Seduced and Enchanted

by Stephanie Julian

  But first he rolled his thumbs over the hard tips—he could just about feel them under the cardigan—going back again and again until she gasped into his mouth. She pushed her hips against his as if they weren’t wearing any clothes and he was about to get extremely lucky.

  Gods be damned, he wanted her naked, needed to see her bare body. His clothes rasped against his skin, irritating him. He wanted them off.

  As if Rosie had read his mind, she broke off the kiss and caught his gaze as she peeled her cardigan down her arms. A smile kicked up the corners of her mouth as she reached for the bottom of her sleeveless sweater. Then she stopped.

  His breath stuttered in his lungs. Shit, was she having second thoughts? Because if she had, he’d— Oh, he knew what that smile meant. Maybe his little mouse was more adventurous than he’d guessed.

  Reaching over his head, he grabbed the back of his t-shirt and pulled it up and off, dropping it on the floor by his feet. Then he waited.

  Her smile spread as she lifted the hem of her sleeveless sweater, exposing first her stomach then her ribs. When she paused, his gaze shot back to hers and he watched her left eyebrow lift like Mr. Spock’s. Except that he’d never found Mr. Spock sexy, and Rosie’s eyebrow was sexy as hell, along with that little strip of flesh she’d exposed for him.

  Her eyes slid down his chest like melted ice cream dripping down a cone. Yeah, that image had definite possibilities. He was seriously going to raid her freezer later. Then he’d drip something sweet and wet all over her naked body. And then— Then Rio couldn’t think anymore, because Rosie removed her top and uncovered a pretty pink bra. Oh, he wanted that bra.

  Rio toed off his sneakers and socks and watched as she bent to unlace her Chucks and take them off. Along with little purple-heart-decorated socks. With a tiny spell, he shifted a condom from his wallet into his hands and slid it between his back and the waistband of his boxer briefs. Then his fingers went to the button on his jeans while she reached for her skirt. He pushed his jeans down his hips, making sure he didn’t lose his underwear. He wanted to see what was under that skirt first.

  As he stepped out of his trousers, he nearly lost his balance when he caught sight of the pale pink thong that matched her bra and barely covered her mound. He hadn’t expected that. But he did appreciate a woman who gave a little thought to her underwear. Damn, maybe he should just drop to his knees right now and beg.

  Instead, he straightened and hooked his fingers in the waistband of his boxers. The tip of his hard cock had already escaped his shorts. He watched her gaze dip and her tongue lick her upper lip before disappearing. Christ, he wasn’t going to last more than a minute if she kept looking at him like that. And that would be really fucking embarrassing.

  Her right hand lifted, fingers splaying on her sternum, her little finger just touching the swell of her breast. She stroked her fingertips over her skin, inching closer to her breasts with each second.

  His cock throbbed in time with her motions as he imagined her fingers doing the same on his flesh. But first he wanted her to take off the pretty lace bra that matched her panties. His gaze lifted, past the smile that promised so much. It mesmerized him and held his eyes captive. He didn’t realize she’d taken off her bra until he saw her hand wave a little scrap of pink at him.

  It took a few more seconds before he let himself look at her. But when he did, his lungs ached as if he’d run a marathon and his heart kicked into an even faster rhythm.

  Her breasts were perfect mounds that sat high on her chest, the nipples small and pink. He couldn’t wait to get his mouth on them. Her creamy skin gleamed in the dim light, pale freckles dotting her breasts, arms and stomach.

  Their game forgotten, he reached for her, cupping her breasts in his hands. His fingers molded to her velvet skin, his thumbs brushing the pebbled nipples. Lids fluttering down, she arched against him with a moan. Her head tilted back, exposing her neck and lifting her breasts up toward him.

  Never one to turn down a gift, Rio bent to lick one tight, candy pink tip. Gods, she even tasted like vanilla, sweet and tantalizing. And her skin smelled like roses.

