His breath hitched and he placed her back on her feet. “Why?”
Her turn to frown. “After that kiss, you have to ask me why? Look at you! I’m attracted to you in every sense of the word. My magic likes the taste of yours. My body likes the feel of yours. And if that kiss is anything to go by, the rest of it is going to be amazing.”
“Tia.” Warning, demand and desire lowered his voice to a bass rumble. He took a deep breath. “I’m not going to impregnate you.”
“Who the hell said anything about getting pregnant?” she demanded, drawing back from him. “I’m on birth control and have condoms in my go-bag. I’m talking about sex, not babies!”
Relief, disappointment and curiosity all flew across his face. “You said you get horny when you heal someone. You also said you need to replenish. So this—” he waved a hand between them “—is a way to do that? Using sex to reenergize?”
“Yes.” Hot and smart, damn him. “Each of the Daughters manifests a different aspect of Isis when she reaches puberty. I was expected to have more power than most because I’m the seventh Daughter of a seventh Daughter. I manifested healing early but had no more power than any other Daughter of Isis. Some would say less.”
Understanding lit his eyes. “That’s why you left your coven.”
She nodded, her desire banked. “It wasn’t until my sophomore year at college that I realized my second aspect is a more lustful facet of Isis. I tend to channel it as creative energy, fertile feminine energy that acts like a battery and can also serve as inspiration.”
“And when the magical battery runs down, you need to recharge it. With sex.”
Again she nodded. “That’s pretty much it.”
He remained silent, though his frown and his grip eased. Finally, he turned her toward the shower. “Go on, take your shower. I’ll be back.”
“Markus, what the hell?”
“Go.” A gentle shove had her just outside the glass door. “I’ll be back soon.” He left.
Well, then. Stung, Tia discarded her sweaty nightgown and panties, made use of the commode, then toddled her way into the shower. A sigh seeped from her as the warm water sluiced over her sensitized skin. Somehow Markus had set the water to the perfect temperature. Damn him again. How could he be so considerate one moment, fry her senses with an amazing kiss the next and afterward turn around to leave as if his tail was on fire?
The rejection cut, dammit! Granted, it wasn’t her best attempt at seduction, but she wasn’t usually so...depleted. All right, needy. Tapping her magical reserves was a stupid move on her part, but she couldn’t let those jackals continue to suffer. She’d given herself to unraveling the spell just as she’d ignored her empty stomach and exhausted muscles. The least Markus could do was help her gain some of her energy back.
A knock came on the outer door. “Tia?”
Markus. She ignored the little flip of excitement deep in her belly and concentrated on the irritation. She’d been so focused on his rejection she hadn’t reached for the soap yet. “I’m not done.”
“Good.” The door closed, and a dark mass moved beyond the shower glass, finally resolving itself into Markus. “Have you changed your mind?”
“About healing your men? Of course not.”
“Thank you for that. But that’s not what I meant.”
“Oh, you mean have I changed my mind about you being an ass?”
Warm laughter filtered through the room, sending a delicious shiver up her spine. “I said I’d be back. Speaking of back, why don’t I help you scrub yours?”
She wiped at the condensation opaquing the glass. Markus stood just on the other side of the door, perfectly naked and gloriously aroused. Holy mother goddess. “What if I said no?”
He bared his teeth. “Then I’d have to convince you.”
It wouldn’t take much to convince her, and she knew he knew it. Without another word, she stepped back, giving him room to enter.
* * *
Anticipation gripped Markus as he opened the thick glass door, stepping into the steam-filled shower. Magic, desire and appreciation sparked in Tia’s eyes, and he couldn’t help staring back at her. The thin cotton nightgown she’d worn had done little to conceal her curves, but seeing her lush skin bared to his gaze sharpened his need even more. The dark-tipped nipples that begged for his tongue jutted proudly from lush breasts that perfectly balanced the sweet flare of her hips and thighs. Just like a goddess.
He was one of the remaining few who remembered the days of witches and jackals working together for the purpose their gods had called them to, many living and dying together. He missed that, missed that collective power. He wanted that for himself. Gods, he wanted her.
“Why did you leave before?” she wondered.
“Because if I hadn’t, it wouldn’t have been about you,” he told her. “I would have just taken and not given you anything in return.”
Her eyes widened at his blunt statement. “And now?”
The huskiness of her voice sent anticipation spiking through his blood. He reached for the soap. “Now it can be about us. Turn around.”
A slow smile curved her lips before she turned, offering her back. Markus soaped his hands then settled his palms on her shoulders. She released a bone-deep sigh, then relaxed. He took his time, working the knots from her shoulders, enjoying the feel of her lather-slicked skin, each ridge of her backbone, the curve of her buttocks.
Gods. He took a deep breath, bringing his will to bear to strengthen the tenuous hold on his control. The lust riding him wanted to immediately lift her so he could feast on her breasts, feel the heat and wetness of her pussy just before he filled her. Just before he fucked her blind.
