“What does that even mean?” Iain asked.
“I think the fact you’re chicken says it all. My daughter is very perceptive,” Kenneth returned.
“What are you going to name her?” Cora was surprised to realize she was going to miss Jewel. At least they would have her again soon, in six short years.
“Trina said that her personalities would blend together,” Kenneth answered, “so it would make sense to use all of her previous names in one—Margareta Alice Jewel MacGregor.”
“Ya named my first grandchild after me?” Margareta stopped walking and hugged her son.
“Kiss ass,” Erik teased, causing laughter.
Kenneth kept his arm over his mother’s shoulders but urged her to continue walking. “Margareta for ya. Alice because Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was her favorite book when she was Margareta. And Jewel because she is more precious than anything I have ever known. But we’ll call her Jewel.”
“That’s a great book,” Cora said more to herself than any of them. She remembered thinking herself like Alice stepping through the looking glass into another world. Unlike Alice, she had no intention of going back.
The evening was upon them and the sky was darkening. They walked through the gardens to the house. Cora grabbed Euann’s hand and led him off the path when the others headed inside. She took him toward the side of the house. When they rounded the corner, he tugged her, turning her body, so that she was pressed against the house.
“I have been waiting to kiss ya my entire life,” Euann whispered before pressing his mouth to hers. The sound of insects chirped in the forest, punctuated by the sound of a door closing.
Cora felt the heat of his kiss all the way down to her toes. Magick tingled, but it was nothing compared to the pure emotion she felt every time he was near. She smiled against his mouth. His hands began to roam.
“Euann?” Angus called.
Cora moaned softly in frustration and hit the back of her head against the mansion’s exterior wall. For all the positives of having a giant family, she saw one cold-shower-inducing negative.
Euann pulled back with a sheepish smile. “Sorry, love.”
“Tell him we’ll be back,” Cora ordered.
Euann arched a brow. Cora didn’t give him a choice as she grabbed his arm and made him walk with her.
Euann called, “I’ll be right back, Da.”
She led them to her car. “Get in.”
Euann didn’t hesitate to walk around to the passenger side. “Where are we going, love?”
“To a hotel, love,” she answered. There was no way she was going to let his family interrupt them again.
Euann opened the door and leaned against the roof before getting in. In mock affront, he said, “How dare ya presume such a thing. I’m not that kind of girl.”
Cora laughed. “Trust me. If you were a girl, we’d be having a much different conversation.”
“Fair point.” Euann climbed inside.
Cora reversed her car before speeding down the drive. Euann tried to run his hand up her thigh and the jolt of excitement she felt made her swerve. She swatted his hand back. “Do you want me to crash?”
“Another fair point.” Euann placed his hand on the dash. It softly glowed before he removed it. “Let the car drive itself.”
She felt the pedals move on their own. When she let go of the wheel, the car steered itself.
“Now where were we?” Euann grabbed her face in his hands and kissed her deeply. Every time the car swayed, she opened her eyes to peek at the road. The fourth time it happened, he chuckled and let go of her. “Don’t trust my magick to protect us?”
“Worried that someone will look in, see fogged-up windows and the driver making out with the passenger.” Cora sat back in her seat. “Your Mrs. Callister would have a field day with that one.”
Euann grimaced. “Not ya too. She’s not my Mrs. Callister.”
“I don’t know. Her face did light up when you went to her car to talk to her,” Cora teased. She took a deep breath to calm her racing heart and looked at the quiet downtown instead of his eyes. “Do you think this magick inside me will go away now that Jewel is a baby?”
“I don’t think so. I think we’ve just seen the tip of what you’ll be able to do.”
“Is it always this adventurous around here?” She looked at the peaceful town. It appeared to be just like every other small town.
“Ley lines make this place one of great power. Life here has been…” He hesitated.
Cora grabbed his hand as they moved down Main Street. “You can say it.”
