“I don’t think Rena has any questions right now. It was a really long drive and I’m hungry.”
He waited and then rolled his eyes. “We will be careful. Love you, Phoebe.” Then he hung up.
“Bloody hell, that woman can jabber on.”
She chuckled. “True, but you love her.”
He nodded. “She’s kept us all going when I thought we would give up.”
The sincerity in his tone told her it was the unvarnished truth. “Yes, both of the M and M’s have talked about her.”
“She’s still a little naive, but then again, it’s good that she’s on our side. Brilliant and funny. But in her condition, I’m happy that she is a glass half-full kind of person.”
“Yes. If she were gloom and doom like I am, then she might have complications with the pregnancy.”
He frowned. “Gloom and doom? I’ve never thought of you that way.”
“Most people do.”
He leaned against the dresser, stretching his long legs out in front of him. He was so close she could reach out and touch him.
“I’m not most people.”
“None of the McLennans are.”
He smiled. “True.”
They smiled at each other, then something changed. Fletcher’s expression sobered as his smile faded and heat seemed to snap in the air between them. It was right at that moment it hit her that she was sitting on a very large, comfy bed. Before she could block them, images from his thoughts slapped out at her. He wanted her, then, on the bed. Sounds, feelings, a tangle of bodies. His lust almost overwhelmed her before she got her own thoughts under control.
“So, I hear a promise of food. Are you cooking or are we going out?”
“I think it would be good to be seen out. We don’t have much food in the house.”
“I could…” she waved her hand in the air to indicate her magick. “I will warn you though that the results can be mixed.”
“That’s all right. As I said, it is important for us to gather witnesses.”
She would ignore the little flicker of irritation. She wanted this to be a normal night out. Just for fun. “Good. I’m famished. Give me a second or two and I’ll be ready.”
He nodded and left her to get ready. She might have a job to do, but tonight, she would enjoy Fletcher’s company. She didn’t know just how much longer the opportunity would present itself. Since she had come to understand her role in this lifetime, she had often learned to compartmentalize. Now, staring at herself in the mirror, she knew this would probably be one of the last times this would happen. But, pretending she was a normal woman for just one night was okay. It would make the coming battle even harder, but at least she would have good memories of the last few days to relish before she risked everything.
* * *
They had a quiet dinner in a locally-owned restaurant. Fletcher had been surprised by just how easily they seemed to fall into the role of lovers. Not that he had gotten any benefits from the situation, but anyone who had witnessed them out to dinner would have been fooled. They’d chatted about nothing overly important, but for some reason, it felt that way. As if every word she said was weighted with something significant. Fletcher couldn’t put his finger on it, but he knew when people looked at them, they saw two people who were on a romantic getaway.
That was why the trip back in the car had been nerve-racking for him. The intimate setting, the scent of her perfume, all of it seemed to draw him in. Even as he thought it, he knew it was a lie. She was the thing that drew him in. At each turn, he was surprised by her. From the stories of her past, the way she loved her friends...it was so different from his original impression. She had seemed aloof, not needing someone to help her with anything. Now, though, he knew that was another lie. She was so vulnerable, and knowing her background, he knew it was why she seemed to want people around her. Granted, she kept herself separate, even with her friends. She always seemed to be looking in, as if she didn’t truly belong.
He parked the car in the drive, and they walked without speaking to the door. He unlocked it as his phone started to ring. He saw Callum’s face and grimaced. Still, he answered because Callum would just call the house they were renting.
“Yes?”
“That’s a nice greeting.”
“From the man who rarely says hello when he answers the phone. What do you need?”
“Nothing much. Just wanted you to know that Anice has put out some gossip about you and Rena.”
He glanced at his companion, who was making her way to the kitchen. Unable to ignore his need to be near her, he followed.
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
“I didn’t ask, but your sister knows PR, and she says this will make the tabloids. What little Anice knows about this McDougall woman, she says that she keeps track of everything. Anyone who is anyone gets invited to a dinner at her house. And it just so happens, there is a huge party there this weekend, a fundraiser.”
