by King, Thayer
On the surface, what Keith had said was sensible. The police weren’t likely to arrest Harlow for sending her candy and funky flowers. It’s not like the woman thought she’d use the aconite to make tea. The chocolate was a simple mistake. Yet somehow she was disturbed by the fairly common gifts. And reporting the incident would at least give them a record, if her harassing behavior continued.
When she’d accepted the package from the delivery man, she’d believed the gift to be from Keith. But the moment she’d put her hand inside, she’d been filled with a bad vibe. And it was that more than anything that made her anxious. Keith seemed to sense it too, though he was making an effort to hide it so as not to upset her.
“Hey, since you’re free today, you can come with me to walk Bear. And later, if you’re good, I’ll treat you to dinner at any restaurant of your choice.”
She laughed. “If I’m good? Like if I don’t run off behind a squirrel?”
“Exactly.”
“Well, I guess my behind and my desk chair could use a vacation from each other. That Sims wedding can wait until tomorrow.”
He grinned and palmed her ass. “Your behind is gorgeous like the rest of you. When we get back from dinner, I’ll show you just how much.”
Would she ever tire of this? Of kissing Keith, making out with him like a teenager. Imani decided it was unlikely as he pinned her to her bed and his hand curved over a butt cheek to pull her closer. She couldn’t help but notice his very impressive erection.
He kissed his way down her neck, concentrating on the spot that made her breathing hitch, even as he unbuttoned her blouse. Despite the number of times they’d made love, she was still embarrassed about the plainness of her bras. Pretty lingerie didn’t often come in her cup size, so her drawer was filled with ordinary utilitarian foundation garments. Their only claim to beauty was a tiny bow in the middle.
Keith squeezed her breasts and pinched her nipples through her bra. She moaned in frustration, wanting it off. She bowed her shoulders and Keith reached beneath her to undo the hooks. Once the material was out of the way, he filled his hands with her breasts and licked her nipples. Imani slid her fingers into his hair and arched into his mouth.
“So beautiful,” he groaned, nibbling the tight peaks until she was gasping from the sensations. Each tug of his lips made her pussy pulse. She shifted her hips restlessly beneath his. When he began suckling, she moaned. He moved from breast to breast, using his mouth and hands to please her.
She whimpered when he released her and got onto his knees. Unbuttoning his shirt, he never took his eyes off her. He was so gorgeous. His shoulders were broad, his muscles toned and hard. She loved his body. The trail of dark hair that arrowed down over his flat stomach and disappeared into his pants. She couldn’t resist stroking him, slipping a finger into the shallow indentation of his belly button.
He grinned at her as he unfastened his pants. “This would go much faster if you’d strip, too.”
“I’m enjoying the show.”
“Ah, I see. You’ll enjoy it more if you join me.”
She faked a sigh. “If you insist.” She rolled to her feet and finished undressing before joining him on the bed once more. Instantly, they were kissing again. They lay on their sides facing each other. Keith explored her body, his hands running down her hips and thighs before returning again and again to her breasts. Imani couldn’t resist touching him as well. Exploring the hard plains of his back and buttocks, she caressed him as far as her hands would reach before wrapping her fingers around his pulsing cock. She squeezed, twisting his flesh as she worked him from base to tip. His responding groan made her clench her thighs. She loved the sound of his pleasure.
He slid fingers between her thighs, circling her clit, flicking the swollen nub until she fell over onto her back and let her legs fall open for him. Keith was swift to take advantage, thrusting two fingers into her pussy. “Oh, Keith.”
“Baby, you feel so good. Can’t wait to be inside you.”
She wanted that too and saw no reason to wait. “Yes, please, now.”
“Not yet.” His fingers lid deeper, curving and pressing against her g-spot. At the same time, he latched onto one of her nipples.
He was torturing her and she decided to return the favor. She passed her thumb over the head of his cock, finding it weeping. Keith let out a rough chuckle. “Patience,” he said, grasping her wrist and placing her hand above her head.
