This part of the program was always the most difficult. Ordinary folk just didn’t believe in magic anymore. “But it’s the truth. Thursday night you stood before the fountain—the very one in that photograph on the wall—and asked for help and guidance. We’re here to give it to you. If you accept.” He held out the quarters again.
She didn’t take them. “What about Joel?”
“Had nothing to do with this.” Griff shrugged. “He’s all right, though. We were told to relay that information to you. Perhaps you should call him and verify what I’m telling you. He did not send us nor did he give us the coins. Clarissa—that’s our boss—said to tell you it was a glancing blow.”
“What? Someone hit him?” Emma’s face tightened, and she lifted the phone, pointing it at them. “Is that why he didn’t call me this weekend?”
He saw the confusion mingle with burgeoning acceptance in her expression. “Go ahead, Miss Haskins, call him.”
She bit her lip, sucking at it with a soft, wet sound that rocked his cock further. Hell, he’d had a hard-on from the moment she’d popped out of her doorway.
Finally she nodded. “I don’t know why I’m even buying one second of this ridiculousness, and believe me, I still have questions.” But she lifted the phone, dialed a number, and within seconds was speaking low into the receiver. Her eyes widened, and she shot to her feet.
“Oh my God, are you okay? Why didn’t you tell me? Did you call the police? Ryan?”
Griff shared a concerned look with Mason, and both men rose, but she waved them away.
“For Pete’s sake, Joel, a freaking trip to the toy store is not as important as you are. I would have come over immediately.”
Her concern played over her face, and Griff found himself squashing the urge to gather her up in his arms.
“Fine, tell Ryan to take good care of you. I’ll come by tomorrow and see you. No, everything’s fine here. Well, Charles stopped by earlier, but didn’t stay long.”
Who the hell was Charles?
Emma clutched the phone and spoke softly and with great fervor. Griff sloughed off the question of Charles—he would have the Council investigate that—and sat forward to listen unabashedly.
“Listen, Joel, I have a weird question for you. Remember those coins I tossed in the fountain?”
She colored lightly and cupped a hand over the phone. Griff leaned in, a grin on his face.
“Uh, you didn’t happen to grab them, did you?”
“No? You’re sure?” Her green eyes flicked to Griff, holding his. He saw the dawning in her gaze, the subtle set of tension threading her shoulders. “Okay, then. Next question. Do you know two guys named Mason and Griffin?”
Her throat worked, and she rubbed her palm over her forehead. “Damn, I was afraid you were going to say that. You’re sure? Not messing with me?”
Griff leaned back on the couch and propped one ankle on his knee, grin widening by the moment. He was enjoying her revelation.
But he was more intrigued by the pulses of excitement she displayed. He didn’t need Mason’s amp abilities to feel her emotions.
“Well, they sort of showed up on my doorstep, and oh damn, you are not going to believe me. Hell, I don’t believe it.”
He chuckled and shook his head. Emma gave him a piercing glare. Griff winked back.
“They say they’re here to fulfill my wish.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “You know, the one about my, uh, desires?”
Suddenly she stiffened. “What?” Her tone rose with panic. “No, no, no. You are not coming over. No, Ryan can’t come either. Listen, Joel, if you didn’t give them the coins, and you don’t know them, the only thing left is the truth. You know that whole thing about however improbable, blah, blah, blah?”
She sucked in a deep breath, eyes now locked with Griff’s. He saw the decision in her eyes, saw the commitment she was about to make to herself and to them.
Damned if he didn’t get excited as hell. His cock rose and butted the zipper on his jeans. He shifted on the couch.
“Why?”
“Oh.”
He frowned at the one-sided conversation and lifted a brow in question, but she ignored him. His finger twitched on his thigh. Too bad they hadn’t gone over any rules yet or that would be a lovely indiscretion over which to tan her sweet round ass with his palm.
She sighed and rose. “Fine.”
