"Let's be realistic, Eddie."
"I am, Tam. But all this is pointless anyway. I put a rush on your scans. I've looked them over and had several of my colleagues look at them as well. You can cancel your funeral."
"What?” Tamara's breath caught in her throat.
"The newest films show nothing. The cyst from the original film, the lump that was in your breast ... they're both gone. Somehow you no longer have any malignant growths. Nothing at all, in fact."
"Are you sure?” She stared at Eddie as her heart beat stuttered. No cancer? How the hell is that possible?
"Yes. The pictures we took before we released you match the ones you just had done. You're fine. Care to tell me what you did? How did you manage to completely erase your cancer as if it never existed?"
"I have no idea."
"How do you feel? I know you've always been prone to illness. Have you had any colds or cold symptoms in the past week?” Eddie paged through the pictures again.
"No. Now that you mention it, I haven't. Not one.” No cancer. How does cancer just vanish?
* * * *
Tamara followed Dante to her car. She handed him her keys. She couldn't drive. Her mind spun in circles. What happened to the cancer? When she'd been burned by the magical flames she'd been so sure that it would do internal damage as well as what it'd done to her skin. That the intensity of the power and the heat would make her cancer worse. But her cancer was gone. Could the flames have actually healed her? That was the only thing that would make sense. While healing magic wasn't unheard of, she didn't know anyone who'd been healed by it.
"Tamara?"
She looked up and noticed they were at her house. She was vaguely aware of Dante making a few phone calls, but it wasn't until her doorbell rang and she heard Sandra's voice that she looked up.
"Tam?” Someone grabbed her shoulders and tugged her to her feet.
Tamara looked up at her and blinked back tears she didn't even know she was crying. “Sandra?"
"Dante didn't know what else to do and he didn't want to leave you.” Sandra shook her gently. “Girl! What's wrong with you? Dante said the doctor told you that you don't have cancer."
"Well, we still have to make sure."
"Make sure, my ass. It's gone. Candace, we need food. Macy, you're in charge of beverages. Allison, you get the music and invite some people here for a party. Camryn, you can assist Candace in the kitchen."
As the women scattered, Sandra shook her head.
"What?” Tamara hoped she wasn't going to start again.
"Girl, you've been living with one foot already in your grave. Your problem is you don't know how to live."
Tamara looked around hoping Dante wasn't listening.
"He had to go. There was a fire."
"Good, he doesn't need to hear all this. It's bad enough Camryn spilled the cancer beans."
"Which you no longer have. If he hadn't been with you when you got the news, do you think you would have made it home okay?"
"Yes,” Tamara answered, but she didn't really know. This news was so big. And so good. She grinned as she looked at Sandra. “Is it really true?"
"Oh, Honey.” Sandra pulled her into a tight hug. “Is that what this is about? You're afraid it's not true and you will wake up still having cancer?"
Tamara looked away, but she didn't know why she tried to hide. Sandra knew all. Tamara wasn't the only one with Sight. In fact, Sandra's Sight was even stronger than hers. What a shame she could never see her own future in these visions. In fact, she hadn't had any of Dante either, but that made sense since their lives were so intertwined.
"He's meant for you, isn't he?” Sandra asked.
"How did you know I was thinking of him? Can you read my mind?"
"No. It was the grin on your face that gave you away. I take it he spent the night?"
"All night.” Tamara's grin widened and she blushed, looking away.
"You aren't going to let him get away, are you?"
"I don't know. He caught me in a lie."
Sandra gasped. “You lied! You lied to your soulmate?"
"It was a lie of omission. And yes, he's my soulmate."
"Then you better make sure you hold onto him tight."
"I will."
* * * *
Dante stood outside Tamara's front door. Music blared from inside. Now that she knew she wasn't dying, there couldn't possibly be anything to keep her from letting him love her.
