by Meagan Hill
Mitch had to shake himself from his perusal of her body before his interest became embarrassingly visible. “Mandy, it’s okay. It’s Mitch. Calm down.”
“Mitch? What are you doing here?” Mandy asked, clearly confused by his presence. She looked back at the house before focusing on the man standing before her. His chiseled chest was bare, beautifully muscled and lightly scattered with hair that trailed down the center of a perfect set of abs. She could see that he had an eight-pack, something she’d never cared about before. The tops of his hips peaked out above the top of his white cotton sleep pants, just showing the beginning of his men’s “V” that led down to a rather large bulge. As she stared, he grew harder, and she had to force herself to look away from his body so she could concentrate on his answer.
“I don’t know. Where is here? It’s beautiful.” The timbre of his voice belied the rest of his sentiment. “You’re beautiful.”
“It’s my current happy place. Actually, the scenery changes often depending on my mood and how hot it is outside, but there have never been any other people here before. It’s where I go when I can’t stand to be in the real world anymore.” Mandy still looked shaken as she sat back down on her chair, her face still a bit pale, and her eyes wide. Mitch began to look around for something else to sit down on, not really wanting to get sand all over his pajama pants, which he was relieved to discover he was wearing, when he was startled by the appearance of another chair behind him. At the disconcerted look on his face, Mandy began to giggle, morphing quickly into a low-pitched laugh that had need tightening low in Mitch’s belly. He sat down as her laughter began to wind down. “Sorry, the look on your face was priceless. It’s my dream, so I can do anything I want in it.”
Mitch considered her statement a moment. “You have lucid dreams?”
“What does that mean? I didn’t exactly get to finish high school, remember?” Her tone was teasing, though Mitch could detect an underlying bitterness.
“It’s where you’re aware that what you are experiencing is a dream, which gives you some control over the dream itself.” He’d heard about the phenomenon and had tried it on multiple occasions, but while he could become aware he was dreaming, he never could control what was happening.
“Oh, yeah. I’ve done that for years. It started with nightmares. I always felt so helpless, with no control over what was happening to me. Too much of that crap happens in my real life, so I started fighting back the only way I could by creating a safe place for me to escape to. I visit at least once a night now while I’m sleeping, in addition to any time I need to pull my mind away from my body. Like I said, it’s my escape.” Mitch understood her unspoken words. She mentally escaped here when she was being raped, escaping from the moment the only way she could. He was impressed by her mental strength and ability to focus despite the interference around her.
“Wow, that’s powerful. You’ll have to teach me how to gain that level of focus.” Mitch cast a glance around the area, confirming they were completely alone. They could be on an uninhabited island for all he knew. “So, because you’re obviously in control, what am I doing here? I assume you essentially summoned me?”
“I don’t know. Like I said, there has never been anyone else here. I’m always alone. What is the last thing you remember? Were you sleeping? Are you dreaming this, too?”
“The last thing I remember is going to sleep, holding you in my arms. As for dreaming, I have no idea, though I’m not surprised you would star in my dreams. What were you thinking about a few minutes ago right before I showed up? Perhaps that will give us a clue as to what you might have wanted me for.”
Oddly enough, a bright blush spread across Mandy’s face before she turned away to hide her reaction. Mitch became very intrigued. Apparently unable or unwilling to answer his question aloud, she simply handed him her book, open to the page she’d been reading when he’d walked up and scared her. Mitch skimmed the page quickly before freezing in place when the meaning of the words became clear. She had been reading a smutty romance book and was in the middle of a rather torrid sex scene. The realization was like a punch to his gut, making him breathless and hard immediately. Mandy was aroused by what she was reading and had summoned him as soon as he’d slipped into unconsciousness.
Mitch’s blue eyes were intense and burning with lust when he raised them to meet Mandy’s. His normally relaxed face tensed with his sexual excitement. A growl of need built within his chest as he gently placed the book down on the ground near her chair, being sure to keep her place. As he started to move toward her, she held up one hand in the “stop” position. Mitch froze immediately before sitting back into his chair.
