In the Witching Hour

by In The Witching Hour (lit)

  While he checked her out, she did her own inspection. The black t-shirt fit his torso like a second skin, and his crisp, new blue jeans molded well to the lower half of his body, especially his crotch. On his feet were black leather loafers.

  She slid her gaze back up his body. There wasn’t a hair out of place, his full mane slicked back in small waves. His eyelashes were as long as she remembered—and his lips, just as full and inviting. Underneath both eyes showed the slight bruise from his nose injury, but it didn’t distract from his handsome looks.

  She folded her arms under her breasts, squeezing them a little more as she leaned against the doorframe. “What a surprise to see you again, Adrian. Is there something I can do for you?” she purred.

  His gaze lifted to meet her eyes. He smiled and a small dimple in his chin flashed at her. Adorable.

  “Actually, I came to return the icepack I’d borrowed.” He held out the package.

  She chuckled. “You really didn’t need to do that.”

  “Well, I couldn’t very well keep it.”

  She pulled away from the doorframe and stepped back. “Would you like to come in?” She swiped her hand, motioning for him to enter.

  “No, thank you. I was on my way to another appointment and thought I’d drop this off.” His gaze swept over her body again. “Besides, I’m keeping you from your workout.”

  “I was finished, anyway. Would you like to have a glass of iced tea with me?” She lifted the corner of the towel and dabbed her neck, then down lightly over the tops of her breasts. His eyes followed her movement.

  “Thanks, but—”

  She reached out and touched his arm, afraid of another rejection. “Please, Adrian. I would like it very much.”

  He swallowed. She liked that she made him nervous. But then why hadn’t she completely lured him to her? Had she lost her touch? Or had he been protected because John was his father?

  “Well, all right, but just for a few minutes.”

  She let out a relieved sigh and smiled. Hooking her hand around his elbow, she pulled him into the house, shutting the door behind him. Beneath her hand, his muscles flexed.

  “It’s a pleasure to see you again, Adrian. We really didn’t have much time to chat last night.”

  “No, we didn’t.”

  “So how’s your nose?”

  She kept her eyes on his face. He kept his gaze straight forward, not looking at her. His towering height impressed her. She only came to the top of his shoulder.

  “It’s not broken.”

  “I’m glad.”

  She led him into the kitchen and over to the bar, then let go of his arm. Turning her back to him, she left his side, swinging her hips as she walked over to the refrigerator and opened it.

  “Adrian, will you get the glasses, please? They’re in that cabinet to your left.”

  She lifted the pitcher of tea and brought it over to the counter. He set the glasses down in front of her. “Let me get some ice, first.” She turned back to the ice machine and picked up the small bucket and tongs beside it. Silence lagged between them while the cubes noisily clunked into the bucket.

  He cleared his throat. “So, Colette, you mentioned yesterday that you knew my father.”

  She clamped her teeth together. This was something she didn’t want to discuss. Some way she had to get him off this particular subject.

  Putting a smile on her face, she glanced at him over her shoulder. “Yes. Several years ago he and my husband were friends.”

  “Was that before he became Senator?”

  She nodded, picked up the tongs and brought the bucket over to the counter. “My husband was one of his biggest supporters during the campaign.” With the tongs, she dropped the ice into the glass.

  “Really?”

  She filled her glass with the cubes before answering. “Yes, I had just barely met Roger’s uncle at that time.”

  Adrian exhaled roughly. Did she witness it right? Why did he look relieved? Why was his expression more relaxed? She poured the iced tea in his glass before she filled hers.

  He lifted the drink to his mouth and drank. She, too, sipped from her own glass, refusing to look away from the temptation. He lowered the glass and then licked his lips. She resisted the urge to help.

  When she set her drink down on the counter, she sighed. “Mmmm, that hit the spot.” She picked up the edge of the towel still draped around her neck and dabbed her forehead. “It’s definitely a hot day.” She picked a cube out of the bucket and touched it to her neck. Tilting her head back, she slid the cube down her skin and over her breasts toward her cleavage.