“Eventful,” he finished. “With places of power comes more responsibility. Normally, we live rather boring lives and blend in. Here it’s been harder. Just as we derive power from this town, so will others. Not all of those people will be good. Some won’t know why they stop here, but they do and they stay. Like Jane. Her powers didn’t show until after—”
“Euann, I promise I want to hear all about that, but right now, I don’t want to talk about Jane, or your family, or power lines.”
“Ley lines,” he corrected.
“Whatever.” She placed her hand over his heart and leaned forward to kiss him again.
A horn honked, and she jumped in surprise. She automatically grabbed the wheel but didn’t need to steer. The car had stopped at a light. Mrs. Callister glared at her and shook her finger as if to shame her.
“Does that woman live in her car?” Cora took several deep breaths and willed her heart to slow. “Seriously, why does the universe not want me to make out with you?”
“I think she’s on a stakeout.” Euann leaned past Cora and waved at the woman. He kept smiling and his lips barely moved as he said, “Someone has to keep an eye on Jefferson so the mob boss doesn’t destroy our small-town ways.”
Mrs. Callister gave a tiny lift of her hand but didn’t look pleased.
Cora laughed. “His pulled pork nachos were good, but I wouldn’t say they were criminal.”
Mrs. Callister sped off a little too fast when the light changed.
“Oh, no, look.” Cora pointed after the car. “I think you broke her heart.”
“No, I think we just broke her next story.” Euann grinned. “Want to give her something to really write about?”
“Hotel,” Cora reminded him. She faced forward and pretended to drive in case anyone else looked.
The car turned a corner and drove them toward the edge of town. The hotel looked like the beginning of a horror movie. It had a dark parking lot with streetlights that flickered. The “O” in “HOTEL” was burnt out on the sign.
“I don’t remember this place being this bad.” Euann leaned toward the window to get a better view. “I’ll let one of my cousins know. Maura said she and Cory might be moving here soon. That’s Rory’s sister and twin brother. I’m sure they’ll want to fix this up.”
“There’s a second Rory?”
“Scary, right?” Euann again looked at the hotel. “I’m sorry, right now it’s the only hotel in town and it’s not very romantic.”
“Will your brothers come walking through our door at any moment?” she asked.
“Well…no.” He glanced at her.
“Then this place is perfect. Park this thing and let’s find a room.” Cora lifted her hands away from the wheel.
Euann placed his hand on the dash. The car pulled into a spot. Doors lined the sidewalk.
“Why is this called a hotel, when the doors are on the outside? Hotels have inside hallways. Motels have outdoor entries.” Cora looked back at the sign.
“I think the owners were expanding at one point. There’s a half-finished addition along the back.” Euann got out of the car.
She grabbed her wallet out of the glove box and joined him. “I’ll get a room.”
“Wait.” He glanced around before saying, “Reveal yourself.”
“You…” She frowned. “You want me to take my clothes off down here?”
&n
bsp; “What?” He frowned. “Why would I ask ya to do that?”
“You told me to reveal myself,” Cora said.
He laughed. “I was checking the rooms for signs of life. Come on. This one is empty.”
He led her toward the end of the row. The weathered white paint was chipped on the door, and the curtains in the window were avocado green with yellow flowers. He placed his hand on the knob and opened it, not stopped by locks.
The second they were inside, she slammed the door shut behind her and went into his arms. The room was dark but for a stream of light making its way from between the closed curtains to the bed. Their hands became a frenzy of desperate movements. Every inch of her tingled with awareness and need.
She tugged his shirt, searching for skin. A fistful of cotton melted from her fingers. The restraints of her clothes went away without needing to disrobe, and she was pressed to flesh. She had never appreciated magick more.
Finally.
The thought caused her to groan.
Euann lifted her from the floor and placed her on the bed. He crawled over her. The light stream crossed his face, then his chest. It flowed against the peaks and valleys of his muscles. The hard press of his body held her to the mattress as her legs parted. She caressed his shoulders, explored his chest and hips. Euann’s mouth wandered her body, licking and kissing her neck, her breasts, her stomach.
