She let out the tension from holding her breath. You just did. Thanks for listening. Anything new on the mages?
And you are? Dominic slid into the booth on Meriels other side, getting so close he enfolded her into his side, his arm along the back of her seat.
This is Gage. Hes a friend and also runs the hunter crew for Nell. Gage, this is Dominic.
Gage gave Dominic a long up-and-down look and Meriel leaned back into Dominic, needing to soothe. Which worked because the tension in his arm lessened and he slid his fingertip in a figure eight up and down her shoulder.
I wanted to come out here to check the place over. See where I stood on the topic of this place being allowed to remain or not. I like what I see. Strong wards. I worry about the line of entry being through a space filled with humans. But I believe we can benefit from a place all the local Others are able to hang out and be ourselves.
Allowed to remain?
She turned to look at him. I told you exposure is a risk and that we had to assess all risks.
He interrupted before she could continue. And you never thought to tell me any of this? About some move to shut me down? How the hell can I trust you enough to be your bond-mate and all that jazz if you dont tell me everything?
It hurt that hed think she was capable of such a thing. In the first place, Im not hiding anything. I just referenced a time when I told you about the exposure issue being a problem. Secondly, there is no move to do anything. We saw you were stealing. I dealt with it. Thats what the clan knows. But Ill have to give a report on this place and of course one of the chief issues is going to be how safe this place is. To ignore that would be folly. It would be irresponsible of me both as the next in line to take over Owen and as your bond-mate to pretend away reality.
So you had this guy come to spy on me here?
Yes, frequently when I send out my spies I have them sit and have a drink with me and introduce them, complete with a reason for their being here, to you. Im so devious that way.
This is totally not going in the right direction. Gage put his drink down.
Meriel held a hand up to stay Gage. No. You dont need to explain yourself. I already did. She turned her attention back to Dominic. And if thats not enough, we have a far bigger problem than the existence of this club.
She made to scoot out of the booth but Dominic put a hand on her wrist. Not confining, which would have resulted in an injury. Wait.
Meriel? Are you all right? We can go right now. Gage said it to no one but her, which allowed her to catch her breath.
The tension ramped up as the two men both sought her attention. Both protective in their own way.
Dominic leaned in, his lips at her ear. Im sorry. I snapped at you and made a judgment that wasnt fair. We should talk. Dont leave this way.
She hesitated. This was what shed talked to Nell about a few times. That disconnect between what theyd grown up with and what their significant other understood and trusted. But more than that, clearly Dominic had trust issues. Which was such a cliche.
Gage waited, but looked out at the room instead of at her, giving her privacy to react.
Youre being a rude asshole, she said equally quietly.
I know. Im sorry. I felt broadsided. I know you told me about the exposure thing.
If she could show as much honesty when she got called out for being an asshole, shed be proud.
Please stay.
It would be like this from time to time. She understood that to her toes. He was a bossy, incorrigible man on many levels and she was a bossy woman who loved rules. They were bound to clash. So, she supposed, the real issue was how they got past it.
All right.
He kissed the corner of her mouth and then turned his attention to Gage. I apologize for my manners.
Gage nodded. And I apologize for how I brought the subject up.
Moving along. She squeezed Dominics hand. We need to talk about Rodas.
I had to call Nell. This is too big not to relay. I caught her before they were boarding their flight home anyway. Shell be in touch when she gets back. I told her to sleep first and she was mean to me.
Meriel laughed. Oh how shed missed her friend.
They spoke about the situation for some time. Dominic put in his opinion here and there, never in a pushy way. He had a lot of great insight about people and how they acted. Hed be so good at her side, would help her examine issues from a different perspective.
Multiple times theyd been interrupted, or rather, Dominic had been called away to deal with this or that. But it was good. It gave her a chance to watch him in action.
Gage tipped his glass in her direction. Your mother was right to hand this over to you. There will be a time, very soon I think, where working with witches across practice and clan affiliation will be necessary to protect ourselves. Youve known this for some time now. I respect the job your mother has done. But your vision is whats needed to lead the next generation.
She blushed, glad for the darkness in the club. Thanks. I just hope were catching this early enough to combat it.
Gages usually amused expression went hard. Well take this shit out. Period. Listen, weve spent two hours talking about this. Its Friday night and youre on a date. I see a lovely woman at the bar who really appears to need some company.
She looked to see who he meant and grinned, shaking her head. Go on then. Make her night.