  She looked back at him. His gaze followed the ice cube. “Yes, and it promises to get hotter,” he added in a softer tone.

  She grinned. “I’m sure it will.”

  He rested his elbows on the counter and leaned forward. “Colette? Can I ask you a personal question?”

  She flipped the ice cube in the sink before resting her own elbows on the counter and leaning in, giving him an ample view of her breasts. His eyes darkened.

  “What is it you’d like to know, Adrian?”

  “I’d like to know what you’re doing.”

  Her heart picked up rhythm. Did he know her purpose? And more importantly, why was he questioning it?

  “What do you think I’m doing, Adrian?”

  His dark eyebrows rose. “Don’t play coy with me. I’m on to you, lady.”

  Panic washed over her, making it hard to breathe. Her seduction wasn’t working … but it had to work. She couldn’t give up.

  She pulled away and walked around the counter, closer to him. His body turned as she came toward him until his back leaned against the counter. She stood in front of him, wanting to touch him, but not daring to—not yet, anyway.

  Through her fear, she kept the smile on her face. “How are you on to me, Adrian?” She deepened her voice.

  His gaze traveled over her face, then came to rest on her lips. She moistened them with her tongue.

  “I know what you’re doing.”

  “What am I doing?”

  He shook his head and grinned. “What do you take me for, Colette? An idiot? I know you’re looking at me as if I’m your next play toy.”

  She chuckled and stepped closer, her breasts merely a breath away from touching his chest. But she resisted for now. “And what is wrong with wanting to play?”

  “I’m your nephew’s friend.”

  “You’re a man, I’m a woman. That’s all I see, Adrian.”

  “What do you want from me?”

  She had to touch him or her fingers would start shaking from the effort it took to resist. Slowly, she raised her hand to his face, stroking the back of her fingers along his jaw before she traced his mouth. His lips stiffened, but he didn’t stop her.

  “I think you know what I want, Adrian.”

  His chest rose and fell quickly, as did hers, and it thrilled her to see he was as turned on as she. He grabbed her hand, stopping her. She took the opportunity to lean in, pressing herself against him, tilting her head back to gaze into his smoldering eyes.

  He sucked in a breath, his lips parting, inviting. Dare she take the chance that he wanted the same thing she did?

  This woman was more than he could resist. Up to this point, he’d done his best to fight off her advances, but now with her pressed against him so intimately, his body responded with an out-of-control abandonment. His erection sprang to life and throbbed. God help him, but he wanted her now.

  His breathing became labored the longer he fought his body’s urges. But he had to. He couldn’t give in.

  “But Roger—” he began.

  “Roger will never know.” With her other hand, she caressed the side of his face, then threaded her fingers through his hair, urging his face closer to hers.

  She lifted her mouth and swept her lips gently across his. He closed his eyes, still fighting for control, knowing he was losing fast.

  “Adrian? Don’t
you want me?” she whispered, and his defenses broke. Yes, he wanted her more than he could stand.

  Grabbing her shoulders, he pulled her to him, covering her mouth with his. Electricity shot through his blood and a deep moan tore from his throat. Her hands grasped his shirt as she kissed him back, her tongue speared inside his mouth like a hot torch. He suckled and caressed it, then mirrored her actions with his own tongue.

  He slipped his hands down her body to her bottom and cupped, holding her hips against his aching arousal. She snuggled against him and he groaned. She would be the death of him.

  The chirping of his cell phone snapped him out of his passionate state. He jerked back, his breathing irregular as he tried to focus on what had just happened. Her green eyes were dark, heated. Her mouth opened as quick breaths exited. On the third ring, he pushed away from her and clipped off his cell from the waistband of his pants.

  “Robinson here,” he answered in a voice much too deep to be his own. The caller had hung up. He silently cursed, yet thanked the interruption. If he hadn’t been disturbed, he would have ripped her clothes off and taken her against the counter. That wasn’t like him. He’d always enjoyed sex slow and sweet.