Her body needed no help heating. She wanted him, more than she’d wanted anything in her life. That desire overtook her senses.
His hips settled between hers. The thick tip of his cock found her sex. The first teasing glide caused her to tense in anticipation. Euann took his time, and each passing second made her all the more desperate.
“Please,” she begged. Cora grabbed his ass, pulling him into her. The tingling sensation intensified, centering on her sex.
Euann entered her slowly. She thrust her hips up, and they finally joined. He filled her completely, not just her sex but her heart. Energy and pleasure pulsed through her. Her heart pounded. The moment was so powerful that a tear slipped down her cheek.
He moved over her. She gasped for each breath. Every slide brought pleasure like she’d never felt. He rocked into her, pushing up on his hands for leverage.
He held her hips and turned onto his back so she straddled him. “Much better.” He cupped her breasts.
Cora rode him. The soft glow of magick escaped his fingers. She felt it move through her, keeping her from release. He was prolonging her pleasure with the feverish anticipation of climax.
“Euann.” She swatted at his hand.
He gave her a handsome, playful grin. The magickal hold stopped and pleasure flooded her entire length as she climaxed. His moan joined hers as he too found his release.
When the tremors subsided, happiness bubbled out of her with a tiny laugh. She lowered herself weakly next to him on the bed. Every muscle relaxed.
“I am crazy about ya,” Euann whispered against her ear, the words breathy. “I would do anything to protect ya.”
Cora pulled back and held his face in her hands. “I know, Euann.”
“When I thought I lost ya…” Concern filled his gaze. “I never want to feel that way again.”
“I could stay here forever. I feel safe here,” she admitted. “Let’s never leave this room.”
Euann propped up on his elbow. “I would live anywhere so long as ya were with me.” He glanced around. “But surely I can do better for ya than this room.”
“Don’t make fun of this room. It’s my favorite place in the entire world. And, did you notice? Not one person tried coming through that door.” She touched his cheek. They were connected. She felt his magick inside of her, amplifying her own. Cora closed her eyes and rested her hand over her heart. “What is this feeling? I can’t explain it. It’s like your life is inside me.”
“Because it is. I love ya, Cora. Everything I have is yours—my magick, my life. When we are together, my magick will infuse ya with my life force so that ya may always be by my side. If that is what ya wish?”
“Yes.” She nodded. “I love you, Euann. I can’t imagine living without you.”
“Then say you’ll marry me.”
Cora felt the happiness pouring over her. “Yes. Of course I’ll marry you.”
Chapter Seventeen
Cora crossed the room to peek out of the curtain. Jefferson walked across the parking lot with a briefcase. He glanced in her direction, and she drew back.
“What are ya doing? Come back to bed.” Euann patted the mattress. “I want to hold my fiancée.
“Shh, there’s something strange going on.” She waved her hand at him to be quiet though it was doubtful anyone outside the room would have heard them.
“Let me at least give ya your clothes back so you’re not flashing everyone.” He lifted his hand, and she felt the brush of material over her skin as her shirt covered her chest.
“I’m not flashing anyone. They can’t see me.” Even so, she was glad for the extra coverage just in case.
“What strange thing is happening?” The bed made a noise as Euann stood.
“Jefferson’s here. He has a briefcase. What would a person from town be doing at a local hotel?” Cora asked, keeping an eye on the man.
Euann laughed.
“What?” She glanced at him, not getting the joke.
“Um, we’re locals and we’re here,” he said.
“Oh, yeah, but he’s carrying a briefcase,” she said.
“Oh, no, not a briefcase. How dare he do business at a hotel-motel,” Euann teased. He wrapped his arms around her from behind. For all his worry about her flashing the world, he remained naked. “Ya had better be careful, or ya will become worse than Mrs. Callister.”
