by Daisy Dunn
“Ah, aconite, also known as the devil’s hood. I do believe I can help you out there. I think we have some in the back. Since it’s poisonous, we don’t like to keep it out on the store shelves. Are you trying to chase away werewolves?” she asked with a broad smile.
Her beguiling smile melted him from the inside out. “Yes, those pesky critters are everywhere.” What the hell am I saying? Pesky critters? Ugh. This woman has me tongue-tied.
She laughed a sweet song to his ears. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
Luke watched her walk away. Her hips swayed enticingly while she left the floor and disappeared into the stockroom. He finally noticed the other women again. They hadn’t moved from their location, their magical gaze fixed on him. He smiled and walked around the store, looking at the various-sized apothecary jars filled with different herbs, plants, and dead creatures. He wondered if this store had been a front or if these women were indeed practicing the art of witchcraft. As he moved farther back in the store, he found crystals, polished stones, feathers from assorted varieties of birds, and a whole other section of aromatherapy.
She returned with a disappointed look on her face. “I’m sorry, but we’re out of wolfsbane.”
“Did you sell it recently?” His interest peaked with her statement. Are the hunters here already?
“I didn’t sell the last bit of it, but let me go ask who did. I’ll be right back.”
Again he watched her walk away toward the other women, her ass teasing him to take her. You fill out those jeans like a woman should.
A moment later, she returned to him. “Apparently, the last of the wolfsbane was sold at least six months ago. We haven’t replaced it yet because we like to pick it fresh from the forest in the spring. We don’t sell it often. You’re the first person who’s asked for it since our last sale, I’m told. In all honestly, it grows like weeds in this mountainous areas. If you really want some, I can show you where to find it, but you’ll have to dry it out yourself.”
Did she offer to take me out into the woods with her alone? He really didn’t want the wolfsbane, but now he’d solved two issues with his one visit to the store. He found out there hadn’t been any hunters around recently, and he planned to spend some more time with this incredible creature. “I’d love to take you up on your offer. Can we go now?”
“I don’t think it will be a problem. I’ll let my friends know.”
“By the way, I’m Luke.” He held out his hand to her, anxiously anticipating her touch again.
“It’s wonderful to meet you, Luke. I’m Ivy.” She reached out for his hand and shook it with a surprisingly firm grasp.
“The pleasure is all mine, Ivy.” He held onto her hand longer than he should have, but he didn’t want to sever the connection right away. She didn’t pull her hand away either. They stood looking into each other’s eyes. He sensed something flowing from her into him. The sensation of this innocent yet intimate touch flowed through him as if an electric current looped through his body, starting and ending at her core.
She cleared her throat softly, breaking the moment building between them. She shyly pulled her hand away and looked down at the floor.
He took in her subtle scent of peaches and vanilla. Beautiful. He breathed in deeper, wanting to fill his lungs with her. This time, he scented her enticing feminine core. He ran his hand through his short, dark hair in sexual frustration, towering over her tiny frame while she still looked away from him.
They walked to the front of the store. Ivy talked to the women to let them know where she was going. They all readily agreed and waved them off.
“I guess we should get going. Are you ready?” Luke asked.
She grabbed a paper bag from behind the counter. “I am now. Let’s go.”
“After you.” He held the door open for her and motioned for her to step through first. He turned to the women and nodded at them as he left. He walked next to her on the sidewalk as they headed down the street toward the woods. “Is it far?”
“No, not at all. It grows all over the place, but there’s a huge patch of it straight ahead.”
They walked toward the woods together, side by side. He longed to reach out and take her hand in his. Good Lord, this woman is going to be my undoing.
Chapter 3
Ivy led Luke along a well-worn pathway leading a bit deeper into the forest than they needed to go. They’d already passed small patches of wolfsbane, but she pretended not to notice. She had been taken by this man from the moment he walked into the magic shop. She snuck quick glances in his direction while walking with him, admiring his strong physique. She loved his dark, messy hair and noticed he ran his hands through it a few times in almost a frustrated manner. Yet his smile never faded for a moment. She wanted to run her own hands through his hair, down his broad shoulders to his biceps, and eventually lower.
