A Demon's Witch

by Tena Stetler

  Angie didn’t take her eyes off him, but lightly touched his shoulder and changed the subject. “Ok, so what kind of magic was used?”

  “Much like the magic that protects the family home you and Tristian shared. As well as the magic that protects your apartment and store. It’s impervious to outside magic, but allows the use of magic by the protected inside its walls.”

  “You were serious about that? Wouldn’t I know if there was magic protecting my apartment and store?”

  A wicked grin curled his lips. “That’s a question you can ask your brother on Monday.” He slid an arm around her waist, while directing his gaze into the security panel. The door swung open allowing the wonderful aroma of baked ham, sweet potatoes, and apple cobbler to surround them.

  An older woman with dark hair flowing down her back, dressed in a white shirt and tan slacks bustled around the kitchen, glanced over her shoulder as they entered the room.

  “Megan, what are you doing here? You’re not due back until tomorrow.” He raised a brow and smiled warmly at the woman.

  She narrowed her laughing hazel eyes at him then winked at Angie. “What are you doing entertaining this lovely young woman without proper supervision and a culinary expert? She’ll think you’re a heathen, and she won’t be far from the mark. Now go wash up and relax in the living room, dinner will be ready in forty-five minutes.” She glanced at Angie’s feet. “Nice taste in riding boots.”

  “Thanks. I guess we wear the same size, or almost. Bruce said you wouldn’t mind.”

  “And he’d be right.” She nodded grinning.

  “I hate to interrupt, but how’d you know I had a guest?”

  “I have eyes and ears all over this house, even when I’m not here.” She laughed then opened the oven door to check on the ham. “Now get out of my way.” She mimed putting her foot to his ass as she shoved him toward the arched doorway to the next room.

  Back in the living room, Angie collapsed on the couch in a fit of giggles and wincing at the same time, partly due to fatigue, and the events of the past few minutes. “Every muscle in my body is screaming.”

  Looking back into the kitchen a smile danced around his lips. “I guess we’ll have dinner and then see what can be done about that. There’s a hot tub on the lower level. I have a few swimsuits down there I keep for guests, you can see if anything fits. Or you can conjure up one, if you are so inclined.”

  “I don’t waste magic like that, but the tub sounds great. Are you just trying to get me out of my clothes?”

  “Oh, li’l witch, if I wanted you out of your clothes, you’d be naked right now. Though the idea is very appealing after sleeping with you last night.” He smirked letting his gaze wander over her. “So I guess the third choice could be naked?”

  “I…we…we weren’t sleeping together like you’re insinuating and you know it. And that would be a resounding no to the third choice.” Then she narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “Just how often do you entertain female guests in your hot tub?”

  The question caught him off guard. The swimsuits had been his mother’s idea. She hoped her son wouldn’t spend his life alone, that he’d find someone that mattered, and bring her here to enjoy what was his. He’d never entertained his conquests here, they’d just never mattered that much and he was unwilling to share his private estate with anyone who didn’t. This was his paradise. The only woman to grace these premises at his invitation, sat beside him, her full bottom lip stuck out in an adorable pout, waiting for an answer.

  “I don’t kiss and tell,” he said smugly.

  ****

  She suddenly had a desire to hit him with something…anything within reach. However, she refrained, she wasn’t sure of his limits and wasn’t comfortable testing them, yet. She merely nodded and glared at him. “I see.”

  He slid closer to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulder, kissing her lightly on the nose. “I don’t believe you do.” But he was unwilling to elaborate.

  She slipped her shoes off and curled her feet under her, snuggling into him as they both enjoyed the fire Megan had coaxed to life again sometime after they left this morning.

  “Dinner’s ready, would you like it in there or in the dining room?” Megan announced primly.

  “The kitchen table will be fine, no need for formality, though I appreciate the effort. Won’t you join us?”

  She shook her head and removed her white apron. “You know that is not proper etiquette.”

