Indigo Spell

by Rachel Carrington

  He wrapped an arm around her waist. “I think that’s a wonderful idea. We’ll have to let you know when things settle down. Right now we’re in the middle of an attempted hostile takeover. I’m afraid all of my energies are going to be used dealing with that matter when we return.”

  Tess swallowed a nervous giggle. A hostile takeover. How apropos. “I’ve told Mother and Belinda your family owns several power companies in Nepal.” She turned her gaze back to her mother. “They generate a lot of electricity.”

  He squeezed a warning. “Well, I’m sorry we won’t be able to stay longer but perhaps we can all meet for dinner tomorrow evening. I know Tess is tired from the trip and needs to relax. Since both of our houses are still hurricane-damaged, we’d planned on going back to the hotel and taking it easy tonight.”

  The gleam was back in Colleen’s eyes. “Yes. The trip. Tess, darling, you haven’t mentioned where you’ve been all this time.”

  “Just up the coast,” Jaxon intervened in a smooth-as-butter tone of voice.

  “Well, perhaps next time, you can encourage Tess to call her family before she takes off on a tour of the Eastern seaboard.”

  Belinda quickly jumped in. “I’m just so excited for the both of you. I never thought for one moment when I bid on you for Tess that the two of you would end up married and living in Nepal.”

  Colleen’s breath escaped on a low hiss. “Bid on him?”

  “Oh Lord. I wasn’t supposed to say that, was I?” Belinda shot Tess an apologetic look, which Jaxon intercepted with a smile to reassure her.

  “Tess and I were involved in a charity auction for a children’s home. That’s how we met,” he said casually in response to his mother-in-law’s curiosity.

  “And she bid on you?” Ice dripped from every word.

  Tess joined the conversation. “Actually Belinda bid for me.”

  “I see. And how much did you go for, Mr. Richards?”

  “Mother.” Any minute her head was going to explode. As if sensing her pain, Jaxon came to stand behind her, his hands massaging her temples. The heat of his fingers soothed her, easing away the ache.

  “Don’t ‘Mother’ me, Tess. I’d like very much to know how much you paid for your husband. After all, it is a mother’s duty to make sure you didn’t pay below retail.”

  Jaxon remained perfectly still, eyes narrowed, focused on his mother-in-law. He didn’t need to be told that Colleen Montgomery’s sophistication and poise were in perfect synchronization with her old money snobbery and bitchiness. While she coveted the new money her daughter had acquired through marriage, she wasn’t letting go of the haughtiness that, in her mind, kept her a rung above everyone else.

  “The bids were sealed, Mrs. Montgomery, but I’m sure with your connections you could obtain the information for a nominal fee,” he finally replied, his tone civil.

  “But Belinda would know how much a husband costs these days,” Colleen continued in a syrupy sweet tone of voice.

  His shoulders tensed, anger twisting in his gut. “If you’re interested in going down that route to acquire your next husband, I’m sure I could make a couple of calls for you.”

  Colleen’s cheeks flushed. “I would never stoop so low as to bid on a husband. I am perfectly capable of meeting a proper gentleman in the right setting.”

  Jaxon’s civility disappeared as he took a step forward. “Define proper, Mrs. Montgomery. Would that be a man with plenty of money willing to keep his mouth shut and his wallet open?”

  Tess’ fingernails dug into Jaxon’s arm but he was beyond noticing. Instead he thrust her behind him in a protective gesture.

  “I can see that once the veneer is washed off, you revert to your customary manners, Mr. Richards. Perhaps I should adjourn to the ladies’ room, possibly giving you time to recover the charm you have apparently misplaced.”

  “I believe the ability to charm depends on one’s desire to charm.”

  “No amount of money can take the place of proper breeding. My daughter was raised to be a lady although she fought me every step of the way. Over the years I have discovered that her manners are waning. Now, with this marriage, I can only imagine what abhorrent behavior she will indulge in.” Colleen sniffed and adjusted her silk blouse that rode low over her breasts. “While I applaud your eye for aesthetics, Tess, as your new husband is quite handsome, I am greatly disappointed in your lack of discernment when it comes to class.”

  “Oh, Mother. Could we, for once, skip the histrionics?” Tess closed her eyes and shook her head while Belinda came to stand beside her to offer support. “I don’t need to prove anything to you and furthermore, I could give a rat’s ass about your approval or disappointment.”

  Tess’ words didn’t faze Colleen. She was on a roll and felt she had gained sole possession of the floor. “It is bad enough you have insisted on maintaining a friendship with this…this woman.” She pointed a manicured finger toward Belinda. “A woman so beneath you she could never hope to attain your status but now I discover you picked your husband at a meat market. I have endured the years of your friendship with Belinda, much to my own embarrassment, while I watched you slide down the ladder of prestige because of it. And now you hope to boost your own self-worth by marrying a man with wealth and good looks. Well, I can assure you this marriage will not help you achieve rank in our society simply because our class will not recognize an outsider with claims of power and influence.”

