“Elijah!” She screamed as a finger dipped inside her wet heat.
The feel of wet fabric rolled down her leg as he pushed her underwear off. Words and understandable sounds became impossible as she rode his finger, uninhibited or worried about how she looked to the shifter. His touch brought a promise of what was to come.
“There now,” he whispered, claiming her lips once again with bruising force. “Now we’re even.” His finger slipped out.
She opened her eyes to find him staring at her as if memorizing her the way she wished to do of him. “Now you’re just mean.” Her body sat on the brink, pleasure dancing just outside her grasp. “Now, wolf.”
He chuckled and lifted his hips up just enough to seat the tip of him at her entrance. “I think I like it when you call me that.”
* * *
Elijah’s head spun. It was as if he separated from his body and was watching himself fuck Ivy in a century they had no business being in together. Then he was back, his body thrumming with desire as he slipped in, inch by inch.
Her tight heat was a welcome sensation. Ivy stretched to match his girth and Elijah finally understood the appeal of a tight woman. His cock was cradled from tip to hilt in the woman beneath him. There could be no turning back now, no way to stop what was in motion as hips began to rock. Elijah pulled out to the tip and slammed back into Ivy’s willing body.
Pleasure seemed to intoxicate and confuse Elijah’s sense of his body from hers. They simply fit together as one. Never in all his years with a woman had he ever taken a moment before seeking release to marvel in the way he fit with someone. Never until her.
Staring into her eyes was the single most carnal act a pair could do. Elijah saw his hunger reflected from the depths of her emerald gaze and his control snapped. Capturing her mouth, he lifted himself up by one hand on the side of her face and used the other to massage her breasts through the damn shirt he hadn’t taken off.
Everything dissipated into one need. Finding release. The vintage room vanished. The tiny twin size bed didn’t matter as he thrust until his arm shook and he couldn’t focus on kissing her. His eyes drifted shut as he pushed and pulled in a maddening dash to find release for both of them. Elijah lost himself in a pleasure-haze as Ivy screamed his name for the second time as her body trembled around him.
More. Elijah’s motions grew frenzied, thrusting and pulling out so quickly the friction drew him mad. Even as her release washed through her, Elijah continued to thrust. Not only to seek his own, but to draw Ivy’s out.
“Elijah,” Ivy whispered as her hands left the bed to wrap around him.
Her gentle touch sent him over the edge with a groan. The room blurred as he tried to come out of the passion he lost himself in. Slowly, his thrusts began to calm, and he let his arm bend at the elbow to let himself rest just a bit.
He couldn’t tell who breathed louder or whose body shook with exhaustion more. All he knew was peace. Sucking in a breath, Elijah went to roll off her, and she hooked her ankles around his ass, holding him in place.
He opened his eyes and gazed down at her. She looked as content as any cat after a bowl of warm milk. Her lips were puffy and sexier then they ought to be, too. Ivy lifted her head and slowly slide her lips against his, not quite a kiss, but something more.
“We’re not done, wolf. If we only have tonight, I’m not letting you off that hook so fast.”
He chuckled and rolled over slowly, sliding from her body and almost rolling off the side of the small bed. “I don’t think this is only one night, but if you give me ten minutes, I am going to show you the point of a good shower fuck.”
She wiggled her brows at him. “This is one night. We have time travel on our side influencing us to do these things.”
He scoffed and tugged her against him. “When we get back, we’re going to have to have a long conversation about accepting something that’s meant to be.”
“We went from fucking to meant to be in three days.” She snuggled against him. “I didn’t think the big bad wolf did emotions.”
“I don’t. But I’m going to figure out why we’re so drawn to each other even if I have to go to a human voodoo practitioner to get the answers.”
She laughed, but he was sincere. A wolf didn’t get jealous or possessive over anyone but his mate. Despite her shirt still being on, Elijah knew for certain she didn’t bear the raised paw print mated mark because he’d felt around for it.
