by Beverly Rae
Now what? Maybe I should’ve given this plan a little more thought. Still, she was knee-deep into the scheme with no turning back.
“Okay, you two.” She pointed at the real Ian and Josh. “Sit on the bed and wait until I return. Do not make a sound and do not leave this room no matter what you hear and no matter what happens. Do you understand?” She mumbled the spell for obedience and prayed it would work better than her sleeping spell had.
Ian and Josh nodded dumbly and did as they were told. For now. But would the spell last?
Heaving a big sigh, Meg turned to the Ian and Josh imitations, who acted as though nothing unusual was happening. They stared at her, their eyes blank windows in empty houses. But then what else would they act like? Could illusions think? Would they be able to act like their real counterparts when she needed them to?
She snapped her fingers in front of their faces and motioned for them to follow her into the hallway. Checking on the real men again, she turned the lock and closed the door. “Come with me, boys.”
Hurrying the illusions into her bedroom, she ordered them onto her bed, thankful that they understood her. She climbed onto the bed, placing them on either side of her.
Ian’s double was the first to speak, and his voice was a perfect match to the voice of the real man. “What are we doing here? I don’t remember…anything.”
Well of course you don’t. You’re not real. Would he ever gain Ian’s memories? She scanned him from head to toe, then did the same to Josh and couldn’t help but feel a spark of pride. She’d done a damn good job reproducing the men’s bodies.
Carrying on with her plan, Meg answered as though Ian were real and had a history going back longer than the past few minutes. “Damn, Ian, way to hurt a girl’s ego. Don’t you remember going down on me?”
Meg thrust out her breasts and pressed them toward Josh’s face. He moaned and filled his hands with them, then brought his mouth to her nipple just like the real Josh had done. She looked at Ian, wondering why he hadn’t touched her yet. Didn’t the libido copy as well as the rest of Ian?
Ian’s face brightened. “I did? With your thong still on?”
She ignored his question and unclasped her bra to free her breasts. Yet when she tried to take Ian’s hand, her fingers slid through his skin and out the other side. Why could they touch her, but she couldn’t touch them? That question would have to wait for another time. She’d just have to make sure she didn’t touch them once Chance was watching. “Ian, why don’t you do less talking and more…you know?”
Ian grabbed her buttocks and squeezed, then ran his fingers along the thin strip of her thong. “Anything you want, honey.”
“Then rip them off, Ian. Rip them off and put your tongue where it does the most good.”
Ian tore the lacy underwear from her and bent to run his tongue over her butt cheek. “I don’t remember doing this before. I don’t remember doing anything.”
“You don’t? Ouch. You really do know how to make a woman feel wanted, Ian.” Meg caught a glimpse of them in the mirror and winced. She hated deceiving Chance this way, hated having to make the charade look real, and hated having to use magic. But it was better than having sex with real men.
At least, she hoped so.
“No, no. I’m sure you taste great. In fact, I want another taste.”
Meg pushed her breasts together and Josh sucked on a nipple while thumbing her other bud. “And you’ll get another taste. But let’s take this easy. After all, we’ve got all night.” Not. But for her plan to work, she had to put up with the two horny men until Chance arrived. Worried, she glanced at the door. Flat tire or not, Chance should’ve arrived by now.
Chance, where the hell are you? “Just make it look good, Ian.”
“Make what look good?”
“Never mind.” Meg studied his eyes. Was that intelligence she saw? Could an illusion grow and learn? Again, she pushed aside her concerns. After all, the fakes wouldn’t be around long enough for her to find out.
“Whatever you say.” Ian slid his tongue over her bottom, moving behind her to glide between her butt cheeks. Josh kept busy sucking and nipping at her nipples. He cupped her mons, moving a finger inside to stroke her nub. She jerked and forced herself not to move away.
For the first time in her life, Meg was unmoved by the attentions of a handsome man. Even the attentions of two handsome men and especially the attentions of two unreal men. Nonetheless, she had a part to play in this ruse and she’d do her best to make Chance believe what he was seeing was genuine. If he’d only arrive!
