by Deanna Chase
“Cup your breasts, feel the weight of them in your hands.” His lust-filled tone was more of a command than any order he could’ve given me. It was the first time I’d been in a position to be the submissive in any seduction. And damn if I wasn’t enjoying it. I did as I was told and closed my eyes as I rubbed both thumbs over my taut nipples.
“That’s it, Mati girl.” His tone went soft, full of affection and praise. “Touch yourself for me.”
My lips parted as I stared at his bare chest and longed to mark him with my tongue.
“Now, pull those panties down. Let me see all of you.”
My eyes snapped to his.
“You heard me. Do it now. Let me see that soft mound.”
I couldn’t believe I was standing there taking orders from someone I just met. Getting ready to bare myself to him while he stood there in his jeans and boots. But then, it wasn’t as if I was helpless. I was a sex witch. Still, exposing myself was just as personal to me as the next girl. But the way he was watching and the fact that I could see him straining against his jeans had me slipping my panties down my thighs and letting them drop to my feet.
He stayed still and silent as he took in my bare flesh, marking me with those eyes. His fingers twitched, and I knew he was on the verge of losing control. I longed for that moment. Needed to see this man, who had so much sexual power over me, succumb to my touch.
“Do you want me to touch myself again?” I asked, inching my fingers down over my flat stomach.
“No,” he all but growled. “I’ll do the touching.” Then he kicked his boots off as one hand worked the fly of his jeans.
“Let me.” I reached out and tugged his zipper down, deliberately running my knuckles over the outline of his shaft.
He sucked in a shallow breath and reached out, caressing my cheek gently. The juxtaposition of the demanding lover with the gentle one only made me want him more. Holy hell. How was I ever going to make it through this?
His boxer briefs came down with his jeans and finally we were both bared to each other. I couldn’t help but stare. He was beautiful in every way. Tall and lean, with a well-defined chest and muscular legs. I wanted to touch him everywhere.
He held out a hand. “This way.”
I put my hand in his and ran my other down his arm as he guided me through a sparsely furnished living room and into his bedroom.
He stopped at the foot of the bed, running his hand through my hair. And when he kissed me, he pressed against me, his erection bobbing against my stomach. Everything quivered. Had I ever experienced this level of excitement before? No, not until right before I climaxed and my power was rushing through me. Is this how it was for normal people? If so, no wonder there were sex addicts. Much better than drugs or food. In that moment, I thought I could sustain myself just off his touch.
With one last nip of my lip, he pulled away and pointed to the bed. “Lie down.”
The roughness in his voice only served to ratchet up my excitement. I did as I was told and waited for his next command.
He stood over me, raking that gaze down my body. He was beautiful. And I knew I’d do just about anything he asked as long as there was a promise of release by his touch. “Spread your legs for me.”
Heat crawled over my face. Bashfulness was a first for me. Even though I was only in my early twenties, I’d had more than my share of partners. It was a given with my heritage. In order to grow my power, I had to feed off of sex. But I’d never let anyone be in charge before, and I sure as hell hadn’t ever let anyone speak to me like that. If anything, it was the other way around. I usually called the shots. But that night, I willingly spread my legs for this stranger.
And when he climbed on the bed, positioning himself so his head was level with my sex, it was all I could do to not demand he put his mouth on me. But no demand was necessary. Just when I thought I was going to go crazy with wild need, he dipped his head and his tongue darted out, tasting me with such delicious, slow intensity my muscles clenched and power built deep in my core, sparking through me like a lightning rod.
Every nerve was alive and sensitive as his tongue worked his magic. I clutched at the soft covers, holding in the scream struggling to break free. Not yet. I couldn’t come right then. I needed the magic to intensify, to build, to fill all my reserves. But when his fingers slipped along my inner thigh and teased at my opening, all rational thought left my head. Power be damned. All I wanted was him.
