A Times Journey Box Set (A Times Journey Novel Book 4)

by Bethany Shaw

  ***

  Cadence stirred the bowl of, well, she didn't really know what it was. It resembled oatmeal, but oatmeal it was not. She couldn't wait until the boat docked. Hopefully then she could eat real food again. Of course this was 1401, they probably didn't have hamburgers and French fries. At this point, she would eat just about anything besides stew and whatever this mush was.

  "The captain said we should be docking in a few days," Harrison said as he sat down at the table with Melanie at his side.

  She couldn’t wait to get off this ship. Being so close to Zak was suffocating. Melanie had made a fair point, and she’d been ready to tempt fate the other night, but Zak had been in the middle of murdering one of the sailors. Zak hadn’t mentioned the incident and since the man was still alive she didn’t feel the need to either.

  "I can't wait to see Spain," Melanie admitted. "Has Zak said where we are going after we dock?"

  Harrison and Melanie both looked to her for an answer. Just because she spent the most time with him, didn't mean she knew anything. "No." The only thing she knew for certain was he’d had the captain change course from England to Spain.

  Harrison squeezed Melanie’s hand. "I'm sure it will be wonderful wherever we go."

  "After almost two months on a boat anything will be nice," Melanie said as she lifted a spoonful of mush and dropped it back in the bowl.

  She must not like the food either, Cadence mused. In all honesty, she wasn’t sure why Melanie and Harrison bothered eating the mush at all. Maybe they wanted to keep up pretenses, she thought.

  "Do you think we'll dock before the full moon?" she asked hopefully. They’d missed one full moon on the long journey here. She didn’t want to miss another. Jaime’s words still haunted her mind. They had to find a time where the full moon fell on April 22nd. If they didn’t they wouldn’t get home.

  "We should. The full moon is still eight days away." Harrison said quietly. “Don’t worry, Cadence. We’ll find a witch and make sure you get on your way home.”

  Cadence offered him a smile. She appreciated the sentiment, but he had no way of knowing that she and Zak would ever make it home.

  Her heart dropped and she dropped her spoon back into the mush. What if they never did get home?

  ***

  Zak tensed as soft footsteps stopped outside of his door. The steady thump of a heart echoed through the wood and sung in his ears. None of the crew ever bothered him. Cadence. They were supposed to train tonight, but he hadn’t gone above deck. No doubt she was wondering where he was.

  "Come in," he called before she even knocked.

  The door creaked open and he forced his eyes to stay focused on his work. "Hey. I thought we were training today?" she greeted. “Everything okay?”

  "Maybe tomorrow," he said as he sorted through his papers.

  "What are you working on?" she asked as she entered and shut the door behind her.

  He paused and set his quill down. “We will have to find a witch once we reach Spain,” he told her as he moved so she could peer over his shoulder. Her sweet scent enveloped him and he inhaled deeply breathing her in.

  "Harrison said we should dock before the full moon," she said as she leaned forward and trailed her fingers over the calendar he’d made.

  He nodded his head. "I spoke with the captain last night, we should dock day after tomorrow."

  "Then what?" she asked.

  "If we can't find a witch, we will travel to Madrid. But we’ll have to move quickly to get there and procure one." There were plenty of witches in this time, finding one shouldn’t be too hard—he hoped. “In this year, there isn’t a full moon on April 22nd. I figure the more time we have to hop around in time the more likely we are to find a match and we can go home.” They needed every full moon they could get.

  "Madrid," she said absently staring.

  Zak couldn't help but wonder what kind of picture she was painting in that pretty little head of hers. "You'll like it there."

  "I know this is difficult for you," she said looking at her hands. "I know that you have feelings for me—"

  "Cadence..." he warned. He wasn't in the mood.

  "Just let me talk. Please," Cadence pleaded.

  What could she possibly say to make things any better between them? He inhaled and let it out. It would be in his best interest to placate her. God knew she probably wouldn’t let him be until she’d said her peace.

