by Lynn Cahoon
“Laugh, no. Question your sanity, yes. Dragons are unpredictable. Hard to raise in a suburbia condominium.” Ty’s hand left hers, moving up to her wrist, circling, grasping, releasing. Over and over.
Parris swore the wrist wasn’t an erogenous zone. Ty proved her mistaken. The more he squeezed, the more she wanted to drag him inside her condo and lock the door behind them. Her throat caught and the triangle between her legs moistened.
She bit her bottom lip. Oh, what the hell.
Diving in, she asked, “Do you want to come in?”
“Coffee?” His fingers teased, moving farther up her arm. At this rate, it would be December before he finished exploring her body.
“Or something.” Parris reached over to caress his face.
“Something would be good.” Ty leaned over kissing her. His lips touching slowly, fully, pulling back then starting again, this time the kiss was harder, more insistent.
Parris leaned forward, tasting his essence, a mixture of buttoned-up lawyer and dangerous hunter. A taste she couldn’t clearly identify, but screamed Ty with every breath. Dazed, she pulled back focusing on the man sitting across from her. She hadn’t necked in a car since sophomore year with Danny James. After he pushed her boundaries, she’d frozen time and rewound his memories to just driving her home. The intensity of her feelings scared her then. However, those feelings paled compared to the bubbling desire coursing through her body right now. She wouldn’t be able to stop Ty like Danny. She’d have to let go of the control.
His eyes darkened watching her. Like he knew the battle raging between her mind telling her to run because this was a bad idea and her body telling her to drag the guy inside and get started because making love to Ty was a very, bad, idea. He leaned back, away from her, apparently trying to regain some control. A move that gave Parris hope.
Interesting. So this wasn’t normal for him either.
“What the hell.” She’d made a decision. Good or bad, she would make love with Ty Wallace right now. She’d deal with the consequences later.
“Not exactly the response I wanted, but I’ll take it.” Ty slipped out of the car. Then he appeared at her side, opening her door, drawing her into his arms.
Her body curved against his and she felt his manhood already hard. Their bodies melded together perfectly. Like those silly hugging bears the stores sold on Valentine’s Day. She drank in his smell, hot, desire, floating off his body like an ocean wave. Desire for her.
“Keys?” His voice cut through the visions of hot, steamy sex she’d been having. Man, if thinking about sex got her this hot, the next few hours would be utterly amazing.
“What? Oh, yeah.” She handed him the ring filled with keys and charms, singling the one key to open her condo. “Watch out for Dragon.”
Ty smiled, ruefully. “Now you’re being silly.”
Opening the door, Ty was confronted with a small tan Pomeranian intent on biting his ankle.
“Dragon, stop that.” Parris shook her finger at the attacking dog. “Ty is my guest.”
At that, the dog let go of Ty’s expensive pant leg running to Parris. He sat up on his back legs, waving his front paws, attention begging.
“That’s your version of a dragon?” Ty asked, clearly amused. “I’m not sure he even qualifies as a dog. More like a stuffed animal.”
Parris swept the ten pounds of buff fluff off the floor and gave Dragon a quick kiss on the top of his head. “He almost took you down. He’s such a good watch dog.” She cuddled Dragon who stared at Ty, still not certain on how to react to this stranger in his house. “What a good boy you are.”
* * * *
“I’m going to assume your comment was aimed at the dog and not me.” Ty looked around the foyer. The decorating magazines would describe the house as country casual. Mismatched furniture, refinished and repurposed, the home glowed with a soft warm appeal. A charm Parris probably didn’t even notice as magic. Parris’ talent, since she wasn’t active, appeared in other unexpected areas. Like a successful bar making people want to come back to have a good time. Or her home making him want to curl up with hot cup of tea reading a good book. A witch couldn’t ignore her talent completely.
She disappeared through a hallway. “Dragon needs to be let out,” she called explaining. “Have a chair in the living room.”