  He looked at her. She breathed heavily, her face flushed with passion. The urge to take her back into his arms was strong. Instead, he stepped back. What am I, a sex maniac?

  “I have to leave. Thanks for the iced tea.”

  She held up a hand to stop him, but he turned on his heels and hurried out of the house.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  For Adrian, the first week of work passed by in a blur. The law firm kept him busy in Miami, which pleased him. Keeping his mind off a certain raven-haired bombshell was hard enough, and his work helped a little. His crotch had been in a constant state of erection since meeting her.

  Their steamy kiss still disturbed his thoughts and especially his dreams at night. The longer he stayed away from Colette, the more he wanted her. Visions of them finishing what they’d started in her kitchen played out in his imagination, and he liked what they did.

  He exhaled deeply, running his fingers through his hair. What was it about her that drew him to her like water to dry land? Was it that he knew the taste of her nectar would be worth remembering after it was over?

  But something else besides her beautiful face and hourglass figure intrigued him. A magnetic pull sparked between them. If he believed the rumors about her, he’d think she was a witch. Witches didn’t exist. Yet why did his head whirl whenever he looked at her? He was spellbound.

  A knock upon his door startled him back to the present. “Come in.”

  Brian Crane, the senior partner of the law firm, stepped in. The older man smiled, crossing his arms over his massive chest and leaning his shoulder against the doorframe. “Your work today in the courtroom was brilliant. Congratulations on a good win.”

  Adrian laughed, his chest bursting with elation. “Thank you, Brian, but I give credit to the professional firm I’m with.”

  Brian nodded, his eyes twinkling with merriment. “That, too.” He pulled away from the door and walked over to the brown leather chair in front of Adrian’s desk. He plopped himself down and crossed one leg over the other. “I hope you’re not busy tonight. My wife’s throwing one of her boring soirées and she wants me to see if you’ll come.”

  Adrian raised an eyebrow. “Your wife? But I’ve only met her once.”

  “Yes, and once was enough for her to realize she has a young niece looking for a man to marry.”

  Adrian laughed. “Marriage? I’m not ready for that step.”

  “But will you come anyway? I won’t hear the end of it from the old-ball-and-chain if you don’t come.”

  “Okay, but remember, there’ll be no talk of marriage.”

  “Agreed.”

  “Are you going to tell your wife that?”

  “No, I’ll let you. I’m sure you can sweet talk her like you do our clients.” He chuckled. “You’re like your father in that respect. He knew how to charm the ladies in his day.”

  Adrian lost his smile. Why did Brian have to ruin the conversation by speaking of his father? “I’m sure he did.” His voice hardened.

  Brian stretched his legs out in front of him then folded his arms. “Did I ever tell you about when I first met your father?”

  “No, I don’t believe you ever mentioned it in our conversations.” Under the desk, he clenched his fists. Talking about his father was the last thing he wanted to do.

  “We met before he became Senator. He was still fishing for supporters.”

  Adrian gripped his armrest, praying for the moment this discussion would end.

  Brian gazed out the window and a wide smile touched his mouth. “I remember a time when your father tried to hook me up with a beautiful woman.” He chuckled. “It didn’t matter to John that I was already married. But of course, one look at Colette was all it took.”

  Adrian’s body stiffened. “Are you talking about Colette Carmichael?”

  Brian nodded.

  “You know her?”

  Brian returned his attention to Adrian. “A lot of men know her.”

  Adrian’s hands balled into fists. “How well did my father?”

  Brian shrugged. “As well as the rest of us, I suppose. She’s a crafty woman, very good at the art of seduction. But she picked who she wanted and wouldn’t take no for an answer.”

  Leaning forward, Adrian crossed his arms on the desk. “Brian? Tell me something.”

  “What?”

  “Do you believe the stories about her?”

  “Which stories? There’re many.”

  “I’m referring to the stories that she married her husband for his money and then killed him.”

