Spellbound (8 page)

Iain tried to think of something charming to say. After centuries, seduction should be second nature. It should be him seducing her, him coaxing her to his bed, and yet here he was, helpless as a virgin in front of the goddess of temptation.

Iain crawled naked onto the bed, making it bounce in his excited haste. Jane laughed as she slipped and fell back onto the pillows. Her hair spread in loose, wild curls around her head. She lifted a finger to his forehead and brushed his hair aside only to have it fall forward once more.

“Say something,” she whispered. It was then he realized he merely stared down at her. His body was tight with desire, that much evident by the straining arousal between his legs. Yet his heart hesitated as if this was a dream he could chase away.

“Ya make me want to freeze time,” he answered.

Iain lowered his mouth to hers. The suppleness of her lips again reminded him of the softest petals in nature. She was a flower, in some ways delicate and soft, yet hearty and bold like the heather of his homeland.

Home.

Iain’s breath caught, and he had to end the kiss. His magick danced along her cheek in tiny blue sparks. Jane reminded him of home. Not the mansion on the hill, not the endless cityscapes and towns before that, but of his real home—the Scotland of his youth, of the feeling he had standing on the moors, land uncluttered, the air stirring, the people unrushed and unafraid of hard work. It was something from so long ago, sometimes an unclear notion, but still so much a part of him. He’d never thought to find the feeling of home again.

“
I
ain
?” Jane whispered when he didn’t move.

His naked body molded against hers, kept away only by the thin layer of clothing. The material did nothing to protect her from the hard shape of his lines. Where his magick touched, she tingled, sparks lighting her nerve endings like fire lit a slow-burning dynamite fuse.

Relief had filled her when she learned that the power she’d seen shoot out of Margareta’s hand was real. She hadn’t hallucinated it. She wasn’t getting worse. The knowledge gave her hope.

“I want time to stand still,” he whispered. “I don’t want to lose this moment.”

“It is a good moment,” she agreed, keeping her words as soft as his. The tiny specks of magick he’d created drifted around them as if to cocoon them from the outside world. She felt safe as if nothing beyond the bedroom could touch her.

“I have to tell ya something.”

Jane smiled. She saw the hesitance in him and wondered what had caused the sudden insecurity. “I know. You trust me.”

She lifted her head to close the distance between their lips. Iain didn’t resist as she kissed him. He instantly deepened the contact. The tingling sensation of his magick infused her lips. Iain’s hand traveled between them, down her chest. At first, his fingers moved over material, but suddenly he touched skin. Jane gasped, breaking the kiss to glance down. Her clothes had disappeared.

Iain merely smiled and resumed kissing her. Magick trailed his fingers, heightening her desires. Her legs intertwined his. She explored his body, running her hands over his smooth flesh. His ass flexed, and his hips pushed forward.

The pleasure of his touch caused a euphoric rush through her veins. She felt him pulling emotion from her, a physical tug that left her both weak and helpless. Her hands began to fall from his chest. Iain thrust her energy back, filling her with his very essence. The sudden rush of feeling invigorated her. It was more intimate than a thrust of the body.

“I told ya that ya replenish me,” he whispered.

She felt him inside her, connected to her emotions. No words were needed as he instinctively knew how she liked to be touched, kissed, loved. It was an intimacy she had never known before. She felt him more than she felt herself. His magick joined his flesh to hers, tiny blue threads that strung between them. The glow illuminated his handsome face in the dark room.

“Iain,” she said, the word shaky. “I-I feel…”

His hips came between her thighs. “Aye, I feel too.”

Iain rocked his body against hers. The length of his arousal tingled her sex, rubbing her clit. Jane tensed and jerked as an orgasm racked over her at the stimulation. She gasped noisily for breath.

“Not bad for a Christmas light, huh, lassie?” Iain grinned.

Her heart pounded. All she could manage as an answer was a panting laugh.

Before she’d recovered, he angled his cock to enter her. She moaned. The connection between them grew, this time without magick. He gazed into her eyes, keeping his face close to hers. Nothing existed beyond this moment.

Iain made love to her slowly. The residual magick clung to their skin, shimmering like glitter. He cupped a breast before sliding his hand along her hip and down her leg to hold on to the back of her thigh. Pleasure built naturally between them until she couldn’t hold back any longer. She came, her body clutching his. Iain stiffened, and his eyes changed. The pupils become wide as he climaxed and then returned to their normal size.

He dropped his head forward, and the magickal stars dancing around them rained over them. They crashed onto their skin and then faded. The aftermath left her relaxed, and she turned with Iain as he lay down next to her on the bed. Snuggling into his arms, she suppressed a yawn.

“Not bad for a potato,” she said, chuckling as she closed her eyes. No part of her wanted to move.

“For ya, love, I will be anything ya want…even a potato.”