Ty sat on the floral couch. The room was different than his modern black and white condo in the city. He decorated in chrome and leather. She in wood and flowers.
A giggle came from the doorway. He looked up and saw Parris standing watching him with a bottle of wine in one hand and two glasses in the other. “You look like a caged tiger in a china shop.”
A slight grin touched his lips. “Definitely not what I’m used to.” He nodded to the items in her hand. “Time to celebrate?”
“I want to thank you for saving Grans’s house before I realize you overcharged me on the bill.” Parris walked forward and slid next to him on the sofa. She poured him a glass of wine and handed the drink to him. Her eyes sparkled like the wine.
“I told you up front you couldn’t afford me. I tried to pawn you off on a lower paid associate.” Ty took the glass and sipped the wine, the taste of honey and strawberry exploding in his mouth. “This is good.”
“Thanks. Even with my bar discount, each bottle runs more than I should pay for anything. Unless it’s furniture or a small car.”
“You can’t pay me because you spend too much on wine?” Ty shook his head, “Maybe you need to set some priorities.”
“You need to do some pro bono work.” Parris responded.
“Maybe I should barter for my services.”
“And would you expect in exchange?” Her voice was husky.
He sat his glass on the table, reached and took hers, placing it next to his glass. “Your dog okay in the yard?”
“Completely fenced. He even has a dog house, why?” Confusion washed over Parris’ face.
“Because once I start, I hate being interrupted.” He leaned in, kissing her, hard, demanding. The kiss he’d wanted to give her this morning, hell, since last night when he first met her. Her lips parted under his, hands reaching for his head. Her fingers slipped through his hair playfully. Coming up for air, he leaned back to look at her.
“Great plan,” she whispered. She perched on top of him, laying him back on the couch still completely dressed. She started unbuttoning his shirt, one button at a time, her look never leaving his face, never breaking their gaze.
Torture. His hands reached up loosening her hair from the up do she’d worn. Jet black hair fell around her face. He gently grabbed her hair leveraging her back for another kiss. His grasp dropped to her dress, unzipping the back, he slipped the fabric over her shoulders. He took an involuntary breath watching her breasts fall into his hands.
“Should have warned you, the dress has a built in bra,” Parris said. “Less of a hassle getting dressed.”
“Are we really talking fashion?” Ty’s voice was rough. He held her breasts in his hands, dropping his mouth to her nipples. Licking the brown areola, he half smiled hearing her moan. “That’s more like it.”
He pushed her back on the couch and pulled the rest of the dress off. She was exquisite. Her olive complexion highlighted the tan lines from what must be a tiny bikini. She wiggled out of her panties. Naked, she held her hands palms up. “Well?”
“You want me to applaud or kneel to your greatness?” Ty swallowed hard.
“Neither, I want you to strip.”
Slowly, deliberately, Ty did her bidding. His erection rock hard. He pulled a foil packet from his pocket, placing it on the coffee table. “For later.”
“Screw that, soldier. Fast and hard, now.” Parris grabbed the packet.
“You’re ready?” Ty reached down, fingers tickling her mound. Stroking her, he realized she was right, hot and sweet, ready for him. He leaned back, continuing to stroke as she slipped the thin plastic over his manhood.
“Come here,” Parris whispered. Ty complied, easing himself into her tightness, rocking slowly, tentatively at first, as she responded, his movements became faster. This wasn’t how he’d expected their first time to go. Too fast. Too uncontrolled. He tensed at her cry. Tightening on him, she headed over the edge. By God, he wouldn’t let her go alone. He released.
For a few seconds, or maybe minutes, their consciousness seemed to float in another dimension. He felt her body relax, allowing him to melt with her. The two joined, not only with sex, something more. Something he’d never felt before.
He heard scratching far away. A bark followed, closer. Dragon. They’d forgotten the dog. He opened his eyes, then leaned over to the inside of the couch, watching her. She came awake slower. Her dog’s cries calling her back.