  “To hell with etiquette. You came in on your day off, cooked a wonderful meal for Angie and me. We want you to share it with us. It would be bad manners to turn us down under these circumstances. Don’t you agree Angie?”

  “Oh most definitely.” Angie nodded her head vigorously.

  Megan smiled appreciatively and set another place at the table in the dining room.

  After the dinner dishes where cleared away, Angie and Bruce returned to the living room couch and Megan silently disappeared to her room.

  “Alone at last.” Bruce leaned over and nibbled lightly on Angie’s neck. “How about a dip in the hot tub? Clothes are still optional,” he murmured seductively and offered his hand to help her up off the couch.

  “Would they be optional for you as well?”

  “Always. Whatever you desire.”

  “This early stage in our relationship, I think swimsuits would be appropriate. Don’t you?”

  He pulled her against him and brought his lips down on hers, hot, demanding, and proprietary, then his tongue slid between her lips twining with hers in a sinuous dance.

  She felt his erection press against her as moisture gathered between her thighs, preparing for the next step. Her bones felt as if they were melting and knew her legs wouldn’t hold her up, if he let go. No one had ever made her feel like this and it was only a kiss. Just what could she expect in a more intimate joining, she wondered, surprised by her desire to find out.

  He trailed his lips down her neck to the rise of her breast and murmured, “I intend to have you, but it will be consensual between us and you’ll agree there will be no other, as will I. This is forever or not at all. As for swimsuits, I’ve already stated my opinion.”

  The fire he’d lit burned slowly through her, Angie could do nothing but rest her head against his chest and wish it were bare. She breathed in his delicious scent and tried to come to terms with what this man could do to her. Forever, oh yeah she could live with that. Nevertheless, she wasn’t naive enough not to realize there would be others that would try to tear them apart. She wouldn’t let that happen.

  “Ok, so are you going to show me where you hide the swimsuits?” Angie inquired her violet eyes sparkling with mischief as she glanced toward the stairs.

  “Certainly, but it’s still against my better judgment.” He laughed and turned her toward the stairway as he moved his hand to the small of her back letting it slide lower as they descended the steps.

  At the bottom of the stairs, he pointed to a curtained off area to the left of the hot tub where tendrils of steam wafted above water and bubbles floated on the surface. “There should be several styles and sizes in the wooden chest against the wall. I’m going to dash up to my room and get mine, if you are ok here alone?”

  “I’ll be fine.” She lifted the lid on the beautifully hand carved oak chest and found an astonishing variety of swimsuits with the price tags still attached. Either he’d been telling her the truth about never entertaining women here, or they didn’t wear swimsuits. She’d seduce the answer out of him later, if she had her way. Picking through several in her size, she decided on a turquoise string bikini that barely covered her assets and was designed to tease a man. She’d just wrapped a towel around her and sat on the edge of the tub when he strode back into the room.

  Her eyes traced the contours of the male body in a swimsuit that barely covered the essentials, and Bruce’s essentials were impressive. His long powerful legs and tight ass just added to the delectable package, not to mention was
hboard abs and wide muscular shoulders.

  Using one hand, he swung into the tub barely making a ripple entering the water. “Are you going to sit on the side of the tub all night wrapped in a towel or are you going to join me in the warm pulsating H2O?” He raised a brow and one corner of his mouth curved up seductively.

  Shrugging off the towel along with her inhibitions, she slid into the gloriously warm bubbling clear water.

  He let out a low appreciative whistle as his dark amber eyes devoured her. The swell of her firm round breasts, tiny waist, and the curve of hips caused the intended results. Her full pouty lips issued an invitation all their own as she straddled him and slithered against him. Accepting that invitation, his mouth covered hers hungrily forcing her lips apart, and thrusting his tongue inside as his hands gripped her hips holding her tight against him.

  She succumbed to his forceful domination, enjoying the sensation and nipped at his bottom lip just before he moved down to explore her soft flesh. His mouth covered her breasts through the thin fabric and he tongued her nipples until they were hard. She bucked up against him, even as he drew back.

