She laughed. A Bliss buffet. Had a certain ring to it. Not that she'd ever had the chance to play with food, either. Shame, really. It looked sticky but fun.
Oral sex.
Give? Receive? Neither? Both, at the same time?
Bliss felt her face warm. That was rather personal, wasn't it? She shrugged and marked her answer. Only seven more to go.
She finished the quiz and added up her points. Then she turned to the last page and looked for her score.
Bliss came into the sixty to seventy-five range. She brought the magazine up to her face and read the paragraph afterwards.
"A Picky Witch. Prone to fits of perfection and analysis. You need a man who won't take ‘no’ for an answer and knows how to please you. You don't trust easily and have a hard time believing when something is for real. Dial down the analysis and listen to your heart."
Bliss snorted. “Thanks for the information.” She slid her hand down the page and all her answers disappeared without a trace. Bliss glanced at the clock and cursed roundly. If she didn't quit reading this drivel, she would be late for work. She slammed the magazine back onto the table and hurried to find her purse and keys.
Ten minutes later, she was out the door. The magazine disappeared from the table in a wink.
* * * *
Bliss rubbed her temple and looked around the store one more time. One more customer and she could go home. And it would have to be Mrs. Petree. The woman who thought that a shopping excursion must last hours or she didn't get a good bargain.
Shit.
She came around the corner of the desk and walked toward Mrs. Petree. “Is there anything I can help you with?"
"No, darling.” The older woman patted her gray curls and pursed her lips. “I'll know it when I see it. Thanks."
Bliss ground her teeth together and forced a smile. Then she moved back by the register and began to tally up her receipts. She'd already locked the doors, thank God. No more wayward shoppers would grace her doorstep this evening.
The knock on the glass startled her so bad; she almost dropped the sheaf of papers she was thumbing through.
A young man stood there with a large bouquet of red and white roses. The girly part of Bliss sighed while the adult part scowled at the male.
"We're closed,” she mouthed.
He tapped the flowers and then pointed to her.
She frowned and moved forward. If he hoped to rob her, she would have to seriously harm him.
Bliss unlocked the door and kept the key in her hand in case she had to stab him.
"Bliss Monroe?"
"Yes.” She frowned.
"These are for you.” He thrust the large bouquet at her with a grin. “Special order."
"I don't think so.” She tried to thrust the flowers back, but he put his hands up.
"I'm just the delivery guy. Have a great day."
And then he had the nerve to take off at a jog down the street.
Bliss shut the door and locked it again. She buried her nose in the fragrant petals. They were divine.
"Oh my!” Mrs. Petree walked over and smiled knowingly at Bliss. “These are gorgeous! You have a beau?"
"No,” Bliss said shortly. “There must be some mistake.” She pushed her dark brown hair back with a sigh and put the flowers on the glass countertop. She moved the stems aside to try and find the card. Whoever these were supposed to be for, she needed to return them.
A small white envelope lay in the middle, and Bliss picked it up and waved it at Mrs. Petree. “Now we'll find out whose these really are."
She ran her finger under the flap and pulled the small card out.
For Bliss.
Mrs. Petree snatched the card out of Bliss’ hand before she had a chance to react.
"Looks like you have a secret admirer, Bliss.” She giggled like a schoolgirl, and Bliss fought the urge to zap the older woman just once.
Not only was Mrs. Petree a marathon shopper, she was the biggest gossip in town.
"They must have mistaken me for another Bliss.” She smiled weakly.
"Darling. There aren't too many of you around. And certainly none here in town.” Mrs. Petree smiled. “You need to take those home and get them into a vase.” She winked at Bliss and unlocked the front door to let herself out.
Bliss cursed her parents once again for naming her Bliss. But then again, she could have been stuck with Harmony. And her parents reassured her that if they'd had another child, they would have named her Joy. Bliss swore she would name her child Jane, if she ever had one. Hell.
She ran her fingers over the silky petals again and frowned. These were for her. That much seemed to be true. But from whom? And why?
