Dreams of Seduction (15 page)

“I’m glad.”

Two small words but filled with such sincerity they brought tears to her eyes. She blinked them back.

The canvas was turned away from him, but she could see it perfectly. “I want you to have it.” Not stopping to think about it any longer, she turned the canvas around and waited. And waited.

Jed stared at it, his eyes moving over every inch of the painting. His body was still, but she saw the occasional muscle twitch. Her palms were damp and she wanted to wipe her hands on the quilt, but she had to hold the canvas upright.

“Well?” She couldn’t take the suspense any longer. “What do you think?”

His amber eyes were luminous as his gaze locked with hers. “The bear is my totem animal.”

“Really.” A ribbon of heat began to unwind within her and her tense muscles relaxed.

Jed nodded. Reaching out, he took the canvas, rose and carried it to the mantelpiece. Lifting it, he perched it on top, making sure it was stable against the wall before he stepped back. “It’s…” He swallowed hard. “It’s amazing. You captured my spirit perfectly.”

Pleasure suffused her. He understood her painting. Knew what it meant without her having to explain it. And it wasn’t the first time. He seemed to understand her almost better than she did herself. Another sign of their connection.

It would have made her uncomfortable, except she was able to do the same thing with him. Like when he was making love with her. She’d known he’d needed her acceptance as a sign of trust.

He walked to her side and cupped her face in his hands. “Thank you.” Leaning down, he brushed a light kiss across her lips. “Thank you for the present, but thank you for accepting me.”

Maggie rested her hands on his waist. “It wasn’t easy.” She tensed, not quite sure he’d like this part, but she had to be totally honest with him. “I talked to someone about you, about us.” She felt the muscles beneath her hands bunch and felt the sudden tension thrum through him. “Rhiannon won’t tell anyone about your abilities.” She stared at his chest, unwilling to look at his face. She didn’t want to see disappointment, or worse, anger.

Jed put two fingers beneath her chin and tilted it upward. “It’s okay, Maggie. I trust you.”

Relief flooded through her. He didn’t look upset. He looked…amorous. His eyes had that glow that she was beginning to recognize.

“This is for good. You know that, don’t you? I want us to build a relationship, a life together.”

Her heart stuttered, but she didn’t give in to the panic. “I want that too. But it’s not easy for me.” The memories of the past were beaten back, but they were still there.

“As long as you’re willing to try, that’s all I ask. But you have to understand I’m in this for the long haul.” Jed picked her up in his arms. She felt safe and warm and loved.

“I love you.” She blurted it out before she stopped herself. Butterflies beat at her belly and her skin felt clammy. She couldn’t believe she’d actually said the words.

Jed stopped in his tracks. A slow smile covered his face as he continued on, carrying her down the hallway and into his bedroom. He laid her on the bed and sat down beside her. “You’ve sealed your fate now, Maggie.”

Taking his time, he arranged her hair across his pillows. “Looks just as I imagined.” He brushed his thumb over the curve of her cheek. “I have something to show you, Maggie. Maybe I should give it to you as a present, but I couldn’t bear to part with it.”

He strode out of the room. She heard his bare feet slapping against the hardwood floor. Curious, she sat and propped herself up against the headboard. It was only a matter of seconds before she heard him returning.

He came through the door with a large canvas in his hands. Her heart jumped as he turned the painting so she could see it. It was an extremely sensual picture. A woman, obviously waiting for her lover, lay sprawled across the bed. The sheets obscured most of her face and body, but her red hair spilled over the pillows.

It was her. And she looked beautiful. Sexy.

Maggie swallowed hard. Without even realizing she was moving, she found herself sitting on the edge of the bed so she could examine the painting better. The light from the hallway wasn’t enough so she snapped on the bedside lamp.

She angled her head and caught her first glimpse of the faded figure of the man on the canvas. He was watching the woman, unable to be seen by her, unable to touch her. There was no mistaking the shoulder-length black hair or the harshly featured face. Jed. He’d painted himself into the picture.

“I call it ‘Dreams’.” His voice was low. Intimate.

Her gaze flew to his face. His eyes were dark with remembered pain.

