Dreams of Seduction (13 page)

“That’s unusual.” Rhiannon thought for a moment. “Do you believe him?”

Maggie shrugged. “Not at first. I actually smacked him in the face.” That action still shamed her. “I was so angry. Felt manipulated. Vulnerable.”

“I can understand that.” Rhiannon kept her voice low and calm.

“No. It was wrong of me.” She could still see the look of pain in Jed’s eyes as he turned away from her, and it had nothing to do with the slap she’d given him and everything to do with what she’d said. “It’s been days since I’ve seen him.”

“Has he called you?”

Maggie shook her head. “He said it was up to me. That he was who he was and couldn’t change, but he felt a connection to me that went deeper than the physical.”

“How do you feel?” Rhiannon’s soft-spoken question made her heart ache.

She’d known for days, but had only allowed herself to actually articulate it this morning on the walk into town. “I think I love him. But love can’t happen that soon.”

“Can’t it?” Rhiannon raked her hand through her short hair, causing her bracelets to jingle once again.

It was a sound that Maggie would always associate with her friend. It was easy to accept the fact that Rhiannon was a real witch with real powers. Now that she knew it for a fact, she could see the signs everywhere. You only had to look into her friend’s eyes to see the power and wisdom. Jed was the same.

“Love happens whether we want it to or not, whether we’re ready or not. I wasn’t ready for Ryland, but I love him with all my heart. He’s already moved in and we’re talking about getting married.”

Maggie knew her jaw had dropped. “I knew you were seeing him, but marriage?”

“When it’s right, it’s right.” Rhiannon placed her hand over her heart. “And I know it’s right. In here where it matters the most.”

“What about the candle-magick ceremony?” Maggie still wasn’t certain that their ceremony hadn’t caused Jed to seek her out. If it had, then was what she felt for him real? Was what he felt for her real?

“Ah, I think I understand now. You don’t trust your feelings or his.”

Maggie shrugged. Her friend had hit the nail right on the head. “Yes. No. I don’t know.”

“Do you still have the candle?”

“I brought it with me.” Reaching into her coat pocket, she pulled out the red votive candle. It looked so harmless. It was just a clump of wax, but it held such power. She laid it on the table, glad she’d followed the urge to bring it.

“Stand up,” Rhiannon ordered.

Shoving her chair back, Maggie stood. The candlewick smoldered and then a flame surged to life.

Maggie jumped back, shocked. Rhiannon hadn’t been able to light a flame the night they’d done the ceremony. Obviously more than just Rhiannon’s sex life had changed in the past week.

“Raise your hands into the air and close your eyes. Concentrate on that night, on how you felt. Sense the power surging through your body.”

Maggie did as her friend commanded, swallowing the lump in her throat. She could almost feel the autumn breeze sweeping around her, which was impossible because they were inside. No, she corrected herself. Maybe not impossible. She was quickly learning that many things were possible.

“Now, repeat after me. Lady in the moon so bright. Lend your power. Lend your might. Reverse the spell I cast that night. Take it back with all your might. Lovers come and lovers go. The spell I cast has come to woe. Free him from any lingering magick. A love not given free can only end tragic.”

The fine hairs on the back of Maggie’s neck rose and her skin tingled as she dutifully repeated the words. She felt electric. Her skin prickled with power. If she opened her eyes, she’d expect to see sparks shooting from her fingertips. The surge of energy died as suddenly as it began, leaving her feeling empty and bereft. Maggie lowered her arms back by her side and opened her eyes. “It’s done?”

“It’s done.” Rhiannon crossed her arms over her chest. “If it’s any comfort, I did the same thing. After I told Ryland I was a witch, he was less than thrilled. So I countered the spell and set him free. Now both you and Jed are free. What you do now is totally up to you.”

She stood there not quite certain what to do next. There was no big revelation, no sign from the universe, just a confused woman who was in love with a man who had special powers. “I’m not sure what to do?” she admitted.

Rhiannon smiled. “Listen to your heart. It will never lead you astray.” She opened her arms and Maggie walked into them, hugging her friend as she was hugged in return.

“Thank you. For everything.”