“Ivy, are you okay?”
“Oh, sorry, I guess you caught me daydreaming. I tend to let my mind drift when I walk in the forest.”
“Really? What were you daydreaming about?”
She felt the crimson blush run from her face down to her toes. She couldn’t tell him she imagined him standing before her while she undressed him. Think, Ivy, think. Come up with something, anything.
“You.” I can’t believe I told him the truth. Cover it up, quick. Ivy tried again. “And wolfsbane. You and I finding wolfsbane together.” She noticed his smile broadened. I don’t think he bought it.
“Oh, I see.”
No, he didn’t. “I think I see some wolfsbane by the rocky area over there. Follow me.”
She led him off the path they were on into a small clearing, thankful she redirected his attention from her awkward conversation. She heard him follow behind her, but he still remained very close to her. She arrived at the wolfsbane and knelt down in front of it, took out her pocket knife, and said to the plant, “Thank you for your gift to me.” She stroked the plant from the tip of its flowers to the base of the stem.
“What are you doing?” He knelt down beside her, his thigh pressed up against hers.
“I’m thanking the plant for giving me its essence.” She could feel the heat from his leg through both of their jeans. She looked into his dark brown eyes and noticed a confused look on his face. “You’re probably thinking I’m weird.”
“No, not at all. I think you’re so thoughtful. Why don’t we allow the wolfsbane to remain where it is, and if I really need it, I know where to find it? What do you think?”
“You are so sweet. Are you part of a coven?”
“No.”
“May I ask why you needed the wolfsbane?”
“I didn’t really need it.”
Ivy felt her stomach flip. She looked directly into his stunning eyes, her heart speeding up a little. “I don’t understand.”
“If you want to know the truth, I didn’t need anything from your shop, except you.”
“Me?” She felt like a grinning fool.
“I saw you walk in, and I had to meet you.”
Flattered by his omission, Ivy found herself speechless. She stood up abruptly, his closeness overwhelming her. She wanted to run away, yet she wanted to stay.
Luke stood up and faced her. “I’d like to take you out for an evening to get to know you better.”
Ivy wanted to answer, but the words caught in her throat. Could it really be this easy to find a man who takes my breath away?
Luke stepped closer, their gazes locked together. He placed his hands on her shoulders and pulled her closer to him. His touch felt like fire in her veins. She tilted her head back to look up at him, not wanting to look away or miss a second of the moment they now shared. He lowered his head to hers and poised his eager lips over her full ones. Oh dear Lord, he’s going to kiss me with those sweet lips.
He edged his body closer to her tiny frame and kissed her softly. As the seconds passed, desire grew between them. The kisses became hotter, wetter. She opened her mouth to allow hi
m access. His tongue wasted no time and entered immediately. He warred with her tongue. He tasted delicious, his male scent invading her senses and filling her lungs. In the passion of the moment, the persistent, driving heat returned. She rubbed her swollen breasts onto his firm chest and ground her pussy against his obvious erection.
What are you doing? You’re going to ruin everything. He’s going to think you’re too easy. Stop! She quickly pushed away from him, her body angry at her for being so foolish. She wanted him. With or without the heat, she craved him. Frustrated at herself, her body’s betrayal, and her need for this man, she tore her gaze away from his. She couldn’t bear to see the disappointment in his eyes.
“Why did you stop?” He took a subtle step closer to her.
“I’m afraid of where this is going.”
“Do you have a man in your life? Husband? Boyfriend?”
“No. I’ve just met you, and already I want you with a burning desire. My body is going through some sort of change and…” She paused, wondering how to tell him about her animalistic heat.
“And?” He stepped closer to her, taking her back into his arms.
