Wishful Thinking (8 page)

“I’m afraid not, but I admire your effort. The possibility of being free is a great motivator.” Bitterness choked his voice. If he noticed, he didn’t show it.

“How do I know what you say is the truth? What if I’ve already said your last name but you’re lying about it?”

“Once you utter my correct moniker, I will immediately dissolve into a shower of sparks. Magical beings of the nether world closely guard their names and when one is said, we cease to exist.” He shrugged as if he’d gone over the information too many times to count. “There is no more mystery which translates to the loss of magic. Death is the next step. We are born to it.”

The knife of guilt twisted deeper into her gut. How could she consign him to his fate? And why should she have to take the fall and give up her life because he'd come out of his prison on his own? She glanced across the room at him, and her heart lurched. She sighed. At no time during their evening together did he make a move to kiss her.

Had he gotten what he wanted and now he only needed her to comply with the rest? Deep down, she didn’t think he was capable of such avarice or deception. Not him, the man who so patiently and lovingly paid her attention and built her confidence. Believed in her, taught her to believe in herself so she could succeed.

Life shouldn’t be this hard.

“Rand, if you were to live life again in the mortal world, what would you do?” She stood and came around her desk. Once she crossed the carpet, she stepped out of her heels and drifted to a stop before him. “I mean, you’ve spent years in the nether world. How do you plan to adjust?” Urgency compelled her to touch him. She held back, knowing once she did, there'd be no controlling her reaction.

“Why do you concern yourself with me, my dove? We are now rivals and want the same goal. In order for one of us to survive, the other will not.”

“Don’t remind me. It’s all I think about.” A twinge of sadness played through her stomach. “I’m curious, though.” Jovie stared down at him with a frown. “You must hate me. I’m the only roadblock to your goal. It’s probably annoying after all this time.”

“If that were true, then the same could be said of you, and you do not project feelings of animosity.” Rand cocked his head to one side, giving her a smile that didn’t light his eyes. “I have learned not to put stock into circumstances beyond my control.” He caught one of her hands in his, tugging her easily into his lap. “Fate is my map and destiny my guide. I go where they lead. It’s who I meet on the journey that makes it worthwhile.”

“Then you’re glad I was the one who released you?” Her attempt to leave his lap was thwarted when he tightened his arms around her. “It could have been Clinton or anyone else who reached for the tea service.”

“No. One human for each nether world being. That is the legend.” He threaded his fingers through her hair, cupping her head. “Without you, I still would be imprisoned. Without you, I will never be free.” His green eyes bore into hers. “I’m sorry it has to be this way. I'm as trapped in the rules as you. The only difference is I knew all along whereas you are just finding out now.”

He knew yet he still did those tasks for her, pleasured her, built her confidence even knowing there was a possibility he'd be sent back. “Maybe there’s a loophole.” She toyed with the neckline of his t-shirt then brushed her fingers along his jaw. The prickle of stubble against her skin sent shivers of desire through her belly. “There’s always a way out. Maybe if we talk to an attorney?” As the thought took life, she knew it would be hopeless. Every lawyer in the state would laugh at her far-fetched story, not to mention no one except her could see Rand.

“Not this time. Rules governing the nether world are very strict and not bound to mortal laws. Even now, I’m on probation for giving you extra days.” He pressed his lips to the sensitive spot below her right ear. “It’s well worth the hassle to spend a few more seconds in your arms.”

“Yes, but is it worth a last name?”

“Only you can decide that.”

Jovie squirmed, trying to alleviate the ache between her legs. As much as she’d love to have another bout of hot sex with the magical man, he’d still tricked her and she wasn’t sure he still wasn’t using her for his own gain. Of course he was! Nothing like seducing an insecure woman in order to have her agree to his insane plan. “Let me up, Rand. I don’t want any more of your flattery. It always ends with me being half-naked.”

“And satisfied. Would you like me to pleasure you with my fingers?” He nibbled her ear lobe then pressed his lips close to her ear and said, “Slide them through your warm pussy as I gather your sweet honey?”

“Oh, God.” Need spiraled down her spine at his low-pitched, coarse words. She slipped a hand around his neck. “That can’t happen again. I’m angry with you, remember?” Her resolve wobbled as he pulled gently on her hair, tipping her head back. “Aren’t we now enemies?” She licked her lips in anticipation of the kiss she knew was imminent. “Only one of us can be here in this world.” How come Disney heroines never had these issues?