  She gazed around the room before her eyes met his. "We’re stuck here together for at least another eight months, give or take a few days. I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t something between us,” she whispered as she clasped her hands together. “I’m tired of fighting with you. It’s exhausting.”

  “What are you saying, Cadence?” he asked his breath hitching in his throat as he stood. Was she giving in? Was she going to let him in?

  Cadence took a step forward and raised a trembling hand up to touch his cheek. “I don’t want to fight this anymore, Zak.”

  He exhaled and took a step forward. “What about when we return home?” he questioned. He shouldn’t worry about the future, but he had to know. Was this temporary or did he have a fighting chance?

  “I don’t know,” she answered honestly. “My coven...your family...it’s all up in the air. I don’t want to think about it right now. I just want to think about tonight. This isn’t a relationship...just two people who are attracted to each other entering into a mutually beneficial arrangement.”

  “It sounds like you’re writing a contract,” he mumbled dryly. She wants sex. Only sex.

  “No. I just want my intentions clear. It’s just sex. No strings. No waking up next to each other. Just sex,” she breathed as her face flushed.

  It wasn’t the answer he’d been hoping for. He let out a breath as he reached up and tangled his fingers through her long locks. For now it was just tonight, but they had eight months together. Hopefully in that time he could make her truly his.

  Cadence leaned forward and pressed her soft lips against his, caressing them gently. He held his breath. What if this was all just a dream? Any moment now he’d awake with his head on his desk. It didn’t matter, dream or real, he wasn’t going to let Cadence out of his embrace.

  His tongue darted out, parting her lips as it sought entrance into her mouth. Cadence gasped and he flicked his tongue over her teeth, relishing in the sweet taste of her mouth.

  Her fingers tiptoed across his torso and fumbled with the buttons on his shirt. As much as he’d like to take his time with her, he couldn’t. He’d wanted her too damn long. He reached between them and tore his shirt open, letting the gnarled garment slide off his arms. Next, he wrapped his arms around her back, shredding the laces of her bodice in two.

  Cadence stepped back, her chest heaving as she looked at him. For a second, he thought she might be having second thoughts, but then, she let the garment slip down her arms and pool at her feet. She stepped out of the dress and bent down, lifting her sheer shift up and over her head.

  He drew in a ragged gasp as he took in her splendid form. She was breathtaking, with ample curves and plump breasts. He reached out and trailed his fingers over her warm, creamy skin. She was so soft and silky.

  She licked her lips and reached out with shaking hands as she loosened the ties on his pants. They glided to his feet, baring him completely to her. He watched as her eyes widened as his very erect, rock-hard cock bounced free.

  Zak guided her back to the bed and she gulped as she lay down, never once breaking eye contact with him. She panted heavily, causing her breasts to shake with the rapid movements. It was a sight to see. Part of him wondered if this was really happening. After so long, he was finally going to get the girl he craved.

  The hard mattress creaked as he climbed on and nestled himself between her thighs. His hands went to her shoulders and slid down her slender body, stopping to cup her pert breasts. They were so full and round. Perfect. The pads of his fingers skimmed over her navel and sh
e trembled as he leaned down and took one of her nipples into his mouth. His palm continued to roam, going lower, until he cupped her apex.

  He groaned. She was already wet and ready for him. He could take her right now. No. I’m going to make sure she never forgets this. Next time she needs pleasure, it’s going to be me she yearns for.

  Zak slipped two fingers inside her sopping core, eliciting a low moan from her. He chuckled to himself. Years of practice had made him an expert lover. He knew just how and where to touch her to make her explode.

  Cadence whimpered as she rocked her hips against his palm. He relished in her beauty, enjoying the way her eyes fluttered and the breathy moans that left her beautiful lips.

  His fingers found her G-spot and he rubbed against it shamelessly. Cadence bucked against him harder as she fisted her hands in the sheets. Her body quivered and he increased his rhythm as he crawled back up to capture her lips again.

