Hed never felt so exposed in his life. Laid bare and undone and yet it felt so good that it was her whod drawn away all his defenses and left him this way.
Its the energy of all the witches who give to the font. The flavor of Clan Owen. Her murmured words reassured and soothed him past that panicked spot as he let himself truly examine this new connection he had to this font of theirs.
MERIEL looked at him again as he keyed into the font and all that magick and community settled into his system. The wonder and confusion on his face told her that he had no idea it would feel so lovely to be connected to a font. And most likely that he had no idea why their individual magicks had interacted that way.
But shed grown up around witches and in a clan. She knew what it felt like to share magick, both sexually and metaphysically. Nothing shed done could compare to what shed just shared with Dominic.
Not only had every last bit of her magick sprung to her intent nearly instantly, but her ability to work the spells had sharpened. She saw the spell glimmering around them. Vibrant, with all the threads shed used humming with realized magick.
All in reaction to and in conjunction with his power. It was the combination of their magicks that had ripened into something far more powerful and intense. Dominic Bright was her bond-mate. He clearly had no idea, but it made her happy nonetheless. Simply being with him in a circle made her nearly drunk with the way their power intermingled and caressed.
This feels amazing, Dominic murmured. Does it always feel this way when you work magick with a full-council witch?
She shook her head. Working magick with another witch usually feels good, yes. ButHave you never done that before? Felt this level of interconnectedness and power levels with another witch?
He took a deep breath, leaning in closer and she had to lock her knees to keep from swooning.
Yes, yes, of course, Ive worked magick with other witches. My foster father taught me growing up. Ive learned from teachers. Other witches I met here and there. Though Ive not let anyone in as far as you. It never felt this good in the past. Christ, Meriel, when it feels like this I can sort of understand why witches get stuck.
Stuck was slang for a witch whod become addicted to magic. Magick came to a witch naturally. Each is born with a set of gifts. Some have very little power. A very small group had a great deal of power. Most had aptitude for certain kinds of magick and excelled on some level but overall were just everyday witches with moderate power levels.
Some people got off on that rush of pleasure when magick rushes through your body. And she got that; it felt good after all. But some witches couldnt get enough and started stealing energy through rites and spells. This unnatural and stolen energy was magic, like what a magician uses. Less powerful and didnt replenish. Most involved theft of energy from other beings. Most involved pain or blood. Sometimes worse. The more they resorted to magic over their own inherent magickal gifts, the quicker it stripped a witch of their power because it attacked their connection to the earth all around them. Without that connection, the natural connection between witch and ground is broken.
What she had with Dominic wasnt anything at all like being stuck. Though he had no idea what it was he was feeling, it galled her nonetheless that he seemed unaware that it was special. Which was unfair because hed clearly felt something major happen and she was all over the map with her emotions.
She mentally slapped herself. Stealing magick and destroying everything we stand for wouldnt feel like this. This is something specific and right. She hesitated for a moment, wondering how exactly to tell him just exactly why.
Theres something you arent saying. Tell me.
So much for that. Best to be blunt and hope he knew what she was talking about. Were bond-mates, Dominic. Thats why it feels this way. Our magick was made to work together. Meant to, as it happens.
He stood up straighter. Bond-mates? Sorry, but from what I understand thats only for council witches. Im not full-council, Meriel.
Of course it wasnt going to be easy. Shed just coached Nell through a mating with a man who despite wanting it couldnt admit it for some time. Yes, you are. Or you certainly wouldnt be my bond-mate. Or anyone elses. Someone in your line was full-council at some point.
She touched his temple, the warmth of his skin against her fingertips. A lock of his hair brushed against the back of her hand. She only barely resisted her urge to laugh at the look on his face. Confusion, wonder, anger, denial. He was such an open book. As a full-council witch, shed grown up knowing at some point shed ascend to her true power level once she united her magick with her bond-mate. Part of her had figured her bond-mate probably wouldnt even be a romantic or sexual mating, but one of power only, like the one her mother had.
But the man just a foot away was far more than just a compatriot in magick. This man was meant to be hers in a way she could see on his face he did not begin to understand. Hell, shed grown up expecting this and she wasnt sure she completely understood it all.
Nor did it look like he wanted to deal with it just yet. He leaned into her touch nonetheless, feeling the same irresistible lure she did. It would always be that way between them. Now that shed tasted his magick, shed crave more.
And to be honest with herself, she was sure that regardless of the bond, shed be drawn to the man she stood so deliciously close to.
