by Lilou Roux
“I know what you’re thinking, sweetie. That stubborn streak of independence – which is what you two like in each other, by the way – is telling you to rebel against the idea of magically designated mates. Piece of advice?”
Erin looked at her, one eyebrow raised in curiosity.
“Don’t.” Joanne moved her head to look at her. “Take a risk and open yourself up. I know you think there is no such thing as real love, which is rather funny given the fact that you jumped onto a plane and into a car to be with your sister because you love her. Anyway, take a risk and enjoy it. Make the most of it. I’m not saying there won’t be trouble along the way…what I’m saying is, it’s totally worth it.”
The words meant a lot to her, the fact that someone like Joanne would offer them to her meant the world to her and Erin let it show in her eyes, but said jokingly, “Jesus. I already agreed to go to the party with him.”
Joanne’s laughter was loud and as clear as spring.
TWELVE
Erin checked her reflection in the mirror, her heart stupidly thumping in her chest as if she was a teen again and preparing for her very first date. The long dress she wore was a deep bluish green that matched both her eyes, with long sleeves covering her arms and a slit that reached to her hip on one side. Her short blonde hair was sexily tousled pixie style and a choker with a dark blue stone adorned her throat. A pointed hat and black broom completed her disguise. Erin laughed. Was it even a disguise when she really was a witch?
When the knock at her door sounded through the cabin, her breath caught and her heart sped up some more. Groaning at her reaction, she shook her head and went downstairs to open the door.
He was devastating. Dark hair slicked back and all that yummy muscle covered by a black suit. Oh boy. She’d never been the kind of woman to turn into a puddle of hormones at just the sight of a guy…but that was before Seth Hawkins.
Hoping she wasn’t drooling openly, she commented on his outfit, “Let me guess, James Bond meets Dracula?”
Broad shoulders shrugged. “Don’t really care, as long as I’m halfway presentable and at least look as if I deserved to accompany the woman before me.”
Oh damn, that guy was good.
His eyes darkened with heat and pure want as they slowly traveled the length of her, up and down and up again, raising shivers and goose bumps in their wake. Her breath caught as their gazes locked again. “You look… beautiful and sexy as hell don’t even cover it.”
Erin bit her lips as she slipped into her coat but it didn’t stop the ear-to-ear smile from spreading across her face. Feeling her cheeks redden for probably the first time ever since she left junior high, Erin nearly ducked her head to get away from his piercing gaze that was always so focused and intent on her.
Smiling a lovely but a bit smug smile of his own he held his arm out to her which Erin accepted. Together they walked towards the brightly lit main cabin from which laughter, music and chatter was already pouring out onto the yard and street. Night was quickly falling, spreading like a cold but diamond dusted blanket across the sky. The mountains were dark and silent around them, guarding the houses and bursting life within their valleys.
Was there a place she’d rather be? No, Erin thought as she looked at the brightly lit windows and saw people talking and laughing inside, there wasn’t. Right here, right now, felt good. Even when they stepped inside and were greeted by mini-monsters squealing and nearly knocking them off their feet. Erin laughed as Seth growled playfully back at them, exposing fangs she wasn’t sure were fake, and made them scream in delight.
After Seth took her coat he placed a hand at the small of her back and guided her towards the back of the house where they joined Tess and Nathan, standing near the buffet. Tess was dressed as a witch as well, but in a dress the color of autumn, bringing out the coppery hint of her blonde hair. She looked beautiful and shot worried glances towards the children that showed too much interest in the ‘adult’ buffet.
“You’re definitely the good witch of the two of us,” Erin said to her.
It was then she saw Joanne coming towards them and nearly burst out laughing. Joanne had gone all black, warts bloomed on her nose and another at her neck, her fingers seemed gnarled, her nails incredibly long. “Okay, okay, you win. You’re the evil witch. But what am I then?”
Seth put an arm around her waist, the hand on her hip hot, and pulled her close to whisper in her ear. “The sexy witch, of course.”
A shiver ran down her spine. God, she loved it when he brushed her ears, with his breath or his stubbly cheek. She swallowed.
