Taken by the Wind

by Serenity Snow

  “Hovering.”

  Juliet looked down to find herself inches off the ground facing the back of Aria’s home. “Are you doing that?”

  Aria cocked a brow at her. “No.”

  The raven drew near and Simone became human, landing lightly on the ground with the bag dangling from one hand.

  “She’s learning fast,” she commented. “Bailey’s watching the apartment. She says they’re tearing it apart. Maybe looking for the grimoire.”

  “I brought it with me,” Juliet said as she slowly descended to the ground. “I didn’t leave anything magical behind except my supplies.” She took her bag from the other woman.

  “Juliet, this is Simone,” Aria said. “Bailey is our sister who’s skilled in lifting blood from all surfaces, so she’ll do the cleanup at your place to ensure the police or the Congress aren’t called in.”

  “Hi,” Juliet said to Simone. “Some of it will have dried by the time they leave. How will she get that out?”

  Simone gave her a cool look. “She’s up to the task. Jas is there in case she needs back-up,” she said. “We really need to contact Storme. She’ll want to ensure she’s safe.”

  “I’ve been in contact with Storme,” she muttered giving Simone a hard look. “She knows what’s going on. Thanks for tonight.”

  “Goes without saying,” she commented heading away from the house.

  “Let’s go inside,” Aria suggested and took her bag. “I’ll get you settled into a guestroom, and we can forego the training since you’ve already done so well today.”

  “Instinct told me what to do.”

  “Your reaction time needs improving,” Aria said. “What woke you?”

  “How’d you get there so fast?” Juliet asked putting a hand on Aria’s arm to stop her.

  “I never left,” she answered coolly. “Contrary to your belief, this situation can become explosive in the blink of an eye. You’ve assimilated. You’re one of us now. Leaving you alone wasn’t an option any more than allowing you to stay outside of the aurai structure is.”

  “So you slept outside in the parking lot?”

  “Simone and I took turns making rounds of your apartment block. Simone was certain Morgan’s death would spark an immediate urge in them to act. He obviously put something in your drink that was meant to have a special effect. I’m willing to bet it was a love potion.”

  “What? Why?” She burst out, thinking back to the drink and Morgan’s watchful eye.

  “They can’t get the bracelet unless you give it to them and the only way to convince you of that is to convince you you’re in love. But air affections aren’t easily affected by love potions, and they’re impossible once we’ve come into contact—connected with your power.”

  Juliet studied her enigmatic expression. “Why are you holding back?” she asked softly. “I sense you meant to say something else.”

  Aria ran her fingers through her hair. “I—don’t know what you mean.”

  “What trumps a love spell?” She shook her head and her breath caught in her throat.

  “If you’d fallen for someone, the potion would be void.” Her tone was bland, but her gray eyes held something she couldn’t be sure of, but it made her heart race.

  “You’re afraid I’m falling too fast, too hard, and you won’t be able to shake me off when you get tired of me.”

  “Are you up for breakfast? Flying always makes me hungry.”

  Juliet studied her and saw no flickers of emotion in those strange eyes filled with clouds. She must have been hurt so bad once it left her feeling exposed and sliced clear to her soul.

  Was that before or after Eliza?

  Either way, she’d been burned once or twice, but Juliet wasn’t afraid to take a step toward the flame now that she’d experienced the fire again. She just wanted to get closer to it, to submerge herself in it.

  “Sure. I just—I don’t have any work clothes. My mother will be livid if I come in wearing wrinkled pants.”

  Aria smiled. “I think we can fix that,” she said and changed course.

  They ended up in a spacious room that looked more like a sewing room with machines, changing screens and bolts of fabric. The hardwood floor was bright beneath her feet and splashes of art covered the walls.

  Aria dropped the bag on a chair and headed to a set of double doors. She pulled them open and gestured for Juliet to go inside. She hesitated, peeking into the carpeted space with dark cabinets and bars holding clothing.

  “This is my sewing room,” Aria told her. “I’ve made everything in here and washed it. Some of the models are allergic to unwashed fabrics. They come over needing a change, or wanting to keep something I’ve made because it’s novel.”

