“Once I return to the creamer pot, my time with you is forfeit. While we are in this room, I can be out and about because you released me for the specific purpose of helping you through this time, these tasks.”
She smiled. “Then theoretically, if I don’t complete the task, you can be free forever. I can put the creamer pot on a shelf and visit you every day.” Mmm, slipping away to the conference room for heavy petting at lunchtime sounded pretty darn good. A daily shot of warm fuzzies.
“Oh, my poor disillusioned Jovie. You haven't been listening.” Rand pulled her into his arms and held her so close, she heard the strong beating of his heart. “If the task is not complete and you leave this room, I will not be able to return to my world. Any use of magic has consequences and most of them are steep. Even completing your tasks will not come without a price.” His sigh ruffled her hair. “Not being mortal and living outside the nether world isn’t possible. I will die. Such is life.”
“That’s your answer? I have you for as long as it takes to complete this job?” Anger rose in her chest at the injustice until she realized most of the tale could be seen as a fairy story anyway.
“Yes. We have until sunrise. I am sorry.”
“I don’t want you to die.” Yet I don’t know if I can give you up. She pulled away in order to look him in the eye. "What was all that junk about I'm yours and you're mine or that we're interchangeable?"
He shrugged. "Just what I said. Think on it a bit more."
She heaved a frustrated sigh. “I don't have time for games, Rand. What do you want from me in order to transform the last box of paperwork? I’ve already given you everything of value I have with me.”
Rand’s grin was slow and seductive. “I want your body, warm, willing and naked.” He dragged his lips up the inside of her arm, pressing kisses against the silk of her blouse. “I want to make love to you before we are parted.”
The last of her reserve vanished under the assault of his lips, the subtle press of his hips to hers, the teasing prod of his cock to her stomach. Never had she been more aroused. Never had she been certain of anything as crazy as this. “This conference room is hardly a romantic setting. And the carpet—”
He brushed his lips against hers. “Close your eyes and let me take you away.”
Chapter Seven
Jovie forgot how to breathe the moment he claimed her. His hands touched her body with a possessiveness she felt in every pore. He moved his mouth over hers, teasing the corners, tracing her lips with his tongue, nipping and licking until she gasped for a reprieve.
“Come, little one. Let me show you how much I want you.” Rand took her hand and led her around the table to the far side of the room. “Your body is made for pleasure. It’s a shame you don’t see that.”
“It’s not exactly something that comes up in conversation. I can't interrupt a sales meeting to ask if the guys think I'm attractive.” She threaded her fingers into his silky hair, loving how it slipped over her skin.
“It should and often.” He worked the buttons of her blouse with a quickness that indicated he’d done this too many times before. In short order, the piece of clothing fell away and dropped to the floor with a soft whisper. “Confidence comes from within. If you feel loved you will reflect self-assuredness which will translate into positive things in every aspect of your life. You've seen it happen this night.”
“Forgive me for having a learning curve.”
“Your ample, physical curves are what I’m concerned with now.”
Her knees weakened. If she wasn’t careful, she could easily fall in love with this man, but she had to be careful in case he really did vanish after tonight. “I’m willing to be taught.”
“I’m an excellent teacher.” With one flick of his wrist, the hooks of her bra came undone then he pulled it down and away, freeing her breasts. “Beautiful.” He worked the zipper of her skirt and soon it slid over her hips to the floor. “Men should kill to be with you.”
His praise brought a flood of warmth through her insides. “Show me why you think so.” Her throaty laugh surprised her as much as him. She barely registered his wicked grin before he knocked her feet out from under her and cradled the descent to the carpet with his arms. “Impressive.”
“You have no idea what I'm capable of.” His next kiss was hard and powerful as he demanded her full attention and surrender.
Jovie gladly met each forceful thrust and exploration of his tongue with one of her own. She mimicked his actions until she mastered them and used that knowledge to bring him to a frenzy of panting breath and ragged groans. Seduction wasn’t nearly as fun unless both participants could give and take. He was all hard muscle and ridged angles that her hands danced over. Never had she been presented with such an awesome playground.
Sweeping her fingers down the lean length of his back, she dug her nails into the taut cheeks of his ass. He rolled onto his side, letting her explore. When he softly moaned, she trailed her fingertips along his hips then slipped a hand between them to slide over his satiny cock. He filled her hand with a comfortable girth. She squeezed gently, feeling both the hard and soft textures. The heat inside her own body increased as she thought of him thrusting into her wetness.
“Now that you’ve caught the tiger, what will you do with him?” Rand’s question tickled her ear. He pressed hot kisses to the side of her neck, beneath her chin and down her throat. “I’m here for your pleasure. Explore as your heart wishes.” One of his hands covered hers and he moved them both up and down his erection. “Like this. It’s all about strokes and pressure.”
Always good at hands-on instruction, she removed his guiding hand and returned hers to his cock, squeezing and sliding. He grew harder from her ministrations, and gasped out his enjoyment when she cupped his tightened balls and rubbed the sensitive spot just behind them. She loved how he reacted to her. Usually, she fumbled during lovemaking and let it become a lackluster affair.