Gages mouth tipped up into a sexy grin. Hes all right. Your Dominic. Gonna be a lot to handle so its good hes your bond-mate. Another woman might get swallowed up by a man like him. He leaned in to kiss her cheek and she knew without even looking up that Dominics attention had been snagged and hed be making his way back to her.
Thanks for listening.
I told you already, Im your friend. He slid out and moved toward the bar, snagging the womans awareness immediately.
Hm. He likes touching you.
She turned to Dominic and laughed right in his face. He likes touching me? And the eleven thousand woman whove given you an arm or chest full of mammaries as youve walked around here being all bossy and stuff? Whats their excuse? Have you known them their entire lives like I have Gage?
No. Theyre meaningless and also, I never claimed to be rational when the subject is you.
Disarmed and flattered, she snorted. You are aware that Id never let anyone but you get away with this sort of thing, right?
Grinning, he pulled her close. Yeah. It gets me hot. He kissed her long and slow there in the dark, the music around them, the heat of all the bodies, the scent of magick and sex everywhere.
Though shed never been the make-out-with-a-man-in-a-nightclub type, she sure was just then. Like whoa.
We should go.
He was so close, his heat against her face. She so should not. Yes, they had sexual heat. No question they wanted one another. But that wasnt the issue.
He walked her to the car and once they were both inside he turned to her. Youre going to make me wait, arent you?
Weve known each other a few days. I keep telling you sex will make this need stronger. Youre going to see me tomorrow night anyway.
He groaned and scrubbed his face with his hands. We both know this is going to happen.
Exactly. So why rush?
Youre holding sex hostage.
She burst out laughing. Is that what you think? Really? Oh, Dominic. She shook her head. I want it as much as you do, silly. This isnt easy for me either. Im not holding anything hostage. Such an assertion is insulting. Like Im some dumb bimbo who has to trick you into sex.
She straightened her spine and he groaned again. Lethal, this woman. And still he smiled because she totally caught him.
Fine, fine. He pulled away and headed back to her place. And I dont think that, by the way. The last thing you are is dumb. Its all the backup of sperm in my system.
She laughed again, the annoyance gone from her features.
I have to go to New York on Sunday. Ill be back Thursday unless something dire comes up. That friend I told you about? Hes opening a new club and were going to be talking about some possible joint business ventures. The rest of my group of friends will be there too. He realized he wanted her to know hed be back.
Oh. All right then.
He pulled up in front of her building. Have a coffee with me?
Chapter 10
DOMINIC was fairly sure hed never wanted to have sex more in his entire life. And that included the year he was fourteen.
Hed picked her up at her place for the opera and shed come to her door looking like shed stepped from a magazine ad. Hair in a chic updo. She wore some sort of fancy dress and equally fancy shoes. No one could accuse Meriel Owen of not dressing up enough for an evening out.
Shed been elegant and beautiful on his arm. Hed never been to the opera and found himself totally falling into the story. But never enough not to be totally aware of the way she smelled. Or of the rise and fall of those ridiculously beautiful breasts heaved up at the bodice of her dress.
Shed shared a big part of herself that evening and the one before. Shed shown him some of her magick, had helped him with his. Theyd debated politics both witch and human. She was a fierce opponent and their discussions had the sort of heat that only left him craving more.
They stopped by Heart of Darkness for a bit, but all he really wanted was her. All to himself. My building has a rooftop garden. Would you like to come up and see it?
She grinned. Is that like asking if I want to see your etchings?
It is a lovely garden, even in the cold and wet. And yes, it would leave us astonishingly close to my place. Where my bed is.
She watched him, clearly wrestling with herself. He gave himself stern lectures to let her figure it out without any pressure.
I suppose I like gardens.
So glad to hear that, he said as he pulled her from the booth.
He was pretty sure if he didnt get inside her soon he might die. She was something else and he wanted more.
FEELS like you can see my building from here, she said as she shivered just a little.
Nice opportunity for him to touch her though. He took his suit jacket off and put it around her shoulders and held her to his side.
My father has a garden. Like an acre and a half of garden. Every year he takes on some new project and my mother just sighs and tells him to get on with it. He loves working in the dirt.
Are you a gardener?
She laughed. No. I am a disaster with plants. I cant even keep a houseplant alive. At work my office has fake plants in it. What about you?
I havent been up here in ages. I like gardens and all, but Im not usually around during the day.
And then she turned to him, remaining in his arms. Id like to go inside now.
He tried to remain nonchalant but it was a chore not to drive her down to his place at a harried pace. As it was, it wasnt until hed closed the door, locking it as he watched her toe her pretty heels off, that he allowed himself to believe it was going to happen. She turned her head, still slightly bent to get her shoe loose, a sexy smile on her face.