* * * *
Bliss walked through the front door and inhaled deeply. Pot roast. Potatoes. Garlic bread. Her mouth watered. Harmony was actually cooking. Which could mean one of two things.
She got in trouble at school, or she really was sorry.
She would actually miss her sister when she went away for two weeks of tutoring.
Bliss chose to accept the latter. She shifted her flowers to one arm and hung up her purse on the coatrack with the other. Then she kicked off her shoes and walked into the kitchen.
Harmony stood facing the stove, stirring the hell out of something in a black pot. She held up her hand without turning around. “Truce."
"Accepted.” Bliss sighed and went to look for a vase.
Harmony turned around with a smile, and her jaw dropped. “You got me flowers?” She let the spoon fall onto the stovetop and rushed forward.
"Not exactly.” Bliss smiled tightly. “These were delivered to the store."
Harmony looked at her blankly.
"For me."
"Oh.” Her sister frowned. “I don't get it."
"Neither do I."
"They're gorgeous.” Harmony buried her nose in the petals and inhaled deeply. She shot a look to her sister. “You could still get me flowers."
"I could.” Bliss snorted. “Move aside, woman. I need a vase."
Harmony watched her carefully. “Are you seeing anybody?"
"No."
She pursed her lips. “Plan on seeing anybody?"
"No again."
"Then who bought the flowers for you?"
"I haven't the faintest.” Bliss arranged them artfully in a vase and put them on the counter between the kitchen and the living room. “But I do plan on enjoying them.” She moved forward and slung her arm around her sister's shoulder. “Going to miss your big sister?"
"Nah.” Harmony grinned. “Why would I want to do something like that?"
"Did I ever tell you that I almost convinced our mother to change your name to Mischief when you were a year old?"
"You did not!” Harmony laughed.
"I sure did.” Bliss smiled and kissed her sister's forehead. “Now fix the plates, and I'll tell you the story."
* * * *
The next morning came bright and early. Bliss groaned at the persistent chime of her alarm clock and sat up quickly. No work today, but she had to see Harmony off to the bus for her trip. She threw back the covers and willed herself dressed. Hair and all.
Normally, she would have done everything the mortal way, but she was too tired to mess with it.
Bliss looked down at the jeans and blue top with an approving nod. Casual and comfortable. The white tennis shoes completed the outfit nicely. Her ebony hair pulled up in a loose bun, and her make-up actually looked halfway decent. Maybe the mortal way was a tad bit overrated. She consistently poked herself in the eye with that damn mascara wand. Bliss patted her hair and hurried down the stairs.
Harmony's luggage sat by the front door, and she seemed to be checking her bags to make sure she had everything.
Bliss stopped in her tracks. Another couple of weeks and Harmony would have her witch's license. Be a full-fledged witch. And then what? Her heart dropped to her stomach. As much hell as she gave her sister, she couldn't imagine rattli
ng around in this big old house by herself.
Her voice was overly bright as she looked at her sister. “Got everything?"
"I think so.” Harmony brushed her blonde hair back from her face. “God knows I have enough suitcases.” She studied her older sister with a smile. “Going to play hardass, or are you going to come give me a hug?"
Bliss walked across to Harmony and hugged her tightly. “I am a hardass,” she murmured in her sister's ear. “And if you don't get good grades, you'll find out just how hard.” She moved back and kissed her sister's forehead. “Do well. Try not to turn any of the counselors into toads. And for your health's sake, do not eat the pickled mushrooms."
"Eww.” Harmony made a face. “Advice already taken.” She held out her hand. “You going to transport us?"
Bliss rolled her eyes but took her sister's hand. “Brat."
* * * *
Bliss sighed as she appeared in her living room. All alone. Wasn't that supposed to inspire great thoughts of purpose or something? But all she could think of was two weeks without her sister. Even her parents weren't scheduled to arrive back in town for another month.
"Great,” she muttered. The two weeks stretched out endlessly before her. She made a face and walked toward the kitchen, but the knock on the door stopped her. Bliss turned on her heel and frowned. Surely her sister hadn't been kicked out already?