Chapter 4
Vaughn
I’d never been this hard in my life. With each moan and whimper I coaxed from Matisse, the more I wanted to be inside her, owning her, claiming her as mine. But I held back, denying the temptation. I couldn’t let this woman have that much control over me.
Hell-bent on bringing her pleasure, I redoubled my efforts, and although she clearly was enjoying it, she appeared to be holding back. With each new stroke of my fingers and tongue that made her quiver in ecstasy, she shifted slightly to ease the friction. Why? She was a live wire more than ready to go off. And damned if I wasn’t going to make it happen. Now.
Placing both hands firmly on her hips, I held her still, devouring her until her cries filled my ears and her body pulsed and trembled beneath my mouth. I glanced up, catching the utter rapture claiming her features. A faint glow materialized around her and the air shifted. It took me a moment to realize it was her power.
Sex witch.
Jesus. I was an idiot. No wonder she was so fucking alluring. It would also explain her confidence. But not her willingness to let me take control. Sex witches thrived on power. And control was a form of power. The fact that she’d yielded to me was mind-blowing. And fucking hot. It made me want her all the more.
“Vaughn?” she whispered.
I kissed my way up her hip and over her creamy stomach, stopping to concentrate on her right breast. Flicking my tongue over her nipple, I gazed up into her heavy-lidded eyes.
“That was…” Her back arched, pressing her breast deeper into my mouth as she moaned her approval. I didn’t need her to tell me what the experience was like. I’d been right there with her, felt her struggle to maintain control, and felt her release when she’d finally been forced over the edge. And now she was pliant and more than willing to take everything I had to give. It was mind-blowing.
“Vaughn,” she said again, more forcefully this time.
I smiled a wolfish grin and lifted my head, bringing my lips inches from hers. “Yes, Matisse?”
Her dark eyes flashed with mild irritation. Then she buried her hand in my hair and forced my head down as she kissed me with all the passion she’d tried to hold back earlier. I gave myself over to her, knowing she needed to call the shots in order to claim her power. I could do that for her. Was more than happy to.
She broke the kiss off but didn’t release me. For a long, tension-filled moment, we stared at each other. Finally she licked her lips. “No more orders?”
I shook my head. “It’s your turn to do as you will.”
Those expressive eyes narrowed slightly. Then she placed both hands on my shoulders, and with sudden force, she pushed me over onto my back and rolled with me, pressing her breasts into my chest. She reached between us and ran her hand along my shaft. “I want you inside me.”
My groin tightened as I gripped her thigh. “I’m ready for you, baby.”
Her fingers closed around me. “So it seems.”
I forced myself to let go of her hip and reached to the nightstand for a condom. “Here.”
Her eyes gleamed with anticipation as she protected both of us. And then she was sinking her heat onto me, her lithe body shuddering with the pleasure it brought. When I was buried all the way in, she paused as she tilted her head back, reveling in the sensation. Every inch of her was smooth and perfect: her full breasts, her slim hips, her silky skin. I could’ve spent the entire night just exploring the wonders of her body.
But then she started to move. The delicious friction made me want
to flip her onto her back and grind into her with rough force. I denied myself though. The torture of letting her set the pace only drove my need higher. I rested my hands on her hips and teased my thumb down as I watched myself sliding in and out of her.
So damned sexy. I couldn’t stop the quick thrust of my hips, meeting her slow, excruciating pace.
“Oh, Goddess,” she moaned and moved faster. Then that glow started again. Just a soft outline over her skin.
“Holy shit, Matisse.” I couldn’t wait any longer. The power that was building inside her, I felt it too. It was a hurricane of sensation that set my nerve endings on fire. I dug my fingers into her hip trying desperately to hold her to me as I finally slicked my thumb over her clit.
She gasped and stared at me wide-eyed. The glow around her intensified, and I was completely lost. I jerked my hips up, slamming into her over and over again. Her cries grew louder and wilder with each thrust. And just when I thought I couldn’t last another moment, her muscles clenched and pulsed around me as her body went rigid. She moaned and ground against me one last time, holding me to her. Ripple after ripple of orgasm slammed through her until the light around her turned a brilliant white.
