Luminescence Trilogy: Complete Collection

by J. L. Weil

  “How long have I been out?” I asked, staring into his bright blue eyes.

  “Not long.” He played with the hoop at his lip, searching my eyes. “How are you feeling?”

  Like I got tossed around in a dump truck. My clothes were torn, and there were streaks of dirt on my arms. “I’ll live.”

  “Good, because it would really piss me off if you didn’t.” He placed a hand on my hip. Fireflies fluttered in response.

  “What were you doing there?” I asked. Don’t get me wrong; I was eternally grateful that he had been at right place at the right time.

  One side of his mouth tipped up. “I wanted to surprise you. Valentine’s and all…”

  “Valentine’s Day sucks,” I grumbled.

  He shoulders moved in a silent laugh. “I believe you now.”

  Now that I was fully awake, the griminess was getting to me. I wanted to scrub away the memories, erase them from my brain. “I need to clean up. Don’t leave, okay?”

  He grinned. “I wouldn’t think of it.”

  Making haste toward the bathroom, I glanced at him over my shoulder right before I closed the door. It was a tempting sight, seeing Gavin sprawled out on my bed with all that bad boy, yummy goodness. I took the fastest shower ever known to mankind, then quickly threw on a pair of shorts and a loose T-shirt. I didn’t want to give him the chance to sneak away.

  Steam followed me out of the bathroom when I remerged. He was right where I had left him, and those warm fireflies returned, darting around in my belly. “I’m happy you’re here,” I said, climbing back into bed with a huge grin on my lips.

  “And?” He had a hand behind his head.

  I lifted my hand, running my fingers through his silky hair that tumbled over his brow. “Stay,” I whispered. “I can’t bear to be alone.” I needed him. His presence was the only thing that was going to calm me. Inside, I felt icy, and Gavin was the one person who could melt that cold.

  His eyes drifted shut as he leaned his forehead against mine, and my breath caught.

  “You’re killing me,” he sighed.

  A smile swept across my face.

  His eyes popped open suddenly. “I didn’t mean that literally.”

  I wrapped both my arms around his neck. “I know.”

  His eyes darkened and his lips brushed across mine in the most tantalizing way. “If anything had happened to you…”

  “It didn’t. You were there.” He was always there.

  In soft caresses, his fingers slowly trailed down the underside of my arm. Tiny blue sparks skimmed over the surface. It was unearthly. Then he was kissing me and his lips were cosmic, out of this world. I was transported to another galaxy—just where I needed to be: no worries, no one threatening my life, no Lukas.

  His mouth was warm over mine with a hint of coolness coming from the silver hoop in his lip. My lips tingled, but it wasn’t long before my entire body was sparking. What started off as tentative and sweet soon spiraled, creating a yearning inside of me. Our hearts beat heavily, quickening.

  The sensations he enticed ignited something deep within me: the knowledge of what I wanted—him. I wanted Gavin. Holy moonbeams. I was love-struck, spellbound, hypnotized by his touch, and I wasn’t alone in my feelings….

  He made a guttural sound in the back of his throat as his fingers made quick work of the thin straps of my tank top. Hooking a finger under the light material, he brushed them off my shoulder, pressing a kiss where the straps had been. “If you don’t stop me soon, I won’t be able to.”

  I’m counting on it. Instead of telling him with words, I showed him. Crushing my body to his, I deepened our kiss, sweeping my tongue against his in a seductive game of tag. I was blown away, not only by the intensity of my feelings, but also by realizing that I had this strong, violent emotion inside me—love. It took me by surprise.

  If someone had told me last summer that the edgiest, not to mention the hottest, boy at school would be in my bed, I would have laughed in his or her face—heck, I probably would have snorted. But a lot had changed; I had changed. Four months ago, I didn’t believe in witches, and here I am today, not only believing in them, but also knowing that I am one. That was one heck of a pill to swallow.

  Now I was approaching a different milestone, a much more intimate one, and I knew to the very depth of my core that I had made the right choice, fate and premonitions be damned.

