the past week we’ve held hands but nothing as intimate as this.

  I turned in his arms, moving my hands around his waist. He opened his mouth to speak and seemed to think better of it. He reached out and pushed my curls away from my eyes.

  Our lips met. Always thought it sounded corny when women talked about how kisses made them melt, but now I know exactly what they mean. It’s like when that second shot of bourbon hits you and your whole body warms. Only lots, lots better.

  Couldn’t breathe. His tongue made its way into my mouth and teased mine with its strength. He tasted of peppermint and cinnamon. We explored each other and he suddenly stepped back. The blue in his eyes intensified and the next thing I knew we were in my bed, flesh against flesh.

  His body pressed hard into mine and it felt like the most natural thing in the world to be next to this man on the cusp of making love. Never have I wanted anything more.

  Moving his hands up and down my body he teased and titillated. Can I just say the good doctor has a great bedside manner and magic fingers? Whispering my name against my ear, he spread my thighs apart and let his fingers do the talking while his kisses intensified. I gasped with pleasure and begged him to come inside.

  In one fluid motion he pulled me up and slid me down on top of him. He lifted his hips to meet mine. With that first thrust the magic within us rose to the surface. We made love in a golden haze of magical energy. Senses went into overdrive and I threw my arms back to grab his thighs. He moved his hands to my waist and pumped me harder as I begged.

  Our bodies slickened, rising and falling to meet a frenzied pace. I screamed with pleasure as the convulsions tightened and the warmth spread through my body. I grew slack with release and I collapsed on his chest.

  “Bronwyn,” he moaned. And I trembled.

  Slowly he moved himself in and out of my body. I didn’t know how much I could take and at the same time I craved more.

  Flipping me over to my back, he stood, pulling me to the end of the bed. He brought my hips to his. I wrapped my legs around him and fisted the sheets as he drove himself harder and harder into me.

  I heard screaming and realized it was me writhing on the bed begging. I came again swiftly and this time he rode the tide with me. “Bronwyn, yes!” he yelled, his voice coarse with emotion as he fell to the bed beside me, obviously spent.

  For a moment our auras shimmered, mixing in a weird shade of purple.

  A strange mewling sound came from a distance. I woke to find my bed empty except for Casper, who was none too happy about the noise I’d obviously been making.

  He wasn’t there. It had been a total Bobby Ewing. Nothing but a dream. I leaned back on the pillows and looked around the room, searching for something that I knew couldn’t be there.

  I’ve had vivid dreams in the past but nothing like this. The sheets were drenched in sweat and twisted into a mess.

  He had to have been there. I swore I could still smell him. His scent was on my skin.

  I need a cold shower then I think I’ll take the good doctor some breakfast.

  Six

  Wednesday, 9 P.M.

  Sweet, Texas

  Charms: 1

  I’ m a nervous wreck. Sam will be here any minute and—

  I went to meet him at his office this morning, bright and shiny, with cinnamon rolls and hazelnut coffee from Lulu’s. I waited in the truck outside, confused about my next move. Should I try the door? Was he even there yet?

  Geez, I’m a high witch with more powers than an entire coven combined and I couldn’t seem to get up the nerve to walk up to the door. How sad was that? While I pondered, he pulled up in his black SUV. I jumped out and met him in the front of the gothic-style building.

  “Wow, to what do I owe this great honor?” He turned the key in the door and flipped on the lights as we stepped inside.

  “You’re the doctor, figure it out.” I laughed, holding up the bag of food.

  He offered a confused smile.

  “Well, you know better than anyone that growing boys need a healthy breakfast to start their day.” I handed him the bag with the rolls and put the coffee on the reception desk.

  “True.” He opened up the appointment book. “Looks like we have at least a half hour before my first patient. Why don’t you come back to my office and we can discuss my nutritional needs.” His voice was sexy with innuendo.

  “Okay.”

  He grabbed all the food and I followed him back to his office. I’ve got a thing for cherrywood and obviously so does he. A huge desk took up a third of the room, and the walls were covered floor to ceiling in bookshelves. One wall had a large window with black-and-white photography displayed on each side of it. For a small-town doc’s office, it had a very midtown Manhattan feel.

  He put everything down on a small table between two leather chairs facing the desk and grabbed my hands. “So, tell me why you are really here, and why are you so nervou
s?”