The storm of what ifs and when will it bes that had been laying waste to her thoughts, churning in her gut, had all quieted. Gone. It wouldnt be easy with this man. She knew it like she knew her name. He had trouble written all over him.
But there was something else too. Something beyond the beauty of the skin stretched taut over muscles. A body she wanted to caress and lick from head to toe. Beyond the cant of the smile that promised very bad and enjoyable things. He was so incredibly beautiful, cocky, self-sufficient. And yet there was a vulnerability there shed just seen glimpses of. There was something in his eyes that gave her an absolute surety that hed be worth the struggle.
She expected scientific proof of many things. But sometimes fate was just fate. And he was hers.
Sliding her fingertips down his temple, she found the warmth of his jaw, the softness just beneath, the fragility of him just there. His pulse thundered against her touch as a sound broke from his lipsa ragged moan that tore at her self-control. Opening her hand, she luxuriated in the feel of him against her palm when she slid it around his neck, the hardness of him sending need through her, flooding, intoxicating.
The warmth of his body brought his essence, man and magick, rising to her nose and she shivered at how delicious he was. Her mouth watered as she wanted. Wanted to taste, to lick and kiss and to be licked and kissed.
His eyes, half-mast and burning with some inner light, locked onto hers and nearly sent her to her knees. She paused, not a bad idea really. She wanted to devour him. It hit her with so much force her hands began to tremble.
And then she closed her eyes. Just for a moment.
A vision of him above her, of sliding against him, sweat-slicked skin. Of him inside her hit her and rebounded back to him. With a gasp she opened her eyes, needing to see him, needing to know if she was alone or if he had, indeed felt what she had.
The pale green gaze she found locked on her face told her she wasnt alone, which sent heat through her anew. His eyes darkened. The flutter of his pulse at the base of his throat caught her eye and she licked her lips.
With a soft intake of breath, he banded her waist with his arm and hauled her against his body. His mouth covered hers and the sweetness of his desire bled through her, saturating every single cell. Need ravaged through her as he drove out all the emptiness in a way she was certain only he was capable of.
She swallowed his ragged moan and dug her nails into his biceps. Shed never wanted anyone before with such raw power, such craven greed. Her skin itched with it, her insides melted as the flames of his energy licked through her.
He tore his mouth away, chest heaving as he strained to breathe. His cock burned into her lower belly where it was quite clear he felt the same way she did.
I cant be your bond-mate. The statement was laced with desperation, but he knew it wasnt true.
She laughed. You are and you know it. But its sudden. I get that. I can wait until youre ready. He would be. Itd just take time. Hed need to get to know her before he could commit. In the meantime, there was no reason at all why they shouldnt be together, get to know each other. And, um, have sex and stuff. A lot of it.
But not right away. Sex would only make the need grow, only strengthen the connection they had. And there was no way she wanted him to ever wonder if he rushed into things or if hed been swayed by the scorching-hot sex. And she knew without any doubt at all it would be just that.
She cleared her throat after her mouth had gone dry at the very idea of what theyd be like in bed. I need to break the circle, all right?
He nodded, his arm still banded around her waist, making it absolutely clear he had no plans to let go. Yum. Gooseflesh worked over her. She loved an in-charge male and this one spilled magick and testosterone until she drowned in it.
Even when she broke the circle, the intensity of their attraction still made it hard to think straight.
Just so you know this, whatever else is happening between us, I need you. He pressed his mouth to the place where her neck met her shoulder and took a long, deep breath.
Swoon.
I plan to need you more than once.
His voice made her nipples harden to the point of pain. Yep, not just a bonding of like powers. This was a deep, DNA tingling, supercharged fuckfest of a bonding. Two lives united to heighten power was a given of the magick bond. But Dominic Bright was her hearts mate as well as her magicks mate, even if he wasnt ready to know or accept that part yet.
But she was certain. If he was simply a magickal mate, their connection wouldnt have been sensual or sexual at all. But it sure as heck was sexual. All her parts paid attention in an oh-lets-make-babies sort of way when their energies mixed.
That knowing appealed to the organizer, the control freak within, satisfied her in a way shed been totally surprised by.
She shivered when his lips brushed over the outer shell of her ear as he whispered, Six blocks. I live six blocks from here. Id take you right here if I didnt know the door would be pounded on sixteen times in the next hour. Im in no mood to be interrupted.
Im across the lake in Bellevue. She tried to move back but he held her in place. We need to take this slowly. We can talk at your place. Unless its all stunk up with other women.
He laughed, taking two handfuls of her ass and snugging her against him even tighter. I dont play with women at my apartment. But Im going to play with you there.