He’d told the truth about why he’d left her. The need rode him so hard he would have lost control, something he could not allow. Too many people depended on him for him to let go. To feel that wildness for a woman he’d just met—for an Isis witch—was unusual, and hinted at magical influence. Even the few minutes apart from her, clearing his head and securing the compound, he’d felt the hunger for her, the balls-deep ache to take her.
Take her he would, the way he wanted and not the way lust demanded. He turned her back around, running the shea butter soap along her upper body. Her eyes slitted as he cupped her breasts, his thumbs skating over her hardened nipples. Hissing at the sensation, she tilted her head back, soaking her hair beneath the spray. The movement pushed her body against his, chest to chest. It was like brushing up against an electrified fence. His cock bumped against the curve of her belly, blindly seeking entry and he had to bite down hard on his lip to keep from lifting her and shoving inside. He’d been alive for millennia. He wasn’t going to spurt like a teen just because a hot woman brushed up against him.
Gritting his teeth, he passed the soap to her, then reached for her hair, pulling off the elastic that held her ponytail, slipping it over his wrist. He loosened the plait then worked shampoo through the strands. She moaned, an earthy sound that tightened his balls, giving him no choice but to cover her mouth with his own. Much hotter than the first kiss because now those magic hands ran along his bare shoulders and arms and back, lathering his skin and setting him afire. Even with the shower pounding into them he could smell her magic and her arousal, blending in an intoxicating scent that called out to him.
“Markus?”
Her hands slipped down, soaping his buttocks. His hips thrust against her in response, and they both moaned aloud. “Yeah?
”
“We need to hurry.”
“No. It’ll be worth the wait.” He was hard enough to break rock, desperate to be inside her, but not desperate enough to go there without protection. He rinsed the lather from her hair then exchanged the ponytail holder for the soap, lathering his skin as she secured her hair. Dropping to one knee, he lifted her right foot, placed it on his raised thigh, and began lathering her leg in slow, sure circles. A tremor streaked through her thigh as his fingers stroked higher, but he denied them both the final satisfaction to tend to the other leg.
Her breathing deepened as his fingers rose toward her core once again. This time he didn’t stop but stroked his fingers over the crisp hair covering her mound. Her hips slung forward in a silent plea for more. Looking up at her, he rinsed soap from his fingers, then pressed them into her.
* * *
Tia groaned aloud as Markus’s fingers thrust inside her. She slapped her hands down on his shoulders as her hips bucked, taking his fingers deeper. He retreated then thrust again, his thumb circling her clit. Holding on for dear sweet life, she rode his hand, reaching out with her senses, her magic and her body for everything Markus offered. Pressure built inside her and she welcomed it, knowing release was sure to follow.
Markus rose, pressing her back against the tiled wall, his fingers setting a rapid rhythm that had her moaning his name repeatedly. “Come for me,” he growled, slamming his mouth down on hers.
He flexed his fingers deep inside her. Orgasm slammed into her like a bolt of electricity. She cried out, the sound muffled by the bruising kiss. Her pussy clamped down on his fingers, squeezing out another arc of pleasure that left her collapsed against him, breathing heavily.
The absence of gushing water had her lifting her head. Markus had turned the shower off and carried her out of the shower. “Can you stand?”
She wasn’t sure. It felt so good to be wrapped around him, her head on his shoulder. Satisfaction purred through her veins, but she needed—wanted—more. She slid down his body, the feel of his erection between them almost unhinging her knees.
He flexed his fingers, a wicked smile curving his lips. “Damn girl, you almost broke my fingers. I can’t wait to get my dick inside you.”
“Me neither.” Unable to resist, she reached out to stroke him. His cock, hot and hard and ready in her hand, made her mouth water with anticipation. “You’re beautiful,” she whispered, stroking him again.
Groaning, Markus wrapped his fist around hers. He rocked his hips, pushing his cock back and forth through their joined hands several times before stopping. “Gods, we gotta stop,” he ordered, his breath harsh. “When I come, I want to be balls-deep inside you, not spurting in your hand like a horny high school kid.”
They toweled dry quickly, then he gathered her up again, smothering her with drugging kisses as he strode into the bedroom, tossed her onto the bed. Before she could say anything, he reached into her go-bag, dug around and came up with the carved rosewood box that held her supply of condoms. “Did a little search and seizure, huh?”
“Better safe than sorry, I always say.” He joined her on the bed. “Are you sure about this?”
For an answer, she reached down, wrapped her hand around him. “You can’t be having doubts with a rager like this?”
He released a shaky sigh. “Trying to do the right thing here. You had a go in the shower.”
“That was for the magic,” she said, rising up to kiss him. “This is for us.”
He didn’t argue further, thank Isis, just put the condom on. Once sheathed, he cupped her breasts in his hands. She arched into the stroke of his tongue, the pinch of his fingers, the nip of his teeth as the fire once again raced through her senses. Her hands gripped the covers, her legs moved restlessly, wanting him, needing him inside her. “No torture,” she breathed. “You said we were on a truce.”
“I’m the one being tortured.” He huffed out a laugh. “But I’m all for ceasing hostilities.”