He didn't bother knocking on the door. He just opened it and went inside. He saw her immediately. A black turtleneck sweater dress that fit her form to perfection and was accentuated with a bulky gold belt and matching jewelry. She looked so beautiful. Please let her love me, too.
When she saw him, their gazes locked and he prayed he didn't imagine the look of love in her eyes. She walked toward him and smiled.
"I was afraid you would miss the party."
"Miss your party? The only blaze tonight is going to be in your bedroom."
Tamara blushed and glanced around, probably to see if anyone had heard his comment. He chuckled and pulled the flowers from behind his back. Her eyes lit up in delight.
"Thank you.” She took them from him and leaned up to kiss his cheek.
"That's all I get? A kiss on the cheek?” He reached out and snagged her waist. “I think flowers like that deserve more than a kiss on the cheek."
Tamara's cheeks darkened, but the way she stared at his lips while she licked hers told him more than she probably wanted to.
In a quick move, he captured her lips and kissed her thoroughly, making his claim on her and reminding her of it at the same time. When he pulled away, they both were breathless.
"Can we send them home now?"
"No.” She laughed and pulled away. “I should put these in water, though. My vases are in the kitchen."
"Kitchen. Right.” Dante got the hint loud and clear.
He followed in her wake as she squeezed through the crowd. When they reached the kitchen, he pulled the door shut and walked up behind her. As soon as she put the flowers on the counter he spun her around and pulled her close.
"Dante!” She giggled as he buried his face in her neck and made a loud kissing sound.
"What?"
"Not here. Not now. There are a bunch of people in the other room. What will they think if they catch us?"
"That you're celebrating your life?” He grabbed her waist and pulled her snug against his erection. “That we're in love?"
She gasped and stiffened.
"What's wrong?” Had he read all the signs wrong? He'd thought it was her cancer that prevented her from allowing him in. Was it something else?
"You forgot to ask them to trim the thorns off the roses.” She grimaced and pulled away from him, rubbing at her thumb.
"Oops. Sorry about that.” He spun her around and tugged up her hand. “Where did it get you?"
"Dante! Tam! Can't you two wait until the party is over?"
Dante tried to stifle his frustration. He looked at Candace as she laughed and shook her head.
"No, she got pricked by a thorn. I was making sure it wasn't in her skin."
"Yeah, right.” Candace laughed as she walked over to look at Tamara's hand.
Dante slid his hand over her finger and noticed a spot of blood. “Found it."
Candace giggled again. “Whatever. Just wait ‘til the guests leave, then you can have your fun. After all, there's plenty more years left in Tam now."
Tamara glared at Candace even as she tried to hide a smile. Dante liked that he was beginning to be able to read her emotions so easily. They belonged together. Would he have to convince her of it or would she relax and let nature take its course?
Dante left the girls in the kitchen. He knew when he was beat. Instead, he returned to the party to meet the rest of her friends. Sandra introduced him to a couple more people, but he knew he'd never remember all their names and concentrated on planning how he would propose
to Tam.
Even though it only took five minutes for the ladies to rejoin them, it felt like much longer.
"Sorry.” Tamara wrapped her arm around his waist.
An open display of affection? His cock hardened at her nearness and he tried to will it into submission. It was futile as the realization she accepted him and their relationship sank in. “Will they be leaving soon?"
"Yes.” She laughed and winked up at him. “As soon as Sandra chases them all out the door. We've been told that we're naughty children and need to go to our room for a time out."
"Really?” All kind of naughty images ran through his mind at that comment. “Who gets to punish whom?"
"Stop.” Tamara slapped his chest. “You're worse than a little boy in a candy shop."
"Candy shop? I've got a piece of candy for you. Do you like lollipops?"
She giggled loudly and smacked him again. Several guests looked at them and she buried her face in his chest.
"Okay. Time for us to go, I think,” Sandra said as she walked over to the front door and opened it. “Let's leave it to Dante to show Tamara there's a lot worth living for."