“I never meant to invade your privacy, Maggie. I was drawn to you. Unable to touch you that first night.” He set the painting aside, propping it against a dresser. “After that, I didn’t spiritwalk. But I dreamed of you and I know you dreamed of me. I don’t know why it happened and I don’t care. I’m only glad it did.”

He sat beside her, large and naked and powerful, and cupped her face in his hands. “I love you too, Maggie.”

Joy surged through her body, followed by a blast of heat. She felt as if a light had been lit within her and was burning bright.
Like the candle
, she thought. Then Jed bent his head and kissed her and all else was forgotten.

Life was uncertain, but one thing she knew for sure was that she and Jed were meant to be together.

Jed kissed Maggie with everything he had. He wanted her to feel how much he loved her. It was quick. Some people might say too quick, but he knew better. His gift had brought Maggie to him and he was smart enough to keep her.

Together they’d work on any problems that arose and build a life that would last.

She wrapped her arms around him and all else faded. Nothing mattered but loving Maggie.

A long while later, they both lay spent in his bed with the covers pulled up over them. It was a cozy, intimate feeling. One Jed knew he’d never tire of as long as he lived.

He sifted his fingers through several locks of Maggie’s magnificent hair. It gleamed like fire against his skin. “My parents are going to love you.”

She tensed and then gave a high-pitched squeak. “Parents?”

Jed chuckled, tightening his grip on her when she started to bolt. “Of course, parents. Did you think I was hatched?”

“I didn’t even think about family.”

Jed’s heart ached. Maggie had no one. “I’m sorry, honey.” He rocked her in his arms. “I know it has to be hard for you. But I have plenty of family.”

“How big exactly?”

He could hear the caution in her voice and it made him smile. He hugged her gently. “Only my parents live in Burnt Cove. They’ve been on holiday in Ireland but are due back soon. I’ve got plenty of aunts, uncles and cousins over there. Now my father’s side is also fairly prolific. I’ve got three aunts and uncles and a dozen or so cousins spread out between North Dakota, Tennessee, Kentucky and California.”

“That’s a lot.”

Jed shifted so he could see Maggie’s face. She was frowning and several deep lines creased her forehead. He bent down and kissed the spot between her eyebrows. “My parents will love you. My mother is Irish. She’ll be pleased you’re from good Irish stock.”

Maggie raised an eyebrow. “And what about your father?”

Jed grinned. “He’ll be happy I finally found a woman who’d have me.”

She burst out laughing. He loved the sound and savored it. Maggie tapped her fingers against his chest. “Liar. You could have any woman you wanted.”

“Ah, Maggie.” His voice thickened with need. With love. “There’s only one woman I want. And that’s the one who haunted my dreams. You, Maggie.”

“Jed.” She placed her hand on the side of his face. “You filled my dreams and my mind. I love you.”

He kissed her then, unable to do anything else. He and Maggie were destined to be together. Now and forever.

About the Author

N.J. Walters has always been a voracious reader of romance novels and decided one day that she could write one as well. The contemporary story, Discovering Dani, was the very first novel she wrote while living in a little town much like the one Dani O’Rourke lives in, though all other similarities to Dani’s life pretty much end there. Then she wrote another one that followed up on Dani’s friends and neighbors. But she didn’t consider herself a “real” writer yet.

Just a few years later N. J. had a mid-life crisis at a fairly young age, gave notice after ten years at her job on a Friday and received a tentative acceptance for her first published novel (an erotic romance) from a publisher on the following Sunday.

Happily married for over eighteen years to the love of her life, with his encouragement and support she gave up the job of selling books for the more pleasurable job of writing them. She now spends her days writing, reading and reviewing books. It’s a tough life, but someone’s got to do it. And some days she actually feels like a “real” writer.

N.J. enjoys hearing from readers, and she can be reached at
[email protected]. Y
ou can check out her web site a
t www.njwalters.com.

Look for these titles by N.J. Walters

Now Available:

Jamesville

Discovering Dani

The Way Home

The Return of Patrick O’Rourke

The Seduction of Shamus O’Rourke

A Legal Affair

By the Book

Past Promises

Legacy

Alexandra’s Legacy

Isaiah’s Haven

Legacy Found

Spells, Secrets and Seduction

A Touch of Magic

Coming Soon:

Love in Flames

If you go casting love spells, be careful what you wish for.