  I’m a pro at hiding emotions but hadn’t thought to do it around him. I keep forgetting his intuitive nature and the fact he’s a warlock. “If I tell you, well, you may have to keep me for observation.” My voice was husky with need.

  He frowned and touched a hand to my cheek. “Are you feeling ill?”

  I laughed more from being nervous than anything. “No, no. It’s silly really.” I stepped back and sat down in the leather chair. Had to do something with my hands so I pulled out a roll and handed it to him along with one of the cups of coffee. He sat down opposite me and stared intently.

  I took a bite but didn’t really taste it. Now don’t get me wrong, cinnamon buns from Lulu’s are heaven. But I was having a tough time sorting through all the emotions rumbling in my brain. I’d just experienced one of the most intense love-making experiences of my life and the man hadn’t even known he was there.

  I slid my tongue across my lips to get the icing off and he watched intently.

  “Bronwyn?” He smiled. “Just tell me whatever it is.”

  “A dream.” There. I’d said it out loud.

  “Um, a dream?” He sipped his coffee.

  “Yes. A very intense dream—a sensual one.”

  He choked on that bit of news.

  I continued. “Okay, so I know this is totally inappropriate, but I’ve never experienced anything like it. And I’m not one of those women who is good at holding back and keeping secrets. I like things out in the open with my relationships.” I held up a hand. “Not that we have one, but I think we sort of have something.”

  He raised his hand to talk, but I waved him away.

  “Anyway. I had this intense dream, so real. I can’t even begin to tell you how it made me feel. And when I woke up, I couldn’t believe you weren’t there beside me. My problem is, I’m afraid that I may have slipped into your dream accidentally. It happens sometimes when my shields are down and I care about someone. And if that happened and it was your dream too, I’m sorry.”

  He just sat there staring at me. My nerves were on edge and I jumped up out of the chair and tried to escape. So much for honesty in relationships. Secrets and lies are good things and emotions should be repressed.

  I tried to open the door but he shut it again with his hand above my head. He grabbed me from behind and wrapped his arms under my breasts.

  “Did the dream begin like this?” he whispered in my ear and trailed kisses down my neck.

  My breath caught and he squeezed me tighter as I leaned into him.

  We did share the dream.

  “Yes, it started just like this.” I still faced the door.

  “Turn around, Bronwyn.”

  I did what he asked and he grabbed both arms and pulled them above my head. As his eyes narrowed his lips crushed mine in a passionate kiss. That whole wiggly-knee thing happened again. His body pressed tight against mine was the only thing that kept me from sliding down the door. Our magic mixed and sent waves of heat through my body.

  His tongue probed and he tasted of coffee and sugary sweet pastry. I didn’t think it possible but it was even better than the dream.

  While he still held my arms above my head, he brought one hand down to cup my breast, running his thumb over the hardened nipple. I tilted my head and his kisses left my lips and he nibbled on my ear and neck.

  I was ready to drop my pants right there and wrap my legs around him when a knock on the door made us both jump.

  “Doctor?”

  He pulled me to the side of the door and cracked it. “Yes, Carmen?”

  “Oh, you are in. Just checking to make sure everything was all right.”

  “We’re fine, thanks.” He chewed on his lip to keep from laughing. “I’m, um, in a consultation right now and I may run over a few minutes. Tell Mr. Blaine I’ll be with him shortly.” His mouth covered in lipstick and his cheeks pink with emotion, he smiled at the other woman.

  “Yes, sir. He’s not in yet but I’ll let him know.”

  He shut the door and we both laughed at the absurdity of the situation.

  I fanned my face. “Why, Doctor, as the twins at Lulu’s like to say, I believe I have the vapors,” I told him in my best Scarlett O’Hara imitation.

  “You and me both.” He led me to the chair and I sat down. I gulped some of the coffee, while he moved his chair in front of mine and grabbed my free hand.

  “Obviously,” he began, “there is something between us. And I’m not angry that you slipped into my dream. Although, I’ll ask that you not make a regular practice of that.”

  “Not a problem.”

  He smiled and took a deep breath. “So, can I see you tonight?”

  “If you don’t, I might just explode.” I didn’t add that the only thing I wanted to do right now was climb on top of him in that chair and ride him till I couldn’t think anymore.

  “Why do I have the feeling there’s more going on in that head of yours than you’re sharing with me?” He stood and brought me to him.

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Doctor.” I winked. “But maybe when you come courting tonight I’ll share some of my wicked ideas with you.”