My entire body shook with tension as I let her ride it out. And just as she started to relax, I thrust up again, pulling a cry from her slightly parted lips. “Again,” she whispered on a moan.
Another thrust. She let out a second moan, her head thrown back as she moved her hips in tiny circles. It was too fucking much. In one swift movement, I had her on her back, her legs wrapped tightly around my hips. I quickened the pace, slamming into her, making her cry out with each hard thrust. And then it happened. Her magic pulsed over my skin and seized me, touching me deep inside. Her entire body wrapped around mine, and I buried myself deep inside her one last time as a firebolt seared through me. I shuddered against her, losing myself completely in the release.
It took a while to come back to myself. I was lying on my back with Matisse’s head resting on my chest. Her fingers were tracing a small circle over my abs. “Hey,” I said softly.
She tilted her head up and smiled. “Hey, yourself.”
I wanted to tell her how incredible she was. The words were right there on the tip of my tongue, but before I could say anything she rolled off, pulling one of the blankets with her. I watched her as she slipped into the bathroom. The sound of water rushing through the old pipes filled the room as I waited for her to return. I glanced at the clock. Two twenty-three a.m. Considering that I’d spent the day tracking the whereabouts of a sleezeball human who’d been selling spelled cookies to unsuspecting co-eds in an effort to get laid, and then climbed into bed with Matisse, I should’ve been exhausted. But I wasn’t. I was wide awake and all too happy to contemplate round two.
The door swung open. Matisse reappeared, her face freshly washed and her hair brushed back. Her relaxed posture and small, satisfied smile pleased me. I’d do whatever it took to put that look on her face again. She bypassed the bed and moved toward the front of my house.
I narrowed my eyes. “Going somewhere?”
She raised her eyebrows in mild surprise. “Home?”
“What’s the hurry?” I sat up, letting the sheet fall to my lap, ready to drag her back to the bed if I had to.
Her smile was back as she walked toward me. Reaching out, she pressed her hand to the side of my face and then trailed her fingers down the side of my neck. The gesture was gentle, almost romantic, and sent another ripple of lust through me. She could touch me anywhere she wanted and I’d be ready to take her in seconds. “I’ve got class in the morning.”
Dammit. College girl. And she sure as hell wasn’t the type to do the walk of shame. I slipped off the bed and pulled on a pair of pants I’d discarded the day before. “Gotcha.”
I followed her into the entry hall where all her clothes were scattered. I expected her to be a bit shy putting her clothes on after the fact, but she wasn’t. The blanket fell to the floor, leaving her entirely exposed. I couldn’t take my eyes off her. She was mesmerizing with her quiet self-confidence, so different from the hard-edged seductress she’d been at the bar. Even more alluring than before.
“If you keep watching me like that, I doubt I’ll make it home tonight,” she said as she clasped her bra back in place.
“Is that a challenge? Or a request?” I moved in, nudging her chin up with my knuckle, and before she could answer, I claimed her mouth once again. The kiss was slow and full of promise. The passion sparking between us hadn’t diminished one tiny bit. Blood rushed to my groin, making me hard once again.
She chuckled and gently pushed me away. “I really have to go.”
I let my gaze rake down her body, pausing to appreciate her ample cleavage. “You’re sure?”
“I’m sure.” Her answer was so final as she zipped her skirt up there was no use trying to convince her otherwise. I pulled my T-shirt on and was stuffing my feet in my boots when she ran a light hand down my arm. “Thank you for the nice night, but there’s no need to take me back to the club. My friend is here to pick me up.”
I glanced out the window to see a small white car idling at the curb. What the hell? She hadn’t had a phone on her when she’d gone into the bathroom. “How did she know where to find you?”
“I used your phone. It was on the bathroom counter.” She leaned in and kissed my cheek. “Have a good night.”