  “That’s enough.” Jaxon’s voice sliced like a sharpened saber. “Mrs. Montgomery, you are free to look down your nose at me, to consider me lacking on your scales of importance and even to share those feelings of disdain with me. But you are not free to insult my wife.”

  Colleen threw back her shoulders and tilted her chin. Her stance indicated she was prepared for battle. “She is my daughter. How I talk to her is my business.”

  “You couldn’t be more wrong.” There was no mistaking the threat in Jaxon’s voice.

  “You have no right to interfere with our relationship, Mr. Richards.”

  “I have every right. She is my wife now, a part of my life. Love and honor aren’t just words my people say in a ceremony. We respect our wives, love them and protect them. And we allow no one to humiliate them, publicly or privately. You will apologize.”

  Colleen gurgled with outrage, her eyes narrowed. “Go to hell.”

  Tess began to walk to the door, eager for an escape but Jaxon stopped her by catching hold of her wrist. “Wait. We aren’t leaving until your mother apologizes.”

  “My mother isn’t big on apologies. Don’t waste your time.”

  He smiled ever so politely. “I believe you were about to apologize, Mrs. Montgomery.” He narrowed his vision to Colleen’s face, captured her gaze and allowed her to see the spark of fire in his eyes. He steepled his fingers while angling his shoulders to prevent Tess and Belinda from seeing his actions. Blue flames danced from his fingertips as he raised one eyebrow. “Mrs. Montgomery?” The threat was clear and Colleen visibly paled.

  “I-I, Tess, you know I don’t mean half of the things I say. I’m certain you didn’t take it quite as literally as your husband did.” She flicked a glance toward Jaxon’s unyielding face and continued. “But at any rate, I apologize. I certainly did not mean to upset you.”

  Jaxon placed his hand at the small of Tess’ back. “I believe we’re ready to go now. Belinda, Tess and I would love for you to join us tomorrow.”

  Tess started moving toward the door but stopped to add over her shoulder. “I guess I’ll be seeing you, Mother.”

  Colleen only jerked her head in acknowledgment of her daughter’s words and slumped down onto the sofa, her eyes glazed.

  Tess didn’t wait for Jaxon to put the car into gear before she began the interrogation. “Okay, what did you do to her?”

  His teeth gleamed brightly. “I merely showed her the wisdom behind an apology.”

  “You threatened her. I can’t believe you threatened my mother
.” She mulled over the information. “So what exactly did you do? Because this could come in handy in the future.”

  He reached across and took her hand in his. “Let’s just say I’m sure it’s not something your mother is going to share with anyone.”

  “Of course not. Fireballs and lightning bolts aren’t usually things you care to talk about, especially when those same instruments threaten your health and wellbeing.”

  “Not fireballs or lightning bolts, Tess. You were there.”

  She snapped her seat belt into place and sank back against the calfskin. “I can imagine that was a ‘Depends’ moment for my mother.”

  “Was she always like that?”

  “She was much worse when I was a child. I could never do anything to please her. I was never good enough.” Tess was careful to keep the regret out of her voice but Jaxon read her too well.

  “That hurt you.”

  She shrugged, trying to brush off the concern, the feelings of inadequacy. “It used to but after a while I stopped trying to please her and just started living my life.”

  “Is that what you’re doing now, just living your life?”

  Bringing his hand to her lips, she kissed each knuckle individually, not really knowing how to answer his question. She hadn’t found her own life in Jaxon’s world and she doubted he would understand her continuing struggle. “Things feel so different.”

  “Things are different now.”

  “I’ll be glad to leave.”

  He looked at her briefly before he returned his eyes to the road. “That surprises me.”

  “Because you thought once I saw Charleston again I would want to stay.”

  “Yes, I did.”

  “I thought that too but I’m not the same as I was before the storm, before I met you.” She shivered, folded her hands in her lap. “It’s going to be difficult for me to accept what happened, Jaxon.”

  He didn’t need to ask what she was talking about. “I can understand why. In your world, Arista was a human. In our world, she was a powerful witch bent on destroying the Assembly through any means available.”

  “Couldn’t you have sent her somewhere, someplace where she couldn’t harm anyone?”

  Jaxon considered the question before nodding slowly. “Yes, I suppose I could but her intention was to kill. I saw it in her eyes.”

  She tugged on the shoulder harness and turned her face toward the window. “You’re right. To me, she was a human.” She didn’t need to look at Jaxon to feel his disappointment. He wanted her to accept him as he was, without question, without reservation. How could she make him understand it wasn’t so simple for her?

  Jaxon squeezed her knee gently. “I know things aren’t going to be easy for you. There’s a lot for you to digest in the coming months but don’t ever doubt I love you.” Silence descended for a brief moment before he added, “I take it you won’t miss your mother.”

  She rolled her head on the rest to look at her husband’s profile. “No, but I will miss Belinda.”

  “I’m sorry. I wish—”

  “No, don’t. I think deep down in my heart I knew when I married you that I would lose this life.”

  “But you’ve gained another one.”