I swear to you I totally am fine with whatever increased connection we gain after we have sex, he blurted and she straightened, one hand on her hip, head cocked to the side.
I dont know if you are really. But looking at you right now, feeling the way you make me feelI cant seem to find any willpower at all to make you wait. Hell, make me wait. I want you, Dominic. The need will grow, but I cant manage to tell you no anymore. Im not expecting more than sex from you at this point. Feel what youre supposed to feel.
She reached up to the neck of the dress and undid something. The material slid from her body and pooled at her feet.
Uhwas all he could think to say as he looked his fill at her.
Her smile lost all its caution and he found that a good reason to get out of his shirt. He missed the buttons a few times because he couldnt take his gaze from her bare breasts. Just beautiful.
She stepped to him, gently moving his hands from the way and finishing unbuttoning his shirt and the cuffs. I love it when a man wears French cuffs with cuff links. Its so deliciously old-school and gentlemanly.
Thats always what hed thought too. Hed watched Cary Grant in the old movies as hed been growing up. It hadnt been a casual coincidence that hed ended up with French cuffs and a tray full of cuff links. Each set had been a way of telling himself hed made it. Built himself into a success.
Your breasts look even better when youre so close I can see how tight your nipples are.
Her skin, so warm and very soft, drew his lips. He took his time, tasting and teasing. Wanting to savor her now that he had her in his bed.
Of course now that he had her here in his bed, he was totally going to keep her.
He paused at the base of her neck, feasting on her frantic pulse and the echo of her soft, sexy moans.
He heard the intake of breath when he pulled away. Liked the way she licked her lips as she looked at him. Hungry. Loved the confident way she slid a palm from the waist of his pants, up the wall of his chest and around the back of his neck. Her nipples brushed against him and they both groaned.
Youre nearly naked. In my front hallway. Its like Christmas and my birthday all at once.
She laughed and he twirled her, drawing her back to his bedroom and his bed. They paused at the doorway where he backed her up against the jamb while he made quick work of the barely there panties she had on.
Now Im totally naked.
He walked her back until she landed on his bed. You are. My favorite.
And that wasnt a lie. She was long and curvy. Her skin was pale and pretty. The only tattoo she appeared to have was the mark at her wrist, but he liked the pierced belly button. He bent to tug it with his teeth.
Everything in him wanted her. Wanted this beautiful, intelligent and strong woman all for his own.
Im naked, she repeated, waving her hand at him, and youre not. Youre giving me a bad case of the sads, Dominic. Why do you want that?
Before he could answer, she sat up on the bed and pulled his belt off, unbuttoning and unzipping his pants and shoving them down his legs. There. I did most of the work for you. Get to it.
Laughing, he kicked the clothes off and leapt on the bed to straddle her body. He couldnt recall the last time he ever laughed this much with a woman, much less one he was having sex with. Probably because he never had.
Those lush lips, glossy and swollen from his kisses, called to him again as he pulled her so she rested on top of him, close enough to touch.
Finally, he said before taking a nipple between his teeth, youre just where I want you.
She laughed. Is that a compliment?
God, yes. He kissed his way to the other nipple, enjoying the way she squirmed.
Okay then.
The curve of her hips called to fingertips and mouth, the dip at her waist, the swell of her thighs, velvety soft at the back of her knees. Tickled the backs of her thighs as he rolled her over. Her back was a perfect curve as he kissed up the long line of her spine, pausing to kiss each indentation at the base, right above her perfect ass.
Sweether soft shudder when he gave her a gentle edge of his teeth at the back of her neck.
Hurry, she whispered, rolling her hips back toward him, inciting his want.
Im trying to take this slow. Greedy.
She turned around and grabbed his cock, giving it a gentle squeeze. I dont want slow. Not this time.
It was his turn to swallow hard. I dont want to hurt you. I want you so much.
I wont break. I promise.
She dragged the head of his cock through her slick folds and he might have blacked out for a minute or two at how good it felt.
His resolve melted away and he leaned over, grabbed a condom and was ready for action.
Still with me?
She paused, looking up into his face. Youre very sweet. She stretched up to kiss his lips. It undoes all my defenses.
He pressed in, counting to fifty to try not to lose it before he even got all the way inside her.
Resolve? Ha! He had none left. Shed torn it to shreds. He wanted inside, wanted to be in her as deeply as he could get and still, he knew without a doubt it wouldnt be enough.
She stretched beneath him, tightening her muscles and then wrapping herself around him.
