Alisande melodramatically draped her arm over her forehead. “Excellent is not sufficient enough word to describe his kiss.”
Her aunt cast a curious eye at the three-mirrors atop the vanity at her niece draped in dramatic pose across her lounge. “And what words would sufficiently describe this kiss?”
Ali’s eyes fluttered. “Hot. Passionate. Electrifying.”
“Alisande.”
Her name spoken in parental scolding made Ali sit up and look contritely at her aunt.
“This affair is in the prenatal stage. It needs time to develop and mature. Do not rush your emotions.”
Ali sighed. “But he is so much more than I expected. The dreams are one thing, Aunt Sydney. You know yourself that they are of a spiritual nature and therefore can only hint at reality. But his kiss only hours ago was real. His lips were warm and gentle, at first, and then...” She sighed again.
“And then,” her aunt urged.
Ali smiled with contented pleasure. “And then he took full possession as though he couldn’t taste enough of me, couldn’t satisfy his hunger, and couldn’t stop himself.’
Ali closed her eyes and lapsed into silence, recalling how his kiss had turned intimate, his tongue stealing past her lips tempting, teasing and turning her limbs to jelly.
“What prevented him from going further?” her aunt asked.
Ali shrugged. “Reality, I suppose. He drew back surprised by his own desires, and I gather the strangeness of the situation. He rushed from the room without saying a word or without a backward glance.”
Aunt Sydney nodded knowingly. “His emotions frightened him. He cannot understand them. He does not like losing control.”
Ali grinned. “Oh, but I do so like when he loses control.”
“Be careful, my dear, remember I warned you about wishing for something that may be more than you can handle.”
“I can handle Sebastian Wainwright.”
Aunt Sydney shook her head. He is much more of a mortal man than you think. His physical and mental strength go beyond the ordinary. He has tamed his emotions to respond accordingly.”
“Then I will un-tame them.”
“And unleash a fiery dragon.”
“I love dragons.”
“Not one you cannot tame.”
“He will surrender.”
Aunt Sydney laughed. “Dragons never surrender, dear, they pretend and then before you know it you’re trapped and they consume you whole.”
Alisande stood. “You forget who has the powers.”
“No, dear, you do.”
Ali frowned, her aunt’s words leaving a strange sensation stirring her. “I have work to do.”
“Be careful,” her aunt called after her as she hurried out of the room. “His power is far greater than you think.”
Alisande did not hear her warning. She was too busy planning her next act of seduction.
o0o
Sebastian entered the health club an hour late for his appointment and in dire need of a massage. He was on edge even more so than this morning in his office. He had thought a confrontation with Alisande would solve everything. It had only made matters worse.
How in all good sanity could he be attracted to a woman who professed to be a witch and doesn’t even dispute the ridiculous claim when given the opportunity? She has to be crazy. What other explanation was there?
The muscles in his neck constricted to the point of pain and rolled his head from side to side hoping to ease the tension his unplanned visit had caused. But was it the visit or was it the kiss?
“Damn,” he muttered, unfastening his belt. All he wanted was to slip out of his clothes and go stretch out on the massage table and let Gladys work her usual miracle on his taut muscles.
Instead he found himself focusing on that damn kiss. She had tasted of passion, not a twinge that tightened the groin but full-blown passion that turned a man rock-hard. If he hadn’t ended the kiss, stepped away and reined in his sanity; he would have taken her right there and then on the wicker settee. He would have thrown that white gauzy dress of hers up, spread her legs ever so slowly and entered her just as slowly so that she could watch him slide into her and take possession. And then, then when he was buried deep inside her, he would have taken her with an unbridled passion that brought her to the edge of a mind-blowing climax. And when she finally stepped off... he would have joined her.
“Damn,” he muttered again and concentrated on getting undressed. He needed this massage. He needed to relax. He needed to forget Alisande Wyrrd that kiss and that damn toe ring.
Sebastian finished undressing, wrapped a towel around his waist and hurried to the massage room ready to receive some much needed relief.
“Don’t hold back, Gladys,” Sebastian said as he stretched out face down on the leather massage table covered with a warm linen cloth.
“Yes, sir,” the woman answered and set straight to work on his neck.
Sebastian almost sighed with pleasure. Gladys was a big woman at five feet ten and almost two hundred pounds, and her talented hands were well in demand. It took months to get an appointment with her. But she always made room for him, since he had been the one to first give her a try when she had started at the health club five years ago. He had spread the word about her talent and she had been grateful.
Her expert hands dug into him, kneading the tense and tight muscles until they gave into her demands and while she worked her magic on him, Sebastian drifted into a hazy slumber.
o0o
He stood on an auction block, his hands tied in front of him with black silk scarves. He knew he could break free of the puny bonds if he chose to. Instead he stood as he was his body taut and glistening with a fine sweat of anticipation. He wore a white cloth draped low around his lean hips, the sparse material doing little good in hiding his potent arousal. He was ready... waiting for her.
Hundreds of candles filled the close quarters and thin gauzy veils were draped from ceiling to walls. Large numerous pillows lay scattered about the tent-like room and a compelling scent drifted in the air, a thick aroma that tempted the body and teased the senses.