  “You make more than wedding attire?” she asked curiously.

  “I love to sew as much as I love designing. I have basic lingerie designs, blouses, dresses and pants. Not a lot of shoes though.”

  She walked into the closet and surveyed the items. “I have lingerie, but if I see something that catches my eye…”

  “Feel free to take it. The bathroom is fully equipped with shower and tub, so you can clean up.”

  “I don’t know how long I’ll be, but I don’t have to be to work until eight. I have meetings most of the day, but my mom wanted to talk to me this morning. She’s always there when I get there.”

  “Well, you’ve got time,” Aria told her. “I’ll drop you off and Simone will bring you your car later.”

  “Great. I appreciate that,” Juliet said with a smile. “My mom will be asking enough questions as it is about us last night.”

  “What are you going to tell her?” Aria asked. Her eyes held a question, but her expression was enigmatic.

  “I don’t know yet,” Juliet murmured. “But what if I just told her the truth?” She reached out to stroke her fingers along Aria’s jaw. “What if I told her I was seeing you and I wanted more of you the moment I left you?”

  “Things are a little complicated,” she replied softly.

  “What does that mean?” Juliet demanded, letting her fingers smooth down to rest at the side of Aria’s neck. She moved in closer so Aria’s breasts brushed the tops of hers. “Are you more interested?”

  Chapter Twenty

  Aria pushed her fingers into Juliet’s hair and tugged her head back. She searched her gaze as her head lowered.

  “Kiss me,” Juliet urged. “I am yours right now, so taste me. Taste my desire for you.”

  “Your desire to own me?” Aria demanded. “Or just be mine?”

  Juliet chuckled. “Pick one.” She strained forward, but Aria tightened her grip. “Don’t be a coward.” She ran her free hand up Aria’s chest, over her breasts. “Just let your hunger for me out to play.”

  “That could be dangerous.”

  “So what?” Juliet asked. “We’re the only ones who’ll get hurt.”

  After tonight, she realized it was time to stop being the good girl all the time. Her life was changing, and she needed to change with it instead of taking tentative baby steps, or she could lose this sexy woman in front of her.

  A breeze washed over them, hot and wild, leaving the scent of passion in Juliet’s nostrils. Aria claimed her mouth, the kiss rough and demanding, shot through with fire just like last night.

  Juliet moaned and pushed her fingers into Aria’s hair. She tasted her hunger, felt her needs, and wanted nothing more than to satisfy her.

  She tugged Aria’s shirt from her pants and tore the buttons open before pushing her hands past the soft fabric to find her breasts. The soft mounds were tipped with hard pebbles she pinched through the fabric.

  Warm air showered her and the tips of her own nipples peaked, rubbing annoyingly against the cups of her bra.

  Juliet strained closer as Aria’s tongue glided against hers, and stroked into the dark recesses of her mouth while Juliet reached around to release the catch of Aria’s bra.

  She pushed the fabric up and cupped the full
mounds before lightly pinching the nipples. She was softer than any other woman and Juliet ached to explore her body.

  “Juliet,” Aria moaned, lifting her head. Their eyes met for a moment and Juliet dipped her head to lick one swollen dark bud. The taste of warm air was a hint of lemon on her tongue. The taste was fresh and a heady drug Juliet wanted more of.

  Aria moaned. “Mmm. Yes.”

  Juliet pushed Aria’s shirt from her shoulders and Aria tugged it off. She tossed it aside and Juliet gave her a smile as she ripped the bra away and then reached for the button of Aria’s pants.

  “Aren’t you the pushy one this morning,” Aria murmured. “Let me.” She kicked off her shoes before removing her pants. Then, she ran her hands up Juliet’s arms. “Take off some of your clothes.”

  Juliet pushed her lounge pants down around her ankles covering the socks she had worn to bed. She was amazed that she hadn’t remembered to put on shoes.

  Aria kissed her hard and helped Juliet tug her t-shirt over her head before Juliet urged Aria back toward the loveseat on the other side of the room.