Emma extended the phone to Griff. “Joel wants to talk to you.”
He looked at her, the handset, then back at her as he took it. “Hello?”
“Who the hell are you?” A man’s sharp voice whipped through the line.
Griff took no offense, having expected this very reaction. Hell, he would have worried more if her friend didn’t act defensive. As succinctly as he could, he repeated his story to Joel. To his credit, the man listened without much interruption.
“So, that’s why we’re here. To protect her,” Griff said.
A long sigh rattled the line. “I don’t believe this shit.”
“Neither did she,” he said with a chuckle.
“Look, my boyfriend is a cop with homicide. If you hurt her at all, you’ll pay. You got me?”
“Of course,” Griff said smoothly. “I want this to be comfortable for all of us. You, obviously aware of her nature, will be her safety. Are you agreeable to that?”
“Yes, of course.” His tone was no longer mulish, smoothing more into grudging acceptance.
“Excellent. I’m sure Emma has a scanner. Mason and I will scan our driver’s licenses and email them to you right now. You can have your partner look us up, okay?”
The silence was broken by a soft snort. “Damn right, I will. I still think I should come over,” Joel groused.
“Not necessary,” Griff said. Last thing he wanted was another distraction. “Let us send you the info. How long will it take?”
“I don’t know. An hour or so, probably.”
“If it makes you feel better, Mason and I will leave until you run us. We’ll only come back after you give the okay.”
Emma squeaked and appeared in front of him. Annoyance clouded her delicate features. She shook her head and held out a hand for the phone.
“One second, Joel.” He grinned as he gave her the phone.
She turned and stomped into the kitchen.
“What’s up?” Mason asked. He had the cat in his arms.
Griff rubbed her between the ears, and her eyes drifted closed in bliss. “Getting the okay from her safety.”
“Ah.”
Emma reappeared, face flushed and triumph gleaming in her eyes. “Okay, that’s taken care of.”
She stabbed at the phone and tucked it into her jeans pocket, exhaling sharply.
“Is everything okay, Miss Haskins?” Griff asked, pitching his voice low.
She stared at him for a long quiet, moment. “Joel was attacked Thursday night after I left the parking lot. No idea who did it.” She dropped back into her chair. “Said some jerk just clocked him on the head and left him there.” A frown marred her brow. “I thought I saw him in his car. Saw him leave. Oh, why didn’t I make sure?”
Griff saw the self-castigation begin and sought to head it off. “He was being gentlemanly by seeing you to your car, correct?”
“Yes.”
He smiled. “Then he would not have allowed you to see him to his.”
She gave a half-chuckle. “Yeah, you’re right on that one.” She raked a hand through her hair, and it all came tumbling out of the bun and flowed around her shoulders like a river of the finest Swiss chocolate. “He confirmed he did not send you but that he’s perfectly fine.” She lifted a brow. “So, my only other option is to believe your story.”
“’Fraid so,” Mason said. He scooted nearer on the couch. “You did make that wish in the fountain, didn’t you? Tossed in those very coins?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
“Have you mentioned that stop to anyone else? Anyone besides Joel?”
“No.”
“Would he tell your secrets? To anyone?”
“Absolutely not.” Her tone became adamant.
Mason shifted on the couch and took her hand. “Then yes, you have no other option but to believe us. You asked for a special kind of help, Miss Haskins, and here we are to show you the way. Safely,” he said, stressing the word.
Griff stood, walked to them, and crouched in front of her. “Miss Haskins, we are here because the Council is concerned for you and the way you are going about your research into the lifestyle.”
Her cheeks flamed a delightful shade of red. Griff immediately wondered if her ass would turn the same color. He cleared his throat and sought to regain his customary single-mindedness. What was it about this woman that caused him to stray from his purpose? To forget his job?
Amusement crept over him, and he cut a scathing “shut up” to Mason. The glee lessened, but didn’t leave. A new sensation filled him—uncertainty. It threw him for a moment. Within seconds, though, he also felt the soft thrum of passion coming to life. He sensed the tentative hope coupled with the darkness of fear.