“I’m not a normal woman. Right now my body is going through this weird heat I can’t seem to explain. When you kissed me, it brought it on again. I’m fighting with every ounce of strength I possess not to take you right here on the forest floor.”
“Please, Ivy, don’t fight it. I feel a pull to you I can’t explain either. I’ve never felt like this toward a woman before. Let’s explore this thing between us. Were you feeling desire for me before you went into this heat?”
“Yes.”
“You’re attracted to me?”
“Oh God, yes.”
“Then let’s see what happens.” He let go of her for a moment and pulled his T-shirt over his head. Ivy stared in awe. His muscles were defined, his smooth chest strong, his abs spectacular, and his narrow waist tantalizing as it trailed off below his low-rise jeans. He oozed male perfection, and he obviously wanted her.
With the heat taking over her body, she easily followed Luke and removed her T-shirt as well. She continued to undress until she stood before him in her lacey black bra and matching thong panties. He removed his jeans and stood naked before her. She took in his body, admiring every cut angle of him. Her gaze moved to his hard cock. It stood strong and powerful, begging for her attention.
Ivy could feel the grass growing beneath her feet. It made a soft cushion for them to make love on. He closed the gap between them and quickly unhooked her bra. As her breasts fell free from their confinement, she noticed how much they ached for his mouth on them.
As if reading her mind, he lowered his head and flicked her nipple with his tongue. She moaned with delight.
“Oh, God, you’ve got sexy, long nipples.” He captured one between his lips and suckled on it, making it impossibly harder. He tugged gently on her other nipple with his fingers.
“Your touch feels so good,” she cried as she cradled his head to her breast.
The animal passion rose up between the two of them, the forest giving its approval to her. Luke stood up and looked down at Ivy, lust filling his gaze. He slid his fingers on his right hand into the side of her thong, and with a vicious, hard tug, her panties ripped apart, discarded mindlessly on the ground.
Need and desire filled the lovers. Ivy felt as if she would die if he didn’t fill her right away. She stood before him, her wet pussy aching with a throbbing need for Luke. He placed his hands on her ass and roughly squeezed her cheeks. She could see the tension in his jawline until he slid his hands under her ass and lifted her onto his enormous cock.
Without waiting to adjust to his large, thick size, her slick folds easily wrapped around his cock and sucked him into her body in one thrust. With her head tilted back in ecstasy, she wrapped her legs around his waist, impaling herself deeper on his rod.
“Oh, God, Luke, you’re so big.” She moaned. The blind lust washed over her already-stimulated body, and her pussy easily prepared for his thrusts.
He knelt down on the lush, thick grass and laid her down on her back without losing his connection to her. He planted a hand on either side of her head, looking down at her. His thrusts became deeper and faster. Ivy responded by driving her hips up to meet with his.
“Fuck, Ivy, I want to fill you up.”
His words fueled her desire as if he had licked her clit. She sat on the brink of pleasure, this man being her whole world at that moment. In a burst of ecstasy, she screamed, “Luke, I’m coming…oh…yes!” She finally allowed herself to fall over the edge and experience the bliss this gorgeous man offered.
Luke followed her and came two thrusts of his cock behind her, filling her pussy with his seed.
They lay together on the thick carpet of grass, not moving. Oh, he feels so right. She didn’t want this moment to end, being afraid the embarrassment of her wanton behavior might take over.
Luke broke the silence after catching his breath. He rolled off her nude body and lay on his side. He propped his head up on one arm and pulled her tight to him with the other. “That was amazing. You’re an incredible woman. I feel there’s something deep between us, and I think you feel it, too.”
Ivy couldn’t deny what Luke had said. Something stirred deep within her, something well worth exploring. “I do feel it,” she admitted to him timidly. Her heat was gone, her desire quenched, but her heart called to him.
“Please don’t be shy around me. I want to get to know you better.” He traced his fingertips between her breasts and down her stomach. His touch felt like fire, yet goose bumps appeared on her skin.