Play? She swallowed. What had she gotten herself into and could she get there faster? No! No, she needed to keep her mind above her waistline and be smart, damn it.
He let go, only stepping a few feet away to pick up the phone, giving directions as his gaze greedily roved over her body like a roughened caress. I can get us a taxi or we can walk. Its up to you. Tell me and Ill make it happen.
Goddess, she wanted him to kiss her again.
She cleared her throat, lecturing herself to hold it together. She was a powerful witch, a smart woman and if she rushed into this without thinking, she might miss something good. This man was the rest of her life; it would be a crime to not pay attention.
Yes, what they had together was intoxicating, but there were real-life considerations to be made. He didnt trust or apparently understand much about clans and it would be a wedge between them if they didnt address it.
Clans were everything Meriel was. She was proud of what her foremothers had done before her to protect their people. As next in line, shed run Owen one day. If he accepted her, hed have to accept that too.
But none of that was necessary right at that moment. Just then she wanted to be alone with him, to touch and be touched. She needed him all to herself.
She smirked up at him. My car is in valet. Some sad little wannabe named Spider, whod piss his pants if a real vampire ever showed him fang, parked it. Better not have scratched it either. Really, Dominic, Spider?
His lips quivered as he tried not to smile. I dont name them. They come with names you know. I walked so Ill let you drive, although I sense that may be a mistake. Give me the tag, Ill have it brought around.
She handed it to him, both of them shivering a bit as their fingertips brushed, and he called quickly. A tap on the door sounded. Meriel opened the wards and Simon walked in. He took in the sight of her and cut his gaze to Dominic, looking mighty annoyed.
Damn it, Dom. Youre poaching. He looked very handsome and territorial standing there. Until his nostrils flared and his spine lost its rigidity. Shes got your damned scent all over her. Outclan witches like you have mates? Youre like one of those full-council guys and you didnt tell me?
Dominic snorted. I didnt tell you because I didnt know and Im still not convinced. Meriel locked her jaw, holding her words back. Instead she rolled her eyes.
Which Dominic didnt notice as there was some sort of dick-measuring moment taking place between the two men. She sighed loudly and grabbed her bag. This startled them both and Dominic put his hand on her elbow.
Simon, youve met Meriel. I hope you enjoyed touching her because that was the last time itll ever happen. Were going now. Ill see you tomorrow. Keep an eye on the vampires near the back bar.
Dominic put his body between them, his arm tight around her and walked her out the back door where her car waited. Interesting. Shed never experienced that level of possessiveness before and goddess help her, she liked it.
He stared at the powerful Camaro rumbling there. Waiting. You said car. This isnt a car. This is a dream. Im impressed. He moved the valet out of the way to hold her door open himself.
She walked around and got in. Its not mine. Its my best friend Nells. Shes on her honeymoon so Im driving it in her absence.
He slid inside, his large form looking hot, even as he also appeared completely capable of violence if necessary.
Oh, Im so going to fuck you in this car, maybe on it as were both tall. Im at 2nd and Broad. The garage entrance is on Broad.
She didnt tell him Nell would kill her for having sex in or on this car. It sounded really hot anyway. She followed his directions and they arrived in under two minutes. Neither spoke in that short time but for a few directional words from Dominic. The tension felt unbearably good.
The building had good security but she still worked a protection spell around the car. Nell would also kill her if that car got scratched. Theyd been friends since both could walk so it would be bad to kill each other over a car scratch.
Meriel wished she could call Nell right then, to ask for some advice about this whole situation. Meriel could probably track her friend down. Nell would take the call and not ever complain. She was sure no one would give her better advice, but Meriel wanted her friend to have a honeymoon free from work or drama. Shed tell Nell about it when she returned. It was just a few days. Until then she was on her own. She handled lawyers and psychos all day long; it wasnt like she was ill equipped to deal with this guy.
He held a hand out.
She took it, swallowing back a gasp as their contact reawakened the spark between them and their power surged again.
Chapter 6
IT wasnt until she stood in his living room that she made a decision and one she knew was right, even as she hated to say it out loud. We cant have sex tonight.
He froze, blinking at her, disbelief on his features.
What? Why? Did you hit your head on the way up from the garage?
She allowed herself a long look at him. Holy crap was she in over her head here. He was so freaking hot. Long and tall, stylish. All the expensive clothes in the world couldnt hide the very real fact that he was a predator though. Hed look delicious in a tux, but the brawler within would always be there, hinting at the edges.
So much more than he appeared on the surface. Which made her hungrier for him. She wanted to know his story. That longing to know was as powerful as her desire to be naked and sweaty with him.
