“Nothing better,” she whimpered as he thrust in and out with powerful strokes.
“Love to hear that. I may keep you up all night.” He brought her climax hard and fast. Preston kicked off his shoes and clothes before picking her up and carrying her to the bedroom, ready to spend the night worshipping her body.
Chapter 23
Three days had come and gone. Dacia went crazy every time Preston walked out the door to “work” without sharing a single detail. All he would say was that as soon as he had any real information, he would share it if he could.
Not fucking helpful.
She wanted to help, but he was effectively shutting her down every chance he could. When he was with her, it was all about her, or about them, but never about her father.
He came down the stairs, and stepped into the path she paced through the floor. He took her mouth in a heated kiss, before leaning back. “I’m sorry, Minx. I need to go meet Toryn. He says he has some news.”
“I could go,” she offered, wishing to the abyss and back he would take her up on the offer, but knew better.
His lips caressed hers, his tongue sweeping into her mouth, stealing her conviction. He took a step toward the door, releasing her slowly. “You have work. I’ll see you tonight.”
“All right.” She sighed as she watched him go. I love you. Be careful. Words she wanted to say, but they hadn’t left his mouth either.
Dacia heard his car fire up, and then drive away. “Fuck!” she screamed and grabbed her keys. She stalked out the kitchen door and slumped into her car. Throwing her Lamborghini in reverse, she backed onto the road and tore off for Inktastic with one goal in mind.
Please don’t let this backfire. To whom she was pleading, she had no clue. She didn’t believe in deities, but she needed answers. In no time her car was parked and she was striding for the shop.
Hayden nearly walked into her as he came out the door. “Everything okay?” he asked gruffly.
She swallowed hard and glanced down at the ground with a heavy sigh. “I have a few questions for Amethyst. I hope she has some insight for me.”
“About Preston?”
She dipped her head in a nod and looked up at him through her lashes. “Yeah.”
Hayden gave her a reassuring smile. “I have a feeling you two are going to work out. He’s willing to do anything for you.”
Her head tipped to the side. “How do you know?”
“We had a long talk the other day.”
“You don’t want to strangle him anymore?”
He shook his head with a chuckle. “Nope. We’re good.”
“Have a good day.”
“You too.” He walked past her, squeezing her arm on the way. His whole demeanor toward her had changed in a few short months. Like most of Edenton, he no longer treated her like a tolerated brat.
Maybe I am changing—growing even.
Shaking her head, she walked inside and found Amethyst sitting at one of the front tables.
Her head tilted to the side, purple hair falling off her shoulder as she looked up. “Why do you look so sad?”
With a sigh, Dacia crossed the room and slid into a chair. “I’m hoping you can help me.”
Amethyst leaned back, her brow wrinkling. “How so?”
“How do I know if Preston loves me?”
Amethyst shifted her weight to kneel on the chair and scooted closer. “He lit up when I mentioned your name. Then he went on and on about you.”
“That could be lust. We have that in spades.” Dacia took a deep breath and let it out. “The words ‘I love you’ haven’t left his lips.”
One corner of her mouth tipped up. “Have they left yours?”
She shook her head. “We pinky promised to not say what we felt until we were sure.”
“Because you were afraid.”
“What?” Her brow wrinkled.
Amethyst smiled. “We talked about you for a bit when he was shopping for breakfast several days back. He doesn’t want to push you away. He’s afraid if he says it first, you’ll think it’s only words.”
Dacia chewed her lip and sat back. I’ve been so careful, trying not to influence him, but he was doing the exact same thing.
“So I should tell him?”
“Do you love him?”
Her heart thumped and she nodded. “Scares me to death, but I do.”
“Then tell him. You won’t regret it.”
Her eyes closed. “Thank you. You have no idea how much better I feel.”
“I want you both happy. You two make sense.” A giggle escaped. Dacia opened her eyes to see Amethyst grinning. “I’ve enjoyed seeing the two of you together the last week. You both share a light that only comes on in the other’s presence.”
A smile pulled at her lips. “Thank you, Amethyst. I’ll tell him tonight.” She stood and hurried out the door, pulling her phone out of her pocket as she rushed back to her car.
Tell him now? Or tell him later?
Her phone beeped and she opened a text from Preston. Tonight can’t come soon enough, Minx.
Her heart raced as she punched in her response. Wish you didn’t have to work today. Miss you.
She slid into her car in time for the next beep. Me too, but tonight I’ll make the wait worthwhile.
After clicking her belt, she replied. I’m soaking wet thinking about what I want to do to you.
Her breath was heavy as anticipation got the better of her. Thankful for the dark tinted windows, her hand slipped under her skirt to caress her swollen pearl.
You make me so damned hard, Dacia. How am I supposed to work?
One handed, she typed, Call me.
Her phone rang once, and she was breathless. “All I can think about right now is your touch. That feather light circling you do that drives me crazy. So much better when you do it.” She moaned, letting him know she was close.
“Fuck, Dacia, hang on, Minx.”