Joanne shrugged. “Someone has to uphold the cliché. Especially with you two beauties out and about.” With a little dry humor she added, “They’re supposed to be scared of us, you know.”
The evening went on and when most of the buffet had disappeared and the guest had moved on to more liquid and intoxicating nourishment, Joanne announced that it was time for a little witchy fun. She invited her guests to follow them outside and the crowd spilled onto the terrace where jack-o-lanterns, torches and the flickering flames in fire baskets chased away the cold of the night while Erin, Tess and Joanne moved to stand a bit farther away, closer to the edge of the woods.
To the sisters, she said. “God, I love Halloween. It’s the night we can get away with everything. Human minds are so convinced it’s all just trick or treat most of them don’t even consider any other possibilities.” Joanne rubbed her hands in glee.
Then it was time for a little magic.
Joanne threw her arms into the air and called upon the wind, using strange words and a deep, evil voice for the audience’s benefit. The nightly breeze around them picked up, slowly but steadily until leaves whirled around them like lost butterflies and the wind screeched ghostly through the tree tops. The sound was eerie.
Tess made the trees move, their bare arms reaching to the sky, their trunks groaning and adding to the unearthly and spooky atmosphere Joanne had started to create. Then it was Erin’s turn. Closing her eyes she welcomed the magic in her blood and smiled as she imagined dozens of ghost lights, pale lights flitting and zig-zagging through the trees behind her. Floating on the mysterious winds, begging for souls to get lost. Fog covered the ground, wafting, tendrils swirling
The audience was under their spell, riveted.
On a silent command the three witches clasped their hand, looked one last time at the crowd and vanished as a wave of fog suddenly rose around them.
The guests gasped and were still wondering ‘what and how’ when the three of them flew past them on their brooms, their fake unholy laughter riding on the wind with them.
Erin looked at them from above and saw Seth grinning at her. She grinned back, unguarded and not caring what her eyes might show. She was happy and magic was flooding her, buzzing through her veins and her every cell. Yes, All Hallows Eve was going to be her favorite day of the year as well.
When her feet touched ground again, their audience was clapping and cheering. And then Seth was there, pulling her to him and kissing her breath away. His taste flooded her and made her moan. His tongue swept her lips, his teeth tugged and then he nibbled his way along her jaw. “I couldn’t resist. You were breathtaking.”
So was he.
He took her hand in his, their fingers entwining on their own, and led her away from the crowded terrace. Erin’s heart had calmed down as they reached the edge of the forest, where she could see her ghost lights still hover in the air.
They walked side by side in silence as the night quieted around them, the air cool and damp once more and not buzzing with the heat of magic. She was surprised and grateful he had thought of her coat as he helped her into it.
“Why did you panic the other day?”
She knew exactly what he was talking about. When she ran away, leaving him alone in the meadow. “It was nothing.”
He stopped and faced her. “That’s a damn stupid lie and you know it, Erin.” Seth stepped closer,
their bodies touching from chest to thigh. “Would you have sex with me?” Those intense silver eyes of his didn’t miss a thing. “Your eyes say yes, so does your body.” He grabbed her wrist, his fingers gently stroking her as he watched her. “Would you blow me? Ah, there it is. No need to hide it. I saw it, that flicker of panic.”
Her jaw clenched. “So?” When he didn’t answer and just kept looking at her without pity in his patient eyes but with that cursed something inside them that pulled at her, she stepped back and threw up her arms. “What do you want me to say? Yes. I panic at the thought of oral sex. Yes, I panic at the thought of having a guy in my mouth ever since an asshole of a foster parent forced his dick into my mouth when I was a child.” She was in his face the next moment, desperate fury scalding her veins. “Do you have any idea how that annoys the hell out of me? I want to be able to do that. To have this kind of control over a man. To be a woman who can bring a man to his knees. To be …a woman.”
His voice was deep and strong, an anchor. “You already are.”
“What?”
“A woman who can bring a guy to his knees. That you feel restricted by your reaction, that it annoys you…those are only the first steps in fighting the trauma and the hold it has on you.” One hand cupped her jaw as he stared into her mismatched eyes, a fierceness that made her shiver glowing brightly in his own. ”You’re already fighting your way to recovery and don’t even realize it.”
