Brody dropped to his knees and buried his face in her mound. He spread her lips and teased her with his tongue. Candace moaned and fisted her hands in his hair as she tried to widen her stance.
The shrill ringing of the phone interrupted them. It took a minute for her to realize it wasn't her home phone, but her cell.
"Don't answer it,” Brody said between long licks of her pussy.
"I have to. It's Sandra."
"Sandra can wait.” He teased her clit with his tongue as he slipped two fingers in her core.
"Brody.” Candace moaned. Her legs shook as pleasure ignited all her nerve endings. Her fingers tightened in his hair so hard she could feel her nails digging into her palms.
"Mmm. Luscious heaven. Sweet ambrosia.” Brody dragged his lips back and forth over her clit, sending tremors racing through her.
"Brody. Shit.” Her body tightened, orgasm imminent as he tormented the tiny bundle of nerves.
"Give it to me, Candace. Come for me, Sweetheart."
"Ahh,” Candace moaned again as he sucked on her clit and crooked his fingers, rubbing them over her G-spot.
Her house phone started to ring, but she couldn't concentrate. If Sandra was calling it was important and she needed to answer. She opened her mouth to tell Brody that, but cried out in pleasure as her orgasm rocked through her. Trembling, she grabbed onto him as aftershocks rumbled through her body.
"See, Sweetheart. This is what you'd have missed if you'd answered that phone."
Shaking, Candace looked down at him. He was very cocky, but with a mouth like that, he had every right to be.
"I can't come to the phone right now. Please leave a message and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. Thanks. Remember to wait for the beep!” Candace froze and held her breath as she heard the beep.
"Candace, this is Sandra. Please call me back right away. It's urgent."
Candace shoved at Brody. Damn it! “It was an important call."
"How was I supposed to know that, Sweetheart? Stop worrying. You can call her back. In fact if you hadn't been yelling at me, you could have answered while she'd been talking to the machine."
Damn him for being right. Or at least partially right.
"No. You might have apologized, but you didn't mean it. You still don't accept me as I am. You didn't want me talking to Sandra!"
"It's not that. I'm trying to protect you."
"Protect me! From what?"
"Look, I followed you the other night."
"What? Did you just say you followed me?"
"When you went to Tamara's. I followed you back into the woods and saw all kinds of things. Things I can't explain."
"It's called magic, Brody. I don't understand what's so difficult about that."
A knock on the door interrupted them before she could get an answer. She glared at him as she pulled her robe back on and tied it tightly.
* * * *
Brody watched Candace dress until the guilt at keeping her from the phone made him close his eyes. He didn't know it was important. Hell, they still didn't know if it was important. Sandra might have just said that. She probably knew he was there. She seemed to know lots of things. But she still hadn't been able to save his sister.
All he'd wanted was to get Candace to pick him over the coven. That would be the first step toward getting her away from their magic and keeping her safe.
He wanted her. Not just for now, not just to save her from the danger of misused magic, but forever. She called to something in him, and he had to have her. He loved her. More than he'd realized until she'd thrown him out of her apartment and her life. No matter what he had to do to get her. Keeping her safe would be his first priority.
When she was dressed, Candace opened the door. He wasn't surprised to see Sandra and the freaky sisters standing there. He was surprised to see Dante, but realized he shouldn't be.
Sandra glared at Brody. “Candace! You are here. Why didn't you answer the phone?"
"Why'd you ask her to call you and show up here anyway if you thought she was out?"
Hands on her hips, Sandra pinned him with her gaze until he had to look away, unable to forget he did owe her.
"We came to fix the damage you've done to Candace."
"Damage? I didn't damage her."
"You fired her because she's a witch. You dumped her because she's a witch. And yet here you are, surrounded by witches. Feeling a little nervous, Brody?” Sandra stepped closer.
"He followed me to your house, Tam. He spied on us while we did our circle and gave our thanks for Dante."
The ladies, and Dante especially, fixed evil eyes on him. If looks could kill...
He did deserve their anger, though. For the trespassing and spying part, but not for loving Candace enough to want to save her.
"If you all really loved Candace, then you'd let me save her."
Candace gasped. “Save me! I don't need saving, Brody."
Brody reached for Candace, but Dante's hand on his arm stilled him. “Don't even think about using violence or trying to force Candace to do what you want. She's an adult and fully capable of making up her own mind."
"You're all a bunch of whackos. I saw you. All of you. Dressed in your robes behind your house practicing magic. I don't know who you think you're fooling, but I'm going to save Candace from all of you. Release her and leave without her, or it's going to get really nasty."
"She's our sister. You have no claim on her. She stays with us, but you are free to go.” Tamara stepped in front of him and Allison joined her.
Brody shook his head. Determined to win, he tried to reach between the two women. But when he did, a burst of heat radiated up his arm. He yanked his hand back, shaking it as tingles of pain continued to shoot up to his shoulder. Doubly determined to get his woman, he tried again, and felt a strong wind push against him.
"What the hell is going on?"
"What's the matter, Brody?” Macy asked as she stepped next to Allison. “It's just a little magic."
