Willow: June (6 page)

“Not anymore,” Cedric corrected her, getting a raised eyebrow in return. He didn’t need Natalie putting that thought back into Willow’s head.

He steered her out of the restaurant and into his SUV. The drive back across town was completed in silence. He figured they were both enjoying the good meal and, hopefully, each other’s company.

Pulling up in front of Willow’s house, he hopped out and jogged around the front. He opened her door and helped her down. With his hand pressed to her lower back, he escorted her to her porch. As much as he wanted to go inside, he figured leaving her on the doorstep would give a better impression of his intentions.

Willow turned to face him. “Thank you for tonight. I had a nice time.”

“I’m glad.” He dug in his front pocket and pulled out her keys. Leaning around her, he unlocked the door, pulled the keys out again and swung the door open. He took her hand and opened it, dropping the keys on her palm; he curled her fingers around them.

“Not going to invite yourself in?”

“No. I wanted dinner and to set a couple things straight. I told you that. Nothing more. Nothing less.”

She nibbled on her lower lip before letting it go. She stepped into him, pressing her chest against his. He sucked in a breath, surprised by the move. Soft, light hands ghosted up his chest, tiny little shockwaves rippling through his body. Leaning in, she raised her chin, tilting her head up. Eyes closed, she kissed him. The red lips he’d stared at all through dinner were finally…finally moving against his. She started softly, sipping and sucking his bottom lip into her mouth. Her hot tongue, which still carried the taste of wine, slipped into his mouth. He moaned and gathered her against him. Eager to see how far she would go.

Fingers threaded into his hair, and she became more demanding. She held his head at the angel she wanted while invading his mouth ruthlessly. Thrusting her tongue against his, then sucking them both into her mouth. It took every ounce of willpower he had to let her stay in control. To allow her to dictate the depth and ferocity of their kiss. This was for her. A show of his restraint and continued commitment to his plan.

He felt the cool slide of his magic leave his fingers and begin to wrap around them. A warmer, more seductive power mingled with his, igniting the air around them. Pops of light burst around them like fireflies in the night. It was one of the most amazing things he ever experienced.

Willow broke their kiss and rested her head against his chest. Much like she had done once before. She panted and trembled in his arms, and he wondered if she heard the erratic beating of his heart.

He was as affected as she by the kiss.

Lifting her head, she placed a warm hand on his cheek. She leaned in and placed a whisper of a kiss on his lips before moving back. “I’ll see you?”

Cedric was nodding before she finished her sentence. “Yes. Good night, sweet Willow.” He forced his legs into motion and walked backwards a couple steps. “Go in the house and lock the door.”

She nodded and scurried inside. He waited until he heard the door lock before going back to his SUV. Climbing in, he had to adjust his rock hard dick in order to sit. He did the best he could, but it was still uncomfortable as hell. A cold shower was in his future.

W
illow hung
her keys back on their hook and tossed her purse down on the table next to the front door. She’d just come back from Hazel’s house after an impromptu meeting to go over the schedule. Willow had the events narrowed down and needed the witch’s opinion. As much as Cedric said he would help, she wanted to get it all done so she could move on with her next task. Which was informing the people who made the cut and ensuring they had everything they needed.

This year’s line up was a decent mix of demonstrations, wares for sale, and carnival-type activities. Parents had to entertain their children somehow while taking part in the celebrations. Of course, those only went on during the day. As soon as the sun began to dip and the moon took over, the nighttime activities began. They were what brought in the majority of the witches and warlocks from the surrounding counties.

They would mix and mingle. Magic of all varieties would fill the air. The later the evening, the darker and more seductive it became. Clothes tended to fall away, and people let the atmosphere and draw of the moon wash their inhibitions away.

One nighttime event Willow looked forward to watching was Magical Bindings. There was something alluring and slightly illicit about being able to bind your partner with only a few whispered words. Maybe she could use them on one wily warlock who threw her perfectly ordered world out of place.

He was not how he used to be and it frightened her. Maybe…just maybe, he had grown up more than she thought. Time would tell she supposed.

Willow went into the kitchen and was greeted by Edward. He lounged on her dining table in a shaft of sunlight. His deep purr rumbled softly as he looked at her through narrowed eyes.

“I see you’ve been keeping yourself busy.”

Edward stood and stretched. Arching his back high into the air. He flicked his tail once before hopping down, landing gracefully on four feet.

“Am I to guess you’d like a treat?” She asked as he wound his way around her feet. “I’ll take that as a yes. I did leave you here by yourself, and it’s been a couple of hours.”

