Alphas for the Holidays

by Mandy M. Roth

  “What? In our busiest season? Are you crazy? You’re my best recruiter, Krista.”

  “I’ve been overworked, boss. Magic is depleted. Your assistant is right, and I’m taking the holiday off.”

  “No, wait. Krista.”

  “I’ll email Jennifer with the specifics. Gotta go.”

  She ended the call and put her phone back in her purse. Chase finished his last signature and Krista smiled as he made his way back to her side.

  “Sorry about that.”

  “Don’t be. I’m used to it, actually.” They began their walk without touching, and Krista missed their warmth immediately. Which was strange, considering she just me the man.

  “You haven’t asked me yet.” Chase glanced her way as they walked.

  “Asked you what?”

  “Why I kissed you.”

  She froze for a split second and then continued on the path. “Asking questions can get me into trouble. Maybe you like kissing strangers.”

  “Nope.”

  “Maybe you enjoy making other women jealous.”

  “Ouch. No, that’s not my style either.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “You don’t hold back, do you?”

  Krista spread her hands, palms up and shrugged. “I met you halfway on that kiss. You could have easily moved to my cheek or my forehead.”

  “I could have also said you were a business acquaintance.”

  “She wouldn’t have believed you.”

  “Probably not, but it was the truth.”

  They rounded a corner and Krista glanced toward him. “What do you mean?”

  “So what does the Kitchen Witch Society want with me?”

  It was instinct that kept her from dropping her jaw in shock. “You know what I am?”

  He took her hand in his and moved at a slow and steady pace. His warmth leeched through her glove into her skin. She was right, he was completely overheated. And that wasn’t her sexual frustration talking.

  “My grandmother was a card-carrying member. I worked at her side from the time I was able to hang on to her skirt tails. She mentioned the society often.”

  “That doesn’t explain how you know I work for them.”

  “You guys have a business newsletter. Last year, you were named as the top grossing recruiter for celebrity chefs.”

  Krista interlocked her fingers with his and sighed. She hated that stupid article even more.

  “Right. Well, that makes it easier.” Krista cleared her throat. “Mr. Hamilton—”

  “Chase.” His gaze burned down at her with something other than professional interest. She expected him to be insulted or annoyed. Instead, he was holding her hand and walking through the streets like they were dating.

  “Chase. I’m a recruiter for the society. We need high profile people to draw interest to our University.” She pulled free of his touch to open her giant purse. The proposal was nestled next to her little black book of recruits and Bastien’s favorite toy. The fuzzy stick came out with the folder.

  Chase snatched it before she could shove it back into the dark recesses of her bag. “What’s this?”

  “My fami—That belongs to my pet.”

  “A familiar.” He waved the little stick and watched the fuzzy mouse bounce on the end of a string. “So you are a witch yourself.”

  “Yes. Sort of. I can’t really cast spells.”

  He glanced at her. “What would I have to do as one of your recruited witches? By the way, are men really witches? Wouldn’t they be wizards or something?”

  She shrugged a shoulder and gently pulled the toy of his hand. Bastian was a lot of things, but forgiving a stranger for playing with his toys was another matter entirely. “This is a question I’ve asked myself a thousand times. As far as what you’d have to do, it’s nothing more than your current situation. If you’re content with your current sponsors, we will leave you be. If you’d like additional funding, that can be arranged. All we ask for in return is some public relations work.”

  “Cupcakes for charity? Celebrity cook-offs, that kind of thing?”

  “If that’s what you’d like, I suppose.”

  “I’d like to think on it.” He held out his hand.

  “Of course.” Krista passed over the proposed contract. His fingers brushed hers, and that electric heat pulsed between them again.

  That glimmer of heat came back into his gaze. “Is there anything in your job that keeps you from enjoying the company of a recruit?”

  Krista couldn’t keep the hitch out of her breath or still the pulse of excitement that made her clit ache. “Any relationship I have is my own, and does not have any bearing on recruitment. I’m not in the habit of sleeping with any potentials.”

  “Potentials. I like that. Makes me feel like I’m a kid again.” His smile was heart stopping. “I don’t sleep with recruiters. Or women I’ve just met, either. So I think we’re both on new ground here.”

  “Good to know I’m not walking this one alone.”

  “I’ll look over this proposal in detail. But first, dinner.” He gestured toward the door to an apartment building.

  “I thought you had a restaurant in mind.”

  “I’ve been on my feet all day. We filmed fourteen episodes in 72 hours. I’m exhausted. I was serious about the sour dough bread and steak sandwiches though. They’re out of this world.”

  She had enough defense charms to protect her just in case, but still, going up to Chase Hamilton’s apartment and spending time with her secret celebrity crush was beyond her wildest dreams. This assignment was more than hoped for. The fact that he knew what she was, accepted it, and even seemed curious about it, really put her at ease.

  The only question was…what surprises did Chase Hamilton have in store? There was no doubt he had secrets. Every witch did.

  “Are you coming?” Chase tapped in a security code. The apartment building was charming in a way that belied its stiff price tag.

  “Lead the way. I’m starving.”