"This is what I'm trying to save her from. Your magic.” Brody gritted his teeth and reached for Candace again. This time he ignored the searing pain but couldn't ignore the cold water that dumped on him from out of thin air.
"Stop using your damned magic against me."
"I thought you didn't believe in magic.” Allison's brown eyes pierced him like a knife.
"What the hell?” Brody struggled against all of their power. And for what? A woman who appeared to not even care about him. But he loved her. He wasn't giving up on her yet.
"You really care for her, don't you?” Sandra asked between his harsh curses and struggles to reach Candace.
"Of course I do. I love her."
"But you tried to change her. You asked her to give up her magic. That's something she can't do no matter how much you wish it.” Sandra looked at him with pity.
"I don't know what you are talking about."
"Brody, stop it. Stop fighting with them. Besides, they're right. You would change me if you could. If it was real love, you'd love me for myself. Not try to make me into what you want me to be."
"Damn it! I do love you!” He cursed as he tried to reach her again. Their magic increased in strength until he dropped to his knees. “God damn it, Candace. I don't want to lose you like I did my sister."
He couldn't fight the storm of emotion that swept through him. He buried his face in his hands and sobbed like he hadn't been able to do at her funeral, or even when he'd first found her broken and bruised body.
"Enough!” At Sandra's command all the magic pounding at him ceased, but it didn't matter anymore. Nothing did.
He didn't miss the look they all gave Sandra. At her nod, they seemed to step back. All except Dante.
"I don't know what game you're playing, but if you hurt her, I will make you pay. Don't break her heart.” Dante stepped back, but Brody could feel the other man's gaze burning him.
"It's no game.” Sandra wrapped her arm around Brody.
“It was a few years ago. I came here on spring break. I'd gone to school with Shannon, but had no idea she'd developed an interest in the occult. Only unlike us, she got mixed up in black magic. And it ended up being the death of her."
"We're not into black magic.” Candace spoke this time, but he didn't want to hear anymore. Sandra's words brought the whole event back with terrifying clarity.
"I love you, Candace, but I can't stand to watch you die like my sister did. If you can't give up the magic I'll leave. I'm obviously not a match against your witch friends."
"Brody, we don't practice black magic. We study the craft and we don't attempt to do more than what we are comfortable handling."
"I think we need to leave Brody and Candace alone. This is something only they can work through,” Sandra suggested.
Brody heard them leave, but he didn't look up. Why couldn't they have just walked away before he broke down?
"Brody?” Candace knelt next to him, and wrapped her arms around him. She rocked him and smoothed his hair back. When she placed gentle kisses on his forehead, he knew he was in trouble.
"Don't, Candace. I can't.” Brody pulled away and rose.
"Why didn't you explain why you had problems with me being a witch? Why didn't you tell me about your sister? You say you love me, but does either of us really know anything about the other?"
"I don't give my love lightly. I fell in love with you the first time we met, and it's just been getting stronger every day since."
"That's sweet, but if you loved me, you wouldn't try to change me."
"I don't really want to change you. I want to keep you safe. If you give up magic then I won't have to worry about you dying like my sister did."
"Brody, we do good with our magic. We help people. Like Camryn."
"Shannon thought she helped people, too."
"We need to talk about this, Brody. Really talk. You need to stop thinking with your dick and start using your head. If you had approached me and discussed this with me like normal people, we could have worked this all out. As it is now..."
"I'm sorry. I can't seem to think straight. I didn't want to lose you.” Brody looked at her, hoping he was reaching her.
"So you came on so strong you chased me away?"
He winced. “Now, that, I didn't mean to do."
"I don't know, Brody."
"My sister thought she knew it all and she got mixed up with a group of witches. Instead of coming to me for help, she stayed with them and did really horrible things for them. And when she finally realized what she had to do to get free of them, they were already onto her. It came down to a magic showdown I guess. The doctors say it was a heart attack, but I know better."
"Are you sure it wasn't a heart attack?"
"Other than the fact she had never had health problems, and that she was found with a wand in her hand? There were also scorch marks on the floor and walls."
"So your sister had control of fire?"
"No. She was a witch wannabe. She didn't have control over any of the elements. Until I saw your coven in action I didn't know anyone could actually do that.” Brody stared at her trying to see if she believed him. “I do love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you."
"Yeah? Well, you went about it the wrong way.” Candace walked back to her bedroom. “I'm going to change, then you can continue to try and convince me of your honesty and of your honorable intentions."
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter 6
They sat at the table eating breakfast. Brody reflected back on the past few days. He'd discovered a love more powerful than anything else. In fact it had made him a little crazy. Magic or not, Sandra had a point. He'd been trying to force Candace to be what he wanted her to be. And he loved her too much to try and make her something she wasn't.
There had to be some way to make sure she didn't get hurt. Some way to keep her safe, but keep her happy. She was right. It wasn't fair or realistic for him to ask her to quit magic. She was much better at the craft then Shannon had ever been.
"How did you know where Tam's house was?"
Time for the truth.
Brody drew in a deep breath, and looked up into her beautiful hazel eyes. “I followed you there. I wanted to protect you."