“Great. I didn’t bring anything for that,” he said.
“Don’t worry. Anice is also taking care of that. She will get your plaid to you.”
“Do you think that is a good idea?” None of them had worn their plaid in public in the last couple of centuries. The only place they had was at the weddings. “She could send a tux.”
“Not sure it really matters. It’s not like they think you might be the long-lost laird. You’ll stand out more being a Scot at a function to raise money for Scottish Independence.”
“I thought that was over.”
“You know better than that.”
“Okay. What about Rena?”
“What about me?”
“Callum wants us to go to a fundraiser this weekend. It’s formal.”
“No worries. I packed for that.”
“You did?”
“She’s a woman,” Callum said on the other end of the line. “They always plan and Rena more than others. And she’s a faery. She can probably conjure one out of thin air.”
“She’s not a genie in a bottle.”
Callum snorted. “Pretty damned close. We might be immortal, but we’re nothing like these women.”
“Is there anything else?” he asked, trying to hide his irritation.
“No. Call if you need anything. I assume you’ll hear from the McDougall woman no later than tomorrow afternoon.”
“Sounds good. Night, Callum.”
“Night.”
He clicked off the phone. Callum never lingered anywhere. Well, except in bed with his wife. He might still be the stuffy laird they all called him, but Phoebe had helped him a bit.
“What has you smiling?” she asked, as she leaned against the counter.
“Just thinking about the changes that Phoebe helped make with Callum.”
“Ah. I’m thinking about having some whisky. Do you want some?”
“That actually sounds good.”
“You take it with ice, yes?”
“Yes,” he said surprised that she had picked up on that.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked as she filled two glasses with ice, then wandered to one of the living areas. He followed just as before. It was as if they were connected by an invisible string. Or just lust. Lust was probably the reason.
“I didn’t know you paid attention to things like that.”
“Like what? How you take your whisky?”
“Yes.”
She poured two fingers in each glass, handing him one of them, before she answered.
“I notice a lot of things. Especially about you.”
The admission sent his head spinning. It didn’t help that she was looking at him like a forbidden treat. Christ, he wasn’t a lad, but he felt like one.
“Interesting,” he said as he sipped his drink.
She did the same and made no response. It was stupid to feel this out of depth. She was a woman, one that had needs like so many before her, and he wanted her. Bonus, Fletcher was pretty
sure she wanted him.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked.
He let one brow rise but said nothing. One side of her mouth curved up.
“No answer?” she asked before taking another sip of her whisky.
“I think you know exactly what I’m thinking.”
Energy sparked in the air around them. “It’s a bad idea.”
“It’s a very good idea. In fact, I have a few ideas on the matter. All of them quite brilliant.”
She laughed, the sound of it dancing over his flesh. She didn’t laugh that often, and especially not like this. It was carefree, filled with desire and heat.
“I bet you do.” She sipped her whisky.
“And?”
“You’ve yet to make me an offer or suggest anything.”
He studied her for a second, then downed the rest of his drink in one big gulp. He set the glass down on the bar, then stepped closer. There it was again, that spark in the air around them, the feel of heat flooding his senses. Bloody hell. The unique scent of her hit him then. It was womanly but no other being on earth could compare. Exotic and scrumptious, like his favorite, decadent treat for him to taste and enjoy.
He took her half-drunk glass away from her, setting it on the bar beside his. Then, he cupped her face and leaned in to kiss her. As soon as their mouths touched, that spark in the air transformed into a fire. Heat lapped at his flesh as he deepened the kiss, stealing inside her mouth. She slipped her hands up his arms to his shoulders. She moaned as she sucked on his tongue. Just that little thing had his desire soaring, his need almost overwhelming all good thought. He wanted her right then. He pulled back from the kiss, both of them breathing heavily. Her eyes fluttered open and for a second, he forgot how to speak. They weren’t blue, green...or any normal color. Instead, they glowed, her own desire seemingly coming alive for him to see.