  He grabbed her hand again and tugged her through the door. His magic wrapped around her again, a warmth that unraveled her usual calm.

  It was time to figure out the mystery of Chase Hamilton and his very peculiar form of magic.

  Chapter 3

  The apartment building was old and beautiful. “I love this building.”

  “Thanks. The apartment belonged to my grandmother. She left it to me with some very specific instructions after she passed.”

  They took the stairs and Krista admired the polished wood bannisters. She tugged the glove off her hand with her teeth and touched the shiny wood. A spark of magic, old magic, the kind that ancient worlds were built on, reached down deep into her bones. There was a history here, an ancient one. No wonder Chase’s grandmother chose this building. She pulled off her other glove and just let her magic flow from her fingertips. Her already stretched reserves groaned, but she wanted to be welcome in this building. The ancient magic touched her and acceptance slid through her body.

  “Wow.”

  She jerked in surprise and realized she’d been staring off into space. “What?”

  “Whatever just happened must have been amazing.”

  Krista brushed the back of her hand against her heated cheeks. “Your grandmother chose an amazing place for her home I think it just welcomed me.”

  Chase arched his eyebrows. “I had a cousin once who came to visit. He touched the rail and screamed. After that, both he and my grandmother told his mom that he shouldn’t come back.”

  Krista shuddered. “I can’t imagine what that would have felt like.” Old buildings with sorcery in its foundation developed certain criteria for acceptance. “Does the building speak to you?”

  He unlocked the door and reached inside. “It just feels like Home.” Light flooded the hallway and spilled into a cozy living room. Her magic radar buzzed with protective spells and all manner of magical things.

  “Take off your jacket and scarf. Get comfortable. I’ll
whip us up a late lunch in no time. Then maybe, if we’re really lucky, we’ll have dessert afterward.” There was no mistaking his suggestive tone.

  Sensitive nipples tingled and tightened to hard points and her heart raced. She slipped off her jacket and turned to watch him close the door. “You know, we could just skip straight to dessert.”

  “Really?”

  Chase was a gorgeous man. All lean muscle and broad shouldered goodness. He was the boy next door with a twist of mischief.

  He took her jacket and dropped it over the arm of the cushioned entry chair. Answering heat matched his gaze and she found herself pressed against the wall with his hands trapping her on either side. A thrill clenched her stomach and shot straight to her core.

  “Right now, I can walk over to the stove, cook us a delicious meal, and chat the night away. Or, I can do all the things I’ve wanted to do since I first laid eyes on you in that article a year ago.”

  “Are you saying you’ve been crushing on me for a year?”

  “Um hmm. Especially when the witches you recruited gave their quotes about you. Warm. Kind. Energetic. Funny. Did you know there was an unofficial behind-the-scenes interview with people you work with?”

  Her eyes widened. “You’re lying.”

  “Nope.” He grinned. “It showed you delivering the welcoming speech to Kitchen Witch Academy’s freshman class.”

  “I can’t believe this.” She swallowed. “I’m not the person you see in those videos. Or the interviews.”

  “That’s okay. I’m not exactly the Kitchen Witch Academy poster boy either.”

  “What do you mean by—“

  His lips and tongue seared heat across her throat and jaw. “No more questions until you answer mine.”

  “You—“ She gasped as his lips teased a particular sensitive point beneath her ear. “Did you ask a question?”

  “Hmm. Maybe not.” His teeth scraped teasingly. “Do you want to make this all business, or continue?” He pulled away and tilted his head.

  “Do you want to stop?”

  “I want to make that sexy voice of yours cry out in pleasure. I’d rather it be in bed, but I make a killer steak sandwich.”

  She laughed and slid her hands up his shirt. “Bed first. Food later.”

  Her fingernails scraped along the hard planes of his stomach. How a man could cook like a dream and still have a hard body she’d never know, but damn he was delicious.

  And hot.

  “It’s like you don’t feel the cold.”

  “I do, just not this month.”

  “What?” He captured her mouth in a soul-stealing kiss.

  Her core tightened and moisture soaked her panties.

  His lips found hers, and she grinned at the playful nips he took between soul shattering kisses. Damn, the man had talent!

  Cool air brushed her stomach before she realized he had her shirt unbuttoned. She grinned and tugged on his polo, pulling it over his head and dropping it on the floor. She had a moment to sigh happily at the sight of his chiseled chest before he had her pants unbuttoned and hanging off her hips.

  His hands cupped her breasts through the festive satin bra she’d chosen this morning. Her nipples hardened to sensitive peaks. His thumbs brushed over their tips and she moaned into his mouth. Some of the urgency slid away and fell into a slow simmer.

  He gave her a lingering kiss before dipping his head and taking one satin-covered nipple in his hot mouth. Moist heat covered the sensitive tip and she slid her hands through his hair, clenching lightly to keep him against her. His hand slid in the band of her panties and down to her trimmed curls. Deft fingers slipped inside and her core clenched around him.

  “So hot.” His mouth and tongue moved from one nipple to the other, leaving a chill where heat had just been. His thumb brushed her clit, and she trembled. Her magic had her at the edge of control. His fingers dipped and teased, swirling her essence around the aching bud.

