Bewitched (Coronado Series Book 6)

by Lea Hart

  “Ready?” he asked.

  “Absolutely.” They slowly walked out of the room toward the nurse’s station, and Paige felt a smile dance on her lips. How in the word did the worst experience of her life result in something like this?

  ***

  Blake sat next to Paige in a small garden that was next to the cafeteria. It felt like an oasis in the middle of the desert with the fragrance of jasmine filling the air. He draped an arm over her shoulder and told himself it was because he wanted to make sure she was warm enough. It was hovering around sixty and all she wore was a light sweatshirt. She certainly didn’t need to catch a chill. The fact that he was acting like a grandmother bothered him very little.

  His protective instincts had gone into overdrive the moment he pulled her out of that room in Sakib. Mix that up with the crazy chemistry that was happening between them, and he was officially out of his mind.

  He wasn’t sure if what he’d felt the other night would still be there, and he had his answer. It was a hundred times worse, which begged the question what he was going to do about it…if anything.

  The term geographically undesirable didn’t begin to cover the situation between them. She was in the Foreign Service, which could put her anywhere in the world, and his job was worse. How or when they could be together was an impossible question, but it didn’t stop him from wanting to find a way.

  Paige picked up the plate of desserts they’d gotten from the cafeteria and smiled. “Which one do you want to try?”

  “How about that one, but first tell me what it is.”

  “The one on the left is hareeseh, which is like an almond coconut brownie, and the other one is kanafeh. It’s like baklava, but has cheese on the bottom.” She handed him a fork and smiled. “Try it.”

  He took a bite and grinned. “It’s good. Not too sweet.”

  Paige took some of the kanafeh and smiled. “I’m going to miss this when I leave.”

  Sliding his hand across her skin, he gently rubbed her arm. “When are you leaving?”

  “At the end of next week. I’ve been ordered to take some time off, so I’m going back to Dallas and celebrating the holidays with my family. Mama is over the moon because I haven’t been home in two years.”

  “I figured you for a Dallas girl.”

  “Where are you from, Blake?”

  I was born in Lubbock and my family’s still there. It was a great place to grow up, but I never saw myself living out my days with a bunch of cows on the same thousand acres that I grew up on.”

  Lifting her cup, she took a sip of mint tea. “How in the world did two kids from Texas end up in Jordan?”

  “I wanted to see the world. What about you?”

  “Same thing. If I had stayed in Texas, then I would’ve ended up living a life that my mama designed for me. Joining the Foreign Service allowed me to escape and see the world. I’ve never regretted it for a moment.”

  “The last week being the exception,” Blake added.

  “Yeah, didn’t enjoy that.” Shrugging, she ran her hand over the rim of her cup. “But meeting you has been a nice bonus.”

  Tightening his hold, he felt a smile cross his face. So, it wasn’t just him. She felt something, too. He’d been pretty sure up in her room, but it was always nice to receive verbal confirmation. “So, what are you going to do before you go home?”

  “My birthday is on Thursday, so my friends at the embassy are throwing me a little party. If you and your team are still in town, you should stop by.”

  “I can’t think of anyplace I’d rather be.” Turning, he grazed his hand across her cheek. “I don’t know what it is, but you have me ten kinds of crazy. You’re so damn pretty.” He leaned in and waited to see if she was going to move away; when she didn’t he pressed his mouth against hers. Boom Crackle. Pop. The electricity that had been buzzing around since he first saw her jolted to life.

  The simple act of their mouths melding together lit him up like a damn electrical storm. Holding her face, he tilted it so he could kiss her more deeply. The moment she opened up, he slipped his tongue inside and tasted her sweet flavor. Addicting. That’s what she was.

  He tried to pull her closer but felt her hand press against his chest. Lifting his head, he drug in a breath. “Sorry, guess I got a little carried away.”

  “I might’ve too,” she said as she rested her head against his.

  “Good thing it’s happening for both of us.” Sitting up straight, he ran his hand through his hair. “Guess I should walk you back to your room.” Her soft laughter swept over him and he wondered what in the hell he’d done to deserve a moment like this in the middle of a mission.