  “Courting? Haven’t heard that in a hundred years, but I can hardly wait.” He kissed me again, not quite as hard as before, but just as passionately. Then he straightened the curls around my face and buttoned the top of my shirt.

  “I have a feeling this is going to be a very long day,” he said as he walked me to the door.

  “Anticipation is a good thing.” I turned and put a hand on his chest. “A very good thing.”

  When I walked out he laughed and I noticed the bulge in his pants. “You might want to take a moment to, um, compose yourself.” I pointed at the evidence.

  He shook his head and shut the door. I’m pretty sure Carmen knew just what kind of consultation the good doc had given me, but she wished me a cheery good-bye just the same.

  I spent the day working through the Book of Shadows looking for some special wards to protect the prime minister’s and Sheik Azir’s homes. I think I found something good. But it involves a few ingredients I’ll have to order.

  Cleaned the house from top to bottom and did whatever it took to not think about tonight. Will it be as good as the dream? Am I really in a relationship with a guy I met a week ago? I don’t care that he’s a warlock. I don’t care if he ends up killing me. I just want him.

  There’s his car. Aaaah!

  Thursday

  New York City

  Spells: 1

  Dead guys: 1

  It’s amazing what can happen in twenty-four hours. Well, I’m sort of used to strange events in my life, but I’d put this day right up there with the best of them.

  Last night with Sam began a bit awkward but turned out really sweet. Not what I expected at all. He brought white wine, which went well with some of Ms. Helen’s chicken potpies I’d picked up that afternoon.

  Before he got there I’d made the house look like a seduction zone. Candles everywhere and a fire going. Vanilla permeated the air. I wanted it so delicious he wouldn’t be able to resist.

  We ate and talked about everything except sex. It’s funny. Kept waiting for him to make his move. I may be a modern woman, but once in a while I like the guy to take charge. We discussed our favorite films and I brought up a particular scene in that old movie Blue Velvet, which honestly isn’t my favorite, but is very hot. He reminded me about scenes from Wild Things and 9½ Weeks. That’s when things took a turn for the sexy.

  We were naked and doing the nasty on the floor, the kitchen counter, the stairs, and finally in my bed. Whew! And I didn’t think it possible, but it was even better than the dream.

  By three this morning my body was a vibrating mass of nerve endings, and I’d never felt so satisfied.

  He woke up early and fixed me breakfast and then drove me to the hangar so I could get the jet to New York. He waited while I did a flight check and then kissed me good-bye. I’m mor
e confused than ever, where he’s concerned. I like him. A lot.

  Got into New York just as a winter storm hit and found myself stuck for the rest of the day and night. Called Miles and left him a message that I’d be a day late. He won’t be happy about the news but there isn’t a darn thing the jerk can do about it.

  Called the pilots, and we decided to check in around six tomorrow morning and file a new flight plan. Mom and Dad live here now, but are out of town for a medical conference in Hawaii. Lucky them.

  Decided to use my key and crash at their brownstone until the storm clears. The house was chilly but I turned up the heat and went in search of warmer clothes. I’d packed for Saudi and traveling in the desert, which meant light cotton shirts, sandals, jeans, some slacks, and small summer tops. Not one thing to take the chill out of my bones.

  I borrowed one of Mom’s cashmere sweaters and a kicky pair of Jimmy Choo boots. I noticed she had added at least four more pairs of Manolo Blahniks to her shoe collection. My mom has terrific taste in shoes, and Dad forgives her one vice.

  Since they were spending a couple of weeks away, the kitchen was bare. I grabbed Mom’s shearling coat and gloves from the hall closet and walked down to the café on the corner. The place was filled with people who didn’t seem to mind the wicked weather outside.

  After waiting about fifteen minutes I ordered the tomato basil soup, a turkey sandwich, and a cup of orange tea. The tea smelled like a heavenly potpourri and made me think of Christmas. Sat by the window at a small table and people-watched.

  The couple in the corner were having an intense conversation and things didn’t look good for the man of the house. Sounded like he might have a gambling problem because she kept ranting about his using the rent for a poker game.

  I felt sorry for the guy. Poker’s so addictive. Every time I play Texas Hold ’Em I get caught up in the game. Thankfully, I’ve got a lot of dumb luck and I haven’t lost too much. Which is good because I’m a really bad player. I could cheat and read minds, but that takes all the fun out of it.