"I know all this. Why did you follow me? Why didn't you talk to me about this?"
"I wanted to see what you and your coven did. It was quite a shock to see all of you kiss and hug Dante. Especially you. And it wasn't a peck on the cheek either."
"So you got jealous and left before you saw that it was just part of our way of giving thanks?"
"If that's what you call it, where I can sign up for similar thanks?"
"There is a price for using our magic, Brody. Black or white magic, there is still a toll. When I use my magic, I need to even the balance."
"Like for every action there is a reaction?” Was she trying to confuse him? “You know how hard this is for me, right?"
Candace nodded and reached for his hand. She squeezed it. “Your sister was mixed up with a bad crowd. Like Camryn. While we're helping Camryn, we'll never know if we could have helped your sister. But I promise you, Brody. I know the consequences of my actions. Even my best intentions can go astray. That is why I'm very careful what spells I cast and what magic I use."
"Would you show me something?"
"I don't perform on demand."
"I know. But I have a suspicion. There were those earthquakes I felt, but no one else did and the way the paintings shook on your walls."
"Sounds like you don't need to see it then. That is my power. Why are you discussing this with me? What are you trying to accomplish?"
"I want you, Candace. Anyway I can get you. I'm sorry I tried to change you. I really didn't know what to think. The last time I'd witnessed you practicing magic you'd been unconscious on the beach. And it happened again at the cliff. I couldn't, and still have trouble seeing how anything good can come of that stuff. You could have died. All of you could have died on the beach."
"It's not. Trust me, that was something beyond our doing. We would have died if we hadn't performed our magic correctly."
"I do trust you."
Candace froze. “You do? Since when?"
"Since I realized I have been a complete and utter ass. I didn't realize you were so knowledgeable and took precautions."
"I'm not your sister, Brody. And you really should have told me about her. I understand it's a sensitive subject, but still..."
"I'm sorry. You're right. My actions would have made more sense to you if I had. Instead I wound up looking like a controlling jackass."
"Well, there is still that matter of you following me to Tam's and spying on us. There was something really wrong with that."
"I know, and I apologize. I wanted to keep an eye on you. I was afraid you'd be hurt or even killed this time."
"Aww.” She leaned forward and kissed him gently. “It was stupid of you, but sweet. This just seems like such a swift change of heart."
"I realize you aren't my sister. With friends like Sandra, Tamara, and the rest looking after you, how can I continue to be afraid?"
"But you are still afraid."
Brody sighed. “Okay, I am. But I'm working on it. Along with my jealousy about that kiss with Dante. I went over the deep end a little."
"A little?"
"Candace?"
She met his eyes again, and leaned close. “What, Brody?"
"I love you. Please tell me that I haven't ruined my chance with you."
Candace snickered and looked down at their joined hands. “Does it look like you have?"
"I know I'm not perfect, but are you willing to give me a chance?"
"Brody, what exactly is it that you're asking?"
"I want you. Anyway I can have you. What do you say?"
Candace giggled. “Yes, but I think it should be on a trial basis."
"Trial?"
"Yeah. I have this really high
stamina, and I'm not sure you're man enough to keep up with me."
"Are you serious?"
"Yeah. I enjoy sex, and like to orgasm. Is this going to be an issue?"
"Hell no!” Brody pushed his untouched plate away. “Let's start now. A trial run of sorts."
"Okay, but get out of line and I'll replace you.” Candace giggled again as she backed toward the hallway. “I don't know about you, but I have this fantasy of you covered in chocolate."
"Only if I get to cover you in chocolate, too."
"Deal.” She agreed quickly. Too quickly, but he was too horny and happy to care.
"And, Brody?"
"Yes, Sweetheart."
"No more trying to control me or I'll tumble your bakery down on your head."
He laughed. “You wouldn't do that."
"Now you're starting to think. I'll have you whipped into shape in no time."
"Oh really?” His eyebrow rose, but he couldn't help staring at her in surprise.
"Yeah. You owe me lots of making up."
"I do, don't I?” Brody wrapped his arms around her. “I'm sorry, Sweetheart. I will make it up to you.
* * * *
Candace glanced around the bakery. Brody had insisted she invite her coven for a party so he could apologize for being an ass to them all. The apology went well, but that was the only thing that seemed to be good tonight. Other than Tamara and Dante. Those two were so cute and cuddly that she alternated between wanting to puke and wanting to say aw.
"Like draws to like,” Sandra said as she lifted her glass of wine.
Candace smiled and toasted, but couldn't help asking, “What exactly do you mean?"
"They are both fire. You and Brody are both earth. Even though you didn't know it at the time, it explains so much."
"And Tamara now has good health, and I have a job that I love. We both are happy and have found men we can love. What were the other spells?"
"Do you think that's what is happening, Candace? I suspected as much when things turned out as they did for Tamara. Now you seem to have benefited as well, but how much of it is coincidence? I believe it's possible, but I don't want to get everyone's hopes up and have nothing happen to the rest of us."
Witchy Woes Book 2: Candace Page 6