She pulled the door open, but before she could stride out, I caught her wrist. “You’re leaving? Just like that?”
She frowned. “What do you mean, just like that?”
This wasn’t a place I’d been in before. I wanted this girl’s number. Wanted to see her again. Hell, what I really wanted to do was take her to bed again as soon as possible. But I liked that she challenged me, too. It was a thrilling combination. “I’ve only got your first name. How am I going to get in touch with you?”
Her lips turned up in that confident smile again. “You’ll find a way.”
This time when she walked away, I let her. She was right though. I damned well would find her again. And sooner rather than later.
Chapter 5
Matisse
Ashley sped away from the curb without saying a word. I knew she was waiting for me to give her a rundown of my night like I always did, but I couldn’t seem to find the words. Not this time. Vaughn had been something different. More. And yet, even though my power had reached new heights when I’d been straddling him, once we’d finished, my magic seemed almost fragile. Like it would slip away at any moment. On any other night, I’d be brimming with fresh energy, ready to cast any spell Chessandra wanted me to. Had I been that depleted? Something was off there, and I wasn’t sure what it was.
But sexually? Whoa. There was nothing wrong there. None of my past conquests could compete. Not even close. Like not even in the same state, let alone the same zip code. I couldn’t believe I didn’t give him my number. Maybe it was self-preservation. Because I could’ve easily stayed there in his bed for the next week, except I really did have class in the morning and an appointment with Chessandra to work on her special spell. The last thing I needed was a distraction. Especially one I knew I’d drop everything for. ’Cause, whew. If he knew how much I still wanted him…
I shook my head. No sense in thinking about that now. I’d made the decision to leave it at an incredible one-night stand. If we managed to run into each other again, that would be one thing, but I didn’t do relationships. Not when I used people for sex. It was wrong. Necessary for me, but wrong nonetheless. It seemed okay and bearable only when the person I was with was using me, too.
“Well?” Ashley prompted when it became clear I wasn’t talking. “How was it?”
“Good.” I stared out the window.
“Good?” She scoffed. “It’s getting close to three a.m. What the hell did you two do all night? Bake cookies?”
I couldn’t help the snort of laughter. “Definitely not.”
&n
bsp; “So it was better than good then?”
She wasn’t going to let this go. I had to give her something. “If I were a dating person, I definitely would’ve given him my number.”
The car swerved slightly to the right, but Ashley quickly recovered and straightened the car. “Did you just say what I think you did?”
I gave her a rueful smile. “Yes. Definitely second date… er, second hookup material.”
“Remind me to write this down.” She took a left onto the on-ramp of the Crescent City Connection Bridge. “I do believe history has been made.”
I smiled even though I had a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. It had taken a great deal of will to leave Vaughn so soon after our joining. And then to walk out when he’d all but asked for my number… It was hard. But what was I to do? None of the females in my family maintained steady healthy relationships with the opposite sex. My mom couldn’t even give me the name of my father. She hadn’t asked nor had she ever seen him again. It was the life of a sex witch. It sucked.
When Ashley finally pulled up to our place in Coven Pointe, I placed a hand on her arm, keeping her in the car for a moment. “Thanks for picking me up.”
“It’s no problem. I was just hanging out with Brandon’s friend. Nothing exciting to report.” She frowned. “But I don’t get why you didn’t just shadow walk.”
“I was conserving my energy.” In addition to being a sex witch, I also worked for the Angel Council as a shadow walker. If I concentrated, I could slip into the shadow world at a certain point and slip out at another using only my mind.
Being a shadow walker also meant I could cross between our world and the one where spirits walked. It was the same world demons had to pass through to get in and out of Hell. Since my sister was the head angel in charge, fighting demons was her main concern. Having someone she could count on who could slip through the worlds was very important to her. I wasn’t that crazy about working with her. Dealing with the shadow world and possibly demons wasn’t exactly on my to-do list. But it meant my mom left me alone and wasn’t asking me to do much with the Coven these days.