Still, something connected witch and wolf and he would be happy to get the bottom of it once history was put back in place.
17
He’d been reduced to slinking through the shadows. Jared resisted the urge to snarl at a feral cat who sat across from him. Familiars were rumors, and if this damn cat kept staring at him, he would lose his temper.
Two months of planning might not seem like a lot, but to watch it go up in smoke was maddening. Jared had one vial of djinn blood and no witch to help him cast. He could certainly try to enlist the help of the few he knew milling about New Orleans in this decade, but with Ivy and Elijah breathing down his neck there wasn’t time.
“Don’t forget that Irish nitwit.” Jared kicked a beer bottle into the street.
Patrick Cofferty came out of nowhere and killed the damn witch. He’d chased Jared down a half dozen blocks before Jared ducked into a restaurant and lost him. The one advantage to his present? Marathons kept everyone in wonderful shape. Jared barely worked up a sweat racing away from one of his coven mates. Compared to his attempt at keeping up with Caliste earlier in the morning when his body was low on energy.
Had Patrick grabbed him, everything would be over. Everything Jared did in the past week was strictly against the rules. He’d controlled others with magic, murdered innocents, and used his powers for darkness. Warlocks stepped causally on the line of good and evil, but they didn’t cross over it.
Not without paying a price.
One last piece of the puzzle was left in North America. Then he could enlist help and travel home to see if his work pushed the scales enough. Jared knew the vampire attacks weren’t remembered in full, but he heard the rumblings on ghost tours about the fated night in the famous hotel. Hopefully, a wolf attack and a coordinated strike from the witches would seal the future in his favor.
“You just need to go find your wife and explain everything.” Seeing Ginnie again filled him with a certain dread. When everything was over, the events should have Ginnie and his daughter back in his arms without any manipulation on his part. “Well, any additional manipulation.”
Sure, he could have traveled back to save just his wife and child, but by instilling fear in the humans, Jared ensured the safety of so many who died when the humans first attacked. His path was unconventional, but he did have the best interest of so many at heart. They would understand. When all was said and done, Ivy and Elijah would be made to understand his actions weren’t as selfish as they appeared.
With a single action, Jared aimed to secure the world for the Supernaturals. All he had to do was finish what he started.
18
Her body practically sung with bliss. Ivy rolled over and almost fell off the small bed she and Elijah tucked themselves into. Everything about last night was forbidden, right down to the explosive way she came undone the three times they slept together. She should be sore, but all she felt was a radiating buzz through her being.
Two and a half years of admiring the man from afar had nothing on one night with him. And one night is all it will ever be.
“Ivy?” Elijah sounded adorable when he first woke up.
Don’t even think about that.
She turned to face him, realizing he looked angelic with the sun streaming over his square jawline and golden hair. Ivy, it was one and done. It was comfort. Stop.
“How are you feeling?”
“Like I spent the night screwing one of the most perplexing women I know.”
She frowned. “What is that supposed to mean?”
He laugh
ed, and his amusement shook the tiny bed. “It means that you intrigue me.” He sat up, and the sheet slipped over his shoulder leaving him bare-chested. “I shouldn’t be this attracted to you. Fucking you? Sure thing. But cuddling you against me last night to ensure I knew you were safe?” He let the question dangle on the air.
“So what you’re saying is, that was more than a one-time thing.”
“It can’t be. We both know that. We’re leaders. We can’t pull some star-crossed lovers act and expect to get away with it.”
He may as well have ripped her heart from her chest and squashed it in his grasp. The sadness was unnecessary since she had the same feelings. Then why are you upset?
“What if I told you I was interested in testing the balance?” She dropped a playful kiss against his lips. “What if I told you every single part of me is screaming that this was to comfort us both, except this tiny part saying it’s more?”