  Once there, she gave her a shove and Aria dropped onto the cushion. Juliet grabbed a throw pillow and sank to her knees. She licked up Aria’s stomach to her chest and closed her lips around the neglected nipple. She sucked and pinched the other nipple before kneading her breasts.

  Aria tangled her fingers in Juliet’s hair and tugged her closer. Juliet braced her free hand on the cushion next to Aria and looked up. Holding her gaze, Juliet gave the tight little point one last flick with her tongue before kissing a trail over Aria’s stomach. Her muscles were hard and defined beneath her lips.

  Aria’s breathing was harsh, and warm air blew over Juliet’s face, exciting her even more. She held Aria’s stare as she licked the top of one thigh before nipping the firm flesh.

  Lightning flashed in her eyes and Juliet bit her harder, drawing a gush of air from her. She grinned and rubbed her nose over the other thigh before trailing kisses toward her pussy.

  Aria parted her legs and the scent of warm summer air rushed out to greet her carrying the scent of lemon. Juliet drew her tongue over one smooth lip and then the other before using two fingers to part the tender flesh revealing an erect clit to her view.

  She licked up Aria’s damp slit. “Mmm.” Her tongue played around the nubbin before gliding down one side only to flick up the other without touching the little bud.

  “Damn, baby,” Aria cried.

  Juliet slid her fingertip into Aria’s pussy to test for wetness and found her more than ready, so she pushed her finger deeper and Aria let out a harsh cry.

  “Don’t be such a tease,” she muttered as she tangled a hand in Juliet’s hair and dragged the long wavy locks to one side.

  Juliet licked around her clit and pushed two fingers into Aria’s humid body and thrust in slow and easy, wanting to stoke the fire in her even as Juliet burned.

  ****

  Aria pushed her hips forward and reveled in the sweet thrusts in and out of her. It had been so long since a woman had pleasured her this way. She closed her eyes as bliss caught her in its firm hand and squeezed.

  “Oh, Juliet,” she breathed roughly. “Your tongue feels so good.”

  Juliet flicked her tongue over her clit as she pumped her fingers faster into Aria’s pussy. Aria braced her free hand on the cushion to gain some traction. Her fingers touched a cool bottle, and she thrust her hips up meeting Juliet’s strokes.

  Warm lips closed over her clit, sucked and she screamed from pleasure, releasing a burst of air.

  “No,” Aria said. “Come here, Juliet.”

  Juliet groaned, but climbed onto her lap to claim a kiss. Aria tasted herself on her lover’s lips and savored their combined flavors. “Mmm.”

  Juliet moved against her, their bare clits rubbing together and Aria reached for the bottle languishing on the table and flipped the cap. She squeezed a bit of creamy baby oil onto her fingers and stroked her other hand over Juliet’s ass. Aria cupped her tight curves and pulled one cheek open before pushing her finger just inside her.

  Juliet gasped and broke the kiss to look down at her.

  “You wanted to play,” she said softly. “Now, let me show you something else I like.”

  Juliet nodded and Aria withdrew her finger and grabbed the bottle to squeeze some liquid down the seam of Juliet’s ass.

  “Cold!” Juliet exclaimed and laughed.

  Aria’s lips twitched and humor danced in her eyes as her finger cruised down the part, dragging the lotion into the tightly puckered nether hole. She kissed the tip of Juliet’s nose.

  “I want you to think only about how good I’m making you feel,” she murmured and sucked her neck before kissing her way to Juliet’s throat.

  Juliet moaned, closing her eyes. The tension faded and Aria slid her fingers over one ass cheek before penetrating and slipping past the tight ring of muscle. Juliet’s eyes widened and uncertainty filled them, but she didn’t tense up.

  “That hot stare you gave me when we first met made me want to lick you all over and fuck you in every way I could think of.” She licked over a nipple and sucked it as her finger forged deeper. “And I’m going to own your body, Juli.”

  “Be careful playing with fire, Aria,” she purred. “I might own you.”

  Aria withdrew her fingers and glided two of them back into tight cavern. Juliet’s eyes widened and Aria thrust her fingers in slow and drew them out again.

  “Do you like that, baby?”

  Juliet nodded. “Yes,” she said breathlessly.