Mandy scooted forward in her chair before leaning toward Mitch, clasping his large calloused hands with her small, delicate ones. Her voice was pitched lower than normal, pulling a shudder of need from him before he could focus on understanding her words. “There are some things you need to know first, Mitch. Yes, I want you, in that way. That is a first for me. I haven’t been attracted to a man since I was enamored with *NSYNC back before I was taken. It took me a bit to figure out what I was feeling. Beyond the physical chemistry that is clearly between us, at least in my dreams, I am drawn to you mentally as well as emotionally. I don’t know how to explain it well. I just feel like, well, like I can be who I really am with you, and I crave that. I also feel incredibly safe with you. I know you won’t hurt me. Plus, I feel content with you, like I can finally relax. I have hope now, hope that I can heal and become a whole person.” Mandy took a moment to regather herself before leaning her face into Mitch’s warm hand when he reached up to cup her cheek.
“Mandy, I am drawn to you as well. You are safe with me, I promise you that. I won’t ever hurt you. And I also promise to help you heal as much as I can. It’s not going to be easy or quick, but I promise to be there every step of the way, as long as you’ll let me.” Mitch stroked her cheek one more time with the back of his fingers before reaching to take her hand once more, raising it to place a gentle kiss on the back. He wanted to give her as much time to talk as she needed. He could be patient.
Mandy gave him a watery smile before continuing. “Thank you. That means a great deal to me. I haven’t had anyone I could count on in so long.”
“You’re not alone anymore, Mandy.” She squeezed his hands in silent thanks while a couple of tears tracked down her face. Mitch gently wiped the tears away, smiling softly at her. He watched as her eyes shifted. Some new thought had caught her attention.
“Would you mind calling me by my entire first name? I’ve come to loathe my nickname.” Anyone specifically saying her name usually foretold that a beating or a rape was about to commence. When they added her “last” name, she knew it was going to be really bad.
The sentiment made complete sense to Mitch. “I can see how you could. What is your given name?”
“It’s Miranda. My family nicknamed me Mandy as soon as I was born. My grandpa was the only one who used to call me by my full name. I’d forgotten that until now.”
“Miranda,” Mitch said, seeing how the name felt on his tongue. “I like it. It might take a bit to get used to, but we’ll get there. So, Miranda, was there anything else you wanted to talk about?” Mitch’s voice rumbled low in her ears as he leaned forward in his chair, moving his body closer to hers and coming very close to pressing his lips to hers before she stopped him again.
Miranda took a ragged breath, proving she was just as affected as he was, before continuing, “Yes, there are some more things you should understand before we continue with any kind of intimacy.”
Mitch leaned back, giving her room, before saying, “Okay, talk to me. You know you can tell me anything.”
Miranda looked down at their entwined hands and took a deep breath. Her face reddened in another blush at her thoughts, but she forced herself to speak “Mitch, despite my experiences with the coven, there are still many things I am completely innocent of. I have never been kissed
. I’ve never been touched in a loving manner or been made love to. I have never enjoyed sex, much less had an orgasm. I’ve never wanted to have those things done to me outside of daydreams about my smutty books until I met you. I’ve also never experienced physical attraction. I’ve never felt the need to touch someone else the way I need to touch you. I want to explore your body and discover what gives you pleasure. I’ve never wanted to give someone pleasure before. I can’t wait to touch and taste you all over.” Miranda’s face continued to burn as she shared her thoughts, though she was able to raise her eyes when she heard him moan.
“Oh, Miranda. You’re burning me alive with your words. I’ve never wanted someone the way I want you. I promise you, I will not do anything you do not want. You will set the pace.” Once again, Mitch brushed his hands across Miranda’s face gently, almost lovingly. The soft look on his face held a hint of sadness to it. “There’s something else we need to talk about, Miranda. How much do you know about how Gifted Ones are mated?”