With Rand it was different. She wanted to caress him, needed to show him with kisses and touches how she felt. Having confidence back, her movements made all the difference, yet it went beyond the physical.
Returning to his cock, she pumped her hand along his length, moving into a varied rhythm of long strokes and quick squeezes. With her free hand, she teased one of his flat nipples until he called a halt.
“Enough, Jovie.” He captured her hands, pinning them above her head. “I am only a man, after all, and have limits.” Mischief sparkled in his green eyes. “Turnabout will be a bitch, you know.”
She squirmed beneath him. Shivers of desire spiked along her skin as her hips bumped his. “I’ll have to see it to believe you.” Raising her head, she nipped his shoulder and inhaled the exotic spiciness of him that was now mixed faintly with sweat and arousal.
Heavenly and a huge turn on. Her core throbbed with tiny pulses.
“Dangerous words, love.” Holding her wrists in one of his large hands, he trailed the other over her body, fondling her breasts then rolled one of her hardened nipples between his thumb and forefinger.
A soft moaned eased from her throat. She arched against him, moving to allow him better access to her breasts. The thrill of being restrained heightened the sensations he invoked within her and she surrendered to his mastery. When he took the nipple into his mouth and suckled, she cried out, writhing with torment. He scraped his tongue against the puckered flesh.
He merely chuckled and turned the same consideration to the other nipple, altering the play slightly by nipping with his teeth, teasing, working her into a torrent of need. “Let’s see how wet you are.” Rand released his hold on her wrists. “I smell your arousal, Jovie. I know you want me. Say it.”
“I…” When his hand went between her thighs, her breath shuddered from her chest, robbing her of words. She spread her legs wider. She strained for him to touch her folds and as he did, she moaned her approval.
“If you don’t ask for it, I can’t give you what you want; wh
at you desire.” He rubbed his fingers through the moisture clinging to her sex, sliding them higher to play with her swollen clit.
Jovie embraced the powerful waves of need that rocked her world. They crashed over her with the strength of a tide. Her body practically hummed from the constant pressure Rand applied to the center of her pleasure. He strummed his fingers over her sensitized nub with the skill and grace of a harpist and invoked sounds of appreciation from her. She wiggled from the torture, but he didn’t let up.
“Tell me what you want, my dove. Is it this?” He slipped two fingers into her channel, moving in and out, drawing out more moisture, fucking her with his hand. “Is this the only thing that will bring you to the edge, or do you desire more?”
She planted her feet against the floor. Part of her brain wondered why she still wore only one shoe. Tremors began deep inside her to push outward as he teased. No amount of squirming would deter him from his mission. Pressure built and coiled in her core, demanding a release that only he could give. Blindly seeking, she reached down and pressed his hand tighter then moved to finger her clit as he continued to pump inside.
The orgasm exploded before she was ready. Her inner muscles contracted around his fingers. She ground her hips into his hand. The quivering sensations rushed through every blood vessel. They prickled her skin and tightened her nipples, leaving her breasts heavy and aching. She whimpered as her body went limp and for one second, she thought he would leave. Instead, he renewed his attention to her clit, her lower lips, and her channel until her body responded and she cried out for the cycle to end.
“I can’t give it to you until you ask.” He smiled and his perfect teeth flashed.
Jovie moaned and pulled his hand away, allowing herself some breathing room. “I want to feel you inside me. I need you to fuck me.” She gripped his shoulders and captured his gaze. “Make love to me as if your life depends on it.” She heard the desperation in her voice but didn’t care. She was beyond all of it except joining with him.
“It just might.” Rand spread her legs wider. He rose up on his knees and positioned the wide head of his cock at her entrance, rubbing it along her slick folds. “Do you want me, Jovie?”
“Yes.” Need ravaged her voice, leaving it low and breathless. She dug her nails into his forearms. "Please."
“Would you do anything for me?” He shoved into her partially then withdrew, again bumping his penis against her clit.
“Oh, my God, yes.” She shifted her hips to encourage him to get on with it. Anticipation to feel him inside made her crazy. “Anything. Whatever you want, I promise to give it to you, just do me.”
“I will hold you to that. Remember those consequences.” He leaned down and covered her lips in a gentle kiss. “Enjoy this, pet.” He slammed into her all the way to the hilt.
Pure joy carried in her cry as his length filled her, stretched her to the limit. He was thick and solid and seemed to touch her soul as he paused, giving her time to adjust. She tilted her hips, encouraging him to continue, and when he did, she was unprepared for the force of his thrusts. Powerful and determined, he slammed his cock into her over and over with the forward momentum of a freight train, pushing her body along the carpet.
The slap of their flesh filled her ears. She lifted her hands above her head to prevent smacking into the wall as he drilled deep. He watched her as he thrust, his gaze never leaving hers, a mix of pleasure and vast sadness in their depth. Jovie’s own vision blurred as she concentrated on the sensations that shattered her reality. Her world titled and whirled in a mixture of glittering light and blue smoke. Oblivion rose to claim her in its warm, fragrant darkness. She broke apart into millions of shiny shards of bliss as the orgasm shook her to the roots of her hair. Her toes curled. She tightened around him, squeezing his cock, drawing him into his own release.