Erin was once again speechless, eyes wide, her heart a painful, swelling pressure in her chest that just wouldn’t let her breath. But breath and speech didn’t matter. In a swift move she pulled him down to her and slammed her mouth on his.
THIRTEEN
Erin had no idea how they made it to his cabin but she was grateful when he finally pushed the door open to his bedroom and pulled her to him. The kiss was fierce and even rough, fueled with all the tension, frustration, thrilling anticipation and the passion that was finally unleashed. She let her hands travel up his chest to push his suit jacket off his broad shoulders, reveling in the heat of him. But she wanted closer to that heat that rivaled her own and started on his shirt.
When his chest was bare she tore away from his mouth and trailed kisses and licks along his jaw and to his neck before pulling away to look at him, running her hands along his smooth skin. They were both breathing hard.
His eyes were dark with desire and utterly focused on her, only her, as he said, “Sit down.”
His voice was deliciously husky, laced with want, and Erin didn’t even hesitate and did as he commanded, sitting down on the edge of the bed, her hands braced slightly behind her.
He knelt down in front of her and picked up first one leg then the other to get rid of her shoes. His hands left her skin tingling and her body pleading for more. But he stood, his chin motioned towards the bed. “Lie down on your stomach.”
Again she did as he asked, her curiosity piqued, and wondered what he would do next. She heard the rustle of clothes and looked over her shoulder to see him undress until he stood magnificently naked. Her whole body clenched. He tsked and she turned her head.
Waiting.
And then his large hands were on her, stroking up her legs, above the silky material of her dress, and roaming across her hips and ass. When his fingers brushed her neck, her body was already a burning mess. She felt him grasp the zipper and tug gently. He loomed above her, his body and the heat of him so close and yet not close enough. Her breath caught when his lips touched the bare skin that was revealed. Slowly, agonizingly soft and hot kisses trailed down her spine. His tongue brushed out, tasting her at the small of her back and sending shivers down to her toes. Her heart beat against her ribs and Erin moaned. The slow pace made her feel desired, made her feel so much more than that, made her feel too much.
Her voice was even hoarser than usual. “Remember, you don’t need to be all careful with me. I like it rough.”
A chuckle. “Yes, I know.” He didn’t change his pace however, and continued dropping sweet, delicious and patient kisses along her spine up to her neck. His breath hit her ear, right before his tongue sneaked out. “Makes it easier, huh?”
The haze starting to cloud her mind made it difficult to understand. “What? What are you talking about?”
“The rough sex. It makes it easier for you to keep things simple, easier to keep the men at bay.”
Something inside that wanted to stay in the darkness tried to shy away from his words, from him. “Sorry to disappoint, Seth. I just fucking like it rough.”
She could feel his lips moving against her skin as he ignored her. Was he grinning?
He bit that sensitive spot at her neck and she groaned. Pleasure made her lose her thoughts.
“Turn around.”
She did and he tugged her dress off her arms and to her waist. His eyes lighting on what he revealed, as if opening a present. Then he bunched her dress at her waist and pulled it off of her together with her panties.
She wanted to sit up, to reach out and touch him but he shook his head. “Lie down. Don’t move.”
Once more he ran his hands up her legs and she let them fall open as he teased her, getting closer and closer to where she wanted him most. Erin cried out when he finally touched her and heard him growl his approval. His fingers ran along her lips and then slipped inside collecting her wetness there and spreading it. Oh God, she was so close to combusting. Then his mouth was on her, licking her lips and sucking her clit. The orgasm hit her hard but he kept working her, prolonging her high and apparently loving every minute of it.
Then Seth moved up her body, dropping kisses on her stomach and then her breasts. His teeth grazed her nipple and he bit her before lapping the sting away with his tongue. And what a wicked tongue it was.