  I got lost in the feel of his mouth. My body was molded to his, and I parted my lips, intoxicated by the taste of his breath. There was fire in his eyes as he pulled back. “Bri?”

  I knew what he was asking, and my answer was still the same. I nibbled on his ear. “I want this,” I murmured. I want you, I added silently—at least, I was pretty sure it had been in my head.

  I trailed my tongue over his bottom lip, and Gavin growled, claiming my mouth in a branding kiss. Magic picked up inside me, flowing through my heated veins, stirring a delicious storm of need. Clothing vanished in a wink, leaving us skin to skin. A neat trick. Having a witch for a boyfriend definitely had its perks.

  He leaned over me, my auburn hair spilling over the white sheets. Marveling at his sun-kissed skin, I ran my hands over his chest, feeling the muscles jump under my touch. I never wanted to stop. I didn’t need tender words or sappy romance. All I wanted was to feel loved and safe. Gavin gave me those feelings in abundance. He would never let anyone or anything harm me, and that was damn sexy, in my book.

  When we came together, I felt as if my body were a part of his, like I were burning, reaching for something. My head twisted to the side and… starbursts in all the colors of the rainbow shot through me, glorious and dreamy. I bit my lip to keep from crying out, and I lost control.

  Magic tumbled from my fingertips, haloing the room in a bluish-white light. It swirled, spun up, and spun out. At the same time, dry lightning flashed across the sky outside, striking in a jagged and impressive display.

  Oops.

  God, I hope that doesn’t happen every time we…

  “Should I take that as a compliment?” Gavin asked huskily, his brow raised.

  I let out a breathy giggle.

  Poised above me, he brushed away some strands of hair that were stuck to my face. “Your eyes are glowing.”

  Imprisoned by the darkest blue eyes, I murmured, “So are yours.”

  Moonlight, like a blanket, spilled through the window as I snuggled into his arms. Only moments later, my eyes drifted shut.

  Chapter 13

  Sprawled on his belly, with one arm slung around my waist, Gavin appeared almost angelic in sleep. White sheets were twisted and tangled around his hips. His soft lips were relaxed, and thick black lashes fanned the tops of his cheeks. There was youthfulness to his face in sleep that made him less intimidating and dangerous.

  I wanted to stay just like this for as long as possible.

  I lay on the bed beside him, and, like a total creeper, I watched the rise and fall of his even breathing. A need to touch him punched inside me, and as my fingers inched toward him, he rolled, tugging me closer. Suddenly the angel looked like a disgruntle lion—adorable and lethal.

  I grinned. “Morning.”

  He groaned.

  Utterly delectable.

  Placing a hand on his bare chest, his skin was hot. “If we don’t get up, we are going to be late for school.”

  He snaked an arm around my waist, pulling me toward him. “Hmm. I think we deserve a day off.”

  I smacked him on the chest. “That is your answer to everything.”

  I received a dazzling grin. “Well, I didn’t get a lot of sleep last night.”

  My cheeks turned an embarrassing shade of pink. “Whose fault is that?”

  “Yours,” he said, nuzzling my neck.

  I knew that if I didn’t get out of this bed very soon, I would give in to his every request, including ditching school. But with his tongue flirting with my neck, I stopped thinking altogether.

  If it wasn’
t for my alarm, we might have very well skipped school, but the annoying buzzing didn’t stop until Gavin sent it flying across the room. It hit the wall with a clatter, smashing to smithereens.

  I burst out laughing.

  Gavin plopped back onto the bed, his hands scrubbing at his face. “I’ll be back to get you in twenty. Be ready, or I drag you back here for the rest of the day.”

  Jumping from the bed and out of his reach, I padded to the bathroom, grinning from ear to ear. As soon as the door clicked shut, I turned on the shower, knowing that he would make good on his warning. Not that the idea didn’t sound appealing. It was because it was so darn tempting that I was ready for school in fifteen minutes flat.

  His car was idling in my driveway as I rushed out of the house, a beaming grin still on my lips. I didn’t think there was anything that could damper my fantastic mood. Overhead, the sun was sunny and cheerful, not a cloud in the sky.

