Surge Of Magic (28 page)

Randy grinned. “I think I can handle it.”

She hugged him once more. “Thank you.”

Once Randy took off, Kip carried their bags into his bedroom.

“Mind if I take a shower? I need to get their touch off me.” Not to mention her nervous sweat.

“I can draw you a bath if you like, though I don’t have any girlie bath salts or anything.”

She laughed. Kip was such a guy. “A shower is good, but what would be even better is if someone wants to join me.” Kip had two showerheads in his master bath.

He kicked off his shoes and stripped off his shirt. “I’m game.”

She was hoping he’d be willing to spend some time just enjoying each other since his touch could help erase the last few hours. Desperate to clean up, she undressed. Before Kip dragged her to the bed, she dashed to the bathroom and turned on both showerheads, excited to put this day behind her.

Kip entered the spacious bathroom. From the linen closet, he pulled out two fluffy towels and set them on the counter. “You look so good,” he said as he clutched his dick that was already hard.

“I hope that needs cleaning, ’cause I am all for getting my hands on you.”

He chuckled. “I can’t tell you how happy I am to see those bastards didn’t take away your sense of humor.”

“You mean steal my desire for you? Never.” Needing to wash, she stepped into the large shower and let the warm water sluice over her. “Just so you know, I’m never leaving this bathroom.”

“Who says you have to? Though if I knew you were at the house naked all day, I might never make it into work.”

She loved Kip. He was her protector, her lover, and her supporter. “Come on in.”

As he entered the stall, he dragged his hand down her back, and his mere touch sent her hormones flying. This mating stuff sure made it difficult to keep her libido in check. It would only be a problem though until she finished washing.

“Just so
you
know, it’s taking all of my will power to stay on my side of the shower,” he said. “If I hadn’t rolled in the dirt with that scum guard, I might have just dragged you into bed.”

He wasn’t serious, but she appreciated knowing he wanted her as much as she did him. Teagan dipped her head under the water to wet her hair, wanting to scrub every inch of her body to rid herself of being in that terrible place.

As Kip lathered up, his muscles bulged. He then dragged his hand down his hard abs, and she nearly swooned. She could watch him shower for hours.

Once he rinsed, he stepped over to her side. “While you wash your hair, I’ll take care of cleaning the rest of your body.”

She giggled. “Will you do a serious job, or are you planning on tormenting me?”

He planted a hand on his chest. “I only have your best interest at heart.”

Before she could respond, he squeezed some liquid soap onto his palm, dropped onto his knees, and then ran his hands up and down her legs. Teagan groaned. “That feels so freaking good.”

He looked up and smiled. “I’ve only just begun.”

She bet he had. Needing to wash her hair, she dumped some shampoo on her palm and lathered up, but it was hard to concentrate when his fingers kept moving higher and higher toward the apex of her thighs. Imagining the wonders of having sex with him made her hurry.

“Better not turn me on too much,” she warned.

“Oh, yeah? Why’s that?”

“I need to wash your cock, and once it’s clean, I’ll have to suck on it, and then…well, you can figure out the rest. Excuse me, but I need to rotate.”

Kip moved back to give her some room. As she faced the showerhead and dipped her head to rinse her hair, he slid his hands up to her hips and pressed his face against her rear. “You going to be much longer? I’m not sure I can keep from ravishing you here.” As if to prove his point, he slipped a finger between her legs.

“Eek. Be good.”

“I am being good.” The next few wiggles caused her inner walls to spasm.

Kip stood, twisted her around, and when he kissed her, all thoughts of spending a long time in the shower vanished. Her hand slipped down his back to his butt, and as their tongues entwined, she pulled him closer. Their auras pulsed blue and she could feel his love penetrating deep within her soul.

When he shut off the water behind her, she lifted her hands to his shoulders. She wanted all of him. Forever. She reached between them and when she grabbed his thick shaft, his hold on her tightened and his kiss intensified.

He moved her to the side wall and pressed her against it. “Need you now.”

The tension from the day, coupled with the amazing way Kip made her feel, had her more than ready to enjoy what he had to offer. “What are you waiting for?”

“I love you. You make my blood boil and my heart sing.”

“Aw.” He was such a poet.

He slipped one hand behind her back and pulled her flat against his chest as he eased his cock between her legs. His knees were bent so much that he looked uncomfortable.

“Try this,” Teagan said as she twisted around, planted her palms on the wall, and spread her legs wide. “Better?”

“You are a sight for sore eyes.” If he’d been a cat, she bet he’d be purring.

His palms caressed her skin and sent unadulterated bliss in every direction. She wiggled her rear, hoping to coax him to hurry since she needed him now more than ever. Kip cupped her tits, and as he twisted her nipples, tiny explosions of need shot through her making her hot. What was he waiting for? Her full glow was going strong and she needed some release.

As if he could read her mind, he slipped his cock to her entrance, bent over so that his chest was on her back, and then drove into her. The lustful dam burst and her blue sparks shot everywhere. The friction stretched her wide as waves of delicious joy speared her, forcing her to gulp in air to keep from coming.

He released his hold on her breasts and slipped one hand to her hip while he palmed the wall in front of her with the other. Wanting to feel his skin, she grabbed his wrist.

Kip leaned over and kissed her shoulder as he withdrew. Not able to wait any longer, she pressed back her hips just as he plowed into her, sending his cock deep within her. It was as if they became one for all time.

“Now you’ve done it,” he ground out. His blue aura glowed even brighter, reflecting off the shower walls.

His breath came out fast as he pounded into her. With each stroke she soared higher until the final thrust caused her orgasm to sweep in. Her vision faded and her pulse raced. Their auras combined, outlined in a thicker white halo than before.

