by Tena Stetler
The rehearsal went off without a hitch. Tristian was released from the rehearsal after walking Angie down the aisle and handing her off to Bruce. The task was easier than he ever thought possible several weeks ago. He grudgingly admitted to himself, that their parents would be proud of her choice and less than pleased with his behavior. However, he was none too happy with them for going and getting themselves killed, leaving all this to him. He grinned; they’d like Hannah too.
“Penny for your thoughts,” Hannah said quietly, caressing sinewy muscles across his back.
“They’re worth at least a quarter.” He snickered, kissing her before leaving to search out two of Terra’s team members to accompany him to the yacht. “Finish up here and meet me at the yacht.” On the path to the beach, Terra hurried toward the house; Tristian intercepted her. “Hey, I need a couple of your guys for yacht detail.”
“Okay, Jason and Trevor are securing the beach, take them. I’ll send replacements shortly.” She touched her headset, said something, and with a quick wave continued to the house.
All business, she was a great hire. When Tristian arrived with Jason and Trevor in tow, the yacht was a hive of activity. A tantalizing aroma wafted from the galley where the food was being prepared. An oval formal dining table of polished teak with crystal inlay in the center had eleven place settings ready for those attending the rehearsal dinner.
He carefully picked up a white china cup rimmed in gold with tiny rosebud accents while mentally counting the number of expected guests for dinner. The only surprise was Megan, and she made eleven. The china was Matiah’s touch, he guessed as he set the cup back in place.
A large couch arranged in a semi-circle facing floor to ceiling windows took up the center of the living area. The furnishings matched the warm cream and dark blue accented decor, plush cream carpeting spread across the room, a golden-hued wood formed a circular staircase to the upper levels.
“Nice place,” Tristian said to no one in particular. The cove was relatively calm, the slap of waves against the Seraphim was the only thing that reminded him he was on a yacht.
Mouthwatering aromas of prime rib, homemade dinner rolls, and a variety of other foods wafted through the room, mixed with the light brine brought in on a slight ocean breeze.
Standing between the dining room and living area, he brushed his fingertips over the small stainless steel wine cooler being stocked with bottles of excellent wine. He checked the labels on a couple bottles, then handed them back to the man filling the fridge and walked out onto the deck that opened off the living room. The polished brass railing gleamed in the warm sunlight.
His two security men reported everything was in order. He sent Trevor to the top observation deck, Jason to the second floor where the staterooms were located, and he chose to stay in the main living area. All the faces matched the roster Bruce had given him of Andre’s employees working the event.
Tristian tugged on the sliding glass doors that closed the deck off during inclement weather. Wouldn’t need those tonight. Tristian glanced at the clear blue sky. It would be a beautiful night to get Hannah alone on the top observation deck. The lilt of her voice caught his attention as she talked with one of the caterers in the dining room. He ambled toward the sound of her voice.
She’d changed into a silky green off the shoulder dress that ended a few inches above her knee and light green strappy sandals. The dress hugged her curves and flattered her creamy complexion and red hair that now hung below her shoulders. He liked her hair longer. Reaching over he twisted a curl in his finger and kissed her cheek. “You’re beautiful.” He touched the green emerald drop earrings he’d given her. They looked exquisite dangling from her delicate earlobes. She also wore the matching teardrop emerald necklace at her throat. Touching his headset, he asked Jason to come down and cover the main area while he showed Hannah around. The quick tour took only a few minutes, though they lingered on the top observation deck.
Before long, laughter and voices announced the arrival of the dinner guests. Tristian escorted Hannah down the spiral staircase, as the guests wandered around the living area until Andre and Matiah called everyone into the formal dining area.
Candles adorned the dining table, casting amber shadows over the crystal inlay, as everyone gathered around settling into their seats. The staff brought silver serving dishes to the table, food offered to each guest. Talk of the wedding, recent events, and the garden decor dominated the dinner conversation. Andre and Birch made toasts for long life and wedded bliss. Tristian added his own twist on a toast.