“As much as I don’t want you to put your clothes back on, it’s a little bit nippy out. Why don’t we get dressed?”
With disappointment, Ivy got up to get dressed. Luke followed right behind her but pulled her tight into his arms. He looked intensely into her eyes as if he searched for something. “Mine,” he stated with a feral growl coming from deep in his throat. He kissed her one last passionate kiss before they dressed. Once they were ready, they left their haven in the forest together.
* * * *
Levi couldn’t believe what he had witnessed. Since losing sight of this woman in the forest, he searched the woods for hours looking for her. When he finally stumbled across her, she lay excited beneath his identical twin brother, her legs wrapped around him while Luke ravished her. With his heart broken, he felt his werewolf claw for freedom beneath his chest. It fought to come out and challenge his brother, but the man in him couldn’t take his gaze off her, caught in her erotic snare. He didn’t want to miss a second of the ecstasy she literally vibrated through the earth. Her arousal made a heady cocktail to his senses. He felt his rod stir, and for the second time in one day, he pulled out his cock and stroked himself feverishly to this bewitching, naked forest creature.
He didn’t understand why his brother didn’t hear him approach or smell another aroused male around. He would drill Luke tonight for answers about this woman, and then warn him she belonged to him. She will be mine, little brother.
Chapter 4
Luke led Ivy back to her store, their bodies pressed tight together, while they walked hand in hand. When they reached the shop door, he kissed her delicate hand while looking deeply in her eyes. “I’ll see you at the dance tomorrow night.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
“Are you sure I can’t pick you up?”
“I’d love you to, but I’m going to go with my friends for support, but I’ll meet you there.”
“I’ll definitely be looking for you. I had a wonderful afternoon, but I feel bad we had to cut it short. Next time, I promise you, it will be a hell of a lot longer.” He let go of her hand after one last kiss and walked away. He turned back briefly to give her a huge smile and wave.
I am so holding you to your promise. She waved back and headed into her store. She felt like a giggling schoolgirl, not able to hide the excitement bubblin
g inside of her. She noticed Raine stood behind the counter while Skye and Flame helped customers around the shop.
“What are you giggling about, Ivy?” Raine asked while smiling back at her.
“He’s wonderful. He’s a dream. He’s perfect.”
“What happened out there?”
Ivy walked around the front counter to talk quietly with Raine. “We made love in the forest.”
“You what?” Raine shouted loud enough to bring the attention of the customers their way.
Ivy’s cheeks turned red instantly. She grabbed her friend’s arm and pulled her to the stockroom in case Raine made the same blunder and shouted something personal next time. “You heard me. We made love. He said he noticed me walk in here and had to follow me. He pretended to be a customer so he could meet me.”
“Okay, I can see how someone would make the effort for you. You’re a gorgeous woman, Ivy, but you don’t know him.”
“I know, but I’m on my way to getting to know him. He’s coming to the dance tomorrow night. I told him we’re all going together, but I would meet him there.”
“Well, well, my little Ivy has found a man. I’m very happy for you. I hope it’s going to be as easy for the rest of us, with time running out.” Raine’s arms wrapped around Ivy and gave her a soft squeeze.
“I don’t know if he’s my man, but I’m looking forward to finding out. I’m going to quickly run home and freshen up, and then I’ll come back to work.”
“You do that, you bad girl.” Raine slapped Ivy’s ass playfully.
She left Raine and walked out of the shop. She quickly headed toward her home, with a smile not only on her face but in her heart.
* * * *
Levi had gone straight home. He fought the urge to follow his mate and his brother when they left the woods. She had come into his life twice now, and his heart cried for her. He wanted to be close to her and needed to be with her. His wolf howled for release so he could run loose, find her, and claim her. His control over his beast was tentative at best. He wanted to give in and let it take over, but he knew a plan needed to be devised. Levi had always been a no-nonsense type of person, with rationality being his guide, but this dark-haired beauty was making him throw caution away. I can feel she belongs with me.