  “Thank you, Blake. For the rescue, the company, and the kiss.”

  “My pleasure, Paige. Definitely my pleasure.” He helped her up and took her hand. As they walked out of the garden, he wondered how in the hell he was going to see her again.

  It was all but impossible, but that didn’t stop him from wanting it to happen. No way was he ready for this to be the last time he saw her. No fucking way.

  ***

  Had it been a minute or an hour? She had no idea. A goodbye kiss in her room had turned into a full-on make-out session, and she was losing control. “My goodness, you’re dangerous.” Pushing against his chest, she dragged in a gulp of air. “I lose my good sense when you’re around.” She slid a hand down his face and ran her fingers through his beard.

  “Honey, you’re a damn bomb, because I feel like I’m going to explode.”

  Wiggling on his lap, she laughed. Good Lord, the man wasn’t lying. “I should get up.”

  He tightened his hold and shook his head. “Oh, no, you stay right there.” Tilting his head, he ran his mouth along her neck. “I like you right where you are.”

  Wasn’t that the truth? She liked where she was as well. Especially when he slid his tongue along her pulse point and took a little nip.

  The door opened and Paige pulled away. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw a nurse standing in the doorway. “Oh, hello…”

  “I’ll come back to check your vitals,” the woman responded as she shook her head and walked out, closing the door behind her.

  “What we’re doing is considered really inappropriate,” Paige whispered against his ear. “We’re in a Muslim country, and making out in public is not okay.”

  “We’re not in the middle of the street. We’re in a hospital room with the door closed,” Blake mumbled, as he pulled her in for another kiss. “We’re celebrating.”

  “We’re groping one another and smooching.”

  “That too,” he said, right before he captured her mouth.

  When he sealed his lips over hers and thrust his tongue deeply, she lost the sense of right or wrong. The air around them blazed with heat as he claimed her with his mouth. One short afternoon together and she was ready to take him to bed. Maybe it was the extreme circumstances or the fact that he’d saved her life. Or, he was simply an absolutely irresistible man, no matter the circumstances. Whatever it was, she wanted him. Lifting her mouth, she rested her head against his shoulder. “Have to stop, Blake.”

  The sound of their heavy breathing filled the room, and he nodded. “You’re right. I let things get out of control. Again.”

  “It was me. I was the one who crawled in your lap and kissed you.”

  “Okay, we’ll go with that story.” Running his hand down her back, he laughed. “I’ve never kissed anyone at work. This is a first.”

  “Me too, Blake.” There was a knock on the door, and she reluctantly got out of his lap and stood. There was no need to tempt either one of them further. “Come in,” she called out as she flattened her braid.

  The nurse slowly opened the door and peeked in. “Are you ready?”

  “Yes, of course,” Paige responded. She watched Blake stand, turn toward the window, and adjust himself. Covering her laugh with a cough, she tried not to snort. When his hands landed on her shoulders, she looked up. �
��Yes?”

  “I will do everything in my power to be at your birthday celebration.”

  “Thank you.” Kissing him lightly, she squeezed his hand. “Stay safe, and I hope I see you again.”

  He kissed her cheek and then walked out of the room. As the door closed, she realized how very much she wanted to see him again.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Thursday, December 8

  The small celebration was in full swing, and Paige was having a blast. There were about fifteen people gathered, and everyone was well on their way to feeling no pain. Paige and Amy included. Leaning over, Paige spoke into Amy’s ear. “I hope they bring the food out soon because I’m getting drunk.”

  “Me too.” Amy laughed. “But we’re going home soon, so we might as well.” Sweeping her arms around the room, she smiled. “We’re lucky to be alive, and we shouldn’t forget that.” She snapped her fingers. “It can all end that quickly. Let’s promise each other to appreciate the life we’ve been given and live it to the fullest.”