A large man stood silently beside the heavy block of wood Sebastian stood on, his stare concentrated on the veils at the far wall while his thick hands tightly grasped the ends of the black silk bonds that enslaved Sebastian.
He heard it then, the faint tinkle of chimes. She drifted in on the enticing sound from behind the veils. Her hair was done up in a thousand curls that fell rebelliously around her face and along her slim neck. Her dress was pure white and veil thin, running down the full length of her and beneath it he could see the shadows and curves that shaped her naked body.
She stepped forward and held out her hand. The large man handed her the end of the black silk scarf and disappeared. She said nothing, her intense green eyes focused on his face. Then slowly her glance drifted over him like a warm, possessive caress and he could have sworn he felt her hand travel the same route as her eyes.
He fought the unbearable urge to break free and take her fast and hard. But he forced himself to maintain control. He was a slave to no master, not even a beautiful and wickedly tempting witch. He was in command. He was his own master, and she would soon learn that.
She reached up and tugged at the corner of the cloth that covered him. It stayed tied at his hips, refusing to budge. She tugged again and still the cloth refused to move. She then tugged at the black silk restraints at his wrists and they, too, remained firmly in place.
She grew distressed as she attempted again to free him of his shackles, to bend him to her will, to possess him. Her full lips pouted, her eyes grew misty, her hands began to tremble and she looked at him with wide panicked eyes.
He snatched the black ties from her grasp and tore free of them, then he stripped free of the cloth and stepped naked off the block.
His fingers gripped her chin. “I cannot be bought.”
A tear slipped from her eye and he licked
the clear bead from her cheek with the tip of his tongue.
She sighed.
In one swift motion he scooped her up and into his arms and carried her to the mounds of scattered pillows, dropping her gently down and lowering himself over her.
“Come to me,” she whispered. “Please, Sebastian, come to me.”
“I’m here,” he said and lowered his lips to hers.
o0o
He woke with his lips plastered to the leather massage table, the linen cloth having slipped off.
“Hell and damnation,” he muttered and grabbed the loose towel as he sat up. He was alone as he had expected. He often drifted off during a massage and Gladys never disturbed him. She would shut the door and leave him to rest.
He ran his hand through his dark, damp hair and shook his head. What the hell was he going to do? He was acting like a teenager who had yet to learn how to control his sex drive. It had to stop.
He had to regain control over his outrageously rebelling hormones. He was an adult male, not an adolescent teenager. Of course, he could always surrender and make love with the crazy woman; perhaps that would satisfy this unbridled lust.
He shook his head. No. He wouldn’t be drawn into her little game. Hadn’t his dream proved he was in control and not her?
He had to be logical and practical. He hopped off the table. He hadn’t had a practical thought since he met the loony woman. What made him think he could start now?
“Because you have no choice, you idiot?” he said and walked to the door. “Now see what you’ve done. You’re talking to yourself.”
He swung open the door and stormed out of the room to the showers.
o0o
Alisande breathed a heavy sigh and allowed a single tear to streak down her cheek. She tucked her feet more firmly beneath her in the big wooden porch rocker and drank in the scent and sight of the land that stretched out before her. She had not expected to be so emotionally affected by the dream. She had meant to tease and tempt him into yielding to her and yet he had demonstrated his strength and his power of choice. Was she getting in too deep? Was this mortal man more than she could handle as her aunt had warned.
He had to come to her. Free choice. She could do her darnedest to seduce him, but the final decision was ultimately his. She wiped the tear from her eye with a quick brush of her hand and stood. She had made her choice. Her intentions were clear. She would not back down. She was a witch. He was a mere mortal. She would have him... and it would be her way. She had invaded his dreams. Now she would invade his senses.
o0o
Anybody who was anybody in Washington didn’t miss a Wyrrd Foundation fund-raiser. It wasn’t acceptable. And besides no one wanted to explain to Sydney Wyrrd why they had been absent from one of her events, which meant that many of Washington’s elite returned on Saturday night from wherever they were vacationing to attend this special event.
Sydney had put together a remarkable night for the benefit of poor and ill children worldwide. Tickets were a thousand dollars a plate with raffles for extraordinary gifts and a six-foot-high money tree occupied the foyer and would fully blossom by evening’s end.
Only the best champagne was being served, and an overflowing buffet table, with a variety of foods prepared by the most talented chefs who had donated their services for the evening, lined the entire length of one wall of the ballroom.
It was a splendid affair, black tie of course, and the men and women mingled, enjoyed, and waited to meet with the eccentric Wyrrds.
Sydney never arrived at one of her events until it was in full swing, and she forbid Alisande to do so. She insisted that people loved anticipation and a grand entrance, and Sydney always made a grand entrance, either alone in some fabulous designer dress or on the arm of an enchanting prince, king, or noteworthy man. Tonight would be no exception.
Sebastian stood amongst the myriad attendees, a glass of bubbly in hand, conversing with a tall redhead. Her name was Tasha, and she was vain and materialistic, though perfect for his friend James, who possessed similar traits.
