Chapter Three
She must be bloody mad. Opening her clutch, she took out the full-length strap and secured it into place, dropping it over her shoulder. Bloody mad. She’d had the perfect opportunity to politely excuse herself and she’d hesitated.
She cursed herself as she watched him, his shirt sleeves rolled up. The muscles in his tanned forearm shifted as he signed the tab. His jacket hung over the nearby chair.
She had no problem saying no when she didn’t want something. It was saying no when she did that was the problem.
As he walked towards her, she released an inner sigh; dammit, she was not in the habit of denying herself.
She smiled at the doorman as they left, and breathed in the dusky twilight, pulling London into her lungs. “I hope you left Jason a nice message?”
A lopsided grin lit his features. “Sure. I signed the tab and wrote, ‘Jess says thanks’.”
She let the laugh lift through her, slowly nodding her head. “Nice.”
As they headed onto Horse Guards Parade she became aware, with each footfall, how quiet the city had become. The sun had set but the pubs were yet to call time, and the parade was deserted.
The black and gold wrought iron gates of St. James’s Park rose before them, and the scent of night stocks and lavender sat on the air, filling the easy silence between them. The sandstone path weaved its way towards the unseen Palace, and when his warm hand enclosed hers she didn’t pull away.
He laced their fingers, his palm rough and solid as it met hers. She concentrated on the excited energy that pooled low in her belly. It’d been a long time. It was good to feel the spark of longing.
The fountain slowly came into view as they rounded the bend, the cascading water reflecting myriad prisms of glittering lights as swans drifted across the lake. The soft skin of their wrists touched and his pulse beat too fast, as did hers. It was like a fairy tale.
Except something was wrong.
Her step faltered as unease moved through her. The warm late summer evening was full of the flowery scents of August, but something prodded her conscious. She felt something watching them.
Opening her mind, she threw out a diaphanous web, tentatively searching for whatever had sent the sudden chill crawling up her spine.
Something was trailing her.
“You okay?”
His hushed voice calmed, as his firm grip steadied her.
“Yeah. Silly shoes is all.” Looking up at him, she caught the serious edge to his voice, the tension filling his stance, and his gaze flicked all around them. Had he picked up on something too?
“Men are lucky.” She looked pointedly at his brogued feet as they walked, drawing his attention down. “I mean, heels would look ridiculous with those trousers, but still, you know what I’m saying?”
His confused look told her she’d briefly distracted him, as she’d hoped, and she offered him a wide-eyed stare.
Shaking his head, he stared at her shoes. “I don’t think I’d manage to walk in those. And you’ve got much better legs than me.”
“Thanks.” She gave him a sassy wink that left him chuckling, as she silently chanted the mirror spell. She hated—hated—to use mirror magic, but they were not completely alone in a dark park, and she was flash out of options. Now, she just needed him to close his eyes. “And I’m sure your legs are great.”
His chuckle became a full-blown laugh, as he ran his hand through his hair, and she caught his mild embarrassment. The laughter lifted his tension, and heightened his energy, which would help her send this damn whatever-it-was running for the hills.
“Well, I’m not taking my trousers off here for you to find out.” He gave her a knowing look filled with humor. “Men get arrested for doing that kind of thing in parks, you know.”
Coming to a standstill, she planted both palms on her hips, and tapped her foot. She made him turn to face her, leaving his back to whatever was tagging along. “Afraid?”
Excitement tripped through her system as his heavy-lidded gaze clashed with hers and he stalked towards her, catching her around the waist.
Her breath caught in her throat as his chest pressed to hers. His shoulders were broad and solid beneath her palms, the soft silk of his shirt a direct contrast to the hardness of him.
He easily lifted her from the floor, allowing her to see the park behind him. And that was when she saw them: eyes, glinting from the undergrowth, watching them.
She cursed beneath her breath as she brought their lips together, furious that she wasn’t able to just sink into him.
Her silent chanting beat a heavy drum within her as she pulled magic from deep down. Linking her arms around his neck, she faced her palms out, and making a final check that his eyes were shut, she released the spell.
The magic rushed through her system, bouncing from her palms in a silver electric rush. The circle of magic morphed into a ring of mirrors around them, coursing with the power of protection, a beam unerringly finding the creature in the trees.
