by Opal Carew
His hands slid around her waist and he eased her against him. The hard wall of his chest pressed against her back. Her breasts felt heavy and warm, and her nipples pulsed to life. One hand, warm and strong, cupped her face and he turned her head. Their gazes locked and she felt hypnotized by a force older than time, and far more compelling. As though on a carousel spinning toward heaven, she felt her body turn to face him. The ride continued, her body pressing the length of his. The world seemed to tilt. Satin brushed the backs of her legs and she realized she stood against the bed.
Her eyelids popped open--when had they fallen closed?--and she ducked out of his arms and strode across the room toward the door. She sucked in a few quick breaths, concentrating on returning her body patterns--like breathing and respiratory rate--to normal.
“This is where you’ll sleep,” she announced. She avoided his glittering gaze as he folded his arms across his chest. “There are blankets in the closet if you get cold.” Yeah, right, she thought. She only wished he would cool off. “Good night.”
She closed the door with an assertive thud.
* * * *
Once she was finally snuggled into her own bed, Lucinda had trouble falling asleep. It wasn’t the tea that kept her awake--she’d been sure to make decaffeinated--it was the thought of the tall, handsome stranger sleeping in the bedroom next to hers.
Why wasn’t anything in her life ever straightforward? Every other wizard formed a mentor relationship only once. Every other wizard received The Call when the new wizard was a baby. But not her!
No, indeed. Her student was very grown up. Thoughts of his body pressed to hers made her heart flutter. The way she felt around him worried her. Never had she felt anything so strong for a man. But he was exactly the wrong kind of man for her. Too overwhelming, too overconfident, and definitely too domineering.
She could not be destined to fall in love with a man like that, so the effect he had on her could not result from a Love Bond. She simply suffered from a serious case of lust. Obviously, three hundred years of saying no had been too long and her hormones had decided to rebel in a big way!
Sadness edged with guilt seeped through her. Why did she feel this way for a stranger and not Rand?
Chapter 2
He might not know who he was, but he knew the woman named Lucinda. She was his woman. He’d known that from the moment he’d met her.
He sank onto the bed and watched her leave the room. The loose robe she wore bagged over the tie wrapped snugly around her waist, but he still held a vision of her in the flimsy purple outfit she’d worn when she found him.
As he remembered the silky fabric clinging to her curvaceous figure, desire jolted through him again. He clenched his hands into tight fists, fighting the urge to chase after her and sweep her into his arms. He knew it would do no good. She would resist her obvious yearning for him.
When she closed the door, blocking the light from the hallway, darkness surrounded him. But not the ominous blackness that had gripped him for what seemed like an eternity--before he’d met the lovely young woman with sky-blue eyes and hair like glimmering sunshine. She had revived his spirit as well as his body.
Lucinda.
Her name curled through his mind like satin ribbon--as smooth and sensuous as the woman herself.
Divine.
Very apt indeed. The vibrant Lucinda certainly was divine--and she would be his. He knew that with a certainty he would stake his life on.
He lay back on the soft, smooth bed covering, tucking his hands behind his head. He couldn’t remember anything before waking up in the dark place she’d found him, but that didn’t concern him. At first, he’d been disoriented and uncertain, but as soon as he’d seen her, he knew he had a purpose here. To win this woman--his woman. That knowledge, along with an ingrained sense of strength and power, fortified him with confidence. Memory would return with time, and then would come understanding.
Right now, he was more intrigued with his woman. Somehow, he knew he’d never met a woman so strong, or so soft and alluring. When he’d held her close, he’d had to clamp down on his powerful response lest he sweep her away to a staggering eruption of passion.
The memory of his sweet, innocent woman in his arms turned his blood into molten fire. It pounded through his body, rushing to his groin. At the potent flood of heat, his cock stiffened and rose in a powerful, painful erection. He freed it from the confines of the tight, black breeches she had given him, kicking them to the floor. As he wrapped his fingers around his hot flesh, he remembered the softness of her neck under his lips, strands of her golden hair a delicate wisp across his cheek, the slight scent of apple blossoms filling his senses. He flung off the rest of his clothes and swept the excess cushions off the bed, ignoring the chaos he created on the floor, then dropped onto the bed and stroked his hand the length of his engorged penis. Imagining erotic images of her soft body pressed into his, her breasts firmly against his chest, her rapt expression as she stared up at him, he groaned. The intensity of his need for her clenched tightly within him. God, how could she deny the heat pulsing through them?