Which took him deeper and made him forget how to count.
So good. He kissed her lips, across her chin, down to her neck where he nuzzled, breathing her in. Her nails sank into his skin as she held on.
Her body received him and as he seated himself in her fully, he had to pause to appreciate just how amazing it felt.
He breathed deep and began to move.
Hard, shed said. And hed agreed. Every cell in his body had agreed as he thrust into that wet, snug heat.
Hed kept his face buried in her neck. Tenderness rushed through her, spicing the arousal. This was so much more than having sex had ever been. Shed thought shed loved before. Had been close with those men shed slept with. But this was different.
It was different because he was different. His weight against her was just right. He fit her just right. A silly sort of Goldilocks moment, but it was true nonetheless. Sweat-slicked skin slid together, the friction of it delicious. Leaving her delirious with need. Need she understood only he could fill.
That connection to him shook her. She was glad it came as he was inside her. Glad it came as his lips rested against the throbbing pulse at her throat. Possession swept over her then. Shed never been the jealous type. After all, if a man didnt want her as much as she him, it was his loss. But Dominic Bright was her man. Hers.
And she had zero intention of giving him back.
He angled himself, adjusting the legs shed had wrapped around his waist. He pushed her knees up and apart, fitting into her so deeply it stole her breath. The length of him stroked over her clit over and over. The pressure hard enough that she understood he knew exactly what he was doing.
Hed moved his head; this time they were nose to nose and the intimacy of it made her nervous even as it titillated. Being seen by this man, in such a raw way, left her short of breath. Or it could have been the way her orgasm began to hover just at the edge of her vision. Waiting for that right stroke, the perfect amount of pressure for long enough.
He thrust, playing her body like a master. And she wanted more.
More, she heard her stuttered whisper and forgot she hadnt meant to say it out loud.
Harder this time, so that her breasts bounced up each time he slammed into her all the way. He reared back and she was able to take him in better. He had tattoos on his biceps and along his belly. Shed need to investigate that further. Like with her mouth.
Come on, gorgeous. Come, he whispered against her lips when he dipped his head down for a kiss.
Nearly there
Just a little more pressure
And then he moved his fingers, brushing two of them over her clit with a light but consistent touch and she flew apart with a cry of his name.
He wasnt far behind and within long, excruciatingly pleasurable moments, theyd ended up collapsed on his bed, breath heaving.
Chapter 11
WHY are you here? Nell cruised into Meriels office.
Thats my line. She got up and moved to embrace her friend. Im so glad youre back. Tell me about the honeymoon.
Im not telling you shit here. Nell waved and her pretty diamond ring caught the light. Its Sunday. Youre at work. This is ridiculous.
Says the woman standing in the office on Sunday lecturing me about being here on a Sunday.
Ive been having sex with my absurdly handsome husband multiple times daily for two weeks. I have the rest of my life to catch up on. Nell laughed. Girl, I cant tell you how much I enjoyed Fiji. But thats mainly because I was too busy getting carnal with William.
Lets get some lunch. I have so much to tell you. She squeezed Nells hand.
Most of it had better have nothing to do with this mage crap. I want to hear all the good stuff first. Then well talk about work.
I need a reuben.
Nell looked at her carefully. What the hell, Meriel? You only need reubens from Three Girls when youre eating your feelings.
Meriel laughed, like truly, deeply laughed because shed missed Nell so much.
I met my bond-mate. Guess what he does?
Nell goggled at her. You better mean last night. You have to since you havent told me anything about it until right now.
Even though she knew Nell would be mad, she was still giddy over it. Both at having Nell back and being able to talk about Dominic with someone whod understand.
You are in such trouble. Nell looked around and grabbed Meriels bag. Lets go. Well talk elsewhere. You cant be at work on a Sunday anyway.
Her friends expression told Meriel there was no use arguing with her and she didnt want to.
They walked down to Pike Place and grabbed the aforementioned sandwiches, along with some cookies and a few lemon bars. One more quick stop for some tea and they headed over to Nells place.
Wheres the mister? Meriel looked around for William.
He had to run down to Vegas for a few days to deal with work stuff. Sit down, Im going to start the water for tea and youre going to tell me everything. Most notably why youve met your bond-mate and havent ascended yet.
Hes the guy who runs Heart of Darkness, she said around a mouthful of her sandwich.
Why, oh, why do we get tested with men who run nightclubs? Nell shook her head, grinning. Her husband owned a burlesque-themed nightclub in Las Vegas and was in talks to open another locally. Nell had met him nearly two years before while investigating a woman whod stolen money from some Owen holdings. The woman had been his ex and he and Nell had connected from the start.