The low groan sounded distinctly feminine, as whatever it was hissed, and smoke hazed the night air.
The power kept a thrumming rhythm within her, as his taste finally penetrated her senses. Letting her eyes drift shut, she breathed him in; his arms wrapped around her, the heat of him scorching through the sheer fabric of the back of her dress.
He tasted of whisky and the ocean. How was that even possible? She swept her tongue across his lips, teasing the soft skin of his bottom lip.
As his grasp eased, she slowly slid to the ground, releasing a soft moan as his hands settled at her waist, running a heated upward trail, his fingers touching her spine. A shiver swept her body as he traced the soft skin of her neck, to her hairline; his fingers ever so gently undoing her hair, dropping the pins to the ground.
Cupping her jaw, he took a final taste of her lips, before pulling back from her. Jess leant her head against his chest, catching her breath, calming herself and her magic, before lifting her gaze. High color flagged his cheekbones, and although his lips curved, he looked feral. She had the dangerous sensation of being hunted, and she liked it.
Sweeping her hair over one shoulder she waited. Whatever had been in the park had fled after taking a hit from her, but she wondered for how long.
“Jess?” The ever darkening night hid him, and his rough voice was like a caress.
She bent down and picked up her clutch and his jacket, handing it to him. “Come on.” She kept her voice low as she reached for his hand, pulling him away from the lake.
The brightly lit Mall lay beyond the gates, and the silence of the park faded away as cars and taxis streamed closer with each step.
As she walked through the gates, she caught her breath. It rarely happened these days, but the noise and light overwhelmed her, and just for a minute it was all too much, and she flinched at the energy overload.
Stepping in front of her, he seemed to be shielding her from the traffic, and she found herself reaching out to stroke his back.
Hailing a taxi, he opened the door, reaching for her hand to help her in to the black-cab.
He looked through the glass screen to the driver. “The Rembrandt.” Before turning to her. “You okay?”
“Sure, it was just all a bit bright.” She laughed self-consciously, and noticed the time. “The night’s raced away…”
As the taxi pulled away, she felt her internal barriers kick back in, blocking out the constant hustle of London. She loved the thrum of life here, but if she let her guard slip it could also drain her dry.
He settled in beside her, and she felt him relax. “Hmm. I’m sure my excellent company had something to do with that.”
She laughed, as she knew he’d hoped she would. “I think I’m pretty good company myself.”
“Well, it beats sitting with the boring art buyer moaning about politics, doesn’t it?”
She grinned and turned to him, surprised to find herself so close. The lights whizzed by, dancing over his face. He had kind eyes, and it felt so natural to lean towards him, to brush her lips with his. “More than beats it.”
Easing back, she caught the surprise in his eyes. She’d overstepped. Somehow in the last handful of hours she’d crossed a line, with him and herself. It was late, and she was high from magic and passion, and probably overloaded with outside energy as well as empty of her own.
Looking away from him, out the window, she squeezed her eyes shut, and readied herself to make a flippant remark. But he touched her hand, coupling his with hers, and his softly mumbled ‘good’ silenced her.
The cab eased to a stop in front of his hotel, and she let go of his hand, watching his shirt pull taught across his shoulder blades as he opened the door and picked up his jacket. Her hand felt cold without his heat, and despite the excitement dancing through her, she knew she’d be monumentally stupid to get involved with someone from work. She’d only met him today—and he was a friend of Jason’s. The list of reasons against just kept getting longer.
Stepping from the cab he turned, holding his hand towards her.
“Come with me?” His expression gave nothing away, but his eyes…they told a completely different story.
Opening her mouth to say no, it crept up on her; the malice, untempered hunger, that feeling of being watched, preyed upon. It was back.
Offering him a smile, she tilted her head, playing for time while she honed in on the source. “That probably wouldn’t be smart.”
It was off to her left, close to the hotel. Glancing over her shoulder, she could almost pick-up something in the shadow between the buildings. Dammit, she could leave him and go after it, but it could also double back and take a shot a Seb. It would be safer to stay with him. Yeah, whatever you need to tell yourself. She cursed her little voice.
“Probably not.” His voice was hushed. “Come with me anyway.”
His hand was sure and steady as he waited for her.
Jess could feel the palpable disappointment of whatever was stalking her, when she placed her hand in his. Not sure what to make of that, or how she was going to handle Seb, she let him pull her from the cab.
