Twisted Time

by Candi Fox

  “We were in Port of Spain visiting Mamit and Grandad. Your mamit and I baked a coconut cake, your favorite at the time.”

  “It’s still my favorite, just difficult to come by. Not everyone’s grandad brings back coconut trees for his wife to plant.”

  Sage laughed. She loved that story. Coconut trees weren’t native to Trinidad, yet the ones her father brought back for her mother on her own third birthday.

  “Papa brought them back to Mama as a gift on my third birthday.”

  “Did he always give Mamit gifts on your birthday?”

  “He still does, because every year she gave him me. In our family, third birthdays are incredibly special. I remember every detail of mine, as does mamit.”

  “Why don’t I remember anything but the dream?”

  She shook her head. “You shouldn’t even remember that.”

  “Why not? What do you mean?”

  “When I saw the bird come to your rescue, it scared me. I begged mamit to help me bind your magick. Such strong magick for a girl of three. To be able to call such a great bird in such a fleeting time.”

  “Magick? What do you mean?

  “The women in our line all possess magick, dynamic magick, like calling the bird to aid you. It scared me, with all the traveling your father does and his being a distant royal, sometimes people scrutinize what we do.

  “I feared someone would see your magick and they’d do something horrible to you. We bound it that day.”

  She watched as Emma jumped to her feet a plethora of emotions playing on her sweet face.

  “What does this mean?”

  “It means that once we get back to Cooperstown, I and a few others will unlock your magick.”

  “How will I control it? How do I know what I can do or how to use it? Do you think Cord will find out and not want me?”

  “Slow down, angel. It’s not going to pop like a champagne cork. I’ll teach you how to use it and we’ll find out together what you can do.”

  “What can you do? How come I’ve never seen you use magick?”

  A bittersweet smile turned up the corner of her lips. “My magick is small. I can encourage plants to go faster and bring back wilted plants as well.”

  “And Mamit?”

  She laughed. “That I will let her tell you. She and grandad are visiting us over the holidays.”

  “Really? I can’t wait to see them.”

  “I hope you don’t hate me.”

  Her daughter crushed her in a hug.

  “I could never hate you, Mum. I wish I’d known; I won’t lie. Together we can figure it out. Should we tell Cord?”

  “I’ll speak with him after I get you dressed. I have a feeling nothing will change for your young man.”

  “Thanks, Mum.”

  Chapter 41

  Cord

  He hadn’t seen his bride to be since he dropped her off at the clinic lunchtime yesterday. Nik, Wolf, his parents, and a few townsfolk he knew all pitched in to decorate the Diamond’s courtyard for the wedding.

  It had the perfect view of the setting sun. Since they didn’t have time to plan for a proper wedding, Cord wanted to do his best for Emma. The woman that both he and his cat would claim for their mate.

  Wildflowers adorned the arch he and his father finished a few hours ago. It dripped with lilacs, wild roses, wild bergamot, lemon, mint, purple coneflowers,

  black-eyed Susans, and wild hyacinth.

  “It’s time, son. Let’s get dressed.”

  Cord followed his father into the hotel. He’d taken a room. It wasn’t what he wanted for Emma, but it would do.

  * *

  As the sun began its slow descent into the western sky, Cord stood under the arch, his father standing beside him. A small group of musicians began to play, drawing his attention to the back of the hotel.

  His breath caught in his throat at the site of his bride. The white silk ball gown style wedding dress belonged to his mother, who graciously brought it for Emma. A local seamstress added a layer of lace to the bottom to make up for the difference in height.

  She took his breath away. Her dark hair was piled on top of her head with a few wisps escaping here and there. Pearls adorned her throat and ears.

  A matching lace and pearl jacket with puffy sleeves covered her shoulders. The sleeves stopped just above her elbows.

  He couldn’t remember the last time he looked at a woman’s clothing, yet he memorized every inch of what she wore as her father walked her down the aisle. A bouquet of roses held in one hand. He managed to find someone who grew them in their garden.

  His heart pounded furiously by the time she stopped in front of him. Both fathers took a seat beside their respective wives and the ceremony proceeded.

  Streaks of purple and pink painted the sky in muted colors as the pastor performed a traditional wedding.

  “May I present Mr. and Mrs. Cord Masterson. You may kiss the bride.”

  Once his lips tasted hers, the brief kiss he should have given her turned into something more. He hungrily devoured her lips before releasing them.

  “Hello, Mrs. Masterson.”

  A single tear slid down her beautiful face, her green eyes filled with wonder. “The courtyard is beautiful.”

  “Not as beautiful as my bride.”

  He kissed her again, this time just a brush of lips before family and friends congratulated them. Soon they were ensconced in the swanky dining room of the Diamond.

  Roast beef with all the fixings served family style filled them up, though he noticed Emma didn’t eat much. He smiled; she must be nervous for tonight. When he spoke to Sage earlier, the news his bride possessed magick didn’t surprise him.

  He felt the spark of energy when they first met. Another thing he should have paid attention to. Only he’d been too selfish to care. Now that he’d set that evening right, he could concentrate on finding proof to connect Evanora and Jacque Beaufort to the outlaws and put them all behind bars.