  “I promise,” Paige said solemnly. Looking across the restaurant, she saw Blake and three other men enter. Her heart flipped over and she felt like running into his arms. “My birthday wish just walked in. Blake’s here.”

  “Whaaaat?” Amy said too loudly. “Did something happen?”

  “Not really. He stopped by the hospital the other day and we hung out for a little while.”

  “And…”

  “He kissed me or I kissed him. Either way, it was the best damn one of my life.”

  “Go for it. One night with him would be a great birthday present to yourself. It’ll probably change your life.”

  “One night is all it would be,” Paige answered. “But it may be all I can handle.”

  The four men approached the women, and Amy made introductions. Paige saw Blake’s eyes rake over her as a mischievous grin lit up his face. Trouble—that’s what he was, with a capital T.

  Ignoring his heated gaze, she thanked the men for their involvement in rescuing them and then made sure they had drinks. Amy took over from there, and Paige couldn’t have been more grateful. Turning, she rested her hand on Blake’s arm. “I’m so happy to see you.”

  “I did everything in my power to be here tonight.” He lifted her arms and rested then on his shoulders. “I sure didn’t want to miss wishing you happy birthday.” Leaning over, he whispered against her mouth, “Happy birthday.”

  “Thanks for coming,” she whispered back, as he wrapped his arms around her waist. When he tugged her close, her heart flipped over itself in celebration. “I was hoping you would still be around.”

  “I’m damn glad it worked out. We may be wheels up tomorrow, but tonight is all yours.” Quirking his head, he winked. “Or all mine.”

  As he ran his hand up her arm and gave her a smile that promised all sorts of dark pleasures, she laughed. “It’s my birthday, and I’m hoping you can help me out with a couple of wishes.”

  “Honey, your wish is my command. I’ll do anything you want.”

  When he pressed his hand to her lower back and brought her against his arousal, she high-fived herself. Anything she wanted…a girl couldn’t ask for more than that. “We may miss the cake.”

  “We can take it to go,” he said as he ran his hand along her side.

  “Yeah…that might be a good idea.”

  ***

  Paige opened her door and fell through as Blake ran a string of kisses along her neck. Twirling around, she saw him kick the door shut, and the automatic lock clicked into place. The sound echoed in the room, and before she could think her way out of her decision, he pulled her forward and ran his mouth along her neck. Each kiss brought a pulse of pleasure as she closed her eyes and tipped her head back. Heat pooled in her panties as he grazed his teeth over her jaw. And, for the first time in her life, she got what everyone was talking about. Lust and loss of control suddenly made sense; at least it did with him.

  When he nibbled his way to the nape of her neck and then lingered, she congratulated herself on dragging him out of the party when she did. Their bodies pressed together felt so much better than anything she’d imagined. “Happy birthday to me,” she croaked out.

  “Happy birthday, honey. I can’t wait to give you your present.”

  Leaning back, she looked into his face. “You saved my life. There is no present necessary.” She watched him dig a small bag out of his pocket and hold it in his hand. “What did you do?”

  A grin split his face as he responded, “Open it and find out.”

  Tugging the small velvet bag open, she pulled out a gold necklace with a small heart pendant. “Oh, my, you didn’t have to do this.”

  Holding out his hand, he winked. “Let me put it on for you.”

  She slipped the necklace into his hand, then turned around. Holding her breath, she waited for him to fasten the clasp. When he did, she turned back around and looked down at the heart.

  “When you save someone’s life, you’re connected to them in a way that doesn’t happen in any other circumstance,” he said. “Since I saved yours, I want you to know that you’ll always have a piece of me with you, wherever we end up in the world.” Framing her face with his hands, he pressed a kiss against her mouth.

  “Is this happening, Blake?”

  “I hope so.” Tipping his head toward the bedroom, he lifted his shoulders in question. “You can tell me no and I’ll walk out of here right now. But if you don’t, then I’m going to drown us in pleasure. Tell me what you want.”

  Stepping out of his hold, she took his hand and started walking down the hall. “You.”

  “Good answer,” he responded quietly.