She lightly held his wrist as he went to press the button for the elevator, halting him. “I’m going to come up, but there can’t be any funny business.”
His head tipped as he looked at her—studied her. She searched for any sign of what he might be thinking, surprised when the grin lit his face.
Gently pulling from her grip he pressed the button, the elevator doors opening before them. “‘Funny business’. I like that.”
The air thickened as the doors closed, and Jess firmed her lips, realizing she’d just made herself sound like an uptight spinster. Catching his gaze, he was still smirking, and she crunched her nose at him, flicking her hair as she lifted her chin. “You know what I mean; we work together, you’re a friend of Jason’s, I’m a friend of Jason’s—it would get awkward…”
***
Seb leant back against the wall, sliding his hands in pockets. “Why? Are you and Jason involved?” He knew full well they weren’t, but he was curious to see her reaction.
Her eyes widened as she turned to fully face him, her jaw virtually hanging open. “No! Gross, that’s just—there are no words. None. Gross.” She sliced her hand in front of her, as if to enunciate her statement. He hid his smug look behind a laugh.
“Well, okay then.” He waited a heartbeat before adding, “So what’s the problem?”
She slitted her eyes at him, playful annoyance sparkling in their depths. “You know what the problem is.” She poked him none too lightly in the back, as she followed him down the plushly carpeted corridor to his room. “We’re going to be in offices across the hall from each other, and when this ends we’re still going to have to work together.”
Holding the door ajar so she could walk past him into the room, he dropped the key card and his jacket on the dressing table. “So negative, Jessica.” He raised his brow, deliberately baiting her. “Who says it has to end?”
She closed her mouth with a snap, both her brows arched. “Oh, bugger off. Other young things might fall for that, but I’m totally not having this discussion. Besides—”
He cut her off from whatever else she’d been about to say. “Good. We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it, then. Drink?” He left her stood near the balcony doors, and walked off smiling to himself. He liked her, liked her sharp temper and quick mouth.
Staring into the well-stocked minibar in the private kitchenette, he closed his eyes at the thought of her mouth. He definitely liked that.
The glasses weren’t the heavy crystal they’d been drinking out of, and the scotch wasn’t as good. But then, you couldn’t have everything. He added a bowl of ice to the tray, and headed back to the main room.
Her clutch was lying on his jacket, her shoes left by the closed balcony doors, and she was outside, leaning on the railing looking down onto the street.
Opening the door, he looked questioningly at her as she whipped round with a smile.
“Okay?” Looking round her at the quietening city, he raised his shoulders. “Much to look at out here?”
“Nope, nothing. It’s chilling down too. Inside is better.”
She slid past him, as he stared to the street below. A caustic smoke tinged the air, irritating his eyes. Pulling the door closed, he drew the heavy drapes. “Smells like burning rubber out there.”
“Hmmm.” She briefly agreed as she touched the screen on the neat Bluetooth system, scrolling through the hotel’s music before finally settling on something bluesy. “This place is so nice, you won’t want to leave.”
Coming towards her, he slid his arm around her dainty waist, then taking her hand he placed it on his chest, gently easing her to him to softly sway with the music.
The top of her head barely brushed his chin without her shoes on. Her breasts cushioned against his chest, the petal soft skin of her hand in his left his heart pounding a heavy rhythm, as lust sank through his system. Which he reckoned she couldn’t fail to notice, as the heavy weight of his shaft pressed against her hip.
He looked down, to find a warm smile on her beautiful face. “What?”
“So. We’re dancing then?” Her voice had a husky quality, as if she’d just woken from sleep. She lightly adjusted his collar as she spoke.
As she angled her head back to look up him, her dark hair brushed his arm as he held her, the silky locks sent shivers across the skin. The dip of her spine through the sheer fabric of her dress sent heat rising up his back.
She fit perfectly to him, every lush curve, and he didn’t question the urge to taste her sweet lips. Cupping the back of her head, easing his fingers through the fall of her hair, he breathed her in, took her mouth.
Sweeping his tongue against her own, he came to a standstill as their heavy breaths filled his ears. She’d gone up on her toes, sliding her arms around his shoulders, pulling him down to her. Her hungry kiss egged him on.
Bending down, he deftly lifted her into his arms, not breaking their kiss.