  He flicked his tongue into her mouth and glided it over hers. Her inner walls contracted and he swallowed her cry of pleasure with a kiss. Warmth coated his fingers as he continued to stroke her. Her teeth gnashed against his and coppery warmth flooded his mouth. Blood. My blood. She’d inadvertently bit him. Good. She’d probably need a few drops of his blood after he was done with her. No. He’d never intentionally hurt her, but with the night he had planned, she’d be pleasantly sore come the morning.

  ***

  Cadence blinked up at Zak as she floated back to Earth after her orgasm. Stars still dotted her vision and she gasped to catch a breath.

  Zak licked blood off his lips as he removed his fingers from her core. She skimmed her tongue over her teeth and mouth, but it wasn’t from her. I bit him, she realized.

  “You taste amazing,” Zak rasped as he licked the juices from his fingers. He touched his lip as the flesh slowly knitted back together. “What do you say, sweetheart, you drew blood, can I?”

  Is he going to bite me?

  Cadence’s heart accelerated faster. It was probably playing a wonderful staccato for Zak’s accelerated hearing.

  “Relax,” he soothed as he nestled between her thighs. His cock rubbed against her clit and she gasped at the contact. He chuckled, moving his hips so that his dick pressed against her clit again.

  Her center ached wonderfully and even if he was going to bite her, she still wanted him. There was something incredibly erotic about him biting her during sex. Will it hurt? Will it feel good? She bit her lip and wiggled her hips impatiently.

  “I want you,” she breathed impatiently.

  Zak chuckled as his member probed her entrance. He pressed his length against her. His hands wound in her hair and he met her gaze. “I won’t hurt you, Cadence,” he promised. “And I won’t bite you without your permission.”

  She rocked her hips against his and she groaned as the tip of his cock slipped inside. “Okay,” she agreed breathily. “You...you can bite me.” What did I just agree to? She should be terrified, but deep down, she knew Zak wouldn’t harm her.

  Zak beamed and bent down to kiss her lips as he thrust himself inside. Cadence screamed as he filled her. He was so thick and so deep. Zak paused on top of her as he brushed hair from her face, giving her a moment to adjust to his size.

  Cadence wrapped her ankles around his hips and locked them together at the small of his back. Zak bent down and kissed her tenderly as he slowly thrust in and out of her.

  His mouth moved against hers as his tongue slipped in and out of her mouth in time to his thrusts. One of his hands went to her breasts, gently squeezing and pinching her nipple.

  An orgasm was already building inside of her again. Her insides trembled and she rotated her hips against his, loving the delicious friction they were creating. No one had ever made her body hum this way. It had to do with his experience. He was old. Surely, it had nothing to do with feelings. Yeah, she could keep telling herself that until she was blue in the face.

  It’s just sex. Good sex. Shut up Cadence and just enjoy the way he’s fucking you.

  She shook the thoughts from her head and focused on feeling. Zak’s thrusts were precise and she moaned, squeezing her legs tighter as he found her sweet spot. As if sensing it, Zak increased his thrusts, making sure to hit that spot repeatedly.

  His mouth broke away from hers and he placed wet, open-mouthed kisses from her jawline to her throat.

  “I want you to come for me, Cadence,” he purred in her ear.

  Zak nuzzled her neck and she craned it back, giving him better access. His fangs pierced the skin, but instead of pain, it felt euphoric. Her body tensed and then a current of raw pleasure swept through her. Wave after wave of ecstasy coursed over her body. The room darkened as she called out his name. Zak pumped into her several more times before groaning and relaxing against her.

  His tongue flicked over her neck before he placed a tender kiss to her skin.

  Cadence gasped to catch her breath as Zak placed lazy kisses across her chest. That had been incredible and she had a feeling this was only the beginning of an eventful night. Her body trembled at the possibilities and desire coursed through her once again.

  ***

  Cadence blinked her eyes open and shifted in the bed. For the first time in months, her body was completely relaxed. It could be because she’d slept soundly all night. Once she’d finally gone to bed that was.