A Touch of Magick

© 2010 N.J. Walters

Spells, Secrets and Seductions, Book 1

Rhiannon Sparks admits she’s not a very good witch—she can’t even light a candle without a match—but she keeps trying. At least her talent for business has made her magick shop a huge success.

Now if only there was even the faintest flicker in her nonexistent love life.

During a night of eating and drinking, she and her girlfriends cast a candle-magick spell for hot sex.

All in good fun, of course. Except Rhiannon accidentally mixes up the words. Instead of a lover, she asks for true love.

Deputy Ryland Stone’s past keeps him firmly rooted in reality. Then he meets Rhiannon and sparks literally fly. One date leads to another, and then they’re practically setting the bedroom on fire…until she reveals the deal breaker.

Though love and magick have found Rhiannon at last, getting a handle on her newly unleashed power is the least of her problems. Unless Ryland accepts that magick exists, he will never accept her for who and what she is.

Warning: This book contains a simple candle-magick spell, which you use at your own risk, a disastrous date, phone sex, and enough sizzle to practically set the sheets on fire.

Enjoy the following excerpt for
A Touch of Magick: She stepped back and looked at the two women she loved liked sisters. “I still think we all need to get laid.”

They both laughed, as she’d hoped, and the atmosphere was lightened once again. “What do you propose?” Esther appeared intrigued by the idea.

“Something simple. Like I said, I’m not a very good witch. I’ve got issues.”

Maggie giggled. “You need a self-help group or something.”

Rhiannon laughed in spite of herself. It wasn’t a topic she usually found funny, but she supposed it did sound a bit ridiculous.

Esther shrugged. “I’m in. What can it hurt?”

Both of them looked at Maggie, who held up her hands in mock defeat. “Okay. I don’t think it will work, but I’m game.”

Pleased that her friends were willing to try her experiment, Rhiannon went over to the large oak cabinet dominating almost one entire wall of the dining area, and pulled open one of the drawers. This was where she kept all her magickal supplies. It only took her a moment to collect what they’d need.

“Let’s go outside. The moon is almost full and will add power to our spell.”

She headed out the back door with her friends tight at her heels. Abigail slipped out with them and raced ahead, down the steps and into the secluded yard.

The long cotton skirt she wore fluttered in the light breeze. The air was crisp, but it wasn’t too cold.

The moon hung like an orb in the sky, illuminating the garden. Rhiannon loved this time of year. There was so much magick in the air you could almost touch it. An owl hooted in the distance.

The large yard was one reason she’d bought this house. With mature trees and no close neighbors, it gave her the privacy to practice any rituals or spells she chose. Plus, she enjoyed the feeling of being alone in her garden.

“So what do we do?” Esther was on her right side trying to see what she was carrying. Rhiannon could hear the slightest bit of nervousness in Esther’s voice. Maggie walked silently on her other side.

They reached the center of the garden and she stopped and handed both women a red votive candle.

“First, we’ll anoint the red candles with rose oil. Both are representative of passion. Start in the middle of the candle and stroke down to the bottom. When you’re finished, go back to the middle and then stroke the oil up to the top of the candle.”

She handed off the oil and they all began to rub the fragrant scent into the candles. The night was cool but not overly cold. Maybe it was the remnants of the wine keeping her warm. Or perhaps it was the thought of having sex sometime in the near future that heated her blood. “As you do this, think about the kind of man you’d want to have sex with. Be specific without naming a person.”

“Why?” Maggie stopped what she was doing.

“Because you should never try to manipulate anyone with magick. That’s bad and will rebound on you in ways you won’t like. What you want to do is draw someone with the characteristics you want.

They’ll only come if they’re willing.”

“Okay.” Maggie went back to her task. Rhiannon noticed Esther was concentrating fiercely on her candle.

Rhiannon focused her attention on the candle in her hand. It warmed as she ran her fingers up and down its length. Her bangles tinkled with each stroke she made, like wind chimes blowing in the breeze.