“We are, but we are also fated to be together for this portion of the future.” His breath warmed the column of her throat. “Why do you wish to spend that time in the pointless pursuit of a surname you’ll never guess? No one has accomplished this feat in over a hundred years.”

“I have to try. You would do the same.” A breezy sigh escaped when he drew his tongue over the hollow between her collar bones. “It’s ridiculous to think I’ll calmly give up my life for you, no matter how you make me feel.” Need heated her body and she shifted on his lap. “Why did you have to appear to me at all? You brought me to life again only so I might lose it? That's cruel.”

Being near him and not having him was pure torture.

His perfect mouth pulled down with a frown. “You needed me.” He removed his hands from her hair and placed one on either side of her ribcage. “You still do. For the remainder of our time together, I will strive to grant your every wish. I am yours.”

“You’re wrong. I don’t need you anymore.” Sadness darkened the haze of lust, but she couldn’t go through with the lie. Every cell in her body cried out for his attention. Despite her best intentions, she craved him.

Never had anyone affected her as this strange, not-quite-human did with his words and sweet caresses. “I have everything I ever wanted now.” The heat from his hands pressed against her sides like twin furnaces. “I no longer need you.” She hoped repeating the statement would make more of an impact—on her, on him.

“I’m sorry to hear that because now this will be inappropriate.” He lowered his mouth, capturing her lips in a gentle kiss.

It was fleeting and feather-weighted. When it was over, goosebumps covered her skin and her longing turned into a raging inferno of desire. She swallowed and looked into his face, hoping for calm but sinking fast into a cocoon of want. “I guess spending two weeks apart has been a good thing. I felt nothing—”

His next kiss muffled her lame protest. Still on the sweet side, he nibbled at the corners of her mouth, sucked on her bottom lip and ran the tip of his tongue along its curve. Jovie whimpered. She drew his head closer in an attempt to deepen the embrace. He pulled away, trailing his lips under her jaw and along her neck to tease the fluttering pulse.

All thoughts of her problem tumbled to the back of her mind under the force of his tender onslaught. Jolts of excitement powered through her bloodstream as he brushed the pads of this thumbs over her hardened nipples. “Oh, Rand, mmm, yes there.” The tingling bliss tripped all the way down to her toes.

“I told you the truth before, sweetness. Your body was created for pleasure; your curves demand to be stroked.” Another sweep of his thumbs caused her to gasp for breath, writhing on his lap. “Let me give you that and more tonight.”

She nodded dumbly, not thinking beyond having his delicious body reacquainted with hers. It was only when he laid her back against the plush velvet of the settee that a glimmer of common sense broke through the haze. “No.” Pushing against his chest, his next kiss temporarily knocked her off course with its sizzling heat.

“I want you, my peach. We are good for each other. We belong together.” Rand reached for the waistband of her slacks. “Give up this pursuit of my last name and let me cover your body with kisses.”

“No!” With strength she didn’t know she possessed, Jovie shoved his shoulders and scrambled from beneath him. “Stop it, all right? Seducing me is not going to work.” Warm anger returned and swept aside the lust. “I
will
find your last name and I
will
remain here in this world. Exactly where I was meant to be.”
Without you.

“Jovie, I—”

“Get out.” She crossed her arms over her chest, hiding her pebbled nipples from his view. “This meeting is over. I don’t want to see you again before tomorrow.”

Rand pushed the fingers of one hand through his hair and his shoulders drooped, a sad imitation of his once-proud stature. “As you wish.” With a snap of those same fingers, he disappeared in a puff of blue smoke.

Now what? Nothing had been gained and she was no closer to finding a solution. She sank onto the settee and gave in to tears. How could she send him to a death he didn’t deserve any more than she did?

How could she continue to love Randal L. whatever the hell his last name was?

Chapter Ten

Jovie paced around her office, wondering how many circuits over the rose carpet she’d need to complete in order to wear a track in the fibers. Would he appear tonight or had she sufficiently run him off the previous evening? She glanced about the office, smiling. Dimmed lights, a bottle of champagne waited in an ice bucket near the settee and faint, romantic jazz music filtered into the room from the computer speakers.