  She licked around the areola drawing a shiver from Juliet and then closed her lips on the other nipple and sucked in time to her thrusts into Juliet’s body.

  Juliet moaned and began to grind against her, their clits rubbing together.

  “Uh-ah! Aria, you’re driving me insane.”

  The breathy words snaked through her, creating a cauldron of fire inside her, but Aria forced herself to keep the pace even. The sensations of Juliet’s body rubbing against hers, the tight clench of her ass around her fingers was amazing. She fought to keep her head, but thrust faster into Juliet as her passion mounted, taking her over.

  “Oh, fuck,” Juliet cried. “Aria!”

  Aria drove her fingers in and out savoring the feel of Juliet’s soft skin and the rapt expression on her face. She was gorgeous with her hair blowing back with the force of their combined airy releases, and her eyes glowing, luminous as the moon.

  “Oh, yes. Yes!” Juliet screamed and bucked as her cream eased from her to mingle with Aria’s.

  Her head was spinning, her body an inferno, and she thrust up against Juliet as she gripped her hip. The pleasure was a brutal force that jerked a guttural cry from Aria’s throat and they both excreted a burst of warm air that tore around the room knocking over a floor lamp and ruffling fabrics.

  Damn, that had been incredible and Aria was certain if she wasn’t falling for Juliet, she was becoming addicted to her.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  “Oh goddess divine,” Juliet murmured a few minutes later. She sat up and looked down at Aria who drew her fingers from her ass. Juliet grimaced as a fresh wave of arousal washed over her.

  “You were delicious, Juliet,” she said standing with Juliet in her arms.

  Juliet slid to the floor and kissed Aria’s jaw. “Sex has never been so satisfying as it is with you, baby,” Juliet told her. “I don’t know how I’ll ever get enough of you, Aria.” She pulled out of her arms. “Bathroom?”

  Aria pointed. “Might be an impossible task for me, too,” she murmured.

  Juliet laughed happily. “Maybe I’ll steal your heart before you steal the rest of mine,” she said and turned, heading for the bathroom.

  At the door, an arm came around her waist, halting her progress. “Is that what you dream of? Belonging irrevocably to someone?”

  “I know I’ve read one shifter romance too many, but yeah. I want to be as tied to some
one as that, as loved by someone as that.”

  “Ties don’t guarantee love,” Aria told her softly. “You have to work up to that.”

  “I know and those instalove things always irk me, but I can see why writers make it happen fast. They’re working against the clock. If they go too slow, they risk losing readers’ attention.”

  “You have my attention, Juliet.”

  She twisted in Aria’s arms to look up at her. “But for how long?” She rested her hand on Aria’s waist. “I want you for longer than an orgasm takes to fade.”

  “What will you do with me, lover?” Aria asked. “Keep me in a closet? I don’t live a public life, but everyone who knows me knows I’m a lesbian.”

  “I didn’t know A. Brees was gay and neither did my mother.”

  “All my life isn’t for public consumption, Juli, but I don’t hide it, and what happens when your mother finds out? We can barely keep our hands off each other.”

  “Just give me a little time,” she pleaded. “I need to ease her into this. She already has little confidence in me. Now, that I’m demi-aurai, I don’t how she’ll react.”

  “Well, just be careful there, Juliet. Those not like us tend to betray us.” She kissed the tip of Juliet’s nose. “I need to change. I have a meeting and fittings, too.”

  Juliet watched her go, feeling hurt, not hers, but Aria’s. She frowned wondering if this was natural now that she was a little more aurai than she’d been a few weeks ago.

  ****

  “Albert is dead?” Voltaire asked looking up from the brief on his desk. “Kryto’s top choice for dealing with education and economic issues on the joint Congress?”

  His secretary stood before his desk wearing a solemn mask, and he leaned back in his chair. “He was one of the best choices Kryto could have made for fairness and the common good of good and evil,” she told him. “He said he wanted to see you and Necron in an hour.”

  “Did you alert Necron?”

  “He’s not in yet,” she said. “Kryto seemed quite upset, so I don’t advise you to miss the meeting.”

  He smiled. “I’ll call him.”