“Then I think it’s time to come to a resolution.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He brushed the head of his sheathed cock against her once, twice, then pushed inside.
“Markus.” Her breath hitched at the oh-my-goddess fullness. Despite being wet for him, it was slow going as he stretched her.
“Just a little more.” He blew out a breath as he finally settled balls deep. “Damn me, that’s good.”
He withdrew, taking his time, eyes sliding closed against the long, slow glide. Watching pleasure sweep across the harsh planes of his face had her hungering to give him more. Her nails dug into his shoulders at the mind-numbing pleasure as he pressed into her again. Wrapping her legs high around his waist, she was better able to take him, groaning as he slid deeper.
“Tia.” He shuddered as he bottomed out. “Control...don’t know how long I can take it easy.”
Her nails dug harder into his shoulders. “Then don’t. Let go, lose control. Give me everything you’ve got.” She reached up, bit his bottom lip.
Growling against her mouth, he thrust into her with furious intent. Once again her magic rose, reaching out for his power, riding the edge of the passion they generated. As his control shredded, his power rammed into hers, rich, sharp, overwhelming.
Markus shifted, hooking her legs with his arms. The angle drove him deeper and Tia cried out, caught in a cresting wave of ecstasy. His pace increased and he gave a guttural groan, driving into her with wild abandon.
Without warning she broke, shattering as the orgasm burst over her. Screaming her release, she threw her head back, her inner walls clamping down on him.
His eyes burning the color of molten gold, canines elongating and peeking between his full lips, he pounded into her. His thrusting rhythm grew jerky as his muscles bunched then shoved him over. Tia held on as he lifted his head and howled, his body stiffening as he came.
Power surged between them, white-hot arcs that lit the room. The surge fired her synapses, sending aftershocks zinging through her body. Unprepared for the onslaught, she gave herself over to it, trusting Markus to anchor her.
Chapter Five
A while later, Tia staggered out of the bathroom in a borrowed T-shirt to discover that their food had arrived. Heat crept up her cheeks as the perfect timing dawned on her. “I guess it was pretty obvious what we were doing and when we stopped, huh?”
Markus, now wearing a pair of black boxer-briefs that accentuated his sensual gifts, placed the tray of food in the center of the bed. “They have good hearing and didn’t scent any blood,” he told her, lifting the tray cover to reveal homemade oversized cheeseburgers and home fries. “Since they found me to be mostly in my right frame of mind, albeit slightly dazed, they didn’t assume the worst.”
With her magic recharged, hunger reasserted itself. She fell on the food with gusto, barely pausing for sips of sweet tea between bites of home fries. “Please tell whoever made this, thank you from the bottom of my heart!” she exclaimed, licking her fingers. “I think that’s the best burger I’ve ever had in my entire life!”
Markus laughed again, activating her senses. “That appetite would do any jackal proud. I’ll pass on the compliments.”
Tia glanced up from her almost-empty plate, and forgot about her food. Markus had stretched out along the foot of the bed, the epitome of masculine grace and power. She’d never seen abs like those up close and personal before. Honestly, she’d never had any man as gorgeous and full of prowess as Marku
s. It was obvious that he’d learned a thing or two over his long life.
He gave her a knowing smile. “That last bit of fries is going to get cold.”
“Not likely.” She scooped up the last crumb, then wiped her hands on the fingertip towel. Another myth about jackals burned to dust. They had structure, took care of each other, had the means to have a facility large enough to house them and build a luxury suite for their leader. Not a bare step above wild dogs as she’d been taught. “I was just thinking.”
He stilled, caution filling his gaze. “About what?”
“Witches and jackals. Asharet and her mate.”
“Sekhanu. Leader of the Sons of Anubis at that time.”
“You knew them well?”
He nodded. “Since he and Asharet had no sons and I’d lost my father in a battle with the Lost Ones, Sekhanu adopted me. He groomed me to take his place, though we both figured that would be centuries later.”
“What was he like?” She curled against the headboard, eager to learn more. “What was Asharet like?”
A smile lit his features. “She was amazing. Tiny by today’s standards, but the power she wielded—both in magic and personality—drew everyone to her. Including Sekhanu.”
Food forgotten, he stared into space. “As for Sekhanu, he was amazing, too. Jackals are solitary by nature, though family groups tend to stay together. Even though we were united in our calling to serve Anubis, most of our skirmishes were one family group against a clutch of the undead, or solitary hunters keeping the peace through wits. Sekhanu was the first to unite the jackals under a supreme commander, to help us see the benefits of organizing and making us a stronger, more cohesive unit. Meturare was high priest of the Cult of Anubis and remained our spiritual leader. Together they made us nearly invincible against the Lost Ones.”
“What about Asharet? How did she and Sekhanu meet?”
“Asharet was already high priestess of the Daughters of Isis,” he explained. “Usually she dealt with Meturare but Sekhanu wanted to form a closer alliance and make sure the witches were properly protected. He felt that if an enemy rose against the Sons for uniting, the Daughters would be vulnerable.”
Mills & Boon : Seducing The Jackal Page 4