Reaching for the glass container that held his kitty treats, she opened it and grabbed a couple out. Kneeling down, she held one out. “Did anything exciting happen while I was gone? Phone calls or people dropping by?”

He let out a long meow before snatching the treat from her fingers. He looked pointedly at her hand, knowing she had more. She fed them to him quickly. Dusting her hands off and standing. He bumped against her leg in thanks then walked off.

She followed him, deciding she could get her phone calls out of the way. As she was digging her list out of her purse, there was a knock at her door.

“This place is turning into a regular train station these days,” she mumbled and answered the door.

Cedric was leaning against the doorframe looking sexy as ever. He had traded his crisp white button down shirt and black slacks from the night before for one of his super tight T-shirts and faded jeans. She had to admit both looks were great on him. His hair was tumbled loosely around his shoulders. What would he think if he knew she had fantasies about his long locks? Sliding her fingers through it before she wound it tightly in her fists. Using the hold to direct him precisely where she wanted him. Sucking her breasts. Working his way down her body. Steering him between her legs, so he could bring her to orgasm with that sinful mouth of his.

She shook her head and cleared her lustful thoughts. Pasting on a bright smile she said, “And what can I help you with this fine,” she glanced at her watch quickly, “mid-morning?”

Cedric straightened and moved into her personal space. He dropped a quick but fiery kiss on her lips before shuffling her backwards.

The door slammed closed, and then his hands were gathering her closer. Pulling their bodies flush.

Edward, who had been lurking in the living room, wrapped his frame around Cedric’s legs, making him jolt. She felt the zap jump from Cedric onto her. He pushed her back but didn’t let go.

“What is with your cat?” He sidestepped Edward and turned her, switching their places.

Willow frowned and untangled her hands, which had somehow fisted his shirt. She looked down at the
familiar
circling her legs. “I don’t know. He’s never done that to anyone before. Most people don’t even notice when he’s trying to steal a little magic.”

“Is that what he’s doing? You need to put him on a leash or something.”

Edward’s meow came out like a snort. He flounced off and hopped up on the couch, choosing to ignore them. He cleaned his fur and worked his claws into the back of the couch.

“Anyway, I came to see if you wanted to head to the firehouse with me to talk to Aaron. After thinking about it last night, I figured it would be best if you were with me. When we’re done, I thought we could go out for lunch.”

She pursed her lips and eyed him suspiciously. That hadn’t been his attitude the night before. In fact, she got the impression he didn’t want her near the firehouse. What could have happened to change his mind?

She wouldn’t find out if she didn’t go. “Is this a business lunch?”

“No. I’m asking you out again.”

“I don’t recall you asking me before you made plans last time.” Not that she minded. The food had been delicious and the company wasn’t too bad.

“No plans this time. I wanted to see you again. Thought I could ask you out to lunch, and we could wrap up the firehouse thing.”

She thought about it for a moment. She was hungry. And she would have gone behind him to double check he’d done the work. “Okay. That’ll mean one less thing for me to do, and I am hungry. I saw Hazel this morning and the schedule is set. I wasn’t tired after you dropped me off, so I finished going through the proposals just so we could be done.”

A slow grin curled those magnificent lips of his. She caught herself before she leaned in to kiss him. He had turned their relationship upside down; and she, all to easily, let him.

“Couldn’t keep your mind off me, could you?”

There was the Cedric she knew. She rocked back on her heels and rolled her eyes. She turned and grabbed her keys and purse. “Let’s go.”

“I’m going to take your non-answer to mean you couldn’t. I know I couldn’t get you off my mind.”

He walked out and she locked the door. Most magic-kind would look at her funny if they saw her doing it. It really only took a flick of the wrist to lock and unlock a door or window or anything really. It was a basic spell all witches and warlocks learned when they were young. And because of that, she had her door enchanted against magic.

“Let’s get to the station before Aaron gets called away.” She would keep
not
answering because it was true. She couldn’t keep her mind from drifting to the kiss they shared on her porch, or what she wanted him to do to her…a rough push against the door, her legs wrapped around his waist. She knew he had the strength in him to keep her pinned there. To ravish her like she was the only woman for him.

The last part wasn’t true. She glanced his way as they walked to his SUV. He must have felt her gaze, because he looked at her and smiled. Her heart did that silly erratic thump when the corner of his mouth lifted. Something indefinable twinkled in his eyes. It almost reminded her of pure, simple pleasure. He held her door open and helped her in. Before he shut it, he kissed her again. A gentle brush of his lips against hers. He was getting way too familiar with her.

