by Payton Rome
Forbidden Mage
An Enemies to Lovers Paranormal Romance (Untamed Hearts)
Payton Rome
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Epilogue
Also by Payton Rome
Chapter 1
Troy
“We have decided it.” Sadie Hughes looked sternly around the crowd that had formed in the dark warehouse. “Brother Troy will leave us and earn a place with his dear cousins in Coventon. When the time is right, we will take back what is rightfully ours.” Clapping and cheering erupted, echoing off the concrete walls.
I took a deep breath and nodded my head at the crowd. I remained silent and maintained a military like stance.
She leaned in and whispered in my ear, “I will reward your loyalty.”
I knew exactly what she meant. Sadie Hughes had been attempting to seduce me for years. But I honestly wasn’t interested. Don’t get me wrong, she was a beautiful woman. Definitely fuck worthy. But her personality left a lot to be desired, and honestly, I had no craving to jump into bed with someone as high maintenance as her. No, thank you.
“Let us say a blessing for our brother before we send him off to do what we have called him to do.” The crowd lowered their heads and Sadie chanted to the Gods for success and safety during our mission.
I loved how she referred to it as our mission. She would be here, with her servants and worshipers tending to her every desire. Meanwhile, I’ll be in Coventon, deceiving the most powerful Mage in our history. Yeah, our mission alright. I fought the urge to shake my head and quietly slipped out to begin my mission.
I already packed the things that mattered in my truck. Though it was my intention to complete the mission and return to the West Coast Magi, something led me to gather my most precious belongings just in case. That, and all of my clothes, of course. The drive to the east coast was long. My mind wandered, leaving me to wonder how I, Troy Cross, fell into the rival clan of my family.
My father kicked me out when I was 16. Cast out, actually. Those were his words. “Troy Cross, you are cast from this family and all who are affiliated with it.” We had been fighting a lot. About everything and about nothing. I was questioning who I was, who we were. I also thought I was in love with a human girl. I suppose that was the final straw. My father put The Order of the Magi first, and family second. My Uncle William was the complete opposite. He believed that family came first and The Order came second. He treated me more like a son than my father. But he died shortly after my father kicked me out and I always wondered why he didn’t take me in; why he didn’t make sure I was okay. I wasn’t even summoned for his funeral.
It wasn’t but a few days after the funeral that I headed west. I realized that the human girl had no interest in staying with me; I was simply a placeholder until the next cute boy came along. Even my cousins didn’t reach out. Lost and completely alone, I decided I was going to live by the ocean and learn to surf.
I can’t say that I remember how it came to be that I got mixed up with the West Coast Magi. I’m certain it was out of desperation. Conceivably it was out of retaliation too. As the years passed by, with no word from my family, I found myself deeper and deeper in the dark with my family’s rival coven. Now here I was, 12 years later, on my way back to Coventon, on a mission to destroy the Cross name. My name.
It was quite the plan. Somehow, though, I still don’t know exactly how my cousin, Autumn Cross, found my phone number and invited me to her sister, Savannah Cross’ wedding. Out of curiosity, mine and Sadie’s, I went. I wasn’t expecting Autumn to offer me a job. I also wasn’t expecting to land in bed with Echo Lovedream. Oh, I knew full well who she really was. Sadie bitched about her endlessly. But somehow, some way, I found myself drawn to her. There wasn’t even any alcohol involved. She’s been stuck in my head ever since. I didn’t dare mention her to Sadie. That would have resulted in more endless bitching. Plus, the rules are pretty clear. Under no circumstances are Hughes/Cross relations allowed. Unless of course you’re Sadie Hughes. She can fuck whoever she wants. But I digress.
The job offer gave us the perfect opportunity to execute our mission. Just before the wedding, the West Coast Magi had gone into hiding because of rumors that all elders of The Order of the Magi had been removed and it was the High Priestesses plan to erase our coven. A threat that Sadie did not take lightly. Of course, she immediately jumped at the opportunity to use me and promised me sex as payment. If I had to guess, I would say my consistent rejection was the only thing that sparked her interest. I have never heard of anyone declining an advance from Sadie Hughes. My refusal to succumb to her somehow brought me into her most inner circle. It was gratifying to be a part of something. Even if that something was evil.
The sky grew dark, but I pushed on. My plan was to drive straight through so I could get to work immediately. No one knew what was coming. Not even me.
“Troy!” Autumn’s voice echoed through the lobby. “You look like you drove straight through. Did you drive straight through?”
I was only half listening. My attention focused on Echo. I didn’t realize she worked at the hotel. At the wedding they introduced her as a close friend.
Autumn’s laughter brought me back. “You remember Echo…” she winked at me and smiled, “… she’s our Front Desk Manager.”
I nodded my head. “Of course I do.” I did my best to convey a sexy smile. “How are you Echo?”
She wore a strange look. “I’m well, thank you.” Her attention turned to Autumn. “Why is he here?” A failed attempt at a whisper.
“Echo!” Autumn scolded. “Don’t be rude. Troy is here to work.” She clapped her hands and turned back to me. “Let me show you around.” She went behind the counter, grabbed a room key and motioned for me to follow.