Imani moaned softly as he kissed his way down her belly, over her mound, and down to her pussy lips. He repositioned her legs so that they were bent at the knees and made room for himself between her thighs. He sucked her clit into his hot mouth and groaned. “Oh, God, Keith.” She bucked beneath his ministrations. The combination of his tongue circling that little juicy bud of nerves and his fingers tunneling in and out of her cunt had her rocking her hips. She clutched at his hair.
Keith seemed to be determined to drive her out of her mind. “Legs over my shoulders,” he ordered in a growl.
She did as he demanded. She gasped as he sucked harder, plunging his fingers deeper. That was as much as she could take. Back arched, toes curled, she came on a scream. She was still panting as he rubbed the head of his penis against her moist folds. His irises almost appeared to glow beneath lowered lids as he filled her in one urgent glide. He still had her legs over her shoulder. In this position, he was so deep, she was sure she could feel him in her belly.
Keith braced himself on extended arms. He withdrew, swiveled his hips and punched them forward. Imani cried out as he delved through her still-clenching vaginal muscles. She felt utterly at his mercy as he fucked her hard and fast, slamming her body into the mattress as he took her. Though her movement was limited, she lifted herself to him.
Imani gripped his forearms, nails digging into his sweat-slickened skin. “Oh, God,” she gasped at each deep penetration. Her approaching orgasm coiled in low in her belly and threatened to break free.
“Come with me, Imani,” Keith gritted out. He grunted and she could feel his cock swelling and jerking as he pumped her full of his sperm. The sensation and the sound of him coming sent her tumbling over the edge and into her own bliss.
“Yes!” Her pussy milked his turgid length. She threw her head back as the climax seemed to steamroll her in its strength. It was so good she imagined she could also sense what Keith was feeling. She laughed breathlessly.
Keith rolled off of her but was quick to tug her into his arms. “What’s so funny?”
“It’s silly,” she muttered dismissively before kissing his chin. No need filling him in on her fanciful notions. She didn’t want him to think he was marrying a crazy woman. Besides, she was tired after two earth-shattering orgasms. Keith pulled the sheet up around them. Imani smothered a yawn. “What do you want for breakfast?” she asked, barely able to keep her eyes open.
“Whatever you want is fine. I’m flexible.”
“Then why was I the one folded in half a minute ago?”
She fell asleep to the sound of his laughter.
***
Keith gazed out at his garden and sipped from a steaming cup of coffee. It had been raining for the better part of a week. Small puddles were beginning to form in his flower beds and some of the blooms were drooping. There’d be much work for him once this storm broke. Bear sat at his side, resting his weight on Keith’s leg, ever hopeful of a jaunt outside no matter the weather. Keith stooped to scratch behind Bear’s floppy ears.
He could feel a shift in the energy behind him. He turned to see Sean and Mystique had materialized. Sean glanced out the window and made a noise of disgust. “Why don’t you move to L.A.? I don’t know how you stand this dreary weather.”
“Nice of you to pop in. What are you doing here?”
“You forgot? We have a meeting about the script today.”
Keith groaned. He’d forgotten. “Sorry. Do you two want coffee?”
“None for me,” Mystique said, her nose wrinkling s
lightly. Her long hair was pulled up into a high ponytail and her cheeks had a healthy pink glow.
Keith stared at her. “You’re pregnant,” he blurted.
Sean laughed and Mystique smiled. “Don’t sound so stunned,” his brother said. “It was bound to happen.”
“Wow. Congratulations. I didn’t know for sure you guys were already trying.”
“We thought, why wait? Anyway, this impacts you.”
“I know. I’m going to be an uncle.”
“No, more than that,” Sean explained. “I want Mystique to play the female lead. That means we’ve either got to speed up our timeline or wait a year to begin filming.”
Keith expelled a pent-up breath. He’d been stalling long enough. What was a little added fame? He still wouldn’t have the same celebrity status as Sean. Paparazzi wouldn’t waste their time following him around hoping to catch him behaving badly. “All right. What do we need to do?”