“Maybe she’ll give me a job, seeing as I lost mine.” She gave a small laugh. “Then I could give her the real scoop about the mysterious MacGregors.”
“Oh, yeah, and what secrets would ya tell her?” He didn’t sound concerned as he lifted her hair so he could kiss the back of her neck.
“That she’s missing out because Euann MacGregor is good in bed.” She laughed harder.
His lips stopped, and he straightened. “Just good?”
“Mmm, maybe great.”
“Great?” His grip tightened on her shoulders.
“How about pretty freaking amazing, mind-blowingly awesome, best in the entire world, a god amongst magickal men—”
“Closer. But I can do better.” Euann began massaging her shoulders.
“Would it help if I said my magick senses are setting off alarm bells?” Cora leaned to the side to find where Jefferson had gone. “Something is off.”
Euann groaned. Pouting, he sighed and then mumbled unenthusiastically, “Yes, ya should always follow your instincts even if it leads ya out of my bed,” his tone changed to one of low seduction, “but especially if it leads ya into my bed.”
Cora didn’t know why, but she needed to follow Jefferson. She touched Euann’s hand, stopping the massage. Her eyes met his.
He studied her for a moment, and then said, “I understand.”
She felt her jeans covering her legs and her shoes forming on her feet as she went to the door. Cora pulled it open, glancing outside to make sure none of the hotel staff was around. She stepped into the early morning sunlight. The parking lot didn’t look as scary in daylight.
Jefferson disappeared into a covered walkway between buildings. She slowed her steps as she neared. Trying to act nonchalant, she strode past, glancing to the side.
Jefferson turned behind the building. She stopped, grabbed Euann’s arm without looking directly at him, and followed the man down the walkway.
“Did you bring it?” a woman asked in a hushed tone.
“There was nothing to bring,” Jefferson answered. “I did what you asked. I need your promise you’ll leave me alone now. I don’t have anything against the MacGregor family.”
Cora stiffened, not liking any hint
of someone threatening her new family.
“I didn’t ask for your thoughts and feelings on the matter,” the woman quipped. “Go back and try again.”
Euann placed a hand on Cora’s shoulder and stepped past her. “Mrs. Callister, what a lovely morning.”
Jefferson jumped, startled, and took several steps back.
“You…you called them?” Mrs. Callister demanded.
Cora followed Euann as he confronted the older woman.
“Of course not,” Jefferson said.
“I couldn’t help overhearing my family name.” Euann kept stepping to the side to block her view.
Cora frowned and stepped in a wide arc around him, keeping an eye on Jefferson and Mrs. Callister.
“Hello, Jefferson,” Euann said.
“Hey.” He nodded at Euann.
“What’s going on?” Euann asked conversationally. He leaned against the building. “If I didn’t know better, it looks like you’re in the middle of a drug deal. Mrs. Callister, are ya dealing drugs with the big-city mafia? What would all your readers think?”
“What?” She gasped. “No, I… This ruffian called me and demanded I meet him out here or he’d do something to me. I told you he was no good. I don’t know what he would have done to me if—”
“Ah, come on,” Jefferson said. “You’re blackmailing me.”
“I am not. I am a pillar of…” Mrs. Callister lifted her chin. “I don’t have to explain myself to you, ruffian.”
Cora lifted her hand, silently asking Euann if he wanted her to stop the woman from leaving. He shook his head, not concerned.
“Why does the busybody think ya have something that might hurt my family?” Euann asked when Mrs. Callister was gone. He let a bit of magick show on the tips of his fingers in warning before rubbing it away.
“That lady is crazy,” Jefferson said. “She’s threatening to publish an article stating my food gave seven people severe food poisoning and include pictures of rats in my kitchen. I don’t have rats, but that kind of publicity will kill me in this town. It’s hard enough getting people to come through the doors.”
Kisses and Curses Page 13