  ***

  Paige walked in and stood next to the bed. “I’m ready for my birthday wish.” Sliding her hand up to her neck, she unfastened the closure on her dress and let it fall to the ground.

  “God damn, you’re beautiful.” His eyes locked onto her breasts as he ran a finger over the lace of her bra. “Better than I imagined,” he whispered as he unclasped her bra. “I’ll bet you taste like vanilla ice cream.”

  Lowering his head, he placed hot licks over her skin, causing a shower of goose bumps. “Sweet vanilla,” he mumbled before he took her nipple into his mouth and grazed his teeth slowly over her sensitive bud. “I’m going to consume you, own you, and make you mine.”

  “More,” she whispered.

  “That’s it, honey. Tell me what you want and let me hear how you feel,” he said before moving to the other breast and giving it the same careful attention.

  “Bed,” she managed to get out. “More of you…in bed.”

  He raised his head and winked. “Good idea.” Ripping his T-shirt off over his head with one hand, he kept the other moving across her skin. “Come here,” he growled.

  Shaking her head, she stepped back. “No, I want you to take your clothes off.” She pointed to his pants and lifted her eyebrows. “Go ahead.”

  “My pleasure.” He moved his hand to his zipper and grinned. “Your wish is my command.” Unzipping his pants, he slid them off his hips, along with his boxers. “It’s going to take a long time before I’m done with you. Probably going to bury myself two or three times before I can let you go.”

  The moment his pants dropped, Paige’s eyes bulged. “My wish didn’t include that. Sweet Lord, it’s never going to fit.”

  Lifting her up, he nuzzled her neck. “By the time I slide in, you’re going to be so wet and ready that you’re going to be begging. Don’t worry.” He rocked himself into her as he moved toward the bed. “I’ll make you come twice before I take my first stroke.”

  A wave of excitement flowed over her as she closed her eyes. Did she even remember how to do this? “It’s been a while…so just once would be amazing.”

  “Once is never going to be enough.” Rubbing his beard against her cheek, he spoke against her skin. “Open your eyes.” Tilting his head back, he gazed into her eyes. “I’m the luckiest son of
a bitch in the world, and whatever happens tonight is going to be perfect.”

  With more finesse than she thought possible, he laid her on the bed and came down on top, breaking his landing with his arms. Their faces were inches apart, and she could see that his eyes were a deep velvety brown with gold striations. Running her hand through his beard, she sighed. “You’re so handsome, Blake.” She tilted her hips and felt his hard length against her leg. “And big. Is that an appropriate thing to say?”

  “I hope we’re anything but appropriate when we’re lying naked with one another.” Running his nose along her cheek, he kissed her mouth. “I hope we lose our minds and our manners.”

  He proved his point when he lowered his head and took her mouth in a fiery kiss. Desire and passion rocketed through her body as their mouths mated. His hand slid between her legs and he cupped her gently. He didn’t move, but the tease of his fingers made her body clench. He was right; manners had no place here.

  “Waxed bare, so freaking sexy,” he murmured against her ear. Slipping a finger between her folds, he stroked her slowly. “Dripping wet. Did I do that to you?”

  Whimpering, she rocked against him, urging his finger deeper inside. But he resisted, and teased and taunted her instead. “Yes,” she stuttered.

  Moving his finger in and out slowly, he kept his thumb on her bud. “I like you needy. I can’t wait to feel you around my cock.” Her body pulsed and he drove his fingers deeper. “Just like that.”

  Sliding his tongue along her skin, his skillful fingers played her and sent ripples of heat through her body as she felt herself start to unravel. “Oh, God.”

  He lowered his mouth and brushed their lips together. “Let go, ‘cause the next thing I want is to taste you. I want you to come on my mouth.”

  His words brought another flash of heat and she felt her body climb toward its climax. He kissed her roughly as he thrust his tongue into her mouth. His ravenous kisses played a counter beat to the slow strokes of his fingers. Just as she was about to find her release, he slowed everything down. His kiss turned sensual, languid with no agenda. Torture.