She heard the squeal of tires, and then the engine quieted to an idling purr as a brisk metallic zip signaled his fly was open. Feeling empty, she slid two fingers deep and her breath caught.
“I want in you, so bad,” he groaned. “My hand will have to do.”
“Want to run my thumb over your crown, spreading that glistening drop before bringing it to my mouth. Taste you.”
“Need to kiss you senseless as I rub the head of my cock through your slick heat.”
“Imagine me wrapping my hand around the base, pulling until you slide into me.”
Between quick pants, he said, “I’d slam home… filling you… until you cry out… your voice breaking… like that… so damned sexy.”
“Need you, fuck, Ember, need you so bad,” she whimpered as she sped her tempo, her fingers moving faster as her hips rocked in time with her pace. “Nothing better than you inside me.”
“Only place I want to be, Minx.” His breaths came quicker, matching hers. “Come for me.”
“I am!”
“Fuck, me too.”
That sound he made every time he came filled her ear and she cried out. Then all she heard was the two of them trying to catch their breaths.
Dacia made exaggerated sucking noises as she cleaned off her fingers. “Better if you were here, and that was you,” she whispered.
“Mmhmm. Tonight, Dacia. Promise.”
“Promise.”
“I got to clean up, then work.”
“I’d apologize, but I’m not sorry.”
He chuckled. “Don’t be. That made the trip so much better.”
“Tonight, Ember.”
“Tonight.” He hung up and she headed to work.
* * * *
Remus floated through alternating numbness and pain. He felt Saressa’s skirts brush his newly formed skin as she sat beside him to inspect her work.
Her voice was filled with glee. “You should be well enough to find your bastard bitch.”
Ah yes, but first he had a couple stops to make along the w
ay. He needed leverage, and he had a few pieces to put in place. “You’ve had your fun, release me, and I’ll have Isa out of your way for good.”
“If you fail, you’ll lose more than this worthless piece of skin.” For the hundredth time since he’d been there, she took hold of his limp dick and pulled, but he felt nothing at all.
She let out a sigh, taking her time to unbuckle the shackles. “So sad I can’t have everything I want.”
He sat up slowly and Saressa stepped back, pushing her hair out of her face. With a snap of her fingers, a vortex opened up. She moved behind him and kicked him in the ass, shoving him through.
Time and space constricted and expanded, contorting him as he squeezed through the portal. He landed on his hand and knees, but caught his stump badly. The pain blacked out his vision, his breath stalled as stars washed through the darkness. Falling face first into the floor, he bit his tongue, his mouth filling with blood as he rolled to his back.
Once the pain faded, he managed to push himself to a sitting position and found himself in an empty department store. At least something was going right for him. He grabbed the finest suit, and awkwardly dressed himself.
He tried to phase through the back door but ran straight into it. With a groan, he pushed open the door. The alarm blared to life.
“Fucking damn it,” he muttered as he hurried to the street, walking as fast as he could without drawing attention.
He was in the middle of a bustling city and couldn’t understand the language, but recognized it as French.
A young woman stood at an alley entrance, talking on her phone. She pressed end as she slid the phone into her purse.
Remus grabbed her shoulder, whispering a spell to put her under a trance before leading her into the shadows.
He pressed her against the stone wall, leaning his weight into her as he let her consciousness surface, but kept her voice locked down. The fear in her eyes as he unzipped her skirt was palpable.
Her mouth opened to scream and he wished he could hear the glorious sound as she feebly pushed at him. Reaching between them with his good hand, he slipped two fingers into her blouse and tore it open. Then he grabbed a fist full of hair and delved into her memories.
He traced her steps throughout Paris, creating a map in his head. Finally, he came to a street he recognized, only a few blocks over. He was close to one of his homes.
Remus grabbed her jaw, roughly turning her head to whisper in her ear. “It’s your lucky day you worthless whore.” He stepped away, backhanding her hard enough to bounce her head against the limestone. He left her in a state of undress as her body crumpled to the ground.
No more wasting time. He’d play with a real victim soon enough.
* * * *
Preston walked into headquarters and made his way to Robert’s office. Late, not that he cared. He brushed past too many mages watching him from the side of their eyes.
He took a slow breath and let it out. They could doubt him and his abilities all they wanted. He had never failed a mission. They couldn’t say the same. And sure, they were waiting for him to fail with Remus, but he wasn’t going to. Everyone’s doubts only pushed him to work harder and do better.
He slipped through the door.
Robert looked up. “You’re late.”
“Not by much. A conversation held me up.”
His brow arched. “Dacia asked about helping again, didn’t she?”
Preston nodded as he dropped into a chair. Though, that discussion wasn’t what made him late, Robert wouldn’t appreciate those details.
Instead, he went with Robert’s assumption. “I’m worried about her. You didn’t see her reaction to Gebiet. Remus will be pissed when he realizes the contract is gone. I know I said I wanted her to be a part of this, but what happens when Gebiet shows back up?”
“Don’t shut her out. That’s only going to make her think you blame her.”