After dinner, the guests retired to the living area or the deck with glasses of wine to enjoy the beautiful star-strewn sky. Dessert, a decadent dark chocolate mousse, was served on the deck in tall tapered crystal glasses with long-handled silver spoons.
Hannah took one bite and closed her eyes. “Mmmm. This is fantastic.” She scooped up another bite and slipped it into her mouth.
“My favorite,” Angie declared, licking the back of her spoon. “How’d you know?” She looked from Andre to Matiah.
“A not so little demon told us,” Matiah said with a laugh. “Glad you like it. Maeva fussed over it most of the morning.”
Andre chuckled. “She actually had a trial run last week for us to taste. It too was perfect. Too bad you missed it,” he said, scraping his spoon in the bottom of the glass for the last bite.
After midnight, as the guests were boarding the boat to deliver them back to the main house, Andre pulled Tristian aside. “Your security team is doing a great job. You wouldn’t know we have security they blend in so well. If you want to stay behind on the yacht for a while, it’s fine with us. Normally we don’t have security on the Seraphim, but with the wedding tomorrow, you may want to leave one on the boat overnight.”
“I planned on it, sir.”
“Knock off the sir stuff. It’s Andre.” He smiled and took Matiah’s hand to join his guests on the ride to the main house.
Angie and Bruce were the last to leave. “Are you two staying on the yacht?” Bruce asked.
“I think Hannah and I will spend a little more time out here, if that’s all right?” Tristian said. “Make sure everyone is gone, including the wait staff. We’ll leave Trevor here for the night.”
“We figured as much and would like to join you, but wedding activities start early in the morning. So, we’ll leave you on your own.” Angie winked at the couple and tugged Bruce toward the awaiting boat.
“Oh, you can bet he planned it this way,” Bruce said. “As I would, if we had the opportunity.” He pulled Angie in for a kiss. “Good night,” he said over his shoulder as he took another step toward the boat then they both disappeared.
“Bruce doesn’t like small water crafts,” Tristian said nonchalantly.
“Oh, that explained why they arrived earlier than the others.” Hannah giggled. “Magic rules don’t apply to him?”
“They do, but combined with his parents and Angie, the toll will be minimal.” Tristian touched his headset. “Jason, you can head back to the house. Terra will have your assignments for tomorrow.”
“Come on, I’ll show you the rest of the yacht.” He took her hand and led her across the living area to the spiral staircase.
She touched the polished wooden banister with a mermaid carved in the newel post. “This is beautiful. I’d love to have one like it in a home someday.” She paused for a beat. “Maybe not a mermaid, but a bear, wolf or something…”
As they climbed the stairs to the second floor, Tristian filed that information away in his mind with a smile. Stepping onto the top landing, he shifted Hannah to the side and nearly collided with Trevor who was just coming around the corner. “Hey, Trev, I’d like you to take the night shift here tonight. There shouldn’t be any action, but don’t want any surprises. You’ll have the day off tomorrow.”
“No problem. What a place,” Trevor said turning slowly in a three-hundred-sixty-degree circle. “The view at the end of the hal
lway—”he pointed to the other end of the boat“—is spectacular. The staterooms have a huge porthole, in addition to regular windows, plus a small deck access.” He shook his head. “Never seen anything like it.”
Tristian nodded and raised an eyebrow glancing toward the stairs. “Hannah and I are going to star gaze from the top deck. Keep an eye on the living area and second floor. We’ll be going back to the cottage later. I’ll let you know when we leave.”
“Sure. I’ll just make my way downstairs.” He turned on his heel and sprinted down the curving stairs.
Hannah went ahead of Tristian climbing slowly to the top deck. She sucked in a breath as her eyes went wide. “Wow, look at all the stars” She pointed to the sky. “There’s the Southern Cross. Is that the Big Dipper? And that’s the Milky Way.”
“I’m not an expert on the stars in the southern hemisphere, but The Big Dipper is only visible occasionally here.” He paused. “When the Southern Cross sails highest up in the Southern Hemisphere sky, the “upside-down” Big Dipper is seen just above the northern horizon.”