  I sunk into my chair of my first class with dopey hearts in my eyes. I could still taste Gavin on my lips.

  Tori leaned over the side of her desk. “Well, aren’t you bursting with good news.”

  “What?” I asked, cutting off my own personal swoon-fest. I only had one thing on the brain: Gavin. Gavin’s lips. Gavin’s abs. Gavin. He was chili pepper hot today.

  Maybe it had something do with what happened between us last night, but I was even more attracted to him. My head was overflowing with all things Gavin. I’d always wanted my first time to be with someone special, someone who respected me and cared deeply for me. Gavin hadn’t disappointed. He made the memory unforgettable. The little display of fireworks might have added to its hot factor.

  “Holy shit! You did it,” Tori said.

  She suddenly had my full attention, along with the half-filled classroom. There was still a minute before the bell rang to signify the start of school. I narrowed my eyes, prepared to hush her by any means and unleash holy hell if necessary.

  But Austin stole my chance. He turned around from the seat in front of me. “Oh. My. Gawd, B. Dish now! Don’t even think about leaving out even the teensiest detail. I want it all.”

  The cat was out of the bag.

  There was no stopping them now.

  I dropped my head into my hands, my cheeks staining red. “It’s no big deal.”

  Tori’s face fell. “That bad huh? The first time is never as glamorous as you imagine.”

  “No. That’s not what I meant,” I quickly rushed. “It was…” I struggled for the appropriate word. No matter what I said, Tori and Austin were going to gush. “…life changing,” I finally decided.

  Austin smile was nauseating. “Gavin’s got game,” he sang.

  I rolled my eyes. “You have no idea.”

  “We would if you weren’t holding out on us,” Tori said, scooting to the edge of her seat.

  Austin adjusted his glasses, swiping an invisible tear from the corner of his eye. “Our babygirl is all grown up.”

  I slid farther down in my seat, begging for Mr. Carlson to start class and shut these two up. “Can we do this later?” I begged through my teeth, lowering my voice.

  “Lunch,” they both said in perfect unison.

  I nodded, agreeing to anything if it got them off the subject of my sex life.

  Holy smokes. I have a sex life.

  Still, I didn’t want the details headlined in the school newspaper, which was exactly what would happen if Tori and Austin had their way. Decorum was not in their vocab. Today was the first time I did not wish to speed up time, so of course the day flew by.

  Twirling a fry between my fingers, I sat at our usual round table, sandwiched between Tori and Austin. “You don’t really expect me to answer that?” I said in outrage.

  Two pairs of expectant eyes stared at me.

  I guess that was a yes.

  “I don’t know who wrote the best friend code book, but this is nuts.”

  “Just spill, Rafferty. There is nothing to be embarrassed about,” Tori scoffed.

  “Did you, you know…” Austin wiggled his brows.

  Good Lord. Had I ever. I didn’t think it wise to tell them that I shot lightning across the sky and sent the room aglow in magic, however much that was precisely what they wanted to hear. I stared down at my burger and fries.

  “OMG. She did!” Austin supplied for me, seeing my face start to turn pink.

  I swear I’ve never blushed so much in my life as I have the last twenty-four hours. It was ridiculous.

  “I knew that boy had swag.” There was an envious quality to his voice.

  I am sure Gavin would be glad to hear it. “Are you satisfied? The freaky deak details of my sex life are over.”

  A shadow fell over me. “Gross. I am going to pretend I didn’t hear that,” Sophie said, her pixie face contorted in pucker face. Her tray clattered on top of the table filled with a chicken Caesar salad and bottled water.

  Her lunch immediately made me feel guilty, and I dropped the greasy fry that was halfway to my mouth. I rocked back in my chair. Then I remembered what I had just admitted.

  Awkward times infinity.

  Sneakers squeaked over the tiled floor, and the common room reeked of sweat, smoke, and burnt pizza—the joys of high school cafeteria.

  And through the masses one person stood out. He couldn’t help it, or maybe it was because I was hyperaware of his presence. The tattoo at my back began to hum in rhythm with the blood in my veins.