Preston scrubbed a hand over his face. “Fuck, I hate this.”
“How’s training with Toryn going?”
“Learning new tricks. Figure the more the merrier.” He snorted.
“That’s the truth.”
“Not worried about the new skills?” Preston looked back.
Robert shook his head. “Do I have a reason to be?”
“No.” He ran a hand through his hair and leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees. “I am worried someone else will see and question everything about me.”
“You’ve always been different. No one has guessed your secret. I don’t believe it will ever come up. Besides, only a few would have any idea what the unusual abilities mean. Your position will always be safe as long as I have anything to say.”
Preston nodded, a slight smile on his lips. “You are a true friend. I never want to be the reason you come under heat.”
“I won’t. I’m in charge of the enforcers, and the Council is finally taking a shift in the right direction. The ones fighting the changes are the ones we’re bringing down for their questionable activity.”
“Think we’ll ever have the Council in a better place?”
“Yes, but it will take time. With so many of the mages stuck in their old ways, it’s a slow process.”
“One day, maybe, it won’t matter.”
Robert switched gears. “Have a plan for today?”
He shook his head. “I wish. Toryn could only confirm that yes, Remus was in the Water Castle. There’s no way to track the portals being used in that part of Faerie. All the known ones land somewhere in Europe. We can only hope we find him before he makes it to the States.”
“Have you found where Gebiet is hiding?”
“Unfortunately, we’re not going to hear from him until Remus gets around to summoning him. He’s bound to Faerie unless called here, like most dragons. The contract would give him passage from his realm to ours without being called.”
“Can Remus control him?”
Preston shook his head. “Doubtful. The terms appeared solid, but there was a way around being bound to Remus. I believe Gebiet plans to kill Remus the second he’s bound to Dacia. It would give him free passage between realms. For what gain, I’m not sure, but I won’t let that happen.”
“Did Remus create the contract to better control Dacia then?”
“Probably, but fuck, let’s not go there. I already want to kill both of them. And if I ever get my hands on Gebiet, dragon or not, I’m gutting him with his own scales and force-feeding him his steaming intestines.”
Robert grimaced. “Where are we starting?”
“I have a few ideas. Let’s get out of here. I’ll drive.”
Chapter 24
Preston opened the door to Dacia’s home and froze. There was a trail of dark red rose petals from the front door, up the stairs, and into her room. He swallowed hard, wondering what game she was playing. This seemed awfully romantic for a woman who was afraid of the word love.
He stepped inside and locked the door before climbing up the stairs. Soft, sensual music played through the house. He slowed his breathing as he turned the corner, into her room.
She sat on the edge of the bed which was covered in rose petals. The dark chocolate robe matched her hair and eyes, a single rose in her hand. Her bottom lip was caught between her teeth, and he could see the vulnerability written across her elegant face.
“Oh, Minx,” he crossed the room, and dropped to his knees before her, “I can’t resist you.”
Her free hand came up to caress his face. “I love you, Preston.”
He rose up to place a kiss on her lips. True emotion stared back at him and his heart swelled with his smile. “I love you, too.”
She let out a sad laugh. “Didn’t want to scare me off?”
He nodded and placed his forehead against hers. “Wanted to prove my feelings until you believed them.”
Her chest rose and fell with her breath. “I was worried you didn’t. I should have known better.”
“Hey, if it
was words you needed, I would have given them to you. I thought you needed action.”
“Both, I need both. I’m needy, and high maintenance, and I’m going to be a pain in your ass, but I’m not letting you go.”
He threaded his fingers into her hair and covered her mouth with his until she was panting for breath. Then he trailed his fingers down her neck and chest until he came to the tie of her robe and pulled it open with a tug.
Needing to feel her heart beating, he slid his hand to rest over the quiet thumping. “As long as you only need me, I’ll give you whatever you ask for.”
“Your heart.”
“It’s yours.” First tracing the outline of her new tattoo, he then caressed her body and leaned down to press a kiss over her heart. “Always.”
“Make love to me, Preston. I need to feel you inside of me.”
“Oh, Minx, I’m ready to bury myself so deep I become a part of you.”
“Already are, but I want to feel you.”
He slipped two fingers inside and her back arched, the ember rose radiated. Her velvet heat was dripping. Every time they were together she responded this way.
“Please, Preston.”
“Need to taste you.” He spread her wider and licked her entrance, dipping his tongue inside. Groaning, he teased her until she pushed his head back.
“Need more than your mouth.” She scooted up the bed. “Strip.”
His brow arched as he followed her direction. Standing, he pulled his t-shirt over his head, then slowly opened his belt and zipper. After he kicked off his shoes, he pushed his jeans and boxer briefs down, and stepped out of his clothes.
Licking his lips, he grabbed his throbbing length. “This, is what you do to me, Minx. I want all of you. Not just your body, but everything. Give it to me.”
Nodding, she trailed her fingers down to circle her clit. “All of me, if you’ll give me all of you.”
“I’m yours.”
He crawled up the bed, until he was propped over her and stared into her eyes.
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