His lips moved up to her neck and he bit her earlobe, making her shudder. “You think you can guard yourself against love that way, that there’s no place for soft feelings that way. It makes it easier for you because somehow you think you aren’t deserving of love.” Nestling between her legs, arms braced beside her, she could feel the tip of him nudging her entrance. His eyes glowed, sparkling with gold as they finally met hers, looking at her and seeing so much more than anyone should. “But you deserve love. You deserve it all.”
He thrust into her with one strong thrust. Seth groaned and Erin gasped, overwhelmed by the incredible sensations of finally being joined like this and by his words. Seth didn’t move but looked down at her instead. And the look he gave her, so deep and tender and full of love, pulled her love out of her shadows and into his light. “You deserve love.” Seth kissed her nose and her heart throbbed inside her chest, beating painfully but strong. “And you have mine.”
Before she could react – although she didn’t know how to – and before she could utter a word, he held her close and rolled them over so she was on top of him.
He was giving her free reign, the control to do whatever she wanted. The decision was in her hands. Erin stared down at him, searching his face and his eyes, for what she didn’t know. But she found sincerity there – and love. It was so clear and honest, it made her throat tighten up. Her blood was burning and now her heart was as well.
She leaned down, her eyes never leaving his as she touched her lips to his. But closed them as their tongues played, slowly, erotically but also so tenderly…she had never been kissed like this before, had never kissed anyone like this before. For the first time her heart soared. And she slowly began to move on him even as silent tears ran down her cheeks. He kissed them away and cupped her face before letting his hands roam, stoking their desire to a height she had never known. Pure and intimate.
Erin groaned, sitting up and let her head fall back. He felt incredible inside of her, stretching her. Keeping the pace slow, she enjoyed the feeling of him sliding in and out of her, enjoyed seeing his jaw clench, his hands gripping her thighs as their breathing became heavier. But as their fire consumed her and her body grew closer and closer to the blis
sful edge, slow wasn’t an option anymore. They locked gazes, veiled with lust, while Seth’s hand moved between her thighs where his thumb rubbed her clit. Her body tensed and Erin couldn’t breathe, could only cry out his name, when flames of pleasure shot through her veins and her climax hit, her muscles gripping him tight.
Seth pushed into her, meeting her hips one more time, and shouted, plunging as deep as he could go as his release shot into her. Collapsing on top of him she listened to his galloping heartbeat that matched her own.
“Did you ever dream of me?” Her words were a soft whisper in the night after their breathing had finally slowed.
“Yes. I have for a long time.”
FOURTEEN
“If that isn’t a lovely smile, then I don’t know what is.”
Erin looked at Joanne.
The two of them were at the lake in the forest, where tonight Tess and Nathan’s bonding ceremony would take place. Erin was preparing fire baskets and torches, while Joanne took care of flower arrangements, which in her new witchy world meant that Joanne coaxed the flowers naturally growing in the forest to form lovely bouquets and even a kind of pergola. The aisle for example was a soft carpet of white anemones.
Erin shrugged. She knew she hadn’t stopped smiling ever since her first night with Seth, she couldn’t help it even though she was also a little scared by the intensity of her feelings for him which still seemed to grow with every day that passed. The first time in her life she was in love. She even was in a relationship. But most of all she was happy and that realization brought a comfort, a balm for her soul, that made her smile.
Joanne chuckled, her knowing eyes sparkling. She stepped back from her work and asked, “Do you think she’ll like it?”
Erin joined her and took a look as well, cocking her head slightly. “Yes. She will love it. Well, we better head back before she wonders where we are.”
The two women parted ways at the edge of the forest and Erin headed to her cabin to change. Her dress was a lovely green, flowing past her ankles and with transparent lace covering her arms and back. It was a shame Seth wasn’t here to see it, but she knew he was with Nathan, both of them getting ready for the ceremony. She added light make-up, styled her short blonde hair into a sexy mess before grabbing her coat and a bottle of champagne and hurrying over to her sister’s place. Letting herself in she found Tess upstairs and in front of a floor-length mirror, smoothing a hand over her dress. It was white, long and flowing much like hers with a silver laced V neckline, and left her back bare. Her sister’s hair was silky, half up half down with white anemones tucked into the blonde waves here and there.