He spent the two hours at his kitchen table discussing production details with Sean. Soon he would have to visit Sean in L.A. for further meetings involving advertising and franchising. He needed to contact his agent and his publisher. There was so much involved in producing a movie that his head spun for a minute, but he was glad to be included in the process. He knew that if he hadn’t been working with his brother, his role would have probably been minimized to simply handing over the rights to use his ideas.
Keith looked up from his notes when he heard the front door open. Mystique had taken Bear for a walk when the rain let up. She entered the house. Both her shoes and Bear’s feet were wet and messy. Bear looked like he’d been unable to resist digging in the dirt. With a quick point at their feet, Mystique cleaned them both up. Bear jumped onto his favorite chair for a nap and Mystique joined them at the kitchen table.
“While I was out with Bear, I realized that I didn’t ask you about Imani. How is she doing?”
“She’s doing fine.” He smiled at her. “She’s really enthusiastic about opening her own bookstore. She’s been searching for a location for the last two weeks. We’ve even taken a couple of trips to Seattle.”
“Do people still use bookstores?” Sean asked and Mystique hit him in the shoulder. “Ouch!”
“Yes, they do,” she told him. “I use them all the time.”
Sean shrugged. “Have you been able to find Harlow?”
“Unfortunately, no. I haven’t heard from her, either. So maybe that’s a good thing.” He’d called some of their mutual witch contacts, but no one else seemed to know where she was either. Harlow had always been a maverick. The only people she was interested in associating with were ones from whom she hoped to gain something. A few months out of the year, she earned a living selling potions and reading fortunes. If her clients were became aware that they were dealing with a real witch, and one who abhorred humans, they would run screaming from her shop.
“Maybe we should call my cousin Nikita,” Mystique suggested.
Keith shivered. Nikita was a witch hunter. He’d met her only once, but it was a memorable experience. “Um, no.”
Sean grinned at him. “Afraid of an itty bitty girl?”
“Hell, yes. You were, too.”
“Yeah, well…. Okay. She is a bit abrasive.”
“You two, she is my cousin,” Mystique said, clearly exasperated. “I’m calling her.” She whipped out her cell phone. “I’m putting this on speaker phone.”
Nikita answered almost immediately. “Myst, you need me to neuter that husband of yours?”
Sean scowled at the phone. “Hell, no.”
Mystique laughed. “Nikita, I’ve got you on speaker. I’m here with Sean and his brother Keith. We were wondering if we could ask for your help with something.”
“Three witches and you need my help,” she replied, her tone dry. “What’s the situation?”
“It’s another witch,” Mystique began. “Keith, why don’t you explain?”
Keith thrust his fingers through his hair. This was embarrassing. “I have a friend, Harlow. Well, I thought it was only friendship. She wants more, but…”
Nikita interrupted him. “You’re fucking with me, right? Did I impress you as Dear Abby?”
“This is serious, Nik,” Mystique answered. “This witch won’t take no for an answer. She sent threatening flowers to his mate, who happens to be human.”
Grumbling came over the line followed by a loud sigh. “Your timing sucks. I’m on a mission for Mama Skye, so I can’t come out there. How can I help you?”
“You can keep an eye out for her. The road she’s travelling with her magic, she’s bound to come onto your radar at some point,” Keith said.
“I’ll let you know if she does.”
“Nik, I want to talk to you alone for a second,” Mystique said. She picked up the phone and walked outside.
“We haven’t told her about the baby yet,” Sean explained. “You’re the first to guess.”
“Not even Mom and Dad?”
“No. They’re extending their stay in Italy. I thought it’d be a nice homecoming present.”
Their father was a screenwriter and their mother a casting director. But currently, they were on vacation. Keith had teleported to visit his parents that long ago day when he’d met Imani. So when he’d called to announce their engagement, they weren’t surprised.
As though sensing his thoughts, Sean asked, “When are you and Imani getting married? We may not get the parents back until your wedding. They’ve become the worse slackers ever. I don’t know where we went wrong when we were raising them.”