J
ane’s mind awoke
, but her eyes remained closed. Iain’s naked body curved along her back. Blankets cocooned them. For the first time since she could remember, she didn’t care what time it was. She didn’t have the need to crawl out of bed to work one of her many jobs. She was in a moment.

One perfect moment.

Sex had been…well, mind-blowing, magick-blasting, toe-curling awesome. But this moment was perfection. Her skin made contact with his skin. His steady breathing stirred her hair. It was a feeling she’d always longed for but until now had never felt. It was exhilarating. It was frightening. It was indefinable.

It was perfect.

“Mm,” Iain moaned sleepily. “What are ya thinking about, love? I feel ya radiating onto me.”

They lay in silence for a long moment, but the sound of his voice had stimulated her conscious mind.

“I don’t want to move,” she whispered.

“Then don’t move,” he answered just as quietly. “Green Vallis is a great town…now that the MacGregors are here.”

She gave a small laugh. “That’s not what I meant. I don’t want to move out of bed.”

“I don’t want to move out of bed either. Let’s live here.” His body made small movements as if he snuggled deeper into the mattress.

“Don’t you think your family will notice and come looking for you?”

“My brother and cousin will probably come looking for ya.”

She stiffened against him. “They don’t think highly of me, do they?”

Iain brushed the hair from the back of her neck and kissed her nape. “Just the opposite. If they think I’ve gone missing, they might get ideas and start to think they have a chance with ya.”

Jane smiled at the compliment. “It must be nice having so many people around all the time. You said you move quite a bit? Do you always move together?”

“We’re a giant clan of Scots. It’s easier to control our magick if we’re together. Plus, we’re family. Ya don’t leave family.”

“I don’t have a family. Not since my father died.” Jane turned in his arms to study his face. She lay next to him, their heads facing each other on the same pillow. “Well, there’s Sean, my stepbrother, but he’s not really my family. I don’t even know what he’s doing in town. He keeps trying to have dinner with me, and I keep avoiding him. Not really the best way to handle the situation, but he doesn’t take no for an answer. I should just go and get it over with. I’m sure he’s just here to finalize his mother’s affairs. I’m told my stepmother passed away.”

“I’m sorry. Were ya close to her?”

“No. I know that makes me sound like a horrible person, especially to someone like you who has such a close connection to your family, but she was an unhappy woman.”

“Over the centuries, we have had our moments, but I know I am lucky to have them.”

Centuries. The word struck her, and she found herself staring at his chin. He had centuries. She had limited moments. There was no use crying about how unfair life was, but she also didn’t have to dwell on the fact.

“What about your mother?” he asked.

“My birth mother left us when I was a baby. I guess she couldn’t handle family life. I don’t remember her so I can’t really miss her. But enough of my poor-me family talk,” Jane dismissed, only to add before he could protest the change in conversation, “Since you move around so much, where was your favorite place to live?”

“
Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch
on the island of Anglesey in Wales,” he said, without stopping to consider the answer.

“Did you just have a seizure?”

“No, it’s a real place.”

“
Lan. Vire…”
Jane gave an unladylike laugh, cutting off her own attempt at repeating what he’d said.

“Would ya prefer the shorter version?
Llanfairpwllgwyngyll
?”

“You are just making things up. That can’t be a real place.”

“Technically, I haven’t lived there, but it is fun to say.” Iain chuckled and drew his finger down the slope of her nose to press it against her lips. “But maybe don’t try to speak Welsh. Ya butcher the language.”

Jane pretended to pout. “The romantic answer would have been to say
Green Vallis
is your favorite place.”

“Mm, this apartment is my favorite place. Let’s never leave it. We’ll stay cocooned here in blankets.”

“And starve?”

“I can materialize tomatoes out of the garden if ya want, love. All ya have to do is ask…and refuel my magick.” He winked and tried to nuzzle her neck.

“
Lan. Vire. Pool
…” she tried to sound out.

“
Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch
,” he said against her skin.

“Show off!” She playfully hit his arm.

Iain drew a fingertip from the tip of her ear down the slope of her neck. It tingled where he touched, and she knew he was stirring her nerve endings with magick. It wasn’t necessary. He didn’t need magick to stir her to him.

“Are you hungry?” She closed her eyes and gave a small moan of pleasure. “I can materialize you something un-magickal in the kitchen if you like.

“Only for ya.” He brushed his lips over hers.

Jane melted against him. Her heart pounded so hard she heard it knocking in her ears. Wait, no, that wasn’t her heart. Was it Iain’s?

Iain pulled back. “Are ya expecting company?”

“What?” She tried to lean back into the kiss.

“Someone is at the door.” He rolled up from the bed and reached for his jeans. “Would ya like me to get it?”

“And shock my customers?” Jane asked, slower to get out of bed.

“Either someone is having a tree emergency or…” Iain frowned. “I don’t like the sound of that knock. Ya wait here, love. I will handle this.”

