Mercy's Magic (11 page)

He touched her hair, sensually, rhythmically. Mercy felt herself sway a little, like a pendulum. She forced herself to concentrate and removed his hand from her arm.

“If I could just return Javier to his family…”

“I wish I could, but alas, it’s not possible,” he whispered. His stilled eyes never leaving hers.

“But you, or even I could cast a spell so he wouldn’t remember anything. It’s all I’m asking.”

Ariel drew closer. Mercy caught his pleasant smell but was interrupted as she focused on his thick and ripened lips. Such curled perfection. Again though, that smell; a light touch of cologne, mixed in with his subtle and natural masculine scent aired up her flared nostrils, activating an atavistic, animal-like signal just below her panty line, followed by buzzing wave of goose bumps.
God, help me, please
. Without looking away, she reached down and pinched herself, hard. She took a step backward and immediately recalled the anti-potion
.

Mercy ducked away from Ariel’s grasp. His light touch exuded a harnessed strength, and part of her hoped he’d unleash it fully by yanking her back like a rag doll. She’d never wanted a man this much in her life. Escape was all Mercy could muster to repel such a thought.

“I...I think I’ve had a little too much to drink,” she muttered. “I’d like to continue this conversation, but could I perhaps use your powder room?”

Ariel’s eyes flashed briefly, but then looked on her with a pair of lustful eyes she’d never encountered before. He was trying to control himself, too, she realized.

“Anything for you,” he said. “Let me escort you there.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Itzel, old as she was, steered her 1956 Ford truck down the winding highway of the San Gabriel Mountains. She had the seat pulled all the way forward, and a firm pillow underneath her wrinkled bum, and still that was not enough, as she needed to lean up higher just to see out the windshield.

She rarely drove the thing,
El Frankenstein
she called it, even though it was a classic in prime condition—except for the occasional spot of chipped paint. When she needed something from the store she usually walked three miles into the town, rather than drive. If it took less than an hour to walk to a location, choosing to drive such a short distance was what made people fat Itzel thought. She was a stubborn old woman, but tonight she was angry as hell, and Mercy was much further away than a brisk three mile walk.

Aunt Itzy had been thinking of Mercy all day, with an impending sense of doom increasing by the hour.
What had that child gotten herself into now?
“Such a reckless woman,” Itzel exclaimed aloud, shaking her head. She then corrected herself, fuming. “She’s a grown woman, and she’s acting like a ditzy school girl!”

Itzel knew, as perhaps Mercy didn’t yet, to pay attention to intuition above all else. She’d sensed that Mercy was in trouble from the start. She felt it in her heart. And although she had told Mercy again and again to practice her magic and learn what she was doing, did the girl listen?
“Burra
!”
Itzel mouthed behind her teeth.

Itzel understood, she could see in her mind that Lily had something to do with this, and it involved Javier’s case. And there was a powerful man, a warlock in the way of things Itzel ascertained. The image of Ariel’s heavy and sculpted brows had awoken Itzy from her dreams early that morning. She was torn between anger for her niece’s foolishness and concern for her well-being, possibly her very life.

So, for the first time in a decade, Itzel found herself down the mountain and headed toward the freeway. Without a map and only her senses acting like a spiritual G.P.S.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Ariel laid his hand lightly on the back corner of Mercy’s waist as he led her to the nearest bathroom. Always the gentleman, he knew to only touch when he was certain he had permission. But without so much as a hint from Mercy, such as a wink or an inviting smile, touching the petite witch’s shapely waist was already a risky maneuver. Perhaps the Scotch had hit him harder than usual, which he felt odd, because handling his drink had never been an issue before. More than that, he had trouble concentrating as well.

Yet, Ariel recognized he couldn’t give into temptation, but the urge of being single-minded was too strong; suddenly he didn’t want to let this woman out of his sight, not for a moment. He didn’t quite trust her...it was good not to trust, despite the desire she instilled in him. But the focus continued to slip. It became so easy to trust due to those big, deep brown eyes, the jet-black hair and the red lips that called to him like no woman had ever done before. He waited outside the bathroom, doing his best to remain patient. Composure fleeting.