Seeking relief, he stroked the length of his staff. He imagined her opening the door to his room, stepping inside and slowly, oh, so painfully slowly, opening her robe. His fingers tightened around his penis as, in his mind’s eye, Lucinda pulled off one scrap of cloth to reveal her naked breasts--round and full, the aureoles dusty pink. God, he wanted to taste them.
His breathing quickened as she drew down her short, satin pants, slowly pushing them over the slope of her hips. The garment fell to the floor, but his imagined gaze locked on the silky, golden curls at the crest of her thighs. His tongue slipped over his lower lip as he thought about the heated slickness awaiting him there and what it would taste like. His hand slid up and down his rod as he watched her step toward him, then climb over his legs, capturing him between her thighs. The blazing heat of her womanly center firmly pressed against his legs. He pumped his erection, his heartbeat rapid. His dream Lucinda leaned forward, offering him a taste of her soft, peaked breasts. His mouth encircled her and her nipple pebbled within his mouth and she sighed, a sound that melted through him. She shifted her pelvis upward, sliding over his raging, overheated cock. His hand moved faster. He felt tightness in his balls and, as he imagined Lucinda sliding her body down on him, encasing him in her warm, silken vagina, his cock exploded in a forceful ejaculation.
He relaxed against the soft pillows, allowing his breathing to return to normal, and tucked his hands behind his head. He had siphoned off the hard edge of his desire for Lucinda, but his need still prickled inside him.
He wanted her. He needed to join with her to make them both complete--but he couldn’t. Not yet. For some reason, Lucinda resisted her own need, even though he knew she felt the same overwhelming attraction to him.
For self-preservation, he must put aside thoughts of intimacy with her and focus on something else. Lucinda had suggested he sleep, but he was not ready to surrender consciousness again just yet. Wherever he’d been before she found him, his senses had been locked into darkness for a long time. He did not want to reenter that state so soon.
A light thump sounded outside the door. He didn’t know what it was, but keen internal senses told him it was not an intruder. At least, not of the threatening kind.
He pushed himself from the bed and pulled on his clothes, then walked to the door. Cautiously, he opened it and peered outside. Nothing untoward loomed in the dim illumination, so he stepped into the hallway. A murmur drew his attention to a narrow table against the wall. From underneath sauntered a slender black cat with large green eyes.
He smiled. “Hello. Who are you?”
The cat leaped onto the table and walked toward him. The vivid green eyes watched him intently as he reached out his hand to allow the animal to sniff him. Instead, the cat ducked its head under his palm and pushed up, effectively forcing him to pet it. Then it made a mewing sound and stepped forward to b
ump its furry head against his sweater-clad stomach.
He scooped up the cat and scratched under its chin. It rewarded him with a loud purring sound, then climbed up his arm and draped itself over his shoulder.
“You are a friendly beast, aren’t you?”
He stroked the length of its long, glossy back. Something felt strangely familiar about the creature, but he couldn’t place what. Was it simply that he had an affinity for animals, or had he had a feline familiar in his past?
“Come, little friend. Help me explore the home of your mistress.” Perhaps that would be a good way to keep his mind off his desire for the lovely Lucinda. And it would be wise to familiarize himself with her house. It would give him knowledge that might be useful if he found himself--or Lucinda--in a dangerous situation.
He smiled as he petted the creature and it purred heavily. “Feel free to point out any areas of particular interest.” The cat mewed and bumped its head against his ear.
He grinned indulgently. He had meant areas of the house, but the little fellow seemed more intent on where it wanted to be stroked.
He strode down the hall but when he reached the top of the stairs, the cat pushed its paws against his chest and leaped to the floor. It mewed, then turned around and marched down the hall. It glanced over its shoulder as if to see if he was following. It mewed again, somewhat insistently. He followed as it led him toward a doorway. It stopped in front of the door and sat down, its green eyes fixed on him.
Was this Lucinda’s room? Thoughts of her sent his senses whirling. Memories of her wonderful womanly scent pervaded him. The soft feel of her body pressed against his, her hair sliding under his fingertips, made him long to touch her again.