Lifting her closer allowed him better access to her sweetness, and he nipped at her lips, as he headed for the couch.
Backing down into the dark leather, he settled in, adjusting her on his lap.
Her long legs lay across the cushions, and he couldn’t help reaching out, smoothing his palm up the sleek length of her calf, curving his hand around the back of her knee and sweeping up her thigh.
As he slid beneath the hem of her dress, he groaned at the feel of the stocking top. The satiny band gave way to even silkier flesh, and his heart just about beat out of his chest at the thought of what she wore under the confines of her clothes.
His fingers reached the edge of something lacy that curved high across her buttock and he gripped the sweet weight, loving how the rich curve gave beneath his molding grasp.
She gasped lightly against his lips, the sound lost in his heated kiss, as she splayed her hands across his shoulders pulling away, resting her forehead against his chest.
“Seb…” Her voice trailed off as she caught her breath.
He waited her out, tracing circles across the exposed skin at the back of her thigh. The dress had ridden up, pulled taught across his forearm, revealing the neatly banded hold-ups. He wanted to lick the skin visible there, with hot, wet, open-mouthed kisses, and discover what a luscious piece she was.
Until she finally lifted her head, her lips heavy and full from his. “Seb,” she broke off, and shook her head, a lilt of laughter in her voice as she spoke. “I have no idea what to say.” Curling her legs towards her, he sadly had no choice but to remove his hand from the lush warmth of her skin.
She angled herself more fully in his lap, the weight of her soft ass not helping the raging pressure in his cock, as he braced his legs further apart, letting her fall between them.
“But I won’t stay.” Her gaze was full of disappointment as she said the words, and she ruefully looked at him. “You. You are a surprise.”
Sliding his hands round her waist, he linked his fingers at her back, enjoying having her pressed more fully to him. “I could probably convince you to stay.” He let his grin be deliberately lascivious, and pulled her more firmly against the heavy weight of him.
She chuckled, even as her neat, white teeth worried her bottom. “Yeah, you probably could. But why don’t we work together for a bit and see?”
He nodded slowly, curious as to how long they could hold off the attraction that burned between them. “Okay, if that’s what you want.”
His embrace tightened as she went to rise. “Where you going?”
She looked questionably at him. “Well, home. I’ll see you at work tomorrow.”
“You don’t have to rush off just because we’re not gonna…” he waggled his eyebrows at her, “…you know.”
Her laughter was soft as she relaxed, laying her head on his chest. “Even though we’re not…ya know… It’s late—or more likely bloody early. I should still go.”
***
A good solid metaphysical shove from her brother brought Jess instantly awake. Her breath lodged in her throat as she blinked, trying to clear her vision.
The heavy rise and fall of Seb’s chest beneath her cheek had her scrunching her eyes tightly back shut.
What had she done? A mental assessment told her they both still had their clothes on, and as she came fully to her senses, she loosely remembered dropping off to sleep as they’d lay on the couch talking.
Opening her eyes, she stared down the length of their bodies, her legs entwined with his. The lamp within his reach had been switched off, only the warm glow from the hall tipped into the room. His arm tightened around her as she shifted, his breathing deepened beneath her palm, as he stroked her hip.
Nothing would please her more than to lay her head back down, but as she felt another remote nudge from Adam she knew something must be wrong.
Her knees touched the plush carpet as she eased out from under his arm. Grabbing her shoes, she turned for her clutch, briefly stopping to look down at him.
The top few buttons of Seb’s shirt were undone, revealing a tanned collar bone. He’d thrown one arm above his head, and all the tension had melted from his peaceful features. His nose was straight and proud, the same as his jaw. His lips had softly parted, his hair falling back from his forehead. She smiled. He reminded her of a sleeping prince, and she’d have liked nothing better than to wake him with a kiss.
But it wasn’t to be. Catching the time on the tiny alarm clock next to the bed, she rolled her eyes; 4.44 am. She was going to be tired. Grabbing her clutch, she looked at the hotel pad and paper next to the phone. Should she leave him a note and what would she say?
She’d be at work with him in a few hours.
She’d buy him a coffee on her way in. Clicking the door shut, she stood in the deserted corridor, and held her breath, before laying her palm flat against wood.
She racked her brain for a spell that wouldn’t mark him, but that would still protect him, wishing that just for once she had her sister’s dedication to spell craft.