His intense stare focused on her for a moment. “I would tell you that I find your inability to back down sexy, that I find it adorable you’ve now realized you have a catchphrase when you’re nervous, and that your ability to travel through the past twice and not cling to selfish goals makes you one of the most amazing women I know.”
Her arms wrapped around his neck and she straddled him, the sheets between them. “I think your loyalty is the stuff of fairy tales and you’re far more charming than I ever thought possible.”
“But,” he looked into her eyes with all the understanding she already had.
“But we’re not going there. You said yourself wolves are mated. I promise you, if I had a strange mark on my body, I’d know it. You’re amazing, and when this is all over I’m going to have trouble distancing myself from you again, but this is a mission and last night was a -”
“Do not use the word mistake.” He growled, cutting her off.
Ivy smirked. “I was going to say fantasy release.”
He blinked twice as if surprised she didn’t regret what they did.
“But seriously,” she leaned back a bit, letting her hands stayed where there were letting her enjoy his touch for a small time longer. “Are you okay?”
“I’ve put down rogue wolves before.”
“This wasn’t a rouge. This was a wolf you knew being controlled by a witch.” She snarled. “Just saying the words leaves a bitter taste on my tongue. If Patrick hadn’t killed her, I’d have made sure the Council took care of her when we got back.”
“She’s dead? The witch Jared traveled with?” He seemed almost gleeful.
“Yes. So unless Jared has a connection up his sleeve, he’s stuck here for the time being.” Finally, Ivy let her arms slide off his body she wondered how she’d ever find another man to compare to him. “So let’s get up and go to the shop. I’m certain Patrick will be there waiting—maybe even with Jared in tow.”
Elijah’s eyes flashed with satisfaction. “Yes, let’s get this show on the road.”
* * *
The walk in the fresh air replenished Ivy’s spirit, but not her energy levels. Somewhere out there, a warlock was traveling through time and casting spells aplenty without slowing down. Meanwhile, every step may as well have found bricks attached to her feet. Proof that you’re not as strong as everyone thinks.
“Are you all right?” Elijah cast his gaze sideways at her. “You seem off.”
“Just tired.” She didn’t have the energy to crack a joke about him wearing her out. “It feels like this has gone on for a hell of a lot longer than four days. I don’t even know what the time we will return to will be like.”
“I am fairly certain the council won’t exist.” He shrugged. “It’s also possible Supernaturals never get outed in the first place.”
Her stomach sank. If they had any shot of fixing what they broke Ivy needed a djinn and warlock, perhaps even an additional witch to help her cast. “Thankfully we know many names and we’ll have to find someone.”
“I think not focusing on it serves us best right now. We can undo what was done. What we return to will be tackled when we get home.” The words were clipped. Elijah the Alpha was back.
“How do you do that?” She quickened her pace to keep by his side as the block of Magazine came into view.
“Do what?”
“Go cold like that.”
“I’m a leader. Emotions don’t serve me too well.” He glanced at her. “Look what they’ve done to us?”
They fell into a silent walk as they quickly crossed the block. When they got to the shop a moment later, Ivy paused as her hand rested on the handle. The store looked so serene serving as an herbal tea shop. The Perrow’s evolved the store as needed throughout the decades, and Ivy almost hated to ask them to close shop.
The tiny bell jingled when she found the strength to push the door in.
“Ivy? What are you doing here? I am okay to help Lita out today.”
Her blood ran cold. Turning her gaze to the left she nearly screamed. Her mother held a bag of tea leaves, smiling at her.
“Mom,” the word rushed out on a whisper as her vision blurred with unshed tears. Ivy shook as she forced herself not to throw herself at her mother.
“I can smell your fear,” Elijah whispered against her ear before extending his hand to her mother. “Lovely to see you again, Priestess.”
Her mother didn’t shake his hand.
“Ivy, are you here with the wolf?”
Her heart slammed into her chest. Over and over it beat so furiously it might burst from her body. “Mom.” She repeated.