“If you don’t want this, tell me now, Rena.”
“I thought I was pretty clear about that.” With each word, the air around them seemed to shiver as if there were flames in a fire. Even for a man who had lived a couple of centuries, he was astounded.
Before he could respond, she grabbed him by the lapel and pulled him closer. This time, she took control of the kiss. He let her, happy to be taken over this way--for a little bit. Her tongue slipped between his lips as she slid her hand down his body to cup is cock through his pants. Her fingers danced over the length of him, causing his arousal to soar over him.
In that moment, he knew there was no turning back.
She was fumbling with his zipper when Fletcher decided to take control. He slipped his hands around her waist, then down to her ass. Her hand fell away as he lifted her up against his arousal. Tearing his mouth away from hers, he looked around the room to find a flat surface. He found it in the dining table. With three large steps, he was close enough to set her down on it. He kissed her then, truly kissed her. Her tongue tangled with his, but even with the intimate touch, he wanted more. Much more.
Again, he tore his mouth away from hers. She was wearing a buttoned shirt, and he really didn’t have time to mess with them. So, he grabbed the edges and tore them apart. She laughed as the buttons bounced off the table. He ignored them and focused solely on her. Now that he knew he could have her, nothing would stand in his way. Bare flesh. She wasn’t wearing a bra.
“What?” she asked.
“If I’d known you weren’t wearing a bra, I don’t know if I would have been able to eat dinner.”
She chuckled, but it ended on a gasp as he took one nipple into his mouth. God, her skin tasted like heaven, made just for him. Swirling his tongue around her nipple, he teased the other, rolling it between his fingers. She responded immediately, moaning as she slipped her fingers through his hair. He grazed his teeth over the tip and she arched up off the table. He pulled back and blew on her nipple, enjoying the way it puckered. But this was not enough. He wanted to truly taste her arousal. He grabbed one of the chairs and pulled it closer to sit in. Then, he grabbed hold of Rena by her hips and yanked her closer.
“What...”
She didn’t continue when he lifted her skirt and pressed her thighs apart. When his fingers touched bare flesh again, he shuddered.
“Rena.” He waited for her to meet his gaze. “We would have never made it to the restaurant if I had known all you had on was your shirt and skirt.”
He slid his fingers against her slit. She was already wet with need. More than anything else in his life, he needed this, needed that sweet nectar. He skimmed his mouth along one thigh as he eased her legs further apart. Then, he tasted her.
Sweet and musky, her arousal danced over his tongue as he dipped inside of her. She lifted up against his mouth as he teased and tasted, pushing both of them closer to the edge. This dance had started months earlier, and now he could barely contain himself.
His cock throbbed. He wanted to lose himself completely in her. He fought back that urge. Not yet, he thought. First, he wanted her over that edge.
Fletcher slipped a finger inside of her warmth, so wet as he slid his tongue over her clit. It only took a few seconds...and she was screaming his name. She lifted her hips off the table as her body shivered with her release. He pulled away from her sex and looked up at her. She was still shivering, the scent of her arousal surrounded him as he could still taste her on his tongue.
Now. It was the only thought he had. He needed her so badly.
He lifted out of the chair so abruptly that it toppled onto the floor behind him, but he barely noticed. Instead, he was clawing at his trousers, undoing the button and unzipping them.
“Oh, yes,” Serena said, her voice filled with admiration as she lifted herself off the table. She wrapped her hand around his shaft and stroked him. The feel of her slim fingers gliding over his flesh almost had him coming right there and then. She brushed her thumb over the head of his cock, capturing some of the pre-cum. He watched, mesmerized as she lifted it to her mouth. She licked it off, then hummed.