“Iain, wait—”

He strode from the room naked only to have his clothing materialize on his body as he moved through the doorway. At his use of magick, she felt a tiny pull at her skin as if he’d taken part of her to make it happen. The sensation was weird, but she shook it off as she hurriedly tugged on clean clothes.

“Who are you?” Sean’s voice demanded as she rushed down the stairs. “Where’s Jane?”

“I think it’s time ya took a hint and turned yourself around, laddie,” Iain answered, the condescension clear in his tone.

“What? You have no right to speak to me like that,” Sean yelled. “Get out of my way.”

“She doesn’t want to see ya,” Iain said. “If she did, she’d have shown up to dinner.”

Jane cringed at the blunt statement. Though it was true, she normally tried handling things a little more delicately. She passed through the aisles of her store. The shelves were filled with supplies, but she didn’t keep regular shop hours for the public. She grabbed Iain’s arm and put herself forcibly in front of him. “Hey, Sean, what’s going on?”

Sean’s angry eyes stayed focused on Iain for a few seconds before he turned his attention to her. “You did not make it to dinner yesterday. We had plans.”

“Yeah, I’m sorry about that.” She lifted her arms to gesture that he should go outside, away from Iain. He didn’t move. Making a weak noise, she glanced over her shoulder. Iain’s narrowed eyes focused on Sean in an expression of what could have easily been perceived as a threat.

“Iain, would you mind giving me a second?”

“I’m fine where I’m at,” he said, refusing to give them privacy. “Take as many seconds as ya need.”

Jane frowned. “Sean, why don’t we go outside?”

“Fine,” Sean grumbled. He held the door for her as if to make sure she would go outside with him.

Jane glanced back at Iain in warning and held up her hand to indicate he should not join them. The direction of the sunlight denoted it was late morning. When they were alone, well, as alone as a watchful warlock staring at them through a glass door would allow them to be, Jane said, “I’m sorry I missed dinner. I explained I’m busy with a lot of jobs right now.”

“Yeah,
jobs
,” he said bitterly, glaring toward the door.

Jane didn’t appreciate his tone or his implication. “Sean, don’t be crass. I’m allowed to have a personal life. I don’t see you for years and then you expect me to drop everything the second you drive into town.”

“That’s not my fault. You disappeared from our lives. I had to track you down. How was I to know you wouldn’t leave before I had a chance to see you? Is it so wrong that I want to spend time with the only family I have left? My little sister?” He reached as if to touch her face but then must have thought better of it, because he ran his fingers through his hair instead.

Just like his mother, he always knew just what to say to guilt her. Knowing it was a lame excuse even before she said it, she answered, “I’m sorry. You’re right. I would have called, but I don’t have your current number, and besides, my cell phone is broken. I dropped it on a landscaping job and haven’t had a chance to replace it.”

“You know I am staying at the Dorchester. You could have called there for me.”

“I don’t have a house phone. Only the broken cell.” She could tell by his look he wasn’t impressed with her explanation.

“I don’t like that man you’re with. There’s something off about him,” Sean continued.

“We’ll have dinner tonight,” Jane said. She was not discussing her private life with him.

“Why don’t we just go now?”

Jane looked down at her clothes. In her rush, she’d grabbed an old polo shirt and faded blue jeans. Good thing the shirt material was thick, because she wasn’t wearing a bra underneath. “I’m not dressed for dinner. I’m not even wearing shoes. Tonight. You have my word.”

“Fine. I’ll be here—
again
—at seven.” Sean tried to come in for a hug, but she artfully stepped back.

Jane nodded. “Yes. Seven. I promise.”

Iain opened the door for her as she gingerly stepped barefoot across the lawn. Seconds later, the squeal of car tires blasted over the quiet street.

“I don’t like the look of him,” Iain said. “Ya are right to be wary.”

“Iain, just…” She took a deep breath, trying not to be upset. “Just go.”

“But…?” He gave her a confused once-over.

“I can handle my own business,” she said. “I don’t need you answering my door for me or trying to handle my stepbrother.”

He reached for her. “But we’re—”

“Having a good time,” she inserted.

“I think we both know it’s a little more than that, love.” He placed his hands on his hips and studied her. She hated the frown on his face and the confusion in his eyes. “As your man, I will protect—”

“We can’t be more than that.” Jane took a deep breath. “I think you should go. I need to run a few errands before I start the landscaping. I’ll be by the mansion later.”

“Jane, we need to discuss—”

“Goodbye, Iain,” Jane stated. She moved to go upstairs, unsure whether she wanted him to follow her or not. On one hand, she didn’t need him swinging in and playing hero. She was a grown woman who could handle her own affairs like she’d been doing her entire adult life. On the other hand, it felt nice to be protected and wanted. Then again, what gave Iain the right to be rude to her stepbrother? Sure, she didn’t like Sean and didn’t want him in her town, but he was her family, and he was her annoyance to deal with in her own way.

Back and forth, her mind swung like a pendulum. She was mad. She wasn’t mad. The only thing she could firmly state was that she was confused.