Her door slammed, and he walked around the front. The man was undoing her quickly, and she didn’t know what to do to make it stop, or if she wanted to stop it at all.

C
edric stood
behind Willow as she talked to Aaron Hoserman. The man was entirely too friendly and flirty with her, and it was grating on his nerves.

The second they had shown up and found him, Aaron had ignored Cedric in favor of Willow. He took her by the arm and gave her a tour of the firehouse. The kitchen, day room where they all hung out, the hanger with all of the trucks, and lastly, the sleeping quarters.

They stood in the quiet corridor with five individual rooms on both sides. Each room had a curtained doorway to make it easier to rush out on a call. It also gave them a little privacy for anything they may need, like seducing someone else’s woman.

He snapped back to the present at the sound of Willow’s voice.

“You can’t expect me to believe you fit on that bed, Aaron. There’s no way in hell. You’re too big.”

Cedric whipped his head in the direction they were talking. Aaron stepped into one of the rooms, pulling Willow with him. They stood next to what he would guess was a full size bed. It had a dark comforter and a couple of matching pillows.

“Sure I do, Willow. There’s even enough room for you to fit on there with me. Come lay down and I’ll show you.” Aaron winked, and Cedric let loose a bolt of lightning. It arced across the floor, traveling up the metal desk and popped the light bulb in the lamp.

“Sorry about that,” he shrugged and gave his best apologetic look. But he wasn’t. Not one damn bit. Aaron’s dark eyebrow rose, and Cedric figured he didn’t believe him. “How about we talk about the arrangements for the Summer Solstice? We would like to wrap your end of it up.”

He threaded his fingers with Willow’s and tugged her out of the room, away from the randy firefighter.

Aaron chuckled and moved ahead of them. “Let’s head to the office, and we’ll go over everything.”

Willow pulled on her hand, but he refused to let go. “What is wrong with you?” She hissed. Her panicked gaze bouncing between Aaron and him.

“Nothing,” he replied through clenched teeth. Unless, you consider murdering someone for flirting with the woman you love wrong.

“Bullshit. What was that back there, and what’s with this?” She swung their hands out in front of them. He didn’t see anything wrong with them holding hands. He liked it.

“He was flirting with you. Trying to get you in bed.”

Willow’s brows drew down into a deep furrow. “No, he wasn’t. He was just joking around.”

“Bullshit,” he retorted. “He’s hard as hell for you.”

Willow’s eyes rounded quickly. “Oh, my god, you’re insane. And what are you doing looking at his junk? Are
you
hot for him?”

Cedric barked out a laugh. “Love, men don’t do it for me, and if you missed that damn snake in his pants, then you must be blind.”

Before she had a chance to reply, Cedric’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and checked it. “Shit, I need to take this. I’ll be back in a minute.” He walked off, but not too far away. Leaning up against the wall not close to the office, but with enough distance he couldn’t be heard, he saw Aaron lean into Willow as she entered the room. A poisonous thread of jealousy snaked through his veins, leaving a foul taste in his mouth.

W
illow cast a glance at Cedric
, who was getting out of helping her once again, then turned her attention to Aaron. He held the door open for her, a big grin on his handsome face, waiting patiently. He took up so much space; she accidentally brushed her shoulder against his massive chest. “Sorry,” she mumbled.

Aaron stopped her with a hand to her arm. He leaned in close. “For the record, I wasn’t joking. I
was
trying to get you in bed with me.” His husky whisper drifted over her ear, sending a shudder down her spine. It was mildly arousing, but nowhere close to the explosive feeling she got with the man out on the hall.

She turned her head and came face-to-face with him. “What?”

“Damn, sweetheart. I must be off my game if you couldn’t tell. Your wannabe boyfriend is right.”

“He’s not my boyfriend,” she blurted out.

His grin grew bigger. “Good. I was flirting with you, and I’m hard as hell.” He raked a hot gaze that should have had her knees trembling. “You’re fucking hot.”

He dropped a quick kiss on her lips, then went around to the other side of the desk, planting his ass in the large, overstuffed leather chair.

She blinked repeatedly to clear the fog and confusion that had set in. Since when had Aaron ever thought she was hot? All of the other times she saw him, he was cordial enough; but he never looked at her like he was picturing her naked. Her hand drifted to the moonstone and the possible cause of this new development. It was warm, but no warmer than it should be resting against her skin. It definitely didn’t react like it did when Cedric kissed her.