  He nipped at her, barely grazing the skin, then opened his mouth and sucked her nipple in. She gasped then moaned, her chest expanding, pushing her farther into his mouth. The sound made his body tingle and his cock pulse as he switched breasts, sucking and licking until she panted.

  Her hands lifted to cup the back of his head, sliding her fingers into his hair and raising goose bumps on his skin. His hand slid down her smooth stomach to that pale pink thong. He brushed his fingers along the silky material, close enough to her clit to make her shudder. But he didn’t touch her there, not yet. Instead, he brought his other hand down and teased one finger through each of the strings holding the tiny triangle of fabric in place. He eased them off her hips. He would have gone slow, extended the tease, but she wriggled out of them, the soft hair on her mound brushing against his hands as she moved.

  Sensation shot from the tip of his shaft to his balls, making them tighten and throb. Hell, there’d be time for slow later. Right now fast and hard had just become as necessary as his next breath.

  With her nipple still between his teeth, he worked his hand between her legs, petting her for just a second before rubbing his middle finger against her clit. As her breath caught in her throat, her hands latched onto his boxers, fingers curling in the material, pulling it taut across the tip of his cock. The slight pain stung across his senses and he released her breast before he could bite down and hurt her.

  As he lifted his head, she pressed against him. Her mouth sealed to his and their tongues entwined. She shoved his boxers down as far as she could and Rio caught the condom before it fell to the floor. Rosie wrapped her hands around his cock and his body immediately responded with a burning surge of heat. He thrust into her hands, aching for friction.

  She gave it to him, curling her fingers tightly around his length and beginning a slow pump. It was his turn to groan. He needed to get inside her—now.

  “Rosie…”

  She must have known exactly what he was thinking, because she walked backward, slowly, hands still wrapped around his cock. Heading toward the nearest wall… He would have followed her everywhere.

  His hands stopped her before she hit the wall then he let her ease back. Rio ripped open the condom wrapper and sheathed himself. With her back flat, Rosie smiled and reached for him. Grabbing her hips, he lifted her to the perfect height.

  Rubbing his cock between her legs, he found her wet and sleek and so fucking hot. He couldn’t wait any longer. Fitting the head of his shaft against her sex, he thrust inside her, her body arching to take him in.

  Rio took her hard and fast and Rosie was right there with him, rolling her hips to meet his thrusts, her hands on his shoulders clutching and releasing in perfect rhythm. Such perfect friction.

  He thought he wouldn’t last longer than a few seconds but he hung on until he felt her climax hit her, her sheath milking him in strong pulsations. And then, finally, he let go. Rio thrust hard, seated himself deeply and released into her. The last thought he had was, Mine.

  Rosie felt Rio’s cock twitch inside her. Her orgasm still rippled through her, pouring over her nerves like a waterfall, drenching her in sensation. He held her so tightly she had no fear of falling. And she certainly didn’t mind being wrapped around his oh-so-fabulous body.

  Rio was as much a work of art as any specimen her godmother Lora could sculpt. Broad shoulders, tight pecs, washboard abs and a perfect ass. Not to mention, the guy was hung. Even only half erect, his cock hadn’t slipped free yet. She clenched her inner muscles around him, not ready to let go.

  He groaned. “Gods, woman, you do that again and we’re not gonna make it to a bed anytime soon.”

  Since that sounded like a challenge, and tonight was all about challenges, she did it again, squeezing her muscles around him. She was rewarded by another groan and a slight thickening of his cock. Damn,
she’d hit the jackpot.

  Rosie turned her head to whisper into his ear, still hidden under his straight hair. “I’m starting to think a bed’s overrated.”

  Rio pulled back to look at her, a smile lurking around the corners of his mouth. “Not for what I want to do to you, Rosie. You’re going to want that padding. For your back. And your knees.”

  The images his words conjured made her swallow convulsively.

  “Up the stairs, first door on the right.”

  His smile lit up his face and set her skin tingling. Lifting her slightly, he pulled his shaft free and set her on her feet.

  “Bathroom?” he asked.

  “The door just before the kitchen.”