Parris’ eyes flew open. “Crap, I’ve got to get Dragon.” She slipped off the couch.
“There’s a bathroom back there. I’m running upstairs to change after I let the dog in.”
Ty closed his eyes. “Sure, use me then run away. I’m a lawyer…I don’t have feelings.”
“If I thought you were seriously hurt, I’d kiss you better. Which sounds like a great idea, after a while,” Parris called from the back of the house. “Right now, I’m getting some clothes on.”
Dragon flew over the wood floor, sliding through the living room, landing on the floor next to the couch. He growled at Ty.
“Knock it off or you’ll be sleeping with the fishes tonight.” Ty growled back.
Dragon yelped, running up the stairs.
“Sure, go tell on me.” Ty stood up grabbing his clothes. As his fingers brushed up against Parris’ dress, he felt leftover electricity from their lovemaking. Shaking his head, he walked back to the bathroom. He didn’t understand what happened, but that was okay for now. He liked how she made him feel. Right now, feeling great was enough.
Chapter 9
Parris watched April carry a beer box from the storage fridge to the back of the bar. The girl shifted, almost dropping the box when she saw Parris. Standing at the counter, running down the pre-open check list, Parris smiled.
“You’ve been busy.” Parris nodded at the list. “I came down to help. From the looks of it, you didn’t need me.”
April grinned. “I’ll always need you, boss. You’re the only one who can sign the paychecks.”
“Thank God for that.” Parris slipped onto a bar stool after grabbing a bottle of club soda. She’d dressed in work clothes, however April didn’t need help tonight. The girl kept a tight grip on the bar. Parris felt the energy of the room. April would have an easy night. Plenty of regulars, not a crowd, if the pattern held true.
April shoved longnecks into the glass door fridge at the side of the bar. “You working tonight? I thought you’d taken the day off?”
Parris gave in, realizing she didn’t have to be here. Going into work was an excuse she gave Ty to get him to leave. She needed some time alone to think about what happened on her couch. To recover from the overwhelming feelings running through her. Now, she felt tired.
“Actually, I think I’m heading back home. I hear a bubble bath and a book calling my name.” Parris smiled. “I’ll do the bank run first thing in the morning. You should be set for a big Friday night.”
“Don’t forget to get quarter rolls. Last Saturday with the dart tournament, we ran out.” April cut a new box of bottles open, discarding the empty box in a pile on the floor.
“The machines take paper money.” Parris opened the other flaps on the box, turning the cardboard flat to stack in the recycling bin.
“Dart players have routines. Superstitions. Players like their quarters.” April looked up at her. “Haven’t you noticed that? I’d think with you playing league, you’d pick up some of these habits. Like the team who does Jaeger shots right before the game starts. Those girls are a blast.”
Parris sighed. “Sometimes the dart crowd is too intense.”
“For a few of the better guys, it’s not a game, it’s their job.” April shrugged. “They buy a lot of beer.”
“So you’re telling me it’s worth the trouble of picking up more quarter rolls.” Parris stood, pulling her oversized bag on her shoulders.
“I guess I am.” April paused. “I know the business better than I thought.”
“I think you know people. That’s all a business, any business, needs to succeed is staff who knows and likes working with people.” Parris tapped the ancient bar. “Have fun tonight. Call if you need me. I’m only a few blocks away if you get in a jam.”
“I won’t need you. Besides, you look slammed. I’ve never seen you this tired.”
Parris sighed. “Bone weary tired.” Using the side employee’s entrance, she walked the alley to the next street. This way shaved two minutes off her walk home. First, a stop at the French bakery for some soup and bread.
Turning the corner, her senses prickled with danger.
Everything went black.
* * * *
Ty drove back to his condo on the other side of town. He punched in a number, reaching Alex on the first ring. As their summer intern, Alex was a keeper. Always willing to help out, always available. Ty liked the kid.