  As the dinner progressed several people made toasts. Where Philip Monteith found champagne, he had no idea. Jack Rose stood up.

  “To the lucky couple, may your marriage be happy, and your house filled with children. I have a surprise for the two of you.”

  “Thank you, Jack. You’ve already been more than generous.”

  “Nonsense. I’ll show you after dessert.”

  Emma

  “I don’t think I could eat another bite.”

  Cord reached over taking her hand brushing her knuckles with his lips.

  “Maybe just a bite of the cake?”

  “We have cake?”

  He smiled at her. The smile lit up his blue eyes.

  “We do.”

  Cord asked their waitress Molly to bring in the cake. Emma’s eyes widened as the young woman approached the table.

  “Coconut cake! How did you know? Where did you find coconut?”

  Her husband laughed. Husband? This is going to take some getting used to.

  “The Mercantile had several cans of copra. I bought them all for you. Philip told me it’s your favorite.”

  Emma leaned in, kissing him on the cheek. She didn’t know how he’d feel if she full on kissed him in front of his deputies.

  “Thank you for making this a beautifully memorable day. I’d like a big slice, please.”

  “I thought you were full.”

  She smiled.

  “I am never too full for cake.”

  She took a bite, savoring the flavor.

  “Delicious.”

  Beyond full by the time she finished, Emma looked around the table at each face. Her heart only slightly pained when she looked at Nik and Wolf. Part of her heart would always belong to each of them.

  Chapter 42

  Emma

  Jack stood up after everyone finished dessert.

  “You youngins ready for your surprise?”

  They followed him outside where his carriage and matching blacks waited for them. Jack himself
settled into the driver’s seat.

  Minutes later they arrived at the train station. Perplexed, Emma held her tongue waiting for Jack to let them in on the mystery.

  He waited until the rest of the party arrived before walking them through the station. Jack led them to the end of the train. A stylish caboose attached to it.

  “I’m sending you to Hot Springs for your honeymoon.”

  Cord spoke first. “You shouldn’t have. Thank you, Jack.”

  “I’ve arranged for conveyance from Malvern to the springs. A hotel for a week.”

  Emma hugged Jack, kissing him on the cheek.

  “Thank you. When does the train leave?

  Jack smiled. “Whenever you’re ready. The train awaits your command.”

  “I need to go pack. Oh, wait! I don’t have anything to pack.”

  She heard her mother chuckle, then step forward. She hugged her daughter, kissing her on the forehead.

  “You are both packed. Suitcases are in the caboose.”

  Happy tears fell from Emma’s eyes. She hugged her mother again before going to her father. When she got to Cord’s parents, they both embraced her and welcomed her to the family.

  She’d be forever grateful to his mother for allowing her to wear her wedding dress.

  “Rae, thank you for letting me wear your dress, I wouldn’t have had one without it. I’ll wash it and get it back to you as soon as we get back from the honeymoon.”

  Rae enveloped her in a hug. “The pleasure is all mine. Call me Mom, and it’s your dress now. We’ll preserve it for your daughter’s wedding.”

  She smiled, blushing.

  “We’ll need two daughters then. One for this dress and one for Mum’s.”

  They said their goodbyes again. Everyone teary eyed by the time the newlyweds climbed onto the back of the luxury caboose.

  As soon as the door closed, Cord began to pull down all the shades. Emma lit the hurricane lamps. Her fingers trembled with nervous anticipation.

  After she lit the last lamp, she turned and looked at her husband. Yemoja, I am a lucky woman.

  “If you keep looking at me like that, Em, I’ll lose control.”

  The huskiness in his voice sent a shiver of pleasure down her spine. She took a step toward him, realizing the intimate pleasure of being the same height. Looking directly into your lover’s eyes.

  He closed the distance crushing his mouth on hers in a devouring kiss before slowing it down. Languorous heat pooled in her stomach and made its way through her entire being, lighting every nerve on fire.

  Cord

  Determined to show her what he’d been remiss of their first time, he slowed the kiss down after devouring her sweet mouth.

  She tasted like spicy coconut. His cat’s senses melding with his making them heightened. They came without thought. Like breathing. This can only happen with your one true mate.

  Yes, he’d share her, the prophecy decreed it. ‘Three mates connecting four souls.’ But not tonight. Tonight, and for the next week, she belonged to no one else.

  He and the cat were truly one in a way he’d not experienced until this moment. He drew his lips reluctantly from hers. A small sigh of anguish turned into a moan as he kissed beside her mouth, then along her jawline.

  He saw her lips quiver slightly when he began placing kisses on her throat.

  “Oh, Cord.”

  Pleased by her reaction, he moved from her throat to the shell of her ear. He took care in removing her earrings one at a time, before slipping them into his pocket for safe keeping. After a quick flick of the tongue, he drew her lobe into his mouth gently. His teeth grazed it as he continued to nibble on it.

  He could hear her heart beating faster. The pulse in her throat fluttered like the wings of a trapped butterfly. The smell of her arousal grew heavy.