“Do you know Sydney Wyrrd flew to Paris just so she would have an original designer gown for this event?” Tasha asked in awe of the woman.
Sebastian nodded, attempting to ignore the trivial chatter. He wasn’t interested in designer gowns or Sydney Wyrrd. He intended to make himself visible, talk with several important people, and then be on his way. But there was that attractive dark-haired woman James was talking with; perhaps an introduction would spark some interest and clear his head of witches.
In minutes Sebastian had maneuvered Tasha over to James and the woman whose name was Lynn. The four talked and shared more bubbly and when voices fell to whispers, all four pairs of eyes followed the crowd to the staircase.
Sydney Wyrrd stood at the top, a handsome man of perhaps forty on her arm. She looked magnificent. Age seemed to defy time as she descended the stairs in a silver creation that baffled the eye and gave the impression of an ethereal beauty descending from the heavens.
Gasps and whispers followed her and continued as she joined the crowd. Sebastian had to admit the woman didn’t look anywhere near her...? He thought a moment. How old was Sydney Wyrrd? Some said possibly fifty, others guessed nearer to sixty, and he had heard one man insist that he knew her long enough to make her close to eight, yet she didn’t look a day over forty-five. How many face-lifts had she had?
And where the hell was Alisande? Didn’t she want to stop tongues from wagging and catch people’s breath with her entrance?
He took a sip of champagne and as his lips left the glass he spotted her.
Chapter Six
The crowd parted for Alisande. They moved out of her way cautiously, almost reverently. Men stared in open desire and women in envy.
The woman certainly knew how to make an impressive entrance. If Sebastian didn’t know any better, he would have thought she floated along the floor toward him; her movements were so gracefully orchestrated. Her black silk dress even appeared to cooperate with her every move, clinging to her substantial breasts and curving along her shapely hips. And the front slit that ran up to the apex of her legs parted just enough with each step to arouse the staunchest of men.
He shook his head, his own quick arousal proving his point.
His eyes caught the twinkle reflected off the gold specks that highlighted her hair. She wore it simple, though simple was not a word he would equate with Alisande. Her honey-blond hair flowed smoothly around her face and down over her shoulders accenting her stunning features and those mesmerizing green eyes.
“Sebastian,” she said, gliding to a stop much too close to him. So close that his leg nestled in the slit of her dress and the sensual warmth of her seeped into him. “How good to see you again.”
His friend James sent him a questioning look, and he knew James wondered where and how Sebastian had met Alisande and above all why he hadn’t informed him that he was acquainted with the notable Wyrrds.
Before Sebastian could respond or introduce Alisande, she turned to James and extended her hand. “Mr. Peters, it is a pleasure to meet you. Your work in genetic engineering is causing a considerable stir. My aunt is impressed and wishes very much to meet with you, a grant I think it was she mentioned.”
James couldn’t find his tongue; he tripped repeatedly over his words looking to Sebastian for assistance. Sebastian offered it freely knowing James dreamed constantly of acquiring a benefactor whose financial support would enable him to expand his work.
He was also aware that Alisande desired to be alone with him. What was she up to now?
“Why don’t you go speak with her aunt Sydney right now,” Sebastian suggested.
James looked to Alisande like a puppy looking for permission.
“Yes, yes, you must go talk with her immediately. She gave him a little shove.
That left the two women, and he wondered with a grin how she would politely dispose of them.
She turned a dazzling sm
ile on them. “Ladies, I was wondering if you would do me a favor. Our public relations people need a few attractive and exceptionally well-dressed women for photos that will make tomorrow’s newspapers. Could I trouble you both to volunteer?”
Damn, she was good. Sebastian contained his grin; if he didn’t it would have spread clear across his face.
The two women accepted eagerly and were directed to the appropriate people with the wave of Alisande’s hand.
“Now for me,” he said when she turned back to him. “How will you make me disappear?”
She ran her fingers up and down the lapel of his black tuxedo jacket. “Darling, I don’t wish for you to disappear... I want you.”
It took an exceptional amount of willpower to stand there and pretend that he wasn’t affected by her ardent declaration. Knowing she was willing, wanting and waiting didn’t help his determination to deny her blatant overtures.
“Behave yourself,” he snapped, wondering if he meant the scolding for himself.
Her voice rang in a whisper of erotic chimes. “But I don’t want to behave. I want to play naughty with you.”
“Damn, woman,” he said and stepped clear of her. “We are not exactly alone here.”
“Aren’t we?” she asked innocently.
Sebastian cast a glance around the large room. All attending were busy in chatter and talk. Not one curious eye was directed their way. It was as if they didn’t exist. Sebastian couldn’t even manage to catch anyone’s attention, except her aunt Sydney. The woman looked at him and smiled.
He turned his attention back to Alisande. “I think your aunt requires your presence.”
She will let me know when she needs me.”
“I suggest you go to her now,” he said firmly.
“I enjoy being with you.” Her insistence was softly noted.
He chose the one weapon she seemed unable to defend herself against, though it was a tactless lie. “I don’t want you here with me.”
The Wedding Spell Page 4