We havent done the ascension spell yet becausegah, its complicated.
Complicated how? Is he married? With someone already? That happened, they both knew. The bond was perfect if one meant in the way it connected two witches and unlocked magickal potential. But people had lives and life included things like the person youre a potential bond-mate to being with someone already.
No, not that, thank goodness. Hes outclan. He didnt even know he was a council witch until I keyed him into the font and we worked our magick together.
Good lord, so what does he think? That we have secret police and arrest people who dont give us all their worldly goods? She stood again. Why do we have no chips out? Falling down on the job, Meriel.
Back in moments, Nell tossed a bag of Doritos on the table between.
Im going to be so sick in like fifteen minutes if I keep inhaling this. Nell put her sandwich down a few minutes later. I cant not tell you this any longer. I have no willpower and I think it might be because Im pregnant. And, obviously I want to share that with you because its so totally cool! Nell laughed, clapping her hands and Meriel got up to give her friend a hug.
Damn right its cool! How long have you known?
Oh, you dont get to be pouty over me not telling you when you met your bond-mate and didnt even leave me a voice mail about it. Nell frowned a moment and then got back to the point when theyd sat down again.
I was late on our wedding day. But I thought hey, stress of the wedding because as youre aware, his mother is Satans minion on earth.
Meriel nodded, sipping her tea. This was an accepted truth.
Anyway, I was late but its not the first time so Im really not thinking its a big deal. You on the other hand have no such excuse.
I didnt tell you because I wanted you to have your honeymoon without any intrusions. I couldnt tell you over the voice mail. I dont evenShe shook her head, not knowing how to say it and already on the verge of tears as it was.
Well get to that next. Nell gave her a brief glare. Im about six weeks along. We havent told anyone but you. My parents would fuss and Im not ready for that yet. God only knows what his mother will do, but I truly hope it means shell stay on the other side of the country. Like forever. Hes telling his brother on this trip to Vegas. Itsshe paused, smiling at Merielits the most wonderful thing I could have imagined. Hes been beautiful about it. He wanted to take a picture of the stick with the two lines. The stick Id just peed on, for heavens sake. Nell shuddered and made a face. So of course I vetoed it, but Im giving him credit for being so mushy about it. And by the way, Meriel, were you aware that many resort sundry shops carry pregnancy tests? All in all, pretty much the best honeymoon a gal could ask for.
Im so happy for you both. This is so cool.
It is. And youre going to be here to help me because you know how hopeless I am at this stuff. What do I know about babies?
Puhleeze. Youll do great. Anyway, dont look at me, I cant even keep a houseplant alive.
You know everything. And if you dont, you know where to find the answer. I think Williams more excited about that than I am. He just sold half the club to his brother. Nash will run it.
Meriel knew what a big deal that would have been. As long as William had the sole responsibility for the club, hed never be able to live in Seattle full-time. This sale meant he was committed to life here with Nell and their baby. It was a really good day.
I was just thinking what a good day it was.
Yeah. I knew youd make me feel even more excited. And you did. Now, tell me about Dominic. Whats his deal?
Hes everything I thought I didnt want. Overbearing. Bossy. Likes having his own way. Looks so damned good you know why he mostly gets it. She grinned. Hes arrogant. Just oozes testosterone. Has a mysterious past thatcome on, lets face ityou know has to be dark. Wary.
She bit off the corner of the lemon bar and sighed happily.
And hes also protective. Gentle. Sweet at times. Intelligent on several levels. Hes a smart businessman. You can tell when you look at Heart of Darkness. Hes got a great deal of power. He doesnt even have an idea of how much. He was raised by a foster father. He doesnt talk much about his parents, just that theyd died when he was a baby.
Whats he like in bed? What does he look like? Come on and tell me the juicy stuff.
Hes about six and a half feet or so. Big. The kind of body that tells you he works out. Meriel paused to fan herself. He boxes. He tried to make it sound like he and his friends just met up and I dont know, punched each other a lot. And being familiar with men and the kinds of things they consider fun, I believe it. Whatever it is, his upper body is tight and muscular. Its the flattest belly Ive ever seen in person.
Damn, you scored.
She nodded. Totally. Anyway, hes got brownish-blond hair. Just touches his collar. Its all thick and soft. Hes even got one of those locks that falls forward and makes him look rakish. Hes a menace. Dark lashes against these eyes. Unbelievable this color. Pale green. Dapper dresser, even his casual clothes.