  With a quick smile, Rio disappeared into the powder room. She heard the flush of water and moments later he reappeared, making straight for her. Her gaze moved over his naked body. The man really was absolute perfection. At her side again, he bent down and picked her up gently, holding her in his arms. Embracing his shoulders, she laid her head against his chest as he headed up the stairs.

  “So, Rio, how long are you going to be in town?” she murmured, nipping at his neck.

  His short laugh vibrated through his chest. “At the moment, I’m thinking about extending my stay.”

  “I think I’d like that,” she said, feeling his muscles bunch and flex beneath her cheek. When he turned at the top of the stairs, she lifted her head. “Wait, let me switch on the light. My room’s kind of a minefield.”

  The moment the light clicked on, she saw Rio’s eyebrows rise. “I think minefield is too tame, sweetheart. How about landfill?”

  Okay, so maybe she was a bit of a slob, but she knew where everything was. And books were never trash. “It’s not that bad.”

  Rosie turned in his arms, trying to see her room as if for the first time. It wasn’t huge but it wasn’t a broom closet either. Her queen-size, four-poster bed complete with white-lace canopy dominated the far wall, flanked by two small bedside tables. A matching armoire against the left wall and a chest of drawers to the right between two large windows completed the set.

  Her antique writing desk sat in the corner to the right of the bed, nearly hidden under piles of books. Towering pillars of books crowded around the bed, around the armoire and the chest. And books, alone or in pairs, lay like haphazardly placed walking blocks between the door and the bed. Definitely not a landfill.

  She shrugged. “I like to read.”

  His snort was amused. “Just as long as they’re not on the bed.”

  Rosie faced him, all thought of her messy room gone at the husky tone of his voice. “Don’t worry, Rio. I’ll make room for you.”

  Chapter Four

  Rosie woke abruptly from a deep sleep, seeing nothing but inky darkness.

  She knew she was in her own bed because she recognized the scent of the rose candles on her bedside table. Her aunt Fanny made them from the hedge out front.

  She also knew she wasn’t alone.

  Rio slept beside her, his body a warm weight curled against her back. His firm erection nestled in the crack of her ass, a hot prod that lit a fire in her belly. It burned through her blood with the force of a hurricane.

  Could she still be horny? They’d almost depleted her stash of condoms in the bedside table. They’d had sex at least three—no, wait, four times. Which was twice more than she’d had in the past year. If she played her cards right, she’d up her ante to five.

  She sank closer to Rio, rubbed against that erection—and the lust in her blood suddenly became an ache. A very uncomfortable, painful ache.

  Rosie rolled onto her stomach, facing away from Rio. Was she sick? She hadn’t had that much to drink last night so she wasn’t hung over. But the ache steadily increased until it became a sharp pain that made her stomach clench into a tight ball.

  God, what was wrong with her? She heard buzzing in her ears and her skin crawled as if she had goose bumps, but she certainly wasn’t cold.

  She should get out of bed before she woke Rio. The poor guy needed his sleep— A tearing pain shot through her chest and her cry echoed through the room. She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to hold herself together.

  “Rosie?”

  She couldn’t answer him, the pain was too intense.

  “Jesus, Rosie. You’re burning up.” Rio pressed his hand against her cheek, his skin cool and soothing.

  Another pain racked her body, as if someone had injected her with hot lead. Her leg and arm muscles cramped and her stomach felt as if it had folded in on itself. What the hell was going on? And why did the bed feel as if it was shaking?

  Christ. This was seriously bad.

  Rosie looked as if she was about to melt from fever and Rio could’ve sworn the bed shook—from a force that emanated from Rosie.

  She cried out, curling further into herself, and the bed shook again, harder this time.

  “Rio,” her voice sounded raspy as if she had a sore throat, “what’s happening?”

  “You’re burning up, sweetheart.” He gathered her into his arms. “We need to get you in a cool shower.”

  She couldn’t answer as another pain twisted through her—and the piles of books around the bed toppled.

  “Oh my God,” Rosie gasped. “What the hell’s going on? Are we having an earthquake?”