“I didn’t know there was something specific about it. I just assumed it was like regular people. They meet, fall in love, get married. Why?”
Mitch sighed before answering, “It’s nothing like that for Gifted Ones. Our lifemates are chosen by the fates. When a pair is mated, a ring of flesh rises around their necks. The crest is unique to each pair. The process is quite painful, so there is no doubt as to their mating.”
“So, how does a GO find their lifemate?”
“The mating takes place only during sex. To find one’s lifemate, a GO must, essentially, sleep around, testing each possibility. And because it happens during the first time a pair is together, if it doesn’t happen, there is no need for the pair to continue relations. That is why the Merlin made the rule about not having sex with a person more than once. So people don’t become too attached to someone they cannot permanently mate with.” Miranda’s face showed her confusion regarding the rule he’d just stated. “You’ve never heard of the rule?” Miranda shook her head. “There are rules that govern all Gifted Ones. One of those rules forbids having sex with a person more than once unless mated. It’s a rule that really isn’t enforced that often because people do fall in love and decide to stay together, even if it’s against fate’s dictation. They simply stop looking for their intended. Of course, it’s not exactly fair to their intended, since they no longer have the opportunity to mate and have children. The parties involved in a non-mated union have to accept they will not be able to have children of their own and may be ostracized by their coven. It doesn’t happen often, the ostracizing, but it has happened.”
Miranda caught onto what he was saying quickly. “That is not an option for you, is it?”
“No. Not as second-in-command and heir apparent. It doesn’t matter how much I might love someone, I will still have to continue searching for my intended. And I don’t see how any woman could stand by while their husband is forced to go “testing” as many other females as possible. Plus, I couldn’t do that to someone I loved anyway. I could never hurt them like that.”
“Where does that leave us? Is there an ‘us’?”
“I don’t know. It leaves me conflicted. On the one hand, I have never craved a woman more than I crave you. I’ve never felt for anyone else what I feel for you, even after so short a time. I feel I could easily love you, if I don’t already. On the other hand, I am scared if we should make love, it would fail the mating test. After that, I could never be anything more than a friend to you, and I already want to be so much more. As it stands, there really isn’t anything we can do about it. I know you need time to heal, emotionally and physically, so we can put off a decision until after that.”
“I understand what you’re saying. I’m just afraid something will happen to split us up, and if we put off being together, it will be too late. Do I understand correctly it is only during intercourse that the test occurs? So we could please each other physically as long as we didn’t become one?” Mitch nodded. Miranda stood up from her chair, indicating she wanted Mitch to stand up as well. “What about here? Can we be fully intimate in our dreams?” Miranda tugged Mitch’s hand, leading him back toward the house.
Mitch thought deeply for several moments, almost unaware of where Miranda was leading him. “Yes, I think we can be intimate without triggering the mating test or disobeying the law. We wouldn’t physically be doing anything, just loving each other with our minds. Are you sure you want to explore that, though?”
“Absolutely. I want you to show me how it feels to be loved, Mitch. Emotionally and physically. Can you do that for me?” Miranda whispered, pulling herself onto the bed before widening her knees enough to allow Mitch to step between them.
Mitch stroked his hands over her hair before bringing them forward to cup her face in his hands. “Yes, Miranda. I can do that for you. But if at any time you begin to feel uncomfortable, you must stop me immediately. Like I said earlier, you are in charge here. We will only do what you want, when you want it. Okay?”
Miranda looked up into Mitch’s eyes, seeing the gentleness there, along with an emotion she couldn’t place, wouldn’t place, but which she suspected was shining from her own eyes. Miranda nodded her agreement. Her heart was thundering in her chest in excitement and anticipation. There was no fear. Miranda knew that she had nothing to fear from Mitch, other than the possibility of losing him. She had no idea how she could have come to care so much for another person so quickly, but she had. She wasn’t about to waste time on what-ifs, not when they might not have much time.