“You’re very welcome.” She leaned back and smiled up at Maggie. “That’s what friends are for.”

“Speaking of friends, have you heard from Esther? I admit, I’ve been ducking all calls this past week.”

Rhiannon laughed as she released Maggie. “Esther’s got man problems of her own.”

Like a lightning bolt flashing in front of her, Maggie suddenly knew. “Not Ryan Jamieson?”

“Ryan Jamieson. Only time will tell what happens there.”

“Man, that was some spell we cast that night in your garden.”

Rhiannon sobered. “Yes, it was. Do you regret it?”

She thought about it for a moment. That night had changed her perception of her friend and, ultimately, the shared experience had brought them closer together. Plus, who knows what would have happened between her and Jed if she hadn’t been part of the ceremony that night.

“No, I don’t regret it.” The entire experience that night with her women friends and the incredible night of lovemaking with Jed had changed her. No longer was she locked in her cocoon of misery. Like a butterfly, she was breaking free to finally become the woman she was always meant to be.

Maggie closed her eyes and did what she’d been afraid to do for a long time. She listened to her heart.

A few moments later, she opened her eyes and smiled. She knew what she had to do.

Chapter Ten

Jed closed the door on the last of the ghosts and goblins begging for treats. It was just past eight, but it was dark just beyond the glow of the porch light. Night came early this time of year. The stars winked in the clear night sky. A perfect evening for the kids.

He was glad he wasn’t working tonight. His fellow deputies would be answering all sorts of vandalism calls. Mostly minor stuff, toilet paper in trees, smashed pumpkins and the like. He only hoped their graffiti artist took the night off.

Shoving his hair out of his face, Jed rolled his shoulders to release some of the tension he’d been carrying around for days. He sighed and finally admitted he needed to change tactics. Waiting for Maggie to contact him wasn’t working. He’d given her some time, hoping she’d come to grips with things on her own. Maybe it had been a mistake to leave her alone for so long. She’d had a lot of time to build her defenses.

He’d taken her off-guard that night. After making love to her for hours, he should have kept his mouth shut and carried her back to bed. He should have solidified their physical relationship first. But no. He had to be stupid and tell her everything.

He slumped down on the large leather sofa in his living room, his legs sprawled wide and his hands linked across his belly. He’d wanted her to accept him, all of him. And that meant she had to know about his ability as a spiritwalker.

Not many people knew about his unusual talent outside his family. It wasn’t something a guy needed to advertise, especially not a man in his position. He could just imagine how good folks of Burnt Cove would view him as a part-time deputy if they knew he could watch them any time of the day or night. His life was complicated enough without adding to it.

Funny, but he never questioned that his secret was safe with Maggie. He trusted her not to spread it around town. But that didn’t help him. She had accused him of spying on her. On some level she was right, but he’d been drawn to her for a reason. When she’d breathed his name while she’d pleasured herself, he’d known his spirit had led him to the woman who was meant to be his other half.

Tilting his head back against the cushion, he closed his eyes and sent up a silent prayer to the heavens, asking for the wisdom and strength to find a way to make Maggie give them another chance.

The doorbell rang, demanding attention. Jed almost ignored it. But in the end, he pushed himself off the sofa and padded in his stocking feet to the front door. He couldn’t bear to disappoint a kid. He’d turn out the porch light after he handed out treats to this group. He was done for the night.

All he wanted to do was to strip out of his clothes, stretch out on his bed and think about Maggie. His cock stirred, but he ignored it. His thoughts never strayed too far from her, and he’d gone through most of the past week with a partial erection.

He swung the door open, a fake smile on his face. Wouldn’t help to frighten the neighborhood kids with a scowl. As if he’d conjured her out of thin air, Maggie stood on his doorstep.

“Trick or treat.” Her low, husky voice skittered over his nerve-endings and his erection thickened and grew, pressing against the zipper of his jeans.

“Maggie.” He blinked, certain he was imagining things. Then the sweet scent of lavender, tinged with vanilla, touched his nostrils and he knew she was real. She looked amazingly good to him with her long red hair loose around her shoulders.