  Breath coming in gasps, he said in a husky voice, “Unless you want me to take you right here, right now, we best divert our energy in a different direction.”

  Paying no attention to his words, she wrapped her arms around him burying her face in his neck as she breathed a kiss against the bare flesh, then ran the tip of her tongue along his strong jaw line. His hands caressed her hips and untied the strings that held her bikini bottom on, letting it float to the surface, long fingers exploring the area between her legs he’d just uncovered. That action was enough to bring her out of the sexual haze that enveloped her brain.

  “No. Not here, not this way, we’re not ready.” She shoved at him even as he positioned himself between her voluntarily spread legs.

  “Maybe you’re not ready, but I’m way past ready.” He growled but reluctantly eased away, floating to the corner seat still panting with a raging hard on. Vaulting out of the tub, he wrapped a towel around his waist and sprinted upstairs.

  Appalled at her lack of self-control, she floated to the opposite corner to cool off. After he disappeared up the stairs, she let the warm water cascade over her sore muscles wondering what to do now, and then climbed out of the tub, dried off and dressed. She wandered back to the living room and sat in front of the comforting warmth of the fireplace, the fire now reduced to embers.

  ****

  After a long cold shower, he dressed in jeans, a loose knit copper sweater and went to find her. Slouched in the doorway of the living room, his shoulder leaning against the doorjamb, one bare foot crossed in front of the other, he watched her. His blood stirred and his body ached for her like none other. Steady ol’ boy, this is going to be a long journey, which has just begun, control yourself, the reward will be worth the wait.

  Logs were stacked neatly in a stone recess a few feet from the fireplace. He sauntered over, picked up a couple large logs, and tossed them effortlessly on the fire, as if they were twigs. “We’ll have a roaring fire in no time to warm you.” He smiled tentatively and sat beside her, sliding his arm around her shoulders. “I’m sorry for my behavior in the tub. I’ll try to refrain from doing it again. But I have only so much control and taunting me isn’t a good idea.”

  She relaxed against him and sighed peering up at him, her eyes gentle and full of understanding. “I was as much to blame as you. I dressed deliberately to seduce you. I didn’t expect… I just wasn’t ready for the raw sex appeal you exude in that tiny piece of fabric you call a swimsuit. When you touched me, control went out the window. Wish I could say I am sorry, but I’m not. Just not ready to take it as far as you apparently are.”

  “Li’l witch, I’m male and seeing you in next to nothing stirred my blood and aroused my body. We are just going to have to keep our clothes on until you’re ready.”

  “I’m afraid so,” she reluctantly agreed.

  “Now what are we going to do about sleeping arrangements. We both need to sleep tonight. Will the nightmares return, if you sleep alone in your room?” Bruce asked gently tucking a wayward curl behind her ear.

  “Not usually, but it’s hard to tell. Those last night were different from any I’ve had before. I should be all right in my own room, besides it’ll give us space we need.”

  Separate bedrooms fit with his feelings. He was a male demon with carnal needs far beyond the mortal male. Controlling them until she was ready was already a challenge. Once that connection happened, there was no turning back for either of them. He had to be sure this was what she wanted.

  He offered his hand, she took it getting to her feet and starting toward the stairs. He followed her, took her face in his hands, and kissed her forehead leaving her at her bedroom door, continuing on to his. The hallway light remained on in case of nightmares.

  At two in the morning he awoke feeling her restlessness, listening he heard her soft sobs. He pulled on his black silk lounge pants and grabbed the robe from the foot of his bed. Padding silently in his bare feet down the hall, he paused at her bedroom door just as her anguished scream filled the room. He was at the side of her bed a second later. Gathering her onto his lap, he held her unyielding body to his until her flailing limbs quieted and her troubled violet eyes opened. Cognizant of where she was now and with whom, she flung her arms around his neck and clung tight as shivers racked her slight frame.

  Megan came running from the other wing of the house where the staff lived during the week. “Is everything all right?” She peeked inside Angie’s bedroom door.