Coming up behind her, he wrapped his arms around her. She tipped her head back and rested it on his chest staring at the stars.
“That’s more than I knew,” she said quietly.
He leaned over and brushed his lips along her neck, then covered her mouth with a searing kiss. Sweeping her off her feet, he carried her over to the double chaise and eased her down.
He smothered her lips with demanding mastery, her lips parted, his tongue slipped inside, teasing, tasting, exploring, and enjoying. She stirred his blood like no other. When he raised his mouth from hers, he stared into her smoldering green eyes for a beat. Then let his gaze wander from her eyes to her shoulders, to her breasts, then slowly, seductively, his gaze slid downward. Running his hand along her side, he reached under her blouse and cupped her breast over the lacy bra. He flipped open the front clasp, brushed the fabric away allowing her firm breasts to spill into his hand. Lifting the shirt, he buried his face between the firm mounds, licking first one nipple then the other and groaned. “So beautiful.”
“Tristian,” she breathed, “What are you doing?”
He chuckled. “If you don’t know, I’m doing something wrong.” He slid his hand inside the waistband of her pants, tugged her panties aside, felt her warm moist center, and sighed. The crotch of his pants grew tight, extremely tight. He needed her now, but he’d wait.
“That’s not what I meant.” She tried to push him away, but her thundering heart, racing pulse and the scent of her arousal told him, she wanted this as much as he did.
“I meant not here. What if we get caught? Trevor is right downstairs.”
Reluctantly, he lifted his face from her breasts and met her eyes. “Oh, I doubt he’ll bother us. Besides it adds to the excitement, don’t you think?”
He felt the heat rise on her face as he rested his cheek against hers.. He loved the way she blushed. Pulling his shirt over his head, he pressed his bare chest against her warm breasts.
“Nooo. we can’t.” Yet her hips arched against him. She licked her lips, flicked the button open on his pants, and tugged at the zipper. Her eyes flew open wide as he gave her a devilish grin.
He’d gone commando this morning anticipating this tryst. Hell, I’d spend every waking moment in bed with her, if I could. I’ll never let her go. Never. That realization sent shivers through him.
Contrary to her words, she relaxed her legs, allowing his fingers more access. He caressed, and teased finding her sweet spot. She moaned. “Please—not here.” She bit her lip, tried to smother a long-muffled cry of ecstasy as she writhed against his hand. Panting she relaxed, and his fingers started ministrations again. “Please, let me… I want you inside…but not…”
He eased back and met her gaze. Wrapped his arms around her, enjoying her bare breasts pressed against his hard chest, and in a swirl of motion they disappeared.
Landing in a soft bed, with wispy curtains drawn around the bed and the sound of waves lapping the shore outside, he stripped her, kicked off his pants, and buried himself inside her.
She welcomed him; hypnotized by his touch, she tingled under his fingertips, reveling in the full feeling of him inside her. Flames of passion devoured her, clouding her brain, scattering her thoughts as his hands and lips continued teasing, taunting her body.
The turbulence of his desire swirled around her until the hot flow of passion raged through them in a raw act of possession. As the waves of ecstasy calmed, she savored the satisfaction snuggled against him, their legs intertwined.
About to doze off, she squealed and bolted upright. “What time is it?”
She stared over into the laughing eyes of her lover. Tristian snickered. “Relax, we’ll be well rested for the wedding. The benefits of being with a time spinner.”
“A what… Are we back in the cottage?” Panicked, she shoved at his arm wound around her waist, which tightened every time she moved.
“Time spinner. And no, we are not exactly in the cottage. It’s been years since I’ve used that talent but felt the situation warranted it. Don’t you think?”
“I think we better get dressed and back to the Seraphim before Trevor comes looking for us.”
“He won’t.” Tristian released her and sat up, stretched his arms and legs. “But better make sure everything is secure before we return to the cottage.”