Mercy closed the bathroom door and turned on the sink water. She leaned up against the wall and tried to gather her thoughts. She closed her eyes and steadied herself by holding onto the marble counter.

All Mercy could see was that thick, wavy hair, those eyes and his firm chest and shoulders. What would it feel like to put hands on that chest? His arms, his waist, and much lower and lower...

“Stop it!” she quietly scolded herself. She’d entered the bathroom for a specific reason, and it wasn’t to ease her bladder either. Mercy looked in the mirror. Her face was flushed, eyes dilated.
The anti-potion
.

Mercy fumbled through her bra, barely remembering which side she’d hid it. Finally, with hands shaking more than ever, she found it underneath her padding and drew it out carefully.

Mercy held the slightly colorized liquid up to the light, ready to unscrew the cap and drink. She tried not to think of him, Ariel. She wondered if he felt as she did right now. Would he have the strength to stop this lust, this hunger to be together, know each other in the most intimate of ways? To ask everything and anything about him, to feel his very heart beat?

Mercy shook her head, still holding the vial. She could feel him waiting just outside. Was it because he didn’t trust her, or that he couldn’t stop the blood flow?

Mercy took a deep breath. Things had gotten out of hand. She looked in the mirror again and saw herself in full glory, at the peak of health, at the peak of her virility. Her eyes shone, her lips moist.

And then, Mercedes Cruz tossed the vial into the toilet and flushed it down. She reached into her purse and applied more lipstick, and opened the door. She was now face to face and up close to Ariel Caliban.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

It was all Ariel could do not to take Mercy in his arms up to his bedroom. As it was, he offered her his hand, and she took it. He led her back into the living room, this time sitting next to her on the sofa.

“So, you came here to bargain.” His voice so velvety smooth.

“Javier. I offered you all I can,” Mercy answered.

He touched her bare shoulder. “Have you?”

“Y-yes, I have. I’m asking for a little compassion, Ariel.”
God, it feels good to say his name,
she thought to herself. But whatever happened, the idea of extracting Javier stood out in her mind like a prickly thorn. “Surely you can let one man go? How long is this business going to go on, anyway?”

“You’re awfully curious,” he said, smiling with glassy eyes. “But I think you could give me something more. And I think I could give you something in return?”

Mercy was practically gone now. The potion, or the Scotch, or both, had robbed her of all logic and common sense.

Fortunately, Ariel was in the same condition. Under normal circumstances, he’d never consider letting a worker go. But Mercy’s wide and full lips, smooth skin, and witchy
charm proved irresistible. An epiphany overcame Ariel, compelling him to promise Mercy everything and anything she’d ever want. And it wasn’t just love-making that roiled his mind. He felt he had finally found a woman he would never grow tired of. Someone who understood his powers...
his soul
.

“For you, my gorgeous Mercy, I will let him go. For you, and only you.”

She was speechless. Somewhere in her mind she knew it was the potion, but she didn’t care. “Thank you. Thank you...you, dammit, I just want to...”

“Hold that thought,” Ariel interrupted, slurred. “Let me make the arrangements.” He drew his cell phone out and punched a number. He had to look away from her to concentrate. “I want the one named Javier removed from his work. Feed him, give him clean clothes, and wait for further instructions. Yes. Oh, and, I’m not to be bothered right now. Not under any circumstances.”

Mercy smiled into his eyes. “You’re a good man, Ariel.”

“Perhaps I could be a better one, with someone like you.”

And just like that, Mercedes Cruz reached over, pressed her warm hand against his chiseled face, and planted her lips on the once menacing warlock.

Chapter Thirty

Spent, Mercy laid her head on his bare chest. He stroked her hair and feathered her back with his fingertips. A sated churn filled her deep within.

It was, without a doubt, the watershed moment of her love-making career. He’d been so slow, so gentle, methodical in the way he drove her mad with lust until she begged for him, all of him, and after Ariel had given himself to her in his entirety, he still managed to bide his time, but with rhythmic movements of contained power. Three times he’d sent her mind and body into an ecstasy, catapulting her into a quiver...longer and stronger than she’d ever thought possible.

Now, she looked at the clock. She’d been here a good four hours. Her phone rang several times but she ignored it. She wondered why the potion hadn’t worn off but paid no mind.