Maintenance work was not my idea of success, but it was what I learned over the years and it paid the bills. Apparently the hotel had always hired out their work, so it was my conclusion that she only hired me to bring me home. At some point, I would corner her to inquire about why she never came looking for me. But not right then. Tired from the drive, I wanted nothing more than to get to my room and sleep.
After a brief tour of the grounds, she led me to my room. “It’s the smallest of the penthouse suites, but it should serve you fine.” Her voice hinting at disappointment. “I hope you find it acceptable?”
I nodded my head. “This is great Autumn, thank you.” It was much better than what I had back in California. Sadie was such a control freak and kept me in a small room at her servant house. Despite the sacrifice I was willing to make for her, she did not reciprocate. Unless of course I agreed to fuck her. Maybe that’s why she kept me in squaller.
“Troy?” Autumn’s voice interrupted my thoughts,
“Sorry.” I shook my head. “I’m exhausted.” It wasn’t a full on lie, I really was.
A soft smile spread across her face. “Get some rest.” She turned and walked toward the elevator. “We’ll get to it first thing tomorrow morning.”
While I stood in the shower, I couldn’t stop thinking about Echo. The way her body fit in the grooves of mine. The night of the wedding, I lay there for hours caressing her silky skin, overwhelmingly aware of the way her body felt next to me. She was the only woman I had ever been with that sent electricity through me
every time I touched her. It excited me and scared the hell out of me at the same time. I realized real quick that she was not who everyone said she was. Honestly, the entire time I was trying to get into her pants that night, I believed she was a flakey chic who would be an easy lay. One and done. But she quickly changed my mind. She was smart and funny. Not at all flakey, or easy. Hell, it took hours of talking before she even relaxed enough to consider taking me to her room. Once we were there, she insisted on talking more to get to know me better. In fact, by 2AM, I didn’t think I wanted to bed her anymore. I liked her too much. Of course, one thing led to another and before I knew it, she was letting me explore her body.
“Troy?” The faint sound of a woman’s voice echoed through the penthouse.
“I’m in the shower.” I yelled, irritated. I wasn’t too sure I was going to like my door being an elevator.
“Why are you here?” Echo stood at the bathroom door, her voice filled with annoyance.
I turned off the shower and opened the door. “Autumn asked me to come.” I reached for the towel, not bothering to hide the instant hard on she evoked.
She turned away, her face red. “You never called.” I could hear unmistakable pain in her tone.
I moved toward her and tried to grab her hand, but she pulled away. I let out a heavy sigh. “I know.”
She shook her head, I could see tears forming at the corners of her eyes. “You should leave. Tell Autumn that you changed your mind.”
“Why?” I scoffed. “So you can get back to your meaningless life full of sex with Roman Mounts?” I let out a chuckle that filled the room. “His reputation is well known throughout the country. Hell, probably throughout the world.” I don’t know why hatred spewed from my mouth. I really liked this woman.
The pain in her eyes was clear. “Just leave.” She slammed the bathroom door in my face and I could hear her stomping toward the elevator.
“Damn it Troy!” I scolded myself, swung open the door and ran after her in nothing but my towel. “Echo, stop.” I grabbed her arm, stopping her.
She yanked her arm away. “I didn’t realize you were such an asshole or I wouldn’t have slept with you.”
I fought the urge to make another Roman comment. “I’m sorry.” I shook my head and let out another heavy sigh. “I’m exhausted.”
She threw her hands up in the air. “Oh, well then, that makes it all okay.”
I lowered my head. “No. Echo.” She started moving toward the elevator again. “What do you want me to say? I had to go back home and honestly, I didn’t think I would ever see you again…” My voice trailed off. I didn’t know how to tell her that my feelings for her scared me. More likely, the alpha in me wouldn’t let me tell her that.
She stopped without turning. “I waited for weeks for you to call.” She was choking up. I felt like such an asshole.
“I’m so sorry.” I came up behind her and put my hands on her hips, pulling her toward my half naked body. My lips found their way to her neck. “Please forgive me.” I whispered as I kissed my way to her ear. Her body relaxed, and she leaned back on me. “Let me make it up to you.” I tightened my grip and pushed my rock hard cock against her ass.
“No.” She pulled away and turned, facing me. “Sex is not how you make up for being an insensitive asshole.” Her eyes were red from crying, but her face was stone cold. “I didn’t deserve what you said in the bathroom either, and I don’t deserve to be used by another jerk like you.”
I grabbed her hands and plead for forgiveness with my eyes. “Please Echo, I’m sorry.” She didn’t move. “Let me put some clothes on and we can talk.”
She shook her head. “I haven’t been with anyone since you.” Her voice was sincere. “How stupid am I to have thought that we might have something?” She scoffed and wiped the tears from under her eyes. “Not that it could ever be…” Her voice trailed off, and she turned away again.
“Why not?” I was a bit puzzled by her statement. “I’m here now.” As soon as I said it, I realized I sounded like a total prick.