Miranda reached up, running her hands up Mitch’s bare chest. She’d been dying to touch it since she first saw him in the river. She could feel Mitch’s chest rumble in a low moan, which set off her own. Miranda continued the path upward, finally reaching his neck to pull him the last few inches toward her. Mitch’s lips met hers hesitantly, softly. There was nothing gentle about the thrill that went through her, though. Miranda moaned deep in her throat again, desire burning through her every thought until all she could feel was Mitch and what he was doing to her.
Mitch’s reaction to their chaste kiss took him by surprise. His body blazed for her, aching to feel every inch of her pressed against him. He somehow managed to keep the kisses gentle and slow, not wanting to scare her. He couldn’t remember ever feeling this enflamed over something as simple as a kiss. Finally, he couldn’t stop himself from pushing for something more. He slid his tongue out, lightly licking her bottom lip, asking for entrance. Immediately, Miranda groaned deep in her chest, opening her mouth and melding herself to him. Their tongues dueled, exploring each other’s mouths, sharing their breath. Mitch wasn’t sure how it happened, but he became aware that he’d pushed Miranda back onto the bed and half-covered her body with his own. He could feel her breasts pushing into his chest, and her hip pressed against his thigh. He thought he might combust from the feel of her body pressed against his own. Miranda pulled her outer leg up, her foot dragging along his leg before hooking her ankle around his knee and pulling him even tighter against her wet heat and his hard cock into her hip. He’d been trying to keep his hardness from touching her, fearing it would trigger bad memories, but she only moaned again, pressing herself even harder against him.
Miranda couldn’t believe the heat rushing through her veins. She felt like her body was on fire, and she was desperate to feel Mitch’s hard body pressed even tighter against her own. She could not get him close enough, not even if she unzipped his skin and crawled in. She allowed her hands to roam his chiseled chest and shoulders, lightly caressing each ridge and bulge of muscle and sinew. The man’s body was sinful, and Miranda couldn’t wait to explore it further. She pushed against Mitch’s shoulder gently, meaning for him to turn them over, but instead he froze before beginning to carefully pull away. Miranda clutched at his shoulders, not allowing him to move further away.
“No, baby, it’s okay. I just wanted us to roll over so I could be on top. I didn’t mean for you to stop.” Mi
tch hesitated a moment longer, looking into her eyes to assure himself she really was okay. He also took a moment to revel in her use of a loving pet name. No one had ever called him that except during the throes of passion, and even then, he’d always wondered if it was because they’d forgotten his name. Mitch smiled at Miranda before rolling them over so he was now on his back and she was sprawled on top of him. It felt really good to have her slight weight resting on him, like he’d been crafted to hold her. Unsure of where to allow his hands to settle, he finally placed them on the bed beside them. Miranda was apparently not content with that, however, as she pulled both hands up to clasp her hips as she moved to straddle his. They both moaned loudly at the feel of their groins pressed against each other.
Miranda enjoyed the feeling of control being on top gave her, and she fully intended to take advantage of it. She leaned back down to continue their kisses, her hardened nipples brushing across the sparse hair on his chest, before she began trailing her lips across his chiseled jaw to the delicate flesh below his ear. She licked the spot, causing Mitch to moan and shift under her. She continued her explorations, licking her way down his neck, stopping periodically to nip and suck at a particularly sensitive area, often causing him to gasp or twitch. She could feel Mitch’s breathing become heavy and fast and his body grow even harder beneath her. She pressed her dripping pussy down along his length, shuddering at the feel of having him pressed so intimately against her.
She continued her kisses down his chest, stopping to lick and nibble at his flat nipple, teasing it to a hard little point. Mitch shuddered beneath her when she gently bit down on it, before blowing cool across the wetness left behind. His moans were nearly continuous now, coming with each exhale. His hands on her hips, despite his efforts at keeping them gentle, held tightly to her, helping her grind her wet heat down onto his hard cock. She could feel him as she ground her throbbing pussy against him rhythmically, the length and breadth of his still-covered member making her body beg for more. Her own body was trembling, the tension within her coiling.