“Mercy,” Ariel whispered, breathing into her ear. “You are stunning.”

People didn’t think of Mercy as beautiful. Pretty, yes, but the way he said it, made her feel truly, lusciously vibrant.

But something pulled her focus away from Ariel. Mercy sat up and shook her head. “Javier. I’ve got to get him home.”

Ariel waved his hand. “I’ll have him delivered,” he said. “Stay...”

“He’s not a package to be delivered,” she said, trying to focus. “And I must bring him back to his family. It’s part of my job.”

“But I don’t want you to leave, not now, not like this,” he said, kissing the back of her neck.

“Let’s lay low. Don’t worry, I keep secrets well.”

Ariel sighed. He knew women and knew he couldn’t hold on too tightly. He wanted Mercedes to remember, as well. He wanted her to come to him. A smooth veteran in the art of romance, he was sure she’d be back, by not yanking too hard, but with the occasional and intermittent tug of the heart strings.

“I’ll be back,” she said, gathering her clothes. “I promise, believe me.” They locked eyes. A quiet moment, but Ariel couldn’t help it; he pulled Mercy one last time and kissed her long and hard. She pulled away from him, breathless, like a playful feline during estrous.

“I have to check on my daughter, as well. I’m not sure if I can come back tonight. It’s late.”

“Give me your number.” Without thinking, she pulled a business card from her purse and gave it to him. “If you’re not back tonight, I will call you. And you’ll feel my presence.”

“I know.” Mercy smiled. “No more whispering, alright? That was creepy as hell, not good for the libido, kinda
stalkerish
.”

“Never again. I swear to you, Mercy,” Ariel said, with a smile. “Whatever else I am, I am a man of my word.”

Mercy used his bathroom to tidy up. She didn’t want to leave this place. It was strange, and she felt an unwavering need to stay.

“But you have to do this, and you have a daughter,” she whispered at her reflection in the mirror. Terra came first, that would never change, ever. Yes, falling in love with a warlock might make things a little complicated, but as was always the case for Mercy, it would work itself out in the end.

They stood in embrace in front of the elevator downstairs. Mercy stood on her tiptoes and kissed Ariel one last time before the elevator door opened and out stepped Javier. He was clearly frightened, until he saw Mercy.

“Javier!” she cried as he hugged her, tears immediately rolling down his cheeks.

“Mercy,” Javier exclaimed. “I knew someone would find me. And I thought, if anyone could, it would be you. How can I thank you?”

Mercy hugged him again, and Ariel stood a decent distance away. Known as a man with a vicious heart, tonight, for whatever reason, he was compelled to see a woman, who just a few hours ago was nothing but a stranger, smile.

Javier looked up at Ariel. Fear checkering his thick face. “Can I really go? Sir?”

“Yes. And when you get home, you will not remember any of this. It’s but one gift I am giving on behalf of Miss Cruz.”

Javier wrung his baseball cap in his hands and nodded. “I thank you,
Señor
.
Gracias
. All I want is to get back to my family.”

There was an awkward silence in which Mercy and Ariel held a warm gaze. Javier looked from one to the other with a bit of curiosity.

Then Mercy took Javier’s hand. “Come on, let’s get you to Julia.”

They walked to the front entrance, and Ariel opened the door for them. Javier was eager to be out of there, but Mercy hesitated. She couldn’t kiss him one last time in front of Javier. “You’ll call me, if I’m not back tonight?”

“Trust me, I will,” Ariel responded, softly.

Again, Javier caught something between the two. Was it possible? Mercy and this monster of a man?

But Mercy turned to Javier and said, “Julia has been worried sick.”

She didn’t look back as the two walked down Ariel’s long driveway, but Mercy felt Ariel’s gaze, a benevolent one this time, until both her and Javier were finally out of sight.

Chapter Thirty-One

Mercy and Javier pulled up to Lily’s driveway. “Listen, Javier, I would like nothing better than to take you home right now. But I’ve got a lot of things to take care of, my daughter’s here, just a bunch of things. I’m going to have my friend Lily take you home...I hope that’s okay with you? I trust her, and you can too.”