She’d drawn inspiration from Rand himself. If he thought he could use seduction on her, he could forget it. Sexual manipulation ran both ways and surely magical beings weren’t immune. If he needed encouragement, she’d brought a couple of silk scarves from home. In fact, tying the stubborn creature to the furniture sounded better and better the longer she waited.

He’d give up his name tonight or else she hadn’t tried hard enough. A flood of warmth surged between her thighs. There was always a second chance if the first one didn’t pan out.

Now, he only needed to show.

“If you desired me that badly, you should have called my full name.” Rand’s mocking tones floated through the air as his breath warmed the back of her neck. He snaked his arms around her waist, pulling her backside against his front.

Prick
. Even as she thought it, she couldn’t help but smile wider. She’d get even with him. She settled more comfortably into his embrace—exactly where she wanted to be. “Tell me what it is and I’ll be happy to say it.” She turned in his arms. “Or if you want, I’ll scream it so loud the security guards will come running.”

Rand lifted a glossy black eyebrow. “Your confidence and good nature has returned.” He looked past her shoulder then returned his gaze to hers. “What do you plan, little one?”

“Nothing that won’t make both of us sweaty and tired.”

“This makes me very happy, my dove.”

“Really?” She tugged the hem of his white t-shirt from the waistband of his black jeans. “Then me putting my mouth on various parts of your body should make you ecstatic.” Jovie uttered a throaty laugh when he visibly swallowed. “I can’t get to the fun stuff while you’re still wearing clothes.”

His breath hissed between his teeth as she ran her hands beneath his shirt to stroke the planes of his hard chest. “Is this what you want?”

“You won’t know for certain until your drop the duds.” Excitement made the baby fine hairs on her neck stand to attention. “Maybe this will be enough incentive.” Slowly, making sure he watched her, Jovie lowered the zipper on her lightweight sweater dress until it came apart from its track. With one shrug of her shoulders, the black garment fell to the floor.

“Still as beautiful as that first day—the day when I made you claim the adoration given to you.”

Clad in a bra and panties of lacy midnight blue, a wash of feminine power moved over her while Rand stared, appreciation clearly written across his face. “Cat got your tongue, Rand?” She reached for his fly. Her fingers brushed against the warm, smooth skin of his abdomen then tugged at his waistband. “I want you.”

“It’s my pleasure to take care of your every whim.” His sensuous lips curled with a mischievous grin and he snapped his fingers. His clothes disappeared and he stood proudly naked and wildly aroused. “Where would you like to start?”

Where didn’t she? Jovie raked his body with her gaze, lingering on every contour of his form. She moved close to slide her hands over the portions of him that she’d just inspected. His scent wafted through her nostrils, alluring, and her mouth watered in anticipation of tasting him.

As she trailed her fingertips lower on his torso, she followed with teasing nips and nibbles over his skin then sank to her knees before him. It was time to begin the game. “Why won’t you tell me that elusive last name?” She smoothed a hand along his hips as his erection bobbed a few inches from her face. “Don’t you trust me?” The longing to take him into her mouth grew strong, but she’d never done such a thing before. Insecurity held her in its cold grip, a companion to fear.

“I am bound by the rules of my world.” He looked down at her, meeting her gaze. “It’s not possible.” He laced his fingers into her hair. “Let me kiss you instead.”

“I think I’d rather do this.” Before she could lose her nerve, she wrapped the fingers of one hand around his shaft.

Watching his expression, she closed her lips around the dark, mushroomed head of his cock. When he shuddered, she swept her tongue on his tip, stroking it back and forth, swirling it around him, investigating its slit. The sharp, masculine taste spurred her onward for more. Pulling slightly away, she grinned. The powerful feeling grew in intensity. “Do you need more encouragement?”

His answer was a soft moan. She took him into her mouth again. This time, she licked the underside of his dick, tormenting his silky skin before sucking with gentle pressure on its head. Rand bucked against her lips. He shoved his cock farther into her mouth. Jovie scooted closer. The carpet dug into her bare knees. She didn’t care. The carnality of connecting with him in such an intimate way caused her brain to reel. She brought her hands around to cup his firm ass, digging her nails into his flesh.