  Familiar tension slid down her spine, and she arched in time with his finger thrusts. “Chase…” she breathed his name and pressed hot kisses to the top of his head. His teeth bit lightly on her nipple, and his fingers hit the perfect spot and pressure to send her into a quick orgasm. Her channel clenched his fingers, and she heard soft murmurs of pleasure coming from her own lips.

  Chase pressed a light kiss on her breast and rose to his full height. Her hands slid to his broad shoulders. His fingers slipped from her and he raised them to his mouth. Krista’s mouth opened in surprise when he suckled her juices from his fingers. That had to be the hottest thing she’d ever seen a man do.

  “You taste delicious.” His body pressed her back against the wall, and she could feel the rigid length of his erection straining against her. “I would love nothing more than to eat you up all night.”

  Her pussy clenched at his words. Already her magic was threatening to overflow. If she didn’t get control of it, and soon, it was going to flow out and not stop until she was completely drained. It would be months before she built up enough magic to work again… and she needed the work. Her magic was almost as hungry as she was for Chase’s touch.

  She palmed the rigid length of his dick and stroked lightly through the cloth. His face tightened and a heady groan tore from his throat. “That sounds wonderful, but I had something else in mind first.”

  His smile was predatory and endearing at the same time. “Did you now? Why don’t you show me?”

  Before she could move, he had her up in his arms and on the way to a bedroom. Well, this was new. She held on for dear life, afraid he’d drop her. He grinned down at her while setting her gently on the bed.

  He shucked his clothes, and she shimmied out of hers. Bare skin touched bare skin and she thrilled at the sensation. Her lips touched his chin, his cheek, everywhere she could taste.

  She heard the familiar crinkle of a foil wrapper and smiled, scraping her teeth against his throat.

  He groaned, but she could feel hesitation in his movements. “I don’t want you to think…”

  She tugged his head down for a hard kiss. “No, prepared is good.” She bit his lip. “I like prepared.”

  He grinned and kissed her back. Pressure rode her hard. His skillful touch played along her slick flesh, sending her core into a throbbing need that had her moaning. His fingers thrust inside. He stroked her sweet spot and she arched, a moan ripping from her throat. His palm pressed against her clit and rubbed it just the right way to send her into a spiral of pleasure.

  Magic swelled within her. It spilled out around her, opening her senses to the magic in the apartment. To Chase’s magic.

  He pulled free of her body and the thick head of his dick pressed for entry. She rocked her hips to draw him closer, desperate to be filled. Needing to end this madness before the magic drained her completely.

  The first thrust stole her breath with the intensity. One hand gripped her leg behind the knee and pushed until she could barely move. A mischievous smile touched his lips before he began a slow torturous pace.

  “What?” Krista moaned and tried to maneuver so she could ease the ache.

  “Where are you going?” His palms held her tight, and he rotated his hips in a way that had him hitting just the right spot.

  She moaned and arched against his hold.

  “You like that?”

  She couldn’t speak, just scraped her teeth against his shoulder. He groaned and hit that spot again and again. Pleasure sparked behind her closed eyelids, and her magic locked in with her orgasm, riding it like a tide, seeking release. The pressure became intense, and she needed it to break over.

  “Harder.” Her voice was breathless.

  He moaned and began thrusting harder, deeper. Exactly what she needed. Her fingers dug into his back, and she rode through the torrent. He leaned back and flicked her nipple with his tongue before taking it into his hot mouth. Teeth gently nipped and his tongue rolled around the sensitive tip. She arched into his mouth and held his head agai
nst her. The rich scent of sex permeated the air.

  The pressure built inside until she couldn’t stop her cries. Couldn’t stop the need to clench her fist in his hair and dig her fingers into his back. She tasted their need in the air. His mouth pulled from her breast with a loud pop and then covered hers. Unfettered magic rushed through her body and spilled into his. Krista couldn’t stop it. Her surprise was whisked away by the incredible pleasure every touch gave her. His rhythm unraveled, and he pounded into her. The sounds of wet flesh reached her ears. Pleasure peaked through her and she tumbled over into ecstasy. He swallowed her cries with every stroke of his tongue, riding her through the crests of her orgasm.

  Chapter 4

  She felt the light brush of lips on her hair. He gently withdrew from her quivering flesh before moving away to the bathroom for a moment. Krista put her hand on the pillow and inhaled the masculine scent of Chase. He was amazing, and she could see into his soul. Part of his magic seemed to touch her.

  He slid back into bed and folded her into his arms.

  She laid her head against his shoulder. His leg shifted against hers, and she lifted her leg to settle his thigh between hers. Her palm brushed against the light fur on his chest. The erratic beat of his heart settled her. At least she wasn’t the only one affected.

  She rubbed her cheek against his skin. Would sex between them always be like this? She didn’t even know what happened. A part of him seemed to have collected in the heart of her magic. It tasted unlike any magic she’d ever known.

  “I’ve only experienced magic like this one other time in my life.”

  She rolled over in his arms to look him the eyes. “What do you mean?”

  Chase ran a light hand down her spine leaving a tide of shivers in its wake. “This connected. I feel like I have some of your magic in me.”