Her cry of completion blended with his. He collapsed to one side and pulled her close to his chest. Never had she felt so happy and fulfilled.
And beyond any doubt or common sense, she knew she was in love with him despite her warnings not to do just that.
Chapter Eight
Jovie came back to consciousness deliciously sore and undeniably sated. She pushed onto her elbows and looked about the conference room in wonder. A new pyramid of six gold bars occupied the far end of the table. Groans emanated from the wood as if the piece of furniture strained under the heavy weight. Another list with client names written in gold ink waited for her.
Standing, she wobbled since her legs refused to support her. Now that sanity had returned, she could analyze her feelings. She retrieved abandoned bits of clothing and dressed but couldn’t shake the realization. However it had occurred, and in such a short time span, she had come to love Rand, to believe in him beyond a mythical being. More troubling, it wasn’t a flash in the pan type of feeling. This was a deep, abiding love that only came in joining together with another person beyond the physical—as if she had indeed found the missing half of her.
More than flesh, she’d bonded with his spirit, his soul, and there was no way she’d let him return to the nether realm. He belonged with her.
I need him.
By the time she’d put herself to rights and slipped into her abandoned suit jacket, Rand made his appearance from thin air.
Dressed once more in dark jeans and a t-shirt, he swaggered across the floor until he stood directly in front of her. “Did you enjoy our interlude, my dear?”
“Yes, very much.” She devoured him with her eyes, memorizing every dip and plane of his chest, the breadth of his shoulders, the nip of his waist, the slight dimple in his chin. How the hell was she supposed to watch him return to the creamer pot? I can’t do it.
“That is good to know.” He cupped her chin in a hand. “You are satisfied with how the tasks were performed?” His gaze flicked to the table behind her then back to her face.
“I’m beyond words at how you accomplished it.” She still didn’t know how his magic worked, but she supposed it didn’t matter. He’d changed the paperwork to gold just like he’d promised. There was plenty of time for them to discuss the details—a lifetime really.
He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “That is even better.”
“Why?” When he grinned, tingles began low in her belly and ebbed outward.
“Now I must demand payment for all I’ve done for you.”
The answering smile fell from her face. She backed away a few steps. “What do you mean? I’ve already given you payment for each task.”
“This is true; however, those trades were only for me agreeing to do the magic. And, of course, the physicality of arranging the gold bricks into a pleasing design.”
Jovie gawked. Her jaw dropped and she closed it with an audible snap of teeth. “I gave you my jewelry. We had sex. What else can you possibly want from me?” A slow burn of anger cycled through her chest, climbing and filling her body until her skin burned with it. “Damn it, I slept with you.”
“And you are unrivaled among every woman I’ve been with.”
"You used me, which makes you no better than Clinton."
"No, far from it. What we shared came from my heart and will never be repeated with another. You are that one human that makes my life complete."
"Oh, please."
The fleeting sadness appeared in his eyes, this time clouding the brilliant green and dulling it. “I told you that using magic has steep consequences. It is no less true this time.” He ran a hand along his jaw. “The penalty for such a thing, thrice over in fact, is the exchange of your life for mine, so I will be mortal once more.”
“What?” Stabs of pain lanced through her stomach. She pressed a hand to her midsection where the sharp ache grew. She drew in a deep breath, blowing it back out. “You would really ask me to consign myself to the creamer pot so you can be free?”
“Yes. This is how it must be and how it is with a matched pair such as us. I told you we were interchangeable.” Rand shrugged
. “I have done all that you asked. We have enjoyed each other’s bodies. Now payment needs to be realized.” His eyes became cold and glassy. “Magic isn’t a fairy tale substance to play around with. It’s harsh and exacting and will take its toll on both mortals and immortals alike. The exchange of life is the penalty you must pay.”
“You tricked me.”
"No. I warned you all along, at each level, and you agreed to deal with the consequences."
"Still a trick." She wanted to vomit at his audacity. She yearned to scream at the injustice, at the level of hurt she felt for allowing him into her heart. He dashed her hopes and dreams into pieces as if he’d physically stomped on her chest. “I slept with you. I let you do things to my body without regret. I trusted you.” Tears welled in her eyes. “And you lied.”
“I did no such thing. In fact, I did nothing but tell you the truth, always. You chose not to listen to all the words.”
When he would have reached for her, Jovie stepped away. “How was I supposed to know the rules? I’ve never come into contact with magical beings before.” Annoyed when a tear splashed onto her cheek, she scrubbed at her face. “I trusted you.” That fact bore repeating as she seldom gave herself into another’s keeping. Embarrassment seeped through the anger, heating her face. “None of it meant anything to you, did it? You only had sex with me because you knew I’d have to make this sacrifice.”
“No.” Uncertainty highlighted his features. “I enjoyed it as much as you.”
“You’re a man and would drill your cock into anyone available whenever the urge strikes.” She wrapped her arms around her middle, suddenly sick. “I thought you were different.” Sniffling, she met his gaze. “Was your talk of being released by just the right person hype as well? Maybe we’re not meant to share a connection.” The last disappointed her the most.
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