How far would she let them go before she put a stop to their play? Meg didn’t bother uttering the appropriate satisfied sounds to make the men think she was having a good time. Instead, she focused on the bedroom door.
If she hadn’t been listening, she never would’ve heard the front door open and close. Finally! Chance is here. Now all she had to do was wait for him to find the right bedroom.
Sticking out her breasts, she wiggled them against Josh’s face. He grinned and nuzzled his head between her breasts while Ian reached around to replace Josh’s hand on her nub. He rubbed and yet all she could feel was a slight impression of someone touching her. How she would enjoy any pleasurable sensation—much less pretend to have wild sex with the two fakes—was beyond her. But she had no choice.
Watching the bedroom door without overtly staring at it, Meg made sure Chance would find his way to her. “Ooh, ooh, ooh.” She paused, listening for Chance’s approach but heard nothing. But maybe her moans weren’t loud enough. “Oh, yes, Josh. Yes! Suck on my tits. Good, Ian. Do it again.”
Stars and moon, I sound like a bad porn actress.
Josh and Ian paused, their questioning expressions displaying their thoughts. Meg shrugged. “Hey, what can I tell you? I’m loud in bed.” She moaned, this time almost shouting her imaginary delight.
Damn, if I get any louder, the neighbors might think I’m in pain and call for help. Come on, Chance.
She cleared her throat, ready to continue her role, and took Josh by the hair. Her hand vanished under his blond mane, and a cold sensation slithered over her skin. Yanking away, she reminded herself to keep her hands off the men and let them do the work.
Where the hell are you, Doc? Get in here and watch so I can win this bet once and for all.
Chapter Ten
Chance had made his decision and he would stick with it. He’d take her sisters’ advice and tell Meg how he felt about her. No matter how hard it was, no matter if he had to hold her down and make her listen to him, he’d make her understand how much he cared. Once he had, he was certain she’d agree to end the challenge. After that, anything could happen.
Then he heard her cry. At first, his mind only registered the fact that she’d shouted. Was she in trouble? He was powering down the hallway at breakneck speed, planning on saving her from whatever the two men were doing to her, when the tone of her voice finally hit him. Had she sounded hurt? Or turned on?
He stopped, panting, and waited to hear her again. He did, but still couldn’t make out the words. She was in danger, right? And if she was, he had to help her. After all, he’d set her up with strangers, men he’d just met. Who knew what they might do? If they hurt her, he’d blame himself.
Another sound, softer than the previous one, drifted to him and he concentrated, trying to make out what she’d said. Had he misunderstood the earlier shout?
“Ooh, Josh, suck harder. That’s it.”
Suddenly Chance wanted to be anywhere other than standing in Meg’s apartment. Or at least not standing in Meg’s apartment with the intention of watching her have sex with two strangers. Granted, he didn’t have any room to judge. He’d taken women he’d just met home plenty of times. No, it wasn’t because they were strangers. Rather, he simply didn’t want her to be with anyone else.
An excruciating ache struck him in the chest, taking his breath away and making him dizzy. For a moment, he wondered if he was a
bout to suffer a heart attack. She definitely wasn’t in pain or in need of help. In fact, judging from the sounds he heard, she wasn’t in need of anything.
He wanted to get the hell out of there. Away from the sexual moans. Away from the images invading his mind. But he couldn’t. Knowing Meg, she’d keep pushing him to finish their challenge. If not tonight, then later.
Squaring his shoulders, he pushed the slightly opened door wide and grimaced at the scene. Even though he was prepared for what he would find, the sight before him rocked him on his feet.
Meg was on her hands and knees, her firm, round bottom wiggling, her breasts hanging above Josh’s face. Josh lay flat on his back, playing with her breasts as he lifted his head to suck on her nipples. Ian was on his knees behind her, his cock in his hand, the tip positioned at the entrance of Meg’s anus. He glanced at Chance, grinned, then slid inside her.