There were some cheers and some laughs, but everyone filed out after they said good bye to him and Tamara.
Once they closed the door on the last guest, he turned to Tamara and grinned. He reached for her, but she squealed and ran for the stairs. I wonder what game she's playing. Whatever it is, I'm certainly up for it. Up being the operative word. Dante adjusted his painful erection and gave chase.
He ended up in her bedroom and pinned her against the door before she could shut it.
"Sweetheart, if you want me to play, you have to tell me the rules."
"Rules?"
"Yes, Dear. Rules. So I know what you want from me."
"Ah.” One red fingernail tapped against her full bottom lip as she studied him. She wriggled free and walked around behind him. He turned and studied her. Finally, she spoke again. “I'm still trying to decide what I want to do."
"Then let me help you make that decision easier.” He tugged off his clothes and stalked toward her, backing her onto the bed.
"Oh dear.” She gasped as she fell back onto the mattress.
"Oh dear is right.” He grinned and reached for her belt. “Get out of that thing before I ruin it."
Obediently, she undid the belt, and he lifted the dress over her head. Instead of pulling it off all the way, he left her arms trapped in it and held them over her head.
"Dante?"
"I won't do anything you don't want, Sweetheart. But I can't help myself. I want to tie you up and have you at my mercy. I want to see you writhe in pleasure as you come again and again. There's so many things I want to do. Promise me this lifetime and the next to pleasure you."
Tamara moaned and arched. “Sounds like a plan to me."
"You won't regret it."
"Mmm. I better not.” The minx winked at him as she stretched out in her black lace bra and panties.
Dante leaned down and took one lace covered nipple in his mouth and suckled on it. He didn't touch her anywhere else until she panted and wriggled under him.
"More, Dante, more."
He cupped her other breast and gently pinched the taut bud, rolling it between his fingers. Tamara gasped and stretched her body, arching as she thrust her pelvis in the air. She was so wet with desire he could smell it, and it made him want her even more. But if he took her now they'd be done and he didn't want that. She deserved sweet, tender loving, and he was going to give it to her.
"As much as you want, and more, Sweetheart.” He undid the front clasp of her bra and pushed the fabric aside. She had the most delicious breasts he'd ever seen. And they were all his.
Massaging one with his right hand, he drew the other in his mouth, flicking her nipple with his tongue and then sucking on it.
"Oh sweet Goddess."
Dante chuckled and stopped teasing her breast as he slid his hand down to the soft thatch of curls between her thighs. He groaned at how wet she was.
"Damn, Baby. You're so wet."
"I want you, Dante."
"I know. I want you, too, Sweetheart. But first I want to make this night special."
"It already is. I have you."
"Hush and let me pleasure you."
Tamara bit her lip and nodded.
"Thank you. You won't regret it."
"I already don't regret it."
Her words made his heart and ego swell, but he ignored the need to take her hard and fast, and kissed a path down to her mons. Slowly sliding his finger back and forth over her swollen folds, he listened to the sounds of her pants and moans. Judging by her sounds and dampness, she enjoyed his actions, but he wanted more. He wanted to make her scream.
Dante spread her folds open and traced them with his tongue. With long slow movements, he licked and sucked on her until she gasped his name. She arched up into him, spreading her legs wider. When he looked up at her, she had her eyes clenched tight and slowly moved her head back and forth as her mouth opened and closed silently.
"Come for me, Sweetheart.” He licked her clit, as he slipped a finger in her sheath.
"Dante.” Her muscles clamped around his digit as she gasped and thrust into his hand and mouth. “Oh yes. Oh yes. More, Dante."
Her pleas were like sweet music, and enticed him to draw more out of her. He added another finger to the first and twisted them, slipping them in and out of her hot wet sex as her moans increased in volume. She thrust her hips, meeting his fingers eagerly. When she screamed and shuddered, her body tightened even more on his digits as her fluids coated his hand.