  “Just a nightmare, nothing to worry about. She’s awake now.

  “Oh no my Lord,” Megan said in a low frantic whisper.

  “Don’t call me that,” he growled, his amber eyes tinged with orange glowed in the dark room.

  “Sorry. There’s something dark and dangerous chasing that one.” She nodded in Angie’s direction. “It’s not of this world.”

  He lowered his voice and spoke kindly. “Go back to bed, I’ve got this handled.” He paused for a beat exhaling slowly. “For now.”

  Megan stepped into the room and leaned toward Bruce. “Your witch is a seer as well as a healer.” Then she turned her attention to Angie. “Was your mother a healer and empath as well?”

  Angie nodded, loosening her grip on Bruce.

  Megan turned to go, then looked back. “What a rare gem you are.” She closed the door quietly behind her and padded down the hallway.

  One of the few paranormals on his estate staff, Megan was a witch-angel who had been with his family for centuries.

  Quiet now, Angie laid her face, moist from tears and hair damp from sweat, against his bare chest. He dabbed at her face with the side of his open robe. With her still in his arms, he stood. “I guess we’ll spend the rest of the night in my bed, it’s much bigger than yours.”

  “Thanks,” she whispered against his neck, a weak smile forming on her trembling lips. “So it’s true, size matters,” she said in an attempt to dispel the somber mood.

  He gave her a tight-lipped smile. “You tell me.” Laying her gently on the bed, he pulled the sheet and comforter over her. Then grabbed the blanket folded neatly at the foot of the bed and yanked it over him as he slid his arms protectively around her, hoping to silence her demons.

  The sun shone brightly through the lace curtains when Bruce rolled over to watch Angie sleeping. He gently brushed a golden strand of hair from her face. She blinked and looked at him.

  “Morning already?” she rubbed her eyes and yawned wide.

  “More like afternoon, my li’l witch.”

  She stretched arching her back and winced. “Ohhh, I feel like a stomped on toad frog.”

  Bruce chuckled. “What a way with words you have. Maybe we’ll take it easy today, a leisurely walk, relax on the porch, wine by the fire and an early night.”

  “Sounds wonderful.” She sighed.

  ****

&nb
sp; Megan served apple cinnamon oatmeal hot off the stove and fresh baked blueberry muffins when they entered the kitchen Monday morning.

  “Mmmm, that smells absolutely heavenly,” Angie said licking her lips.

  “Come sit and eat, then you’ll have time for a morning horseback ride before returning to DC to face whatever awaits you,” she said knowingly.

  They ate quickly and enjoyed their morning ride, returning just in time to leave for DC.

  Megan kept an eye on Angie while packing the rest of the muffins and sandwiches prepared for their lunch. “You have a good trip into the city.” She patted Bruce’s arm fondly, handing him the basket of food and surprised Angie with a hug. “Take care.”

  A steaming mug of hot chocolate frothy with whipped cream sat on the counter. Megan handed it to Angie then turned to grasp a full mug of hot coffee, handing that to Bruce. “You’re going to need this.” She leaned into him and lowered her voice to a whisper only he could hear. “Take care of your li’l witch, she’s special and dark times are ahead.”

  He nodded, then ushered Angie out of the house.

  The SUV sat in front of the house idling. Bruce opened the passenger’s door for Angie, waited for her to get in, and walked around to the driver’s side. The ride to DC was quiet. Finally, Bruce broke the silence. “Those are some nightmares, still different?”

  “Yes.”

  “Just started while you were staying at my place?” Bruce asked his eyes scanning the road.

  “Yes. I’ve had nightmares since my parents died. They happened frequently when I was a child, but now not often and nothing like this. It’s strange the only way to keep them away is with you beside me. It feels like a premonition, but I’ve never had the gift. My mother did.” She turned to watch out the window then looked back at Bruce. “What will I tell Tristian when I see him and what if he’s at the store when you drop me off?”