Ian’s thrust knocked her to her elbows, bringing her breasts to either side of Josh’s face. Her hair streamed to cover some of the view, but not enough as far as Chance was concerned.
She’d taken them to bed just as she’d vowed. Why had he let himself hope for a different outcome? No man could’ve resisted her, so he couldn’t blame Ian or Josh. But even though her goal was to win the challenge—a challenge he’d enjoyed at first—it didn’t help ease the pain. She’d managed to rip out his heart as effectively as if she’d taken a scalpel and split him down the center of his chest.
Ian pounded into her, moaning over and over. Josh slid out from under her, pushed his friend aside and flipped her onto her back. Meg’s eyes widened as they locked onto Chance’s, but she didn’t try to stop Josh from entering her. Ian shuffled to the side, took her breast and offered her his shaft to taste. She shook her head, her attention locked on Chance.
The agony in Chance’s chest was nothing compared to the misery surging through his body. If he hadn’t been sure before, he was now. He loved her and wanted her for his and his alone.
“Chance.”
The way she said his name gored hot agony into him. He wanted her to say his name again, even as another man plunged into her. If he could have her say his name for the rest of his life, he’d want for nothing else. Except for the game to stop.
“Meg.” He ground out her name. “Stop.”
“What did you say?”
“I told you to stop.” At her stubborn expression, he amended his words. “Please stop.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.” He was never more certain of anything in his life.
Giving him a curt nod, she ordered the men away, ignoring their protests, and scrambled to the edge of the bed. A strange expression brightened her face. Was she relieved?
“But why? Wasn’t this what you wanted?”
What he wanted? Hell, no, but he could see why she might think so. He’d wanted the game in the beginning, had suggested it thinking they’d have fun and had been thrilled when she’d accepted. But now? No, this wasn’t what he’d wanted.
She was what he wanted. She was goddess, a vision come to life. Her hair, a wild swirl of curls, floated around her shoulders. Her bright blue eyes grew wider, bigger, expectant. Her lips parted and he longed to kiss them, but couldn’t make his feet take the first step toward her.
“Chance? Tell me what you want.”
Where pain was before, anger took hold, wiping out all other emotions like a giant cleansing wave. He couldn’t leave yet. Not before he hurt her the way she’d hurt him.
“Bravo, Ms. Tristan. Two men at once. That’s quite an achievement. One I’m sure I’ll find hard to surpass. Congratulations.” He filled his smile with the coldness lodged in his heart. “But the bet’s not over yet.”
“But, Doc—”
He couldn’t stand anymore. Couldn’t bear to see Ian and Josh touch what should’ve been his. She reached out and he spun on his heel.
“Chance, wait. Let me explain—”
But he was already striding down the hall and through the front door before she could finish her sentence.
“Get off me, damn you.” Meg tugged out of Josh’s grasp and lunged for the bedroom door. Heedless of her nudity, she raced down the hall just in time to see the front door slam shut.
“Chance!” She flung the door open only to find the elderly couple living across the hall gaping at her. Mr. Wittacker’s eyebrows shot up, and a sly grin filled his face. But his joy at seeing Meg in full frontal nudity didn’t last long. Mrs. Wittacker thumped him on the head and shooed him inside their apartment.
“Shit.” Meg ducked behind her door and closed it to find the naked Ian and Josh on high cruise down the runway of her hall, heading toward her like two heat-seeking missiles.
“Back off.” She snapped her fingers and a blue mist filled the air in front of the two men. They froze, their hands reaching for her stuck in midair.
“How do I get myself into these messes?” Before meeting Chance, she would’ve found the situation funny, but not now. Instead, she felt empty and alone. And worse, she had the distinct impression that she’d made the biggest mistake of her life.
Snapping her fingers again brought them out of their frozen state. “Back to the bedroom with the both of you.” She slapped away Ian’s hand. Her hand swept through his, but he reacted as though she’d made contact which was all that mattered. “Stars and moon, this is so not good.”
Meg retrieved another pair of jeans and a shirt from the closet, fighting off the still randy illusion men, then hurried across the hallway to unlock the guest bedroom door. The real Ian and Josh were exactly as she’d left them, and she heaved a sigh of relief.