  This was definitely no earthquake.

  Rio couldn’t be sure but it was pretty likely Rosie wasn’t just any etera children’s librarian. With her Italian-sounding last name, he bet she was of Etruscan descent. But why hadn’t he sensed any arus in her?

  There was no time to figure that one out. Right now they needed to get her fever down, fast.

  With her shaking body in his arms, he moved into the hall and headed to the upstairs bathroom he’d found earlier.

  “Rosie, have you ever had trouble controlling your powers before?” Obviously she had power. He just hadn’t been able to detect it earlier. Usually the arus in his blood recognized another magical being. But why hadn’t it recognized her?

  Rosie groaned, trying to curl even further into herself. “What are you talking about? What powers?”

  Carefully, he set her on her feet, keeping one arm around her as he turned on the taps. “It’s all right, sweetheart. You can tell me what you are.”

  The gaze she turned on him expressed utter confusion. “I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about.”

  With the water at the right temperature, he eased her into the shower stall then stepped in behind her. He could have sworn the water sizzled as it hit her skin.

  She moaned in relief and tilted her head up to catch the water on her face. “Oh God, that feels good.”

  Standing behind her, he wrapped his arms around her so that if her knees buckled, he’d catch her. They stood in silence for a few minutes, letting the water run over them. The shower must have done the trick, because her fever seemed to fade almost immediately.

  “Rio.” Her voice sounded a little better as well.

  “What, hon?”

  “Sorry to be such a bother.”

  “You’re not a bother.” Hell, he wanted to take care of her—which didn’t make a damn bit of sense. He’d only known her for a few hours. But deep down, he also knew that this felt right. The two of them together. No matter what was going on. And something was definitely going on.

  She had cooled down to a normal temperature when she finally turned and wound her arms around his waist, pressing her chest to his. There was nothing sexual about the gesture and a curious warmth spread in his chest.

  “Rio, what did you mean earlier? About controlling my powers?”

  Her genuinely confused tone rang warning bells in his head. “I mean, have you ever had something like this happen before? Where you lost control and stuff started flying around? I kind of assumed you were Etruscan, because of the name. But I didn’t get that sense from you. So are you Fey? Or Norse Berserkir?”

  She shook her head, rubbing
her soft cheek against his pecs. “You think I’m a fairy? Or a bear?” she joked. Rosie pulled back and lifted her head to look into his eyes, a smile playing on her lips. “I think— Oh my God.”

  Her eyes widened until they were saucers and she retreated a step, her back hitting the tile wall of the shower stall.

  Rio frowned and reached for her but then pulled back when he realized she looked frightened. “Rosie, what’s wrong?”

  “Your ears…”

  Shit. His hair was plastered to his head from the water. He hadn’t given a thought to how his ears would be exposed. Reaching up, he tugged on the pointed tips. A linchetto ear would never be mistaken for human. The lobe looked exactly like a human lobe but instead of the traditional oval shape at the top, a linchetto’s ear was almost triangular, pointing not straight up, but backward.

  “Are they real?” she asked, her tone uncertain.

  Jesus, how could she wield that kind of power and not know there were beings other than humans in the world? “I’m linchetto, Rosie. Of the Etruscan Fata.”

  Her brow furrowed and her mouth opened then closed. “Huh?” She looked dumbfounded.

  “Rosie…”

  She shivered, her arms coming around her chest to hug herself. He saw goose bumps rising on her skin, so he reached behind her to shut off the cool water.

  She looked so adorably confused he knew she wasn’t faking. She didn’t have a clue what he was talking about, and that was a big problem. But first things first.

  “Let’s get you out of here.” He opened the stall door, grabbed a towel from the rack on the wall and wrapped her in it. “How are you feeling?”

  Rosie shook her head and held up one hand—and every bottle of shampoo, conditioner and body wash on the shower shelves rattled. Her eyes widened as she stared at them. “Rio, what’s going on?”

  Rosie turned her gaze to Rio. He had asked her how she felt and for a few seconds, all she felt was numb. Then she took stock.