  He didn’t notice the train begin to move as he lifted his bride off her feet and carried her toward the bed. Setting her down softly, he gently drew the jacket from her shoulders, kissing her bare skin.

  His lips trailed across her shoulders and down her back, where he began to unbutton her dress. Women have on entirely too many layers.

  Once he unfastened all the buttons, the dress began to slide. He picked her up, allowing the dress to pool on the floor before placing her on the edge of the bed.

  He lifted her foot, undoing the laces of her boots before sliding her foot out. His fingers ran from ankle to thigh before he unfastened her stocking, sliding it slowly down her leg and off.

  Cord started with the now free ankle placing, kisses up her leg stopping at the bend of the knee before continuing.

  He could tell the slow, sensual flow of their love making enticed her. She smelled more delicious by the moment. His willpower waned with each lick of her delicious skin.

  Her hips bucked as he ran his tongue from her thigh to the apex of her legs before moving away to unlace her other boot.

  This time as he kissed up her newly bared leg, he playfully nipped and sucked her skin into his mouth. His tender attentions brought more moans and gasps of pleasure from his lovely bride.

  When he reached the juncture of her thighs, he kissed the top of her mound through her silk drawers.

  She whimpered.

  “Patience, Em, I’m just starting.”

  “Please,” she panted.

  He chuckled, then mouthed at her through the silk. She squirmed and writhed beneath him. Cord reached up, untying the strings before deciding on a different course of action entirely.

  “Stand up and turn around for me.”

  She stood with her back toward him. He untied her corset strings before unlacing it with impatient fingers. Removing the garment, he then lifted her chemise over her head exposing her bare back.

  Cord started just above the curve of her ass placing kisses along her spine until he reached the back of her neck. He bit down gently before sucking the meat of her neck into his mouth.

  His cat nearly drooled with anticipation of marking her later. Reluctantly, he released the back of her neck, leaning her against him as his hands explored her breasts.

  He used his thumbs to brush their soft underside before rolling her nipples in between his thumb and forefinger. Her moans encouraged him, and he turned her around, lathing one nipple with his tongue.

  Her breasts were beautiful, small and firm with dusky pink nipples. He licked and sucked on each hardened nipple before finally taking off her drawers.

  Chapter 43

  Emma

  Her mind reeled from the overload of sensations she experienced. He may have set her on fire last time, this time he seemed intent in immersing her in an inferno.

  Finally, she stood naked before him, trembling with desire. Their eyes locked.

  “Lay down on the bed for me. Let me see you.”

  She swallowed laying down on the bed she watched his eyes devour every inch of her.

  His voice was rough with desire. “Spread your legs for me.”

  She spread her legs, a blush suffusing her cheeks. The action made her feel wanton, her husband seemed pleased by her actions. He dropped to his knees and grabbed her, pulling her to the edge of the bed. He put both legs over his shoulders and dove into her sweetness.

  His long tongue lapped at her juices. He darted his tongue in and out of her inner folds, effectively fucking her with his tongue. She bucked her hips pressing them closer to his face, wanting more. The pressure built within her, bringing her closer to spilling over an unknown edge.

  When he slipped one long finger inside her and sucked on her sensitive bud, stars exploded behind her closed eyes. Her back arched. A wave of pleasure unlike anything she felt washed over her entire being.

  Emma screamed out in pleasure, bucking her hips, grabbing at his shoulders and hair she ground her pussy into his face, calling his name as the orgasm tore through her.

  Cord

  He knew he couldn’t hold out much longer after her orgasm. Cord barely held the cat at bay. He wa
nted to mark his mate and he wanted to mark her now.

  Thankful they’d already talked about the mating ritual he wasted no time stripping out of his clothing before joining her on the bed. He moved her body up further before positioning the head of his cock at her entrance. This time he slid in slow and easy, allowing her tight walls to adjust to his size.

  His strokes started long and slow, he rolled his hips to make sure he hit that special spot inside her. She moaned a little louder every time he grazed it. Cord took one of Emma’s legs and put it on his shoulder.

  She wrapped the other leg around his waist, drawing him closer with each thrust. More, the cat demanded. He picked up the pace, her moans increasing again. Cord pounded his wife’s amazingly tight pussy until he felt her fall over the edge. He bit her neck at the same time, breaking skin and cumming deep inside her.

  “Mine,” he said, his breaths coming in deep pulls.

  “My mate.”

  Chapter 44

  Emma

  The sunlight filtered around the edges of the shades in the caboose. Emma stirred from a sound sleep. She opened her eyes to find her husband watching her sleep. A slow blush spread across her cheeks.

  He brushed his lips across hers.

  “Good morning, Mrs. Masterson. We’ve arrived. We will depart at your leisure.”

  She sat up; her body deliciously sore from several hours of love making. He’d taken her again and again. Her throat felt raw from her passionate screaming.

  “If you’ll help me dress, we can get going faster.”

  “I’d rather undress you,” he said.

  She laughed. “I’m already undressed.”

  “Mmhmm.”