“Okay, you fake studs. Stand over there by your, um, by your original selves and stay put.”
The men grumbled under their breaths. Thankfully, they were intelligent enough to do as she ordered, but not smart enough to question why. They took their places in front of their doubles and waited.
Taking the lid off the Crock-Pot, Meg checked the temperature, thankful to find that the bubbling liquid had cooled. Holding her breath against the foul odor, she stuck her hand in and grabbed the first solid object she found. “Gotcha.”
The dummy was semi-dissolved but enough had remained intact for her purposes. After digging out the second doll, she laid it next to the first one. Weary and thrown by Chance’s reaction, she closed her eyes and repeated the words to the hex. Once she’d finished, she opened her eyes and turned toward the foursome, hoping to find a twosome.
The original Ian and Josh sat alone in the room, statues needing to be brought back to life. For a moment, the old Meg, the free-loving, non-committed woman she’d been before she’d met Chance returned and she slid her gaze over the men. “Here you are, ready for me to play with like presents on Christmas morning, and I can’t work up any enthusiasm for the idea. Sheesh, I’ve got it bad for the doc.”
Her plan hadn’t worked. Not exactly. As she’d wanted, Chance had found her with the two fakes, yet instead of offering to call off the bet, he’d gone a step further and had congratulated her on her conquest. A conquest he would, no doubt, attempt to beat. She’d won the battle, but she was sure she’d lost the war.
Meg shoved the terrible feeling away and focused on getting Ian and Josh back to normal. Although it took a bit of explaining, she managed to convince them—with a little forgetting spell—that they’d had the time of their lives, even if they couldn’t remember a minute of it.
Pushing them out the front door and promising to call them, Meg waved the confused men on their way and closed the door. She sank to the floor, tears welling in her eyes and fought the urge to give in to her despair.
Why was she acting like she’d just gotten run over by an eighteen-wheeler? She’d set the bar too high for Chance to jump over. Hell, she’d thought he wouldn’t even try. But he’d shown her. He was more than ready to fight until he won. Why, oh why hadn’t she taken him up on his offer to let her win when she’d had the opportunity? Her stomac
h rolled over, threatening to bring her last meal back to her mouth.
Chance’s furious expression, the pain in his eyes, raked through her, tearing her apart as easily as a knife sliced through butter. Why had he acted so angry? Hadn’t he known what to expect?
She held her head in her hands, her elbows propped on her knees and stared at the carpet. Was he mad because she’d done what he’d wanted her to do? What he’d set her up to do? But that didn’t make sense. After all, he’d wanted to give her the victory earlier. Then why was he so upset now? In fact, he’d seemed almost as upset as she’d been when she’d seen him with Haley.
Meg sat up straight, an idea giving light to a glimmer of hope. Could it be possible? Was Chance upset with her for the same reason she’d gotten upset with him? Although he’d known what he’d see, had he disliked it more than he’d thought he would?
A small smile tipped up the corners of her mouth. Was Chance jealous? If he was, didn’t that mean he cared for her at least a little? And if he cared for her a little, then couldn’t he grow to care for her a lot?
Meg hopped to her feet and spun around, sticking out her arms in a joyous twirl. Her hair flowed out around her and she giggled with delight. “He likes me. He really likes me. Holy crap, he likes me!”
Her happiness, however, didn’t last long as a horrible thought hit her, driving all the joy from her. He may have liked her, but had she driven him away with her wild sexual antics?
She had to know. Was his reaction a result of his feelings for her? Or simply those of a man determined to win a bet?
Snatching her keys off the coffee table, she flung open the door and raced down the stairs. She needed her sisters’ help more than she ever had.
“Hilly, you have to do this for me.” Meg caught herself wringing her hands—something she would’ve never believed she’d ever do—and clenched her fists to her sides. She’d come up with another plan on her way to the bakery where she knew she’d find her sisters. Thank goodness it was inventory night, which always had them working well beyond business hours.