That visual was so not helpful in her resolve. She twisted her fingers and ordered her hormones to knock it off. For all the good that did. They were doing a conga line and had two kegs tapped.
I dont know if I can explain this right.
Give it a try. Because I know you want me. I can feel it. I can taste your desire in the air. He waved around agitatedly.
Once we give in and have sex, this need between us will only get stronger.
He interrupted with a sharp movement of his hand. And this is bad why?
It helped that he was being a cock. Interrupt much? Seriously, do boys just say anything they have to to have sex? Its like youre all frozen at age fifteen. She began to pace and he tossed himself on a nearby couch, arms crossed, glowering in her direction like shed told him he couldnt have a cookie until after dinner.
He made a sort of snorting sound that still managed to be smooth. Please do enlighten me on why its bad to want each other more. And Im going to have sex with you so I dont need to say things designed to compel you.
Smug bastard. He couldnt know it, but she found boys to be utterly charming. Not because they tried to be. But because they were just totally from another universe. All that focus on sex, when they werent dickheaded manwhores like some men could be, was cute. She wisely withheld that commentary though. Stern. Yes, she needed to be stern.
Its become quite clear to me that you dont know much about my world. You may or may not believe the whole bond-mate thing. I want you to want me for me. I want you to want whats between us tomorrow and the day after. I dont want to go forward and have sex and then next month or next year have you wonder, even just in the back of your mind if you would have made a different choice had we not rushed into sex.
Meriel, come here. He held a hand out and she looked at him carefully. He was the human equivalent of sour cream and onion Pringles and egg rolls. So very good, but man, oh, man, could she be in trouble if she allowed herself to gorge on him.
Dominic started to laugh at how she looked at him. A few memories of what it was like to be a fifteen-year-old boy came back. I promise we wont do anything you dont want to. Ill stop when you say to.
She snorted a laugh and moved to him, keeping some distance. Next youll tell me youll only put the tip in. Im onto you.
Not liking the space between them, he grabbed her, pulling her boots off and freezing at the sight of her socks.
Youre all business and then you reveal some small thing, like these socks. He looked back to the Hello Kitty socks. Hed noted that she had socks on back at the club, but he was too busy looking at the legs and being bowled over by her presence to see the detail. The cat had on a ninja outfit and was wielding a sword looking silly and fierce. Just like she was.
I like socks. She blinked at him, he could tell, not sure whether to take him seriously or not. And he couldnt really blame her. He wasnt used to this whatever it was between them. He wasnt an overly serious man any more than he was a silly one. Hed dated and hed fucked a lot of women. He had women friends. But this was different and totally new territory for him. She made him feel things, want things hed never imagined before.
I like socks when theyre on you. He slid his hand higher, over the curve of her calf, up her thigh, all while she watched him, clearly torn between interest and suspicion. Youre taking me right back to high school, Meriel. Whats your middle name?
Her brows knitted as she tried to figure out his game. She was out of her league, he was a con man, a master player and she didnt have a chance against him.
Thank the heavens for it.
Patrice. Why does this take you back to high school? Did you trick girls into sitting next to you and while complimenting their socks all innocent-like, you slid your hand up their thigh until your fingertips were just a whisper away from their panties? Were all trained to foil your genders tricks, you know. I was a whiz at deflecting wandering hands.
He sent her what was supposed to be a reassuring smile but she snorted so he knew she was on to him.
Im sure I said something like, I know youre nervous, but I promise youll like it. Let me make you feel good, Meriel. Im not teasing you now. I want that. How can it be wrong for me to want to give you pleasure?
Her breath hitched when he pressed ever so lightly, the heat and wet of her a siren song. The simplicity of that moment felt so very right. Goddess he wanted her, wanted to possess her in every way imaginable.
Just a bit more and the heated crotch of her panties rested against his outstretched fingertips. Her lips parted on a soft sound of pleasure, a murmur, a groan, a wordless gust of expression that needed no interpretation.
Keeping his eyes on hers, he slowly pulled the silky material back until she was bared to his touch. He had to swallow and count to ten and then twenty-five when all that glorious sweet slickness met his fingers. Hed made her that way.
Her eyes found focus again and she started to speak.
Ssshhh. Let me. I want to give this to you. We can talk more about your no-sex thing when Ive made you come. To underline his point, he stroked from side to side until her gaze went glossy again and she relaxed.
This is a very bad idea. With your hands on me, its hard to think. All I want is more.
Then let me give it to you, he nearly purred it as he touched her. Covetous. She brought out an intense greed in him. It filled him from head to toe.