The second knock was a bit more persistent. Bliss rolled her eyes and strode to the door. She yanked it open with a scowl.
"Yes?"
"Bliss Monroe?"
She told herself she was cognizant. That she was fully capable of speech. But all those items fell to the wayside as she stared at the man on the other side of her threshold. Dressed all in black, he was at least six three. Her five nine frame never seemed so small as it did now.
The man's eyes and hair were black as night. And a chiseled face full of hard planes and angles. Even his mouth seemed unyielding.
His eyes narrowed. “Bliss Monroe?” he repeated.
The voice washed over her and brought goose bumps to her flesh. It was low. Husky. With a deep timbre that rumbled through her.
"Yes.” Bliss held up her head and waited for some semblance of explanation. “Can I help you?"
"My name's Cade. And yes you can.” He brushed past her and into the living room.
She scowled and slammed the door behind him. “Come on in.” She turned to face him. “And make it quick."
"Fine.” The word was short and disgusted. “If you're going to practice reckless witchcraft, then you need to be reported. I'm giving you this opportunity to make it right.” His black eyes shot sparks.
Bliss arched an eyebrow. “Simmer.” She met his eyes with an even stare of her own. “I don't have the faintest idea what you're referring to."
"Oh, really?” The man looked at her in disbelief. “Somehow, I doubt that.” He held out his hand, and a magazine appeared.
The blood drained from Bliss’ face in an instant.
"Ah.” The word was rich with satisfaction. “I see you do after all."
"Where did you get that?” Bliss’ lips moved of their own volition. And her cheeks flamed with the realization that the man in front of her probably knew a lot more about her than she ever wanted.
"I can't get rid of it!” The man raked his fingers through his hair with frustration. “It appeared yesterday morning in the middle of a meeting. On my desk.” His eyes narrowed. “Try to explain to your boss why you're reading this shit."
Bliss choked back a laugh at his look of disgust.
"Look. I think there's been a mistake.” She held out her hand. “This doesn't belong to me, though I did, um, look through it."
Cade smirked. “Looked through it?” He opened the magazine, and it immediately fell open to the quiz Bliss took.
And her answers were clearly marked. Not only that, her name was at the top.
"Son of a bitch!” She snatched the magazine out of his hand and cursed some more. “I wiped the answers. I know I did.” Realization set in as she realized her sister's spell caused more damage than originally thought.
"Okay.” Bliss licked her lips and looked at the man in front of her. “This has all been a mistake. I apologize for any problems this may have caused.” She tried to smile. “But I'll take care of it."
The magazine lay unharmed in her hand as she tried to incinerate it. Tear it up. Seal it. Nothing worked. Cade watched her ministrations silently until about the twelfth attempt.
"Listen.” He sighed. “I've tried every damn thing I can think of. And a few that aren't exactly legal. Just take the spell off."
"I can't."
That dark eyebrow arched. “Do tell."
"I'm not the one who cast it."
"Then go get whoever did and be done with it!” His voice grew louder with every word.
"I can't!” Bliss yelled back.
Cade groaned. “Do you know what I see every waking moment and during my dreams at night?"
"No.” She shook her head.
"You.” The word was harsh and low in the room. “Underneath me. On top of me. Wrapped around me. I hear your moans of pleasure ringing in my ears."
"Oh.” Bliss’ face reddened again as her body warmed at his words.
"Oh, indeed.” Cade rubbed his dark eyes. “I can't sleep or function until you lift the spell. So do whatever it takes.” He glanced at her inquiringly. “Unless we could try and lift the spell another way."
"Another way?” she repeated.
Cade snatched the magazine out of her hand and threw it on the nearest table.
"Yes,” he growled. “Another way."
Alarm bells went off in her head a mere second before Cade's lips closed over hers. And it wasn't a “get to know you” type of kiss. It was a kiss that explored every inch of her mouth and seduced her tongue in a duel of pleasure.
