Chapter 24
Excitement bubbled, nearly overflowing through Josephine. Her cousin and her husband were coming from across the country. The cousin was powerful but shunned her own magic. The husband was a friend of Josephine’s.
Orlando was as cunning as he was gorgeous. And he wanted to be rid of a wife who was unwilling to use her power for her own gain. He struck a deal with Josephine. Maxine would die, freeing him of the bond, and Orlando would restore her essence so she wouldn’t have to rely on feeding, though she’d still be able to take new powers.
She would rid of him of the angelic wife in a way that would break their bond if he would help her find a solution to her constant need for magical essence.
He had an idea of how to accomplish her goals, or so he claimed. He could prove it to her shortly.
Mason turned toward Josephine. “Think she’ll suspect?”
“No, she’s naïve. She thinks everyone is as good and pure as she is. Such a fool. Her husband, if she only knew how truly dark he was, she’d have a heart attack.”
“He wants her dead?” Mason asked, doubt on his face.
Her pet had grown a conscience. And if he wasn’t such an asset, always striving to please, she’d get rid of him. But perhaps, after he took some magic, she could take it back from him if he ever became too much of a problem.
For now, she liked the attention. His only goal was to please her. Not status, not power. Both of which Butch craved. No, Mason wanted her love and affection.
Sighing, she took a look at her watch. She was hoping Maxine would call soon. She wanted to grant Mason some power to help him capture the redhead.
Finally, her phone rang. She answered. “Hello, Maxine. Are you heading for the arrival doors?”
“Josie, it’s so good to hear your voice. Yes, we’ll be at the doors momentarily.”
* * * *
Jacinda looked over at Chatan as he parked. “Why the lake?” she asked softly.
He captured her hand. “I have to work tonight. I wanted to spend a good portion of our evening here, at the gazebo. I figured we could have a few uninterrupted hours together.”
“Most of our time has been uninterrupted.”
He looked forward and parked. “Am I monopolizing too much of your time?”
“No.” She took his hand. “I told you, I’m not used to being with someone. I’m coming to crave the constant closeness, which isn’t something that’s easy for me to admit.” No, she wanted to remain aloof, but that proved impossible with Chatan.
“That doesn’t go away,” he murmured. “And it seems like I have a lot of time away from you.”
She laughed softly. “You can’t have me every second of the day. You have a life too. And you’re working at the motel tonight?”
Nodding, he climbed out of the truck and came around to her. The door opened and she turned toward him. His hands landed on either side of her hips as he moved closer. “You can hang out with me in the office, make the time pass faster, at least until you need to sleep.”
“We’ll see how everything goes. I may try to piece the rest of the puzzle together. I still don’t have a clue what to do with the bracelet. And it’s missing a piece.”
He nodded, but a smile lit his face. “I have an idea about that. Let’s go to the gazebo.”
“Okay,” she answered slowly. “Why?”
“Please, Jace, trust me.”
“Sure.” She let him wrap his hands around her waist and lifted her out of the truck.
“You want to shift our clothes for this?” Chatan asked.
Blushing, she nodded. Reaching under her clothes, she changed the bra and panties as he took his shirt off, then kicked his shoes off. She removed her clothes. He opened his pants and she took the hem of his underwear, shifting them as he pushed his pants down with a grin.
“I’d go skinny dipping with you, but there’s no guarantee we’d be alone over here. That’s why I want to take you to the island.”
“Then let’s go.” She pushed him toward the water, then darted past him.
He closed in and threw her over his shoulder as he ran into the water. “Got you now.”
Giggling, she swatted him on the butt and he dove in the water with her. Gulping in a breath, she pushed free and swam for the island.
He caught up but stayed by her side as she did her best to push her speed. On the shore, he pulled her close and whispered in her ear, “Do you like me chasing you?”
Turning to face him, she licked her lips. “I do.” She shouldn’t. She didn’t want to be falling so hard, but she couldn’t help it. If she wasn’t terrified he’d freak out about Thanatos, she’d tell him everything. That or he’d follow her when she left. She couldn’t have that.