Seconds later, Kip lowered his head to her back, and his cock detonated, sending another round of loving warmth inside her. He wrapped his arms around her and pressed his face against her cheek. “Have I told you lately, that I love you?”

“Lately? No. Do you?”

“More than life itself.”

“How about we dry off and you can show me just how much.”

Kip slipped out of her and then turned her around. The kiss that followed curled her toes and caused more sparks than there were stars in the sky to shoot off her skin.

‡

Epilogue

One month later

T
eagan was totally
stoked. She was going to meet Naliana and see James again. Several of the shifters had met one or both of them, but there usually weren’t many occasions where the goddess interacted with Wendayans. Izzy was one of the exceptions.

Kip explained that only because the Changelings had kidnapped her had she even been invited. Besides her and Kip, Randy, Izzy and Rye, and Kalan and Elana would be there. She suspected Connor and Jackson would come too, as they took part in storming the bunker. Devon, she was told, had already gone back to the other branch.

Teagan really didn’t quite understand what was going to happen. Apparently, because Nate and his fiancée, Olivia, had helped James and the Clan numerous times that they were being granted a cleansing ceremony—whatever that was. Not only had they helped set up a sting operation to catch Owen Chancellor, they found the location of Randy’s stolen magic, to name just a few of the times they’d provided James with valuable intel.

Kip guided her to his truck and helped her in. Once he was seated, she faced him. “What I don’t get is why would two Changelings agreed to help James in the first place?”

“I asked Rye about that. He said that from what James said, these two fell in love in high school and never embraced the Changeling life.”

“I thought they were genetically altered, making most of them sociopaths.”

“Apparently, they each had one relative who was human, and by luck or perhaps sheer determination, they didn’t turn evil. They feared if they married, and didn’t do something to remove the stain of being a Changeling from their bodies that their children might inherit the bad genes.”

“That would be scary,” she said. “But how can anyone change a person’s genes?”

“Naliana is a goddess. Anything’s possible. She’ll grant them absolution, and as a result, it will rid them of all hatred.”

Sure, a goddess was powerful, but it was still rather amazing that one could really do that. “What are they going to do afterward? Move away from Silver Lake?”

“I don’t know.”

Nate loved his pizzeria. What a shame to give that up, but she could understand why he wouldn’t want to live among the Changelings. Kip drove into the shifter compound, and when he reached the path to the lake, he parked behind a row of cars.

“Looks like a lot of people are here,” she said, becoming more excited by the minute.

“I’m looking forward to watching this. Rye said he doesn’t remember even hearing about something like this ever happening before.”

Goose bumps shimmied up her spine. Hand in hand they walked down the path, and she couldn’t help but smile. “I’m thinking about our rowboat ride on the lake. I’ll never forget it.”

Kip stopped, leaned over, and kissed her. “Neither will I.”

When they reached the lake, about twenty people were huddled along the edge. Randy was there and came over to them.

“I thanked Nate and Olivia for their help. They were really pleased everything turned out so well.”

“We wouldn’t have found your magic without them,” Kip said.

“I know.”

James clapped his hands to get everyone’s attention. “Gather around please.” The group huddled closer to James and his wife. “Naliana is going to explain what will happen.”

“I am so honored to be performing this ceremony to two such deserving young people,” she said, looking regal in a long, flowing pink dress. It was cold, yet she wasn’t wearing a coat. “Today, Nathan and Olivia will rid their bodies and minds from the Changeling’s evil ways. The process entails them diving into the lake and touching the healing pink quartz at the bottom. At the same time, I will send a powerful spell over the water. Izzy has graciously agreed to help the lovers by parting the water to expose their souls. They will then stand and embrace the good in the world.”

Teagan leaned over to Kip. “The water will be freezing.”

“Yes, Teagan,” Naliana said. “It’s cold right now, but it won’t be in a moment.” Naliana turned and motioned toward the trees.

From behind one of the oaks Ophelia appeared. What was she doing here? Izzy stepped back to allow the old witch to stand next to Naliana and the two hugged.

“Are you ready?” Naliana asked.

“Yes.” Ophelia stepped to the edge of the lake and raised her hands then quickly lowered them toward the water. Ripples spread across the surface and steam curled upward. Holy crap. Ophelia was truly heating the water.

Nathan and Olivia shed their outer garments and shoes. Hand in hand they walked into the lake. When the water reached their chests, they both dove in.

Naliana moved next to the old Wendayan. Waving her arms, Naliana chanted something that sounded a bit like Old English, the accent strong and difficult to understand. Suddenly, Silver Lake shimmered an iridescent pink and silver. Flickering lights—like hundreds of fireflies—skittered across the surface.

It was pure magic. Izzy then joined the two women and motioned for the water to part. While Teagan had heard her cousin possessed that talent, she’d never seen her perform this magic.

The lake separated, exposing the couple on their hands and knees kissing the stone. The sight was truly astounding. They looked at each other and then broke out into smiles. Nathan pulled Olivia to her feet and kissed her.

“Come on out of there you two,” Naliana called. “You’ll catch your death of cold if you don’t dry off quickly.”

The crowd laughed and applauded. When Nate and Olivia stepped onto land, a cold wind gusted across the lake, sending ripples on the water. Izzy closed up the surface, and then the silvery pink color disappeared. James wrapped the loving couple in towels, and the crowd gathered around to congratulate them.

Teagan slid her arm around Kip’s waist. What a beautiful ceremony. “That was so special.”

“It was.”

“If these two are leaving, James will no longer have a mole to feed him information,” Teagan said.

“Let’s hope James can convert someone else.”