Bliss arched farther into him before reality reared its ugly head.
"Hey!” She pulled back and looked up into stormy, dark eyes. Her breath whistled in and out of her lungs. “This isn't going to work!” Bliss put her hands up to his strong chest and tried to push off. He didn't give an inch.
"Oh, really?” Cade's eyes looked down into hers. “This is working rather well for me.” He moved closer to Bliss and rubbed his hard cock into the vee between her legs.
"Oh.” Her eyelashes fluttered down on her blue eyes, and she fought the urge to simply give up her sanity and ask him to keep doing that for another couple of minutes.
"We can't.” Bliss tried to make her point. “I don't know you."
"But I know you.” Cade gave a half-smile and muttered a few words under his breath.
Bliss’ eyes narrowed in disbelief, but before she had a chance to utter a counter-spell, she found herself in her bed, trussed to the headboard and naked as the day she was born.
"Shit!” Bliss looked up at Cade and opened her mouth to place a very painful spell, when he chuckled.
"You look like a cat about to spit.” Cade moved slowly onto the bed and looked at every inch of her exposed body. He licked his lips, and his dark eyes fairly glowed. “And don't bother spouting a spell. I've bound you.” He motioned to the glowing yellow ties fastened around her wrists. “Physically and magically."
He reached out and traced a line from her neck, to her nipple, to an inch just above her pussy. “And I can't wait to try out a couple of things in this magazine.” Cade chuckled. “Or more than a few."
"Listen.” Bliss kept her voice low and focused on his face. “I'll have the spell removed. I promise. But you don't need to do this."
"Need?” Cade growled low in his throat. “I need this as much as you do.” He opened his hand and the magazine unfurled again. It fell open to the quiz, and he took his gaze from Bliss for a moment to read her results.
"A Picky Witch. Prone to fits of perfection and analysis. You need a man who won't take ‘no’ for an answer and knows how to please you.” Cade grinned down at
her. “And darlin'. You've got exactly that."
Bliss watched in disbelief as he placed the magazine on the nightstand as if it were an instruction manual. Her blue eyes widened in her face as he leaned over her and traced her lips with a finger.
"I'm going to taste you, Bliss. And fuck you until you can't walk. And then maybe I'll be able to function again."
"Let me up.” She licked her lips and looked up into his face. She wasn't scared. But the thought of being bound while he did what he wanted didn't sit well. She felt a deep animal attraction for him. Probably thanks to her sister's botched spell. Bliss wanted his cock buried in her. She wanted dark, desirous things that made her wet just thinking about them.
"No.” Cade stood up and waved his hand. His clothes disappeared instantly, and Bliss took the opportunity to trace every hard plane of his body with her hungry, blue stare.
His broad shoulders and chest tapered down to a narrow waist. A smattering of dark hair trailed down to his large cock that twitched against the mat of black hair between his legs. And muscular thighs bunched as he walked closer to her.
Bliss brought her legs together with one sane thought. She could prevent this. She didn't need to have sex with this man. This stranger.
"Ah, Bliss.” Cade sank to his knees at the foot of the bed and sighed. “Do you taste as good as I've dreamt?” His large hands moved up to her ankles and moved them apart an inch or two so he could place his hot mouth against her leg.
She twitched as his tongue moved to stroke her ankle and suck on the flesh. Had anyone ever kissed her there? Doubtful. But the nerves in her body tightened when he brought his head up and looked at her. Then those dark eyes latched on her pussy, and he licked his lips.
"I'm hungry for you, Bliss. Every inch of you."
She kept her thighs clamped together as he chuckled hoarsely. And then his mouth was on her again. And that smooth tongue stroked against her legs and moved up to her knees.
Her legs trembled, but she kept them together as Cade lifted one and ran his tongue under the backside of her knee. The nerve he hit made her twitch, and she bit back on the moan that wanted so badly to escape.
Bliss closed her eyes as Cade's mouth moved up to the topside of her knee, and he nibbled on her.
Summer Solstice Scorchers Page 17