* * * *
Chatan climbed onto shore behind Jacinda. It was hell trying to keep his hands to himself. She rushed past the towels, to the gazebo, not bothering to wrap up. When she turned back he caught her around the waist and pulled her close, then captured her lips.
Her hands slid up his torso, a happy sigh escaping her sweet lips.
As long as they were on the island, they’d have no interruptions. No calls. Nothing but the two of them.
“Good plan,” she murmured against his lips.
After lifting her, he sat her on the rail. Her legs opened and he stepped closer, trailing his fingertips over her soft skin. She shivered under his touch. He followed freckles up her arms, over her shoulders. “Should have laid you down to explore you, but we didn’t bring the towels to use as a pillow.”
She laughed softly. “Don’t need that. Just want you.”
He reached around to untie the bikini top, then trailed his fingers over her freckles as the wet fabric fell. “So pretty. I close my eyes and see you there.”
She combed her fingers into his hair, bringing his eyes to hers. “You are the most beautiful man I’ve ever laid eyes on, Chatan. I never expected you.”
“I’ve been searching for someone to make me feel this.”
She blinked, her mouth opening and closing.
“Don’t say anything. I know I’m going too fast, but I can’t help it. You’re everything I want.” His mouth closed over hers, keeping her silent. She wasn’t ready for words.
She pushed him back. “You too,” she whispered, her eyes searching his.
He cupped her breast, thumbing her nipple.
Her eyes closed with the moan that escaped her lush lips.
Chatan took another kiss as he touched her. She responded to every caress. He kissed down her neck and collarbone, then licked her other tight peak.
Her nails trailed down his neck and shoulders, then over his nipples. His dick jerked at the sensation. She kept moving down, slipping one hand under his waistband as the other pushed his shorts down.
Gulping, she sat back, watching his face, clearly nervous.
“That’s good,” he whispered against her ear as he slid her bottoms to the side. “Ready for me?”
“Mmhmm. Please.” She guided him to her core.
He pulled her hand away as he pushed into her, taking his time. She was so wet, so tight, but he still managed. “Love the feel of you.”
“Nothing feels like this.”
He sucked her earlobe, one arm wrapped around her body, the other gripping the rail. Her legs wrapped around him, her body undulating.
He gripped her ass and moved her against the column, pinning her as he made love to her. She held on to his shoulders, her forehead pressed to his as she stared into his eyes.
“Chatan,” she breathed.
“Jace,” he answered, pushing his pace faster. He held on tighter as his fingers dug into the flesh of her ass.
She screamed his name as she came, pulling him with her. Light flashed through Chatan. Colors burst from Jacinda like fireworks with no fire and sparks.
Magic danced between them as he turned and slid down the column with Jacinda still wrapped around him.
She pressed closer, her fingers combing into his hair. The colors faded as her necklace came alive. The tiny hawk and smaller dove flew from the pendant, around the gazebo. Hawk chased her, but Dove landed on a vine and pulled a flower free with her beak. Hawk landed beside her and nudged her face with his own.
“He feels the same way about her as I feel about you.”
“Does it always happen so fast?”
“What we share? Only with the right person.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because it feels like this.”
The birds took flight, circling once more. Jacinda held her hand out. Dove dropped the flower in her palm before taking her place back on the pendant with Hawk. Hawk hardened back into redwood, while Dove turned into ivory once again.
Chatan touched her knee. “I think she wants you to use your magic on it.”
“Huh?” Jacinda asked, staring at the flower.
“I feel something inside you trying to push to the surface. Your magic to change things. Focus your energy into the flower.”
Biting her lip, she closed her hand, loosely, so she wouldn’t crush the flower. Magic rushed through her and she gasped as the flower turned into something hard and round. Opening her hand, she found an amethyst the same shape of the empty setting in the bracelet.
Chatan took the stone and popped it into place. The metal closed around it of its own accord. “Now it’s complete.” And he was positive that the two of them were meant for one another.
There was a bond, an undeniable one, and he wanted to tell her what was in his heart, but she wasn’t there yet.
“That was incredible. We helped them.” She stared back at him.
“We did.” Though it was all her.
She glanced at the sky. “Can we stay here longer? Just the two of us.”
“Of course, Jace. Nowhere I’d rather be.” Than with her.