He nodded at Mason, and again the emotions faded.
Emma sat on the couch, still and straight, though her fingers knotted together between her legs. The blush still covered her cheeks, but she didn’t back down. “Why is this Council so interested in me? How did they even know about me? And just what is an Enricher, anyway?”
He hesitated, wondering how much to tell her. Like diving into the world of kink, too much, too soon could be either distracting or disastrous. Neither of which he wanted. He opted for a glossed-over version of the truth.
“The Council has contacts all over the world. Various lines of communication.”
“Like a sexual big brother?”
He chuckled. “A fair assessment. As to why they are so interested in you, I think it’s because you’re leaving so many things open. So many topics are still on your checklists. Someone with less than pure intentions is bound to find you sooner or later, and the Council doesn’t want that to happen.”
“Damn it,” she muttered. “I just filled that stuff out two days ago.”
“But you’ve been online and searching for a few months, haven’t you?”
“Well, yeah, but it was just research.” A small guilty expression darted across her face. “I did have a chat with one guy, but I never told him my real name or anything.”
“Let us guide you, Miss Haskins. We are both very experienced in this area.”
“What about my last question? What’s an Enricher?”
He shared a look with Mason who shrugged. “That’s a little more difficult to explain.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Try. Hard.”
He lifted a brow. “I’ll excuse that tone this time, Emma. But not again.”
Her throat worked, but her eyes remained fixed on his, demand clear.
Griff found his control slipping again. Jaw clamped against the urge to shock that look right off her face, he sighed. “I am telling you the truth, all right?” He didn’t wait for her agreement. “Enrichers are magically enhanced and most often in pairs. Our powers are symbiotic. It’s what makes us unique and perfect for certain assignments. Like this one.”
“Magically enhanced?” Her gaze dropped to his crotch before flying back to his. “Are you nuts?”
His anger rose another notch as his control slipped. This was getting out of hand. “I assure you, all of my parts are natural. Our powers are more along the emotional lines. I’m an amplifier, and Mason is an empath. That means whatever any one of us feels, he can channel to the others. And I can make it stronger. Harder. More demanding. To a lesser degree, the reverse is true—I can channel and he can amplify the feelings, but not as strongly.”
Her mouth was slack-jawed and adorable. Griff’s irritation immediately ebbed, and he held out his hand. “Trust us, Emma. All you have to do is take my hand and discover who you really are.”
She hesitated only a bare second, and he knew she’d made her decision long ago. Probably the moment she hung up the phone. All the questions and discussion were merely vehicles to ease her conscience.
She took his hand, and a small gasp escaped her. Griff found himself hard-pressed not to emit one as well. Erotic heat and knowing flowed between them.
Mason whistled low and placed his hand on theirs. The intensity tripled.
Emma swayed. “Oh my God.”
“Before we begin, Miss Haskins, scan our driver’s licenses and send them to Joel so he can check us out.”
“You’d give me that information?”
“Of course,” Griff said. “It’s all about safety. Tonight will just be discussion, but tomorrow we will begin to explore and expand your boundaries. Let him know. His job as your safety will be to check in on you at random times, unknown to us.”
Her eyes were wide, but she nodded. “All right, gentlemen, Joel told me to be honest, and since I’m obviously crazy and trusting you and this story, I’m going to be one-hundred-percent straight up with you.” She cleared her throat. “But I think I’ll have some wine first.”
Griffin smiled. “An excellent suggestion.”
Chapter Three
Having sent the information to Joel, Emma made a beeline for the kitchen. A fine tremor wracked her hands as she reached for the good crystal glasses. It seemed appropriate to offer her unexpected guests boxed wine in fancy glasses.