After making arrangements to have Parris’ keys picked up at the condo’s front desk, Ty took the elevator to the nineteenth floor. He needed a shower. He checked the fridge hoping to find something to make for dinner. Partially finished takeout boxes lined the shelves. His housekeeper didn’t come until tomorrow. Calling for Chinese delivery, he headed for his bedroom, stripping clothes as he walked.
Stepping under the steaming water coming from the four sides in his walk-in shower stall, he relaxed, mentally reviewing his day. Thinking about Parris. He remembered the taste of her desire, hot and desperate, matching his own. He’d never felt this way about a woman, even Rowena. Parris fed something not only in his body but his soul. How’d she stay undetected all these years? For Matilda’s protestations on being a lowly level five, he knew she lied. From what he discerned about Parris’ natural abilities, untrained, both Parris and Matilda might be a level one. He shook his head.
The Council would have a field day with this if they ever found he’d known and not reported both women.
Thinking of the repercussions from The Council banished any memories of his afternoon with Parris. He needed to trace her roots, quickly. He didn’t have time to wait for Derek’s report. With a new purpose, he soaped, rinsed clean and grabbed a heated towel off the rack. In his black and white bedroom, he quickly dressed in jeans, pulling on an old Princeton tee shirt.
Heading down to the study, Ty grabbed his cell to call Derek. Too early to expect anything, Ty wasn’t surprised when his call went directly to voice mail. Looking at the clock, it was after seven. Derek would be at some ritzy party. He almost never carried his phone, especially on a date. He’d told Ty answering calls on a date was rude. Grinning, Ty left his friend a message telling him to call when he got back to his apartment. Or when he was alone.
He wouldn’t hear from Derek before nine tomorrow. The doorbell rang. Ty’s stomach growled. Food.
He tipped the delivery girl, taking the food to his study. Waiting for the computer to boot, he took a large bite of Peking duck with orange sauce. Starving. His appetite was always stronger after sex. Especially great sex. Parris’ face filled his thoughts. He remembered her insistence on going hard, fast. The way her face looked falling over the edge. Then, he remembered the blackness he felt, following. There was a definite connection between the two of them. If they were to have any future at all, she needed to be cleared through The Council. Matilda’s cover wouldn’t hold up under the vetting process. Not when The Council vetted a hunter’s possible mate.
Ty sat back stunned. Mate?
A small smile formed on his lips. Mate. Yes. A connection. Parris McCall may not know it yet, soon she’d be a large part of his life. If she complained the relationship was going too fast, he’d remind her she came knock
ing on his door.
He pushed aside the empty carton, opening a second, smaller container of rice. He’d consume this, then focus on work. Typing his code on The Council’s research website, he hoped he’d get enough time before the sweepers noticed his activity. He needed time to develop his case to protect Parris and Matilda from The Council’s attention. The research site booted up. Ty started his search.
Three hours later, he sat back, done. He had a theory about where Parris came from and why her latent powers were high even without any training. He couldn’t quite prove it. However, his research led him to believe Parris McCall was a direct decedent of Originals. Her mother and father were Originals or what The Council liked to call, first bloods.
Originals were the first families. The families who developed The Council. Who wrote the rules. Forbidden to mate outside The Council’s selection, their unauthorized offspring brought The Council to the brink of discovery by the human population too many times. The Council played on the image the human world had of witchcraft being a cult, a play toy of a disturbed few. They cultivated the image. Detractors, like the church, followed the fake trail.
Except when Originals came into full view. After humans saw Originals, bad things happened. Like the Salem witch trials.
Matilda had been right to conceal Parris from The Council. After what Ty’d read, he’d have no qualms saying The Council may have staged the accident killing her parents. Thinking they’d killed Parris in the same accident.
If they found different, Parris wouldn’t be alive long.
Ty’s heart ached. He pushed his chair away from the desk running his fingers through his hair. No way he’d fix this.
This afternoon, he’d found his soul mate.
A few minutes ago, sitting at his antique desk eating Chinese food, he’d lost her forever.
Chapter 10