“Um…can I come in?” She tugged on the edge of her shirt and shifted her weight from one foot to the other.

“Of course.” He stood back and swept his hand out, inviting her into his home. For whatever reason, she’d come to him. Jed only hoped it wasn’t because she’d decided she never wanted to see him again.

Bending down, Maggie carefully lifted a large package from the porch and carried it inside.

“Let me take that for you.” He reached for the parcel, but she pulled it just out of his reach.

“No, that’s okay. I’ve got it.” She carried it past him and went straight into the living room.

A primal flare of pleasure rocked him as he watched her. Maggie was in his home. She’d come to him. Cautioning himself not to get cocky, he waited. He had no idea why she was here.

Propping the flat rectangular package against the side of a chair, she rubbed her hands over the front of her jeans and faced him.

Now that she was inside, he got his first good look at her. He frowned, not liking what he was seeing.

Maggie looked pale, her face thinner, as if she’d been sick or not eating properly. Dark circles rimmed her cheekbones just beneath her eyes, and her freckles stood out against her pale skin.

His frown deepened. “Are you okay? Can I get you anything?” Damn, he sounded like an idiot, but he wasn’t quite certain what to say. A part of him was thrilled that she was here with him, another part of him dreaded the reason she’d come.

This was it. Deep in his gut, he knew that this moment would define the rest of his life. The rest of their lives. This was a crossroad. Decisions made now would reverberate forever, shaping the long years to come.

Maggie seemed to sway and he moved toward her, stopping when she took a step back. Her legs bumped the parcel. Swearing under her breath, she steadied 

Jed shoved down the hurt threatening to swamp him. She obviously didn’t want him to touch her.

That wasn’t a good sign. Despite the ache in his heart, he was worried about her. He motioned to the chair.

“Would you like to sit down?”

Maggie shook her head. “I’ll stand, but could you sit down.” She nibbled on her bottom lip. “Please.”

His entire body tensed when her white teeth scraped across her full bottom lip. Swallowing back a groan, he managed to get to the sofa and sink onto the cushions. The leather creaked under his weight. He tried to settle himself, but his balls ached and his erection was too big and hard for comfort.

It was all he could do to keep from grabbing Maggie and kissing her. He wanted her mouth under his, the full mounds of her breasts pressing against his chest and her hips cradling his. Jed wanted to strip her naked and roll her beneath him, pressing his thick length into her until she’d taken every inch of him.

Then he wanted to fuck her until they both screamed with pleasure.

Instead, he rested his arms across the back of the sofa and tried to ignore the throbbing in his dick.

Sweat beaded on his temples and his heart pounded out a fast, hard tempo.

Her hands rested over the back of the chair, her knuckles white. She looked even paler than when she’d first walked in and that was saying something because she was as white as some of the ghosts that had knocked on his door this evening.

“It’s okay.” The words were out before he had a chance to check them. Every instinct he possessed was urging him to comfort her, to reassure her everything was going to be all right. Which was a lie. He had no idea what was going to happen.

She nodded and took a deep breath. The action brought his attention to her chest. Maggie wasn’t wearing a jacket, just a long-sleeved shirt. Her breasts were outlined against the thin fabric, giving him a tantalizing glimpse of their perfection.

His already snug jeans got even tighter. He clamped his hands over the top cushions of the sofa, clinging to them to keep from jumping her bones and kissing her senseless.

“I’ve been doing a lot of thinking this week.”

This was it. He straightened, dropping his arms back by his sides. His jaw hardened. He reminded himself that it wasn’t likely that Maggie had accepted who and what he was. That was asking a lot of any woman, but particularly Maggie. Telling her he’d watched her pleasure herself in bed probably hadn’t been the smartest thing he’d ever done, but it had been the right thing.

“I’ve also done a lot of research,” she continued. Her hands clutched the top of the chair, her fingers opening and closing around the fabric. “Astral travel is more prevalent than I imagined.”

“Maggie,” he began. He hated to see her so distressed.

She held up her hand. “No. Hear me out.” The look she gave him asked for his patience. He sighed and nodded. “It’s hard for me to wrap my mind around this, you 

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