That was asking too much of him. She looked like she was going to ease off the table and onto her knees. If she took him into her mouth, he would lose it. He wanted that, but not this time. This time he wanted to be inside of her when he came.
He shook his head, pulling a frown from her. He dipped his head to steal a kiss.
“I can’t have your mouth on me, love. I’d lose what little control I had left.”
Before she could respond to his admission, he grabbed hold of his cock and eased inside of her. He watched as her eyes went blurry, then closed as she moaned. It was the most erotic thing he had ever seen in his life.
He took hold of her hips as he pulled out of her, then thrust all the way back into her, this time to the hilt. Her muscles tightened over his cock every time he thrust inside, pulling him deeper, pushing his arousal to its limits. He urged her back down on the table, then took her hips again. She wrapped her legs around his waist. Harder and harder he dove inside of her, losing himself completely to the need both of them had. It overwhelmed every thought he had had. But it was different than any other time before this. Something stirred inside of him, opening emotions that he hadn’t felt for a woman in a long time. Something magickal seemed to spark in the air around them, urging him on. He wanted to lose himself completely, but he couldn’t. Not just yet. He wanted her with him there.
She was closer, her moans growing in volume, but something seemed to hold her back. He leaned down and kissed her.
“Come, love. Let loose and come again for me.” She opened her eyes, now they were a shade of hazel, green seeming to spark within them. He couldn’t look away. But as he felt her inner muscles ripple over his cock, her lids slipped shut. She arched against him again, her mouth open in a soundless cry. In the next instant she was falling, bucking up against him.
As she lost herself in her second orgasm, his need to be with her took over, he pulled back and sped up his thrusts. The items on the table rattled, some o
f them falling on the floor as he pounded into her again and again, seeking his own release. Before he found his first, she was climbing to a third, this time screaming his name as she bucked up against him. Each one seemed to grow in intensity.
That knowledge, and the tightening of her muscles against his shaft, propelled him into his own orgasm. He shouted her name as pleasure rippled over him and he poured himself inside of her.
Long moments later, he gathered her off the table and used what energy he had left to carry her upstairs. After pulling back the covers, he laid her on his bed. He slipped off her skirt, then did the same with her shirt. He smiled. She slept through the entire process.
He stared at her, a warm feeling hitting him square in the chest. She was his. In this moment, Rena Fay was his. And, for once, that did not leave him panicked. In fact, he needed to be closer to her, to feel her flesh against his. He kept his gaze on her as he stripped out of his clothes, then slipped onto the mattress beside her. She didn’t open her eyes, but she moved closer to him. He pulled her closer, coveting the feel of her body against his.
For the first time in a long time, he fell into a dreamless sleep.
Chapter Ten
Serena woke a few hours later, trying to remember where she was. Her head was fuzzy as if she’d drank a lot of whisky. She knew she had a glass or maybe two, but not enough to make her feel like this. She shifted her weight. A large male arm slipped over her stomach and pulled her to the middle of the bed. She didn’t have to see his face to know it was Fletcher. She breathed in the scent of him. Even if she hadn’t seen him for a hundred years, she would know who he was.
She repositioned herself again, but this time it was to face him. He was sleeping, his face completely relaxed. He was gorgeous, but beyond that, there was character in his face. He had those wonderful laugh lines around his eyes that made him look even more attractive. Fletcher was a man who appeared easygoing, but she had never seen him this calm.
She took her time to study him, noting the eyelashes—the longest she had ever seen on a man. The crooked nose seemed to fit his smartass ways, and she wondered who had broken it. Probably Anice. Full lips, high cheekbones, and sexy little cleft in his chin. He was gorgeous, but beyond that, there was character in his face. He had those wonderful laugh lines around his eyes that made him look even more attractive. He was what Maggie would call a man whore, not that Serena would judge him. She understood that some people weren’t built for monogamy. She was one of them. Still, he had shown her such tenderness that she knew there were different layers to the man.
Fletcher: The Cursed Clan: Book 4 Page 9