Elijah nudged her foot with his. “Your daughter will make a strong priestess if her time should come. She ventured to the bayou to speak to me about a joint venture.”
“How did you get there and back so fast?” her mother looked over her shoulder and lowered her voice to a whisper. “Did you use magic in front of humans?”
Ivy winced. It was so easy to take for granted the life she lived in the future. They’d lived so stifled before the accidental exposure. “I’m sorry. This couldn’t wait.”
“Well, please, tell me what venture you sought to use as witch and wolf without my permission.” Emerald green eyes almost identical to Ivy’s narrowed with annoyance.
“Ivy!” Lita called as she stepped out of the shop’s back room with a box of tea packets to restock the front. “Are you here to save me from work or to meet Patrick?” She stopped a few feet from Elijah. “You’re the wolf alpha.”
Elijah nodded. “Please, we can explain everything.” He turned to look at her, a command in his eyes. “Ivy, why don’t you step in the back and get that information you needed. I’ll stay with your mother.” So you can’t blab was the unspoken sentence.
Ivy blew out a breath and closed her eyes. The tears fell down on her cheeks, and she didn’t care who saw. More tears lined her eyes when she opened them. “Lita, I don’t want to talk about why I’m crying. Patrick and I are fine.”
Lita raised a brow, but nodded. “Okay then,” she drew the words out, obviously not buying that everything was fine.
Because everything is not fine. My mother is six feet away from me, alive, and Elijah expects me to keep my mouth shut.
“Ivy,” Patrick looked up with a smile as she stepped into the back room. “Thank the goddess you got away okay.”
She nodded. “This is . . . weird.”
He nodded. “Incredibly so for me. We broke things off thirty years ago. Remembering to go yesterday—well, I almost forgot.”
Ivy put her hand over his and squeezed. So at least one thing is different. We broke up nearly one hundred years too soon. “I’m so sorry you carried this burden. I didn’t think about it.”
“Will someone fill me in?” Lita drummed her fingers on the doorframe. “If you think I’m going to leave after Patrick shows up after decades of not being around, you’re not right in the head.”
Ivy glanced at Patrick. “This is going to seem pretty nuts.”
“You sound strange
already, are you inventing new phrases?”
Ivy snickered. “I’m not your Ivy. I’m from a different time.”
Lita rolled her eyes. “Time travel magic making you from ten minutes in the future or past does not mean you aren’t the Ivy I know.”
“She’s from a bit more distant of a time than that.” Patrick chuckled.
“I’m from two thousand and nineteen.”
Lita’s bark of laughter echoed as she tugged the door shut. “You’ll have me thinking I’m loony.”
Ivy shook her head. “There’s no way to prove this.”
“What about that device? The cell phone?” Patrick lifted a brow.
“Well, a certain wolf shifted without warning and we lost pretty much everything in his pockets.”
“You truly are keeping company with the wolf alpha?” Lita smirked. “Sorry, Patrick, I can see why you stood no shot if you saw them together.”
Ivy opened her mouth to tell Lita it wasn’t like that, but it didn’t matter. “Can you brew me up a healing potion? We’re chasing a warlock through history. I’m tired and can’t think of a way to explain this to you. So I’ll do this once. No questions. Believe it or don’t.”
Lita nodded and sat in the chair opposite Patrick.
“In my time, Supernaturals are exposed. We live in somewhat harmony with humans. Only, we’re militantly kept in line. There are numbers for how many of each kind can live in cities, how many businesses we can open, and even how many children a family can have. It sounds terrible, but it helps more than it hurts. A council exists to monitor factions in each world. The United States meets here, in New Orleans. The warlock representative wanted something the council vetoed. He took it upon himself to travel through time and try to ensure he got what he wanted.”
Lita let out a low whistle. “You consistently have your head stuck in books. If this is the future you, you’re quite different.”
Ivy didn’t bother to blame Elijah for her change. She’d gone through a wild period long before him. About twenty years from now, actually.
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