Her laughter echoed off the walls. “You’re pretty full of yourself, aren’t you!?” She looked me up and down, an unmistakable desire in her eyes. “I guess there isn’t really anything to talk about. You’re off limits anyway.” She turned away again and paused. “Just stay away from me, okay?”
I grabbed her arm and pulled her to me. I did not know what she was talking about and I didn’t care. I wasn’t about to stay away from her. “I’m not off limits.” I found my way to her lips and forced a kiss. She quickly succumbed and wrapped her arms around me, kissing me back with passion.
I let the towel fall, my manhood standing at full attention. There was no way she didn’t feel what she did to me. I pulled her closer, my hands exploring her ass. I let out a deep moan. “Let me take you to my bedroom, Echo.” I made no attempt to hide the begging in my tone. “I haven’t been with anyone since you either.” Maybe I couldn’t exactly tell her how she made me feel, but I could hint at it by letting her know I was stuck on her too.
She moaned and pulled away, but then stopped and leaned in again. It was as if she was fighting with herself to stay. I pulled her skirt up and slipped my fingers under her panties. Her wetness flooded my hand. “Let me take you to the bedroom.” I begged again.
She inhaled deeply but didn’t answer. It was evident that she was still fighting herself. I didn’t push. I was perfectly content to stand there and play with her until she was ready.
Chapter 2
Echo
My head was spinning when Troy slipped his fingers under my panties. I wanted to be with him again, but I was still angry. And he scared me. He had no idea how bad it would be for me if my family found out that I was with a Cross. He slipped 2 fingers inside me, startling me from my thoughts. “Troy!” I yelled in both pleasure and surprise.
“Please let me take you, Echo.” His breathing labored.
I wanted to follow him to his room. His dick was rock hard against me, his body tight and glorious before me. The way he moved his fingers inside me made it hard to keep fighting. I found myself pushing down in an effort to get them deeper. My hands found their way to his delightful erection, and I began to rub and tug. Even so, I did not agree to go to his bedroom.
“I’ll take you right here if I have to.” He whispered in my ear.
My moans echoed through the room. I was about to come. “No.” I forced myself to pull away. “Troy, I can’t.” I let go of his brilliant cock and pushed his hand from inside me. “I’m sorry.” Embarrassed, I straightened my skirt and moved swiftly to the elevator without saying another word. This time, he didn’t come after me.
“What’s wrong with you?” Savannah was never one to sugarcoat anything.
I stared blankly ahead. “Just getting ready to head home for the evening.”
She cocked her head. “Okay. But what’s wrong with you?” She stared at me expectantly. “You’ve been a real bitch all afternoon.”
“Savannah!” Autumn scolded her loudly.
I let out a laugh that surprised even me. “It’s fine.” I put my hand on her shoulder. She looked like she was about to smack the daylights out of her sister. “She’s right, I am cranky today and I’m sorry if it’s affecting my duties.” I shrugged my shoulders. Half hearted apologies weren’t my usual, but these two women were always doing crazy shit, so one day of cranky Echo wouldn’t kill anyone.
Autumn’s face softened. “You have nothing to apologize for.” She threw Savannah a hard glare. “But seriously, are you okay? You seem upset about something.”
I let out a heavy sigh and nodded my head. “I’ll be okay. An unexpected visitor caught me by surprise. That’s all.” She had to have known that Troy’s arrival wouldn’t send me into a happy land.
She pulled back and I could almost see the lightbulb turn on over her head. She gasped and placed her hand over her mouth. “Oh, Gods Echo!” She looked between me and Savannah. “How completely ins
ensitive of us.”
Savannah threw her hands in the air. “Don’t look at me, I have no idea what the hell you’re talking about.”
In Savannah’s defense, she didn’t know how hard I fell for Troy. Of course she knew I bedded him the night of her wedding. But I only confided my feelings for him in Autumn. Savannah and I were getting along much better now, but she was still far from being my bestie. “It’s okay, Autumn.” I grabbed my purse and walked to the front of the counter. “It surprised me. A little heads up would have been nice. That’s all. I promise you I will be okay by tomorrow.”
Autumn let out a heavy sigh. “I really am sorry, Echo. I didn’t even think.”
I gave her a quick hug and left before they could see the tears. Everyone expected me to be bubbly, flakey Echo. The girl who gossiped ignorantly about her sexual adventures with Roman Mounts, the local man whore from the Dizzy Dragon. But only Autumn knew the real me. Well, Autumn and Troy. Sure, I’d spent a couple nights with Roman. The only women in the supe world who could honestly say they hadn’t fucked him were the Cross sisters. But sleeping with him didn’t define who I was or my intelligence level. It was all an act. I moved to Coventon to start a new life, create a new identity. It was easy to play the dumb front desk receptionist. The only actual truth to my new self was the fact that I could not move past Level 1 Mage status. And it wasn’t for not trying. I simply could not master my talents.
I was pulled out of my thoughts by the sound of my phone ringing. My heart beat heavily in my chest as I fumbled to see who it was. Disappointed, I answered. “Hello.”
“Hello!” My sister Juno’s voice bellowed on the other end. “You said you were going to call me earlier.”