She bit her lip, trying to stem the tide of incredulity washing over her. She replayed their conversation, saw the ridiculousness of it all, the dangers in trusting these two strangers. But it was because they were strangers she felt oddly comfortable confiding all her deepest, darkest secrets.
Emma cast a surreptitious glance behind her, taking in the masculine beauty lounging in her living room.
Yeah, they’d roused more than just her curiosity. They whetted her sexual appetite, as well. Both men were tall, with striking features and an easy, comforting way about them. Griff sported dark hair and Mason a more honey-blond mane.
She turned the spigot off as she filled the last glass and cupped her hands. The tingle from when they’d touched her remained, strong and pulsing.
What in the world was that about? She rubbed her fingers together, wondered what it meant. Was it part of their magic abilities?
Magic. Holy fuck. She had called bullshit when he said it. Then they touched her, and all that snarky certainty flew out the proverbial window.
Emma carried the drinks to the living room and regained her seat, sipping the piquant merlot. They thanked her politely and remained silent, both men watching her with hooded, knowing eyes. As if they could see straight to the very core of her sexual being.
She tipped her head and studied them back. Could they do that?
“That’s an interesting look, Emma,” Mason said. “What are you thinking?”
She set her glass on the coffee table and barreled ahead. Why the hell not? It seemed like as good a motto right now as anything. “If you’re all magic and stuff, couldn’t you just, you know, do something magicky and figure me out for yourselves?”
Mason chuckled, head shaking. “No, we don’t read minds.”
Damn. She chewed on her thumbnail, shyness rising fast.
“So, what next?” she asked in a breathless rush.
Griffin smiled. “First we learn about you and your desires. Your likes and dislikes. What it is you’re searching for.”
She chewed faster. “That’s the problem. I don’t truly know.”
Mason shifted, leaned forward, and gave her a hypnotizing blue-eyed stare. “Let’s start with the biggies then. Blood, bodily fluids, permanent marking, breath play. How do you feel about those?”
* * * *
She pulled a face of disgust. “No!”
“What do you object to in those areas?” Griffin asked.
She hesitated. “I was going to say the obvious, but since you brought them up, I assume so
me people like that.”
“Yes. BDSM is what you and your partner make it. There are limits and boundaries for all participants. Safe, sane, and consensual. For the record, we do not delve into those areas, either.”
“Good.” She rubbed her hands together, drank some more wine, and waited.
“You’ve been very active on the internet,” Mason commented. “What has attracted your interest the most?”
“A lot.”
Mason rose and sat on the chair next to her. “How about we take a look at your computer?”
Her eyes widened. “For what?”
Mason slid a finger along her jawline. She shivered into his touch, and he smiled. He hadn’t even been using any of his powers. This one was perhaps more ripe than they’d even been told.
“We want to see what sort of sites you’ve been perusing.”
She blushed deep and rosy. “Wasn’t that in your dossier?”
“Nope.” He shoved his hands in the front pocket of his jeans, purposefully stretching the material over his hardening dick. Her eyes fastened on his crotch.
“Okay,” she whispered in agreement.
“Great. Lead the way.”
“It’s in the guest bedroom,” she said over her shoulder and headed from the room.
As they followed her, Mason eyed the sweet curve of her hips and ass. Damn, he wanted to get her naked.
She flipped on the light. The room was dominated by a queen bed with padded leather headboard. A sumptuous red and gold swirl-patterned comforter looked lush and inviting. Much like the woman herself.
A pair of dark-brown nightstands flanked the bed, each adorned with a simple teardrop iron lamp. A flat panel television hung on the opposite wall, sleek and dark and looking just a bit out of place. A low-slung chest of drawers sat in front of the window, and a long desk in the same brown wood was fitted along the opposite wall. It held the computer, a stack of in-boxes, and a cup holder filled with brightly colored pens. On the wall was a corkboard tacked with more photographs.
She sat down and booted up the computer. He pulled up a small stool and settled next to her as he eyed the pictures.
Enlightened [Sexual Magic 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Page 5