She sat cross-legged on the bed as the curtains rippled. The entire bed began to swirl, and she fisted her fingers in the covers. He slipped his arms around her. “It’ll be over in a minute, close your eyes.”
When she opened them again, she was sitting on the double chaise on the observation deck of the yacht fully dressed. She gingerly slipped off the side of the chaise and stood glancing around. “Where were we?”
“The better question is when were we? Accommodations were in a faraway land where time stands still. A place I go to get away from job and life in general. Sort of one of my own creation.” He offered his hand to assist her from the chaise.
Dreamily, she took his hand and got to her feet. On tiptoe, her arms encircled his neck. She pressed against him, brushed her moist lips over his, lingering, savoring every moment.
“If you don’t stop, we’re not going to make it to the cottage at all,” Tristian murmured against her lips, his voice husky.
“Okay, okay. We could go back to that place where time ceased to exist,” she whispered against his ear.
“We could—but I’m too drained by the first trip to enjoy a second.”
“We need to build up your sexual stamina; I can tell.” She snickered and quickly moved out of reach. His gaze followed her. “Nothing wrong with my stamina; it’s the use of magic that did me in.” He winked at her. “But well worth it. I’ll check in with Trevor, then we’ll leave.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Wedding Guests Arrive, Sacred Vows Exchanged, a Reception to Remember
In the cottage, a stream of warm sunlight fell across Hannah’s face as she stirred next to a naked Tristian snoring softly in the bed. Outside, people scurried around, dishes clattered against the glass tables, bits of conversation wafted in through the open window. Tristian and she were apparently the last ones to get up. Stealthily, she crept out of bed, swung a silk robe around her shoulders, and padded over to the window. Pulling the draperies aside, she watched the flurry of activity.
Flower arrangements sat on all the tables, and the waterfall was muted again. When they’d arrived at the cottage a few hours before dawn, she’d fallen asleep to the sounds of the water crashing over the rocks, a soothing sound in her opinion. Among the early arrivals, Hannah recognized a few stylists from The Wycked Hair Salon standing at the far end of the waterfall.
She turned and pounced on the bed. Tristian was already awake watching her with an amused expression.
“Are you supposed to be helping escort the wedding guests through the portal?”
“Not anymore. Terra
has it handled.” He yawned wide and scrubbed his hands over his face. “But we better get up and out there before someone pounds on the door.” He swung his feet to the floor and stood. “Share the shower?”
“Sure, if you’ll keep your hands to yourself.” She sent him a saucy smile, bounced off the bed, and the robe dropped to the floor.
“Not a chance.” He chased her into the bathroom and closed the door.
As Hannah wiped the steam from the bathroom mirror, there was a light knock on the door. Tristian raised a brow in an “I told you so manner” snapped a bath sheet from the towel rack, wrapped it around his hips, and crossed the room.
“You’re not going to—” Hannah said in horror.
He sent her a wink, opened the door, and lazily leaned a shoulder on the doorframe. “What can I do for you?”
The girl dressed in island attire gulped, eying him up and down. “Hannah is wanted at the main house. Something about helping the brides.” Cheeks flushed, she turned and hurried away.
“Why did you do that?” Hannah asked, standing in the bathroom doorway.
He shrugged. “Someone had to answer the door.” Gazing at her naked body with pure male appreciation, he chuckled. “It sure wasn’t going to be you.” In a whisper of movement, he was beside her and patted her ass. “Better get a move on.” He crushed her against him and covered her mouth with his.
After a couple beats, she shoved him away. “Not helping.”
“Sorry,” he said, then under his breath added. “Not.”
Quickly she pulled on the turquoise bridesmaid dress, picked up her makeup kit and shoes, then rushed barefoot out of the cottage. A quick glance back, she saw Tristian still dressed in only a towel. With a wave, he closed the door.
When Hannah crossed the veranda, the girl who’d been at the door glanced in her direction. She stood in a knot with other girls holding serving trays and whispering. They slid glances in her direction. I’m going to kill him.