  Brian threw back his head and laughed. “Oh, Adrian. I can only assume you haven’t met her. She didn’t mean to kill him. She’s a very beautiful and passionate woman. I’m certain he died due to a heart attack, and probably right after having sex.”

  Adrian held back a grin, remembering the way he’d been ready to take her right there on the kitchen counter. Yes, he suspected she had that kind of stamina. Her much older husband probably couldn’t take her lovemaking. Maybe that’s why she’d switched to younger men. To him. She knew he’d be able to handle her, and he really wanted a chance to prove his willingness.

  “Adrian?”

  He snapped out of his lustful thoughts. “Yes?”

  “Is that a definite yes or is it a no?”

  Why hadn’t he paid better attention to the conversation? “I’m sorry, Brian. Yes or no for what?”

  “The party.”

  He smiled. “Yes, I’ll be there.”

  Brian stood. “Great. Margaret will be pleased. It’s a black-tie affair. Be there by seven tonight.”

  “I won’t be a minute late.”

  Unless, of course, he ran into Colette—the only person who could side-track his thoughts. But damn, what an enjoying break in his day.

  Now he hoped something would happen to put her in his way. He’d like to see just how exciting she was in bed.

  Another black-tie affair. Not the kind of gatherings Colette liked, but she had to socialize. She couldn’t lock herself in the house forever. Most of the higher class passed her glares, letting her know of their true feelings. They’d all suspected she’d killed her husband. She hadn’t. He was old and had a weak heart.

  Usually black was her color, but tonight she picked a blood red dress. The plunging neckline and the thigh-high split up the leg would cause many heads to turn. Her bare back and shoulders would start tongues to wagging, but that, too, she could handle.

  John Robinson had made her into a seductress. She was now used to acting the part.

  She sprayed an expensive lilac-scented perfume on her body then gelled her wavy hair, teasing the black strands into a wild mane. Just the way she liked it.

  Her lips and nails matched the blood red of her silky gown and high heels. Before she left the ho
use, she grabbed her white wrap to cover her body before she made her grand entrance at the Crane’s mansion where she’d do her unveiling.

  The chauffeur opened the vehicle’s door and helped her inside. “Thank you, Bently.”

  He nodded then closed the door. Sinking back into the luxury of the limousine her late husband owned, she frowned, remembering the way she was forced to marry a man she didn’t love … and that didn’t count all the other men she seduced on John’s road to glory. True, he’d helped her accumulate wealth fast, but she’d give it all up to have her own life back—to have her necklace and be free of John once and for all.

  Before accepting the invitation for tonight’s party, she’d made certain the senator wasn’t coming. Thank goodness he was out of town. She tried to stay out of his path. He would forget about her until he saw her then he’d select someone for her to seduce. Damn him.

  She hated him—herself for every man she seduced. The memory made her stomach lurch. If only she could erase her past. If only she could find someone who’d love her for herself. But would anyone want her after learning about her life?

  The stretch limo pulled up in front of Margaret Crane’s mansion and stopped. Bently opened the door and helped her out.

  “Have a pleasant time, Mrs. Carmichael.”

  She smiled at the older man. “Thanks. I’ll try. I don’t plan on being here for very long.”

  He nodded. “You just have the Crane’s butler inform me when you’re ready to leave.”

  “I will.”

  She plastered on her fake happy face and walked up to the double front doors where one of the Crane’s servants waited to show her inside. She nodded in greeting and walked into the foyer, then stopped short. Just ahead of her, talking to Brian Crane was none other than the man of her desires—Adrian Robinson.

  The tailor-made tuxedo fit his body well, and the white of his shirt complemented his tanned skin. He looked good enough to eat, and she intended on tasting him again tonight … if everything went according to her plans.

  Brian Crane noticed her first. When he looked her way, his grin widened. Inwardly, she groaned. He was the first married man John had tried to set her up with. Thankfully, Brian turned over his thousands easily enough so she could move on.