  She rolled over and frowned, finding the bed empty. Where is Zak? She sat up and looked around the room. It wasn’t his room; she was in hers. A white shift covered her body and she frowned. Last night had not been a dream.

  The stickiness between her thighs was proof of that. She let out a long breath and said a silent thank you that vampires couldn’t procreate.

  Zak had given her an easy out. After all, she’d told him it was just one night. Just sex. They’d released the tension budding between the two of them and could move forward. Perhaps they could have a mutually beneficial no-strings-attached relationship.

  No way. You’re playing with fire Cadence, she warned herself.

  Besides, there was still a part of her that hoped this next spell would somehow send them home. The last thing she needed was to start a complicated relationship if they would be home in a few short days. Last night would have to be enough to sate the burning desire for Zak...at least until they found out if they were going home or not. If they didn’t get home, well, they could cross that bridge then.

  In the meantime, she’d follow Zak’s lead. If he wanted to pretend nothing changed between them, she was on board. Part of her hoped they’d go on like nothing happened. Deep down, she knew it wasn’t possible. He had possessed her fully and she would never forget the way he’d made love to her. Never.

  ***

  Cadence let Zak guide her through the bustling city with their arms linked together. They hadn’t spoken about their night together and that was fine with her. It was for the best. She smiled as she took in the city.

  People scattered through the marketplace, going about their errands. Merchants called out to them in an attempt to sell them their merchandise—good to see that doesn’t change, she mused to herself. She hated when merchants at the mall harassed her.

  Live animals flocked around as people attempted to sell and trade. Hundreds of voices flitted through the sky and, oddly enough, it made her feel more at home.

  “Let’s check in here,” Zak said as he tugged her up a few wooden steps and into a shop.

  Racks of clothes dotted the store and she walked to the one that held bold red, yellow, and green gowns. She smoothed her hands over the almost silky material and looked down at her own drab dress. This must be the Nordstrom’s of the town.

  “Pick out whatever you want,” Zak offered.

  “How will we pay for it?” she questioned. How had they even paid for their passage here?

  Zak looked at her with one eyebrow raised.

  “Oh,” she whispered, dropping her hand to her side.

  We aren’t paying
for it. Yes. I can use my magic to coerce people, but not like this. It isn’t right. These people work hard for their money.

  “If you don’t pick something I will, sweetheart. I’m liable to pick the most expensive one...or maybe even two,” he threatened. “If it makes you feel better at least we’re not taking from the people on the street.” He pointed to a few vendors who also sold clothes. Their clothing wasn’t as fancy and they weren’t dressed nearly as nice as the shopkeeper in the store.

  She shook her head. Does it matter? Stealing is stealing.

  “This one it is then,” Zak grabbed a green dress and took it to the shopkeeper.

  Cadence crossed her arms over herself as she watched him speak. They conversed in Spanish...a language she knew nothing about. Guess she should’ve listened to her advisor when they said she needed to study a foreign language.

  Zak grinned and grabbed a few more outfits before having his purchases boxed up.

  “Come on, we still have to make reservations at the inn before we meet Melanie and Harrison at the city square,” he said as he approached her again.

  The pair had gone to see if they could find a witch in the city. “I’m sure they won’t be thrilled with you stealing either,” she commented.

  Zak shrugged. “Why do they have to know?” he questioned.

  She supposed they didn’t. It would only disappoint Harrison anyway. The boy looked up to his older brother so much.

  “I guess they don’t,” she relented. “Am I to assume you plan on using your compulsion to secure our rooms?”

  Zak chuckled. “You catch on quickly, sweetheart.”

  “Great,” she mumbled as she rolled her eyes.

  “I don’t suspect we’ll run into Malcolm, but I thought it safer if we share a room, just in case,” Zak said as he opened the shop door and they walked back out into the busy street.

  Heat stirred in her and she shifted uncomfortably as a familiar ache blossomed in her core. She wouldn’t mind a repeat of the night they’d shared either, and she definitely didn’t want to run into Malcolm ever again. She shuddered at the thought.