Everything she thought of would leave a mystical signature on him, and she just couldn’t risk that.
She dropped her palm and rushed away; she’d whipped out onto Seb’s balcony last night, the minute he’d gone to get drinks, and found the wild-eyed creature hovering in the shadow barely a few feet away, the shiny blonde crop of hair catching the streetlights.
It had been trying to see in. Jess had been so stunned that she’d just reacted, and had sent it ricocheting between the buildings down to the alley below.
Her common sense told her that it wouldn’t come back looking for more, but worry and doubt niggled at her as she left the hotel, rushing round the corner to her place.
As she turned the key in the lock, the sound of her mobile echoed through the flat. “Well, what do you know, the phone lives after all.”
Running to grab it from the coffee table, she wasn’t surprised to see the caller ID as Adam.
“Brother dear, what the hell… Is everything alright?” She dropped to the sofa.
“Bloody hell, Jess, why don’t you answer your phone!”
He all but roared at her, and tangled up with his annoyance she detected pain and worry.
Pushing up, she gripped the phone tightly, as the line crackled and hissed. “Adam, what’s the matter?” Her voice still as she waited.
“I’m okay.” His voice instantly dropped, calming, as he detected the panic in hers. “I’m pissed off, but I’m okay—I’ve broken my leg. I’m in a Greek hospital and I don’t speak enough Greek, and they want to operate and…” His voice trailed away and her eyes widened at the fear she heard in his voice.
“Adam, hey now.” Her tone softened. She hated not being able to get straight to him. “I can come. Do you want me to come?”
Normally he’d brush her off, tell her he was fine. But not today. The pause before he spoke was enough for her.
“I don’t want to be out of it, and here alone.” The finality in his tone fired her into action.
“Okay, where are you? I’ll phone Thea and we’ll fly ou—”
His sharp ‘No’ stopped her.
“Not Thea, don’t tell her yet. Promise me, Jess.”
She slumped back, unable to process it, they never lied to each other. “Adam, I don’t… We can’t keep things from Thea—”
“Jess please, this place is heaving. There must be dozens of people in the corridors alone. I just want you to come in and get me out. I don’t want Thea to have to deal with all these people, she’s been so much better.” His voice trailed away, and Jess thought of their sister, and how much she’d suffered when the magic had first come upon them, and how deeply she was affected by the over-powering emotions of others. Adam was right… sort of.
“Okay, but you have to tell her. Today. Before she knows something’s wrong—and she will know. I’ll phone her from the airport and fudge it somehow; tell her I’m coming to get you.”
She scribbled notes as he told her where he was, rapidly running through what to do next.
Pulling off her dress as she raced around, dialing the airline, she left it on loudspeaker as she rummaged through her luggage and handbag, pulling out her passport and anything she thought to throw into a small backpack.
Managing to book a flight into Athens, she nearly cried at the thought of the little island hopper she’d have to charter to fly up country to Myrina. Little planes shook and wobbled. Her stomach roiled at the thought. Dammit, she hated planes.
Slamming out of the flat, she dialed for a cab, and waited until she was safely seated inside before trying to call Jason.
By the third try she was about ready to hex him when he finally answered.
“Jason! Thank the gods. Adam’s been in an accident, I’ve got to fly out to get him.”
“Jess! Slow down. Where are you?”
She took a breath, holding it for a second to still her racing heart.
“Still in London. Adam’s broken his leg, in Greece. He asked for help.”
Jason’s softly muttered ‘It must be bad’ made her laugh around the sudden lump in her throat.
“That’s what I thought.” The whispered words scratched as tears stung her vision. “I know I’m working this week, but—”
“Jesus, Jess, this is your family. Are you boarding?”
“No, just coming out of London now.”
“Right then—get out there and let me know when everything’s alright, okay?” He slightly paused before adding, “Did you enjoy last night’s gala?” The thread of humor in his voice was designed to distract, and she closed her eyes, leaning back, thankful for the best friend she could’ve asked for.
Her laugh sounded watery even to her own ears. “You sod. Leaving us to sit with that motley crew.”
His snicker was a balm to her wired nerves.
“I try. Keep in touch, Sweetheart.”
She sighed and shut her eyes as the cab trailed through the early morning rush-hour, heading for the airport.