Are you listening to me? Sex is a deeply intimate act. Once we bare ourselves to each other like that its going to bind us on a basic level. Once it happens, our connection will only get stronger.
He backed off slightly, not removing his hand entirely, but ceasing to stroke her.
This is big. I know it and you feel it, but you dont know enough about it to truly accept it. The way we feel together is intoxicating. Truly. Our chemicals and our magicks are meant to mix and work best as a unit. You dont have to believe me, but I need to tell you. She moved his hand back, out of her panties and he acquiesced, but stayed close.
In a very real way, were drunk on each other. Im certain about this bonding between you and me. I was raised in a world surrounded by people with bond-mates. I know it exists because I see it every day.
But you didnt grow up in a clan and you dont seem to know a lot about us. So while Im sure of the bond, I want you to be too. If we do this tonight, youll wonder one day and that would break my heart.
At those last words her bottom lip trembled just a bit and he ached to make it better.
That and he had to admit he understood her point.
Youre going to kill me. He moved her so that she fit against his side, not willing to not be touching her. Its going to be midnight shortly. Does that count as not rushing?
She frowned at him, but then shook her head with a slow smile. Youre going to be trouble.
He laughed, surprised by her.
I want to fuck you. He sighed and then that intensity of his focus was back and she shivered. And just so were clear, I will fuck you. But I understand your perspective and it can wait. Not a long time or Ill explode.
She snickered and he didnt resist the urge to play his fingers through her hair. He liked being around her. She was the kind of woman who had her shit together. The calm and hyperefficient type he rarely ended up with and now he wondered why. He dug the self-sufficiency and the desire to ruffle her feathers and see just how wild she could be once he got down a few layers was nearly overwhelming.
Why dont you tell me about the bonding?
All right, I will. She sniffed, slightly snotty and he dug it. Im going to give you the basics. You may know some of this so cut me some slack.
He didnt know much, he admitted inwardly.
In every clan youve got two types of witches. Commonwealth witches, essentially ninety percent of the clan. And council witches.
Why the disparity? Why so many of them and so few of you?
Us. Were freaks of nature.
He narrowed his gaze. What?
Most science points to a genetic anomaly. And a percentage of that percentage is compatible with each other. And when they connect their magick with the ascensiona spell thatll unite our magickthey rise to an even greater level of power by several orders of magnitude. Its our function, and our honor to use that extra power to run and protect the clan for the benefit of its members.
He tended to see that point and yet it bugged him that the few ran the clan for the many. And he said so.
The wards at Heart of Darkness? Ive seen only a handful of witches who can work spells like that. Youre already powerful and unique. Now, me? I could have done it and not tapped into the font. Because Ive been trained. If you choose to ascend, youd be able to do it ten times over without much of an effort. So its not much of a surprise is it? That witches with that sort of power end up running things?
Honestly, I dont know. I mean, I get it. But it seems undemocratic.
She shrugged. It is undemocratic. Were not a country, were a voluntary membership organization whose sole mission is to protect and enrich member witches.
Did you get training to rule then?
Its easy to be flip when you dont know anything. Yes, as a matter of fact. Ive been in training since before I took my first step. I work, on average, nearly eighty hours a week.
So do I.
She raised one brow, very slowly. And yet, Im not attacking your life. Its the other way around.
Im not attacking anything. Well, he supposed, it might appear that way. Did you know your whole life you were meant to be full-council? I mean, because your mom is, you are too?
She let him get away with his statement, but they both knew she did. Your mother must have been as well as your father. Children born of unions between two full-council witches will be full-council. Mixed couples its about a quarter of the time.
Its a wonder youre not all inbred freaks. As soon as it came from his mouth he wished he hadnt said it.
Such a way with words.
I dont like my life and future dictated by a bunch of shit I had nothing to do with deciding.
So dont. She shrugged and tugged free and he felt her absence acutely. Im not interested in forcing you to do anything, much less be with me. I want you to make that choice of your own free will. You still have it. She pushed to stand.
I do? Hows that? You walk into my club, we have this, this thing between us and now I cant get enough of you.
She sighed. Its our chemistry. I explained that. Genetics, magick, all that is our personal stew. Yours and mine like each other. She stepped into her boots and he sat straighter, alarmed.
What are you doing?
Im going home. She held a hand out. This is why Im glad we didnt have sex. Stay. Think. She bent to her bag and pulled a card out. Here. My numbers are on that. If we decide to go forward, you can try to get into my panties like everyone else. Work for it. I like opera and Thai food and steaks. You can call me for a date and we can get to know each other.