  Tears pricked her eyelids. “Yes, I have.”

  “I’m here with you, Tess.”

  She allowed the silence to return, needing the quiet to allow the events of the past twenty-four hours to sink it. But more than that, to face the upcoming loss of what she’d known for the past thirty plus years.

  Her life as Tess Montgomery was gone.

  * * * * *

  The first thing Tess noticed about the hotel room was that it was set for seduction. Overflowing with lighted candles, the intoxicating scent of sweet perfume and the sounds of the waves crashing against the shore, it whispered sensuality. Silk sheets adorned the bed. The sultry sounds of a bass guitar filtered out of hidden speakers and as the lights flickered over the bed, the bathroom door creaked open.

  “Did you call in some favors or is this some of your magic?” she whispered, almost afraid that words would break the mood.

  Jaxon laughed a little and turned her in his arms. “Does it really matter?” He bumped his forehead lightly against hers. “Why don’t you go change into something a little more comfortable? I’ll pour us a glass of wine.”

  Looking back over her shoulder as she walked to the bathroom, Tess couldn’t help but watch how he moved. With panther-like grace, he strolled to the mini-bar, muscles in his back and thighs undulating slowly.

  Beautiful. She’d used the word to describe him before but tonight, with the moon gleaming in from the floor-to-ceiling windows, he took her breath away. He personified masculinity and perfection.

  “You’re staring at me.” The low, amused drawl made her jump.

  “It’s hard not to.” The admission didn’t embarrass her. She met his gaze as he looked up and winked at him. Lifting the small overnight case at the foot of the bed off the floor, she continued her walk into the bathroom. “I’ll be out in a few seconds. Don’t go anywhere.”

  As if he could. Every muscle in his body came alive—especially one. His cock grew to a painful stiffness behind the zipper of his pants as he stood there, staring at the closed door.

  How could he have gotten so lucky? Or did luck have anything to do with it? He preferred to call it destiny.

  Seconds later, but what seemed like hours to Jaxon, the bathroom door creaked open. He turned in slow motion, caught his breath and held it for the beat of ten. Tess approached him slowly, a perfect scene from an old black-and-white movie. The wait was worthwhile.

  She’d freed her hair from the confines of the braid, allowing it to flow loose and sexy around her shoulders. The black satin she wore adhered to her curves, cupped her full breasts and drew attention to the creamy mounds that peeked over its lacy edge. The flirtatious hem swirled around the tops of her thighs, translucent enough to give Jaxon a tantalizing peek of dark curls at the apex of her thighs.

  “I hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long.” Her voice poured over him like warm honey. Her eyes were inviting, brazen, and he shifted his stance to ease the pressure between his legs.

  Bringing his hands to the edge of his shirt, he gripped the material and tugged it over his head. “I’m not complaining.” He heard the raspiness of his own voice. “You look incredible.”

  Desire slammed into his abdomen as she circled him. She trailed one hand along his spine, dipped her fingertips into the waistband of his jeans. Moist kisses followed shoulder to shoulder and Jaxon sucked in a sharp breath. Then her hand dropped, gliding over his ass before sweeping to the front of his jeans.

  “You’re so hard.” The words were a low purr of satisfaction.

  “I can get harder,” he warned.

  Her eyes glittered when she lifted her head to meet his gaze. “Prove it.” The throaty whisper gave Jaxon all the impetus he needed. He whipped around, caught a handful of Tess’ hair and dragged her lips to his. He heard her murmur of satisfaction before he bent into the kiss. Her lips were moist, warm and opened to the thrust of his tongue. He tasted the minty freshness of her toothpaste, felt the satiny softness of her skin, the warmth of her body pressed against his. He inhaled the light fresh scent of her shampoo, the sweetness of her soap. She made a low sound in her throat and the soft rustle of satin whispered over her skin. His senses were attuned to her, his body raging with his need.

  Lifting her in his arms, he swirled and carried her to the bed. A goddess against the mound of pillows, Tess looked up at him, opened her legs to welcome him. Jaxon swept the remaining pillows aside with an impatient flick of his hand before he joined her on the bed.

  The roles reversed as he took the position of seducer. He watched the flames lick in her blue eyes as the waves of emotion danced around her pupils. Hunger pummeled him as he slid his palm up the inside of her leg, over her thigh. She jumped slightly, bringing a smile to his lips. He lowered his
head, touched his lips to the sensitive spot behind her knee and Tess inhaled sharply.

  “Jaxon, I want—”

  “I know exactly what you want, baby, and I’m going to give it to you.” He raised his head to meet her slumberous gaze. “But not yet. I want to taste you again. All I’ve thought about today is getting you alone and taking my time eating you, sliding my tongue over your soft clit.”

  Tess’ legs moved restlessly against the silk beneath her. “You’re making it hard for me to breathe.”

  “Just relax.” His fingers tiptoed up her leg, across the flatness of her abdomen. He trailed the back of his hand over her warm, damp pussy, bent his head to kiss the moist slit. Her body arched and he heard his name, a broken plea for release.