"Dante.” She panted as she lay there, her body trembling from aftershocks. “You should have a license for that mouth."
"What kind of a license?"
"A permit to carry a dangerous weapon."
"No that would be right here.” He grinned and grabbed his erection.
Tamara moaned, but spread her legs as he knelt between them. “Are you going to make me beg?"
"I just might. Unless you'd rather promise to be loud instead."
"You want me to be loud?"
"Oh yeah. I want you to scream my name so loud it shatters your mirror. I want the neighbors on your block to know you've just had the best sex of your life."
She snorted and made a face. “You're awfully cocky."
"Damn straight."
"Then stop talking and put it to some good use."
Dante put on a condom and pressed the head of his shaft against her clit. Tamara wriggled and growled.
"Listen, Bub—oh!"
He entered her in one quick thrust. Tamara tightened around him and dug her fingers into his shoulders as he began to move, slowly at first, then faster and harder as her cries escalated in pitch and volume.
Over and over he pulled out and slid deep into her core. She wrapped her legs around his waist and lifted up to meet his thrusts.
"You are so tight. So wet. So good."
Her answering moan almost sent him over the edge. What did him in was the look of ecstasy on her face and the feel of her wrapped around him as her orgasm swept through her.
He rolled off of her, pulling her with him so he could cuddle her. “I love you, Tam. Will you marry me?"
The shock and delight in her eyes was his only warning before her arms wrapped around his neck and she kissed him.
"Yes. But it will have to be a handfasting. We can also get married if you want, but we need to handfast."
"Anything you want, Sweetheart. Just name it."
"Don't tempt me. I might ask you for a repeat performance."
"Then I'd tell you to wait for me to recover and I'll gladly oblige."
She giggled and buried her head against his chest.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Epilogue
Tamara looked around the room wondering why Sandra had called them all together again so soon. All of them except Camryn.
"I
bet you all want to know what is going on.” Tamara nodded. Dante squeezed her hand, and she was more grateful then ever to have him by her side, not only in the coven, but in everything she did. He'd suggested they wait a few months before they had a handfasting, but as every day passed she was more and more eager to make him hers.
"We have some major problems in our group right now, and we need to stick even closer together. Is everyone still using their protection pouches?” She looked around. Once they all nodded she sighed. “Good. I know things have gotten better for Tamara. Her cancer is gone. She's found her soulmate, and a new witch for our coven. Things are really starting to get better for her."
Dante squeezed her hand again, and Tamara leaned into him. It was nice having someone to share this with. Someone to help her. She wasn't alone anymore.
"Poor Camryn is sick and no one can figure out what's wrong with her. Several of us have lost our jobs. Candace, Camryn, and myself. But, Candace, it's no surprise to learn you are jobless again. Half the time you quit, and the other half you're fired."
"I can't help it. I have a loose temper and no tolerance for stupidity."
Tamara bit back a giggle. She didn't want to encourage Candace.
"My point is that things aren't going so well right now for most of us and we need to be here for each other. You can never be too cautious. I want everyone to do another home protection spell tonight, and at the next full moon we should recharge the protection pouches."
"I think we should do some white light, right now. Together we'll be stronger than apart, and I think Camryn could use it, I know we all could.” Tamara sat on the floor and closed her eyes.
"Great idea,” Candace said.
Tamara heard the sounds of the others joining her on the floor, and she ignored them while she concentrated on creating a large bubble of white light. She created one for each person in the room and wrapped it around them. She also created one for Camryn, and sent it to her, visualizing it wrapping around the poor girl and offering her some peace, no matter how temporary.
"Dante is learning and improving already. I'm glad to see you're such a willing and able instructor, Tamara."
A blush crept up her cheeks as she thought of the way she rewarded Dante for each lesson he learned. Perhaps he was more eager than most to learn, but it was fulfilling for both of them. In more ways than one.
Witchy Woes Book 1: Tamara Page 6