Keith shared a grin with his brother. “Hey, they deserve a break after everything you put them through.”
Sean arched a brow. “Funny. But which one of us is happily married with a baby on the way and which of us has a crazy woman stalking him? Who’d have thought this role reversal would ever happen?”
Keith groaned. Yeah, who would have? He was a serial monogamist. When his relationships ended, it was usually a mutual decision and things ended amicably. There was no shedding of tears or angry words. It was probably an indicator of the lack of passion involved, but Keith had never minded. He’d been content. He wasn’t Sean. Sean had always had girls calling him up, weeping on the phone, popping up at the house, begging him to take them back. Nothing like that had ever happened to Keith. No, he never could have seen this coming.
Chapter Fourteen
Imani filled her arms with as many grocery bags as she could carry at once. She’d spent the afternoon shopping with Mystique. Tomorrow, she and Keith would host their Halloween/engagement party at her house. It had been Thea’s idea. She’d said since the two of them were such science fiction fans, that a Halloween party would be fun and apropos. Though Thea had helped with some of the planning, Imani tried not to overburden her pregnant friend. Pregnancy didn’t seem to have any adverse effects on Mystique. If anything, she was even more beautiful. Mystique explained that she was using an old family remedy to overcome the morning sickness and fatigue.
She was really surprised at how much she’d grown to genuinely like Mystique. Despite her fame, Mystique impressed her as one of the most normal and undemanding people she’d ever met.
At her door, Imani performed a delicate balancing act with her purchases as she attempted to extract her keys from her pocket. “Why didn’t I take my keys out first?” she grumbled to herself. It was impossible to get her hand into the denim and retain her hold on all three bags at once. Finally, she bent over and placed one on the porch.
“Hi, Imani. Long time no see.”
She straightened to find Harlow at her side. As usual, she was dressed in black from head to toe. Her blouse had long flowing sleeves. Her skirt brushed the tops of her shiny midnight boots. Before she could utter a word, the other woman stepped close. She seemed to produce a dagger from nowhere.
“Invite me inside,” Harlow ordered. She opened her mouth to refuse, but Harlow interrupted. “I wouldn’t try my patience.
My plans don’t involve hurting you if I don’t have to. Now, the door.”
Imani dug out her keys. She fumbled a bit from nerves but she got the door open. She didn’t trust Harlow, but if she could put some distance between the two of them, it would give her a chance to get away. As she stepped over the threshold, Harlow grasped her arm. “Uh, uh. You’ve forgotten. I have to be invited.” She pressed the tip of her knife deeply enough into Imani’s side that it pricked her skin.
“You’re invited,” Imani said stiffly.
Harlow grinned. “Why thank you.” She swept into the house. “You can put those down. And then I want you to call Keith. Might as well get this party started.”
Imani placed her bags on the coffee table. Asha came from beneath the couch to investigate. Imani gently redirected the cat away from the groceries. Then Imani moved to go into the kitchen to the phone. She would call 911, hang up and then call Keith. Hopefully, Harlow wouldn’t notice the first call.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Harlow snapped. Asha batted a paw at the loose material of Harlow’s skirt. Harlow kicked out a leg, sending the cat scurrying. Asha’s reflexes were too quick and Harlow’s boot failed to make contact. Asha bounded onto the back of the sofa in a single leap. She aimed a vicious hiss at Harlow.
To get her attention off her cat, Imani said, “I’m going to call Keith like you asked. The phone is in the kitchen. Unless you want me to go back out to my car and get my cell phone.”
Harlow glared at her. “Not like that, you idiot. Just call him and he will come.”
Whoa, Imani thought. Harlow’s grasp on reality was more tenuous than she’d believed. What was she going to do when Keith didn’t arrive?
“Call him!”
“Fine,” Imani snapped. “We’ll try your way first and then we’ll do it my way. Keith!” Silence reigned as they stared at each other. Harlow looked expectant as though she expected him to materialize out of thin air. Imani crossed her arms over her chest. She couldn’t resist a smirk. “Now, do you want to give the phone a try?”