  Gavin.

  “Speak of the devil.”

  I threw a fry at Austin.

  Gavin swept down, brushing a kiss across me cheek. “We’ve got work to do after school,” he murmured. The way he said it made it seem like work was code for something dirty.

  “Oooh,” came from Austin, totally misreading, but I couldn’t help think that was exactly what Gavin had intended. “I just bet you do,” Austin added, watching Gavin saunter away.

  I did a little eyeballing of my own.

  Training day.

  Someone shoot me now.

  It was a perfect day for a little magic, if one actually knew what they were doing. Oh, I was getting better…at striking things with lightning. My weathercasting was as unpredictable as always and fueled by my volatile emotions.

  Blue skies. A balmy breeze. The crashing of sea-foam waters. And a really hot instructor.

  Gavin’s backyard butted up to the beach, and he thought that would be a good spot to resume my magical defense skills, which were sorely lacking. I really hoped that I didn’t kill anyone. More than a little tense, I walked down to the shore. Barefoot, sand granules squished between my toes, getting wetter the closer I got to the receding water’s edge. A peace I only ever felt on the beach swirled through me.

  For just a moment, I closed my eyes and breathed in the sharp smell of the ocean and listened to the intangible roar of waves.

  “You look like an illusion,” Gavin said, his voice rising just above the tides. “There is something here that calls to you. I can feel it shimmering in the air. Your gift responds naturally to the water. It’s beautiful.”

  I was caught by the intensity in his eyes. “I feel it, too.”

  His lips twisted into a smirk. “Are you ready to kick some ass?”

  I dug my foot into the sand. “You are braver than most to spar with me.”

  Eyes trained on me, he crooked his finger. “I trust you. It is time you did, too.”

  Trust had to be earned, and I needed to earn my own before I felt confident. I gave a slight tilt of my head and centered myself. It came instantaneously, the flood of energy, and surprised me. Usually it took more effort. This had been seamless.

  Gavin noticed and arched a brow.

  A violet light hurled from my fingers, spinning in dizzying colors at a grinning Gavin. With a flick of his wrist, he deflected the spell, sending it back toward me. I wasn’t so savvy on the return, and the shimmery light hit me in the chest. On impact I fell backward, my butt thumping in the sand. It had
n’t been a very dangerous conjuration, more of a stun gun.

  I blew out a breath and shoved to my feet, brushing the sandy partials off my jeans. Seeing the curl of amusement on Gavin’s lips sparked my annoyance. I bit the inside of my cheek, concentrating, and threw my second spell. Shards of magic glittered, slicing through the air like jagged daggers. I gasped, not meaning to unleash such a lethal spell. He spun around, his arm cutting through the charm. I watched in awe as the magical spears dissolved, raining in sparkling ash to the ground.

  Show off.

  I turned away to hide my burning face. “This is so stupid,” I barked.

  His shadow appeared over me. “And you have the patience of a two-year-old.”

  I scowled and kicked water at him. “I suck at magic.”

  He kicked some right back, laughing. “On the contrary. You are extraordinary, just not at fighting.” A few minutes later, we were both soaking wet and grinning. He had taken the edge off.

  I tried to wring the water out of my hair. “Again?” I asked, glancing up. Glistening droplets clung to his lashes, making his eyes incredibly blue. I swear I could see the ocean in them. My irritation dissipated, and my belly fluttered with fireflies.

  His lips curled faintly. “Bring it.”

  “If I didn’t know better, I would think you are enjoying this.”

  He shook the water from his hair, looking wickedly handsome. “I am.”

  I flung up my arms and ran my tongue over my lips. For the other spells, I had just relied on the energy inside me. This time, I extended my power to the elements around me. The winds whispered in my ear and the lapping waters answered my call. A miniature tsunami erupted in the waters behind him. Magic danced over the sea. With each roll of the waves, they climbed higher, thundering toward us.

  “Bri!” he yelled, stepping backward, eyes centered on the towering wall of water. “Bri! Stop!”