Damn, he had to find a way to overcome her resistance--and the sooner the better. He rubbed his chin. His persuasion must be gentle but firm. He smiled at the memory of her self-assured manner that so obviously thinned when he got close. His little one seemed desperate to remain in control--and he knew he must leave her with that illusion.
His furry friend paced back and forth in front of the door, making a murring sound. He pushed open the door and peered into the darkened room. Lucinda lay curled up under puffy-looking covers, sleeping peacefully. His body urged him forward. Then the cat bumped its head against his calf, as though pushing him into the room.
He stepped inside.
His gaze returned to his sleeping woman. So what approach would convince his sweet Lucinda to succumb to her desire? Remembering how alluring she’d looked in that delicate bit of cloth she’d worn, he decided the direct approach would be best. He’d simply keep her off balance. Eventually, she would fall--right into his arms.
He urged the cat out of the room with a gentle push, then closed the door behind it.
* * * *
Lucinda had finally drifted into a fitful sleep. Sometime during the night, she felt a draft, then something warm pressed against her back. She snuggled against it, sighing happily.
Warmth embraced her. Her breasts swelled and the peaks tightened as heat permeated her body, pooling in her lower regions. Hunger spiraled through her vagina, longing for something she’d never known. A man’s hands covered her breasts and she arched against them, her nipples aching as they hardened into rigid nubs. She pressed her hands on the warm, strong fingers, pressing them harder onto her, wanting more.
“Yes,” she moaned softly.
Warm, soft lips tugged on her earlobe and she drew in a slow breath, then rolled onto her back. The lips brushed her neck, then settled in the curve of her collarbone.
“Yes,” she sighed.
The hands swept down her body, then caressed her inner thighs. She opened for him.
“Yes,” she invited.
The hands stroked her private flesh, then a large, curled finger slipped between her lower lips and stroked inside her.
“Yes!” she exclaimed.
Exquisite sensations pulsed through her. Another finger slipped inside her, then a third. She rocked her pelvis forward, then back, pleasure catapulting through her. Lips, soft and moist, captured her nipple and the pleasure spiked, then intensified on a wave of heat. She fell on a spiral of pure bliss, held by strong, masculine arms, as she moaned in delight. The long ribbon of pleasure trailed to an end and she relaxed, sated.
“Mmmm.” She turned onto her side and snuggled against warm, hard satin.
* * * *
Light blazed against her eyelids and she scrunched them tighter together, hoping to block it out. Slowly, she drifted out of the slumber that cradled her, becoming aware of strong arms embracing her and her face resting against silken skin cushioning rock hard muscles. Something tickled her nose and she opened her eyes to see dark curls on a male chest.
Her body stiffened.
“Good morning.” The words were spoken softly but in a definite male voice. The voice of the sexy stranger she’d discovered in Paris last night.
“I... you... .” She pulled against his embrace but to no avail. “You shouldn’t be here.”
“Why not?”
The feel of his skin pressed the length of hers threw her senses way off balance.
“Well, it’s not proper.” No, that didn’t come out right. “I mean, I don’t even know you.”
He kissed her forehead. “Of course you do. We met a few hours ago.”
“That’s not what I meant and you know it,” she flared.
She wiggled her arms between them and flattened her hands on his chest. His chest hair tickled her palms, but not in a way that made her want to laugh. The feel of it stimulated her senses to new heights.
Oh, God, the dream. Had it really been a dream?
“You can’t tell me you don’t want me here.” He nuzzled her hair, sending sparks ricocheting through her.
She wanted to push her hands against him, but her muscles refused to obey.
“I don’t want you here.” Her voice sounded weak. Please... please... please... let it just have been a dream.
He grinned. “Truthfully.”
His amusement annoyed her. “Look, if we’re going to work together, we’ll need to get a few things straight. Like, you don’t invade my private space. Okay?”
“Private space?”
“That’s right. For instance, stay out of my bedroom!” This time she did push against him, and he allowed her a few inches distance.
“I guess that means your bed is strictly off limits.”
“That’s right!” She was pleased he was starting to understand, but worried at the look of smug confidence that still defined his features.
He nuzzled her neck with his lips. “I guess that means I shouldn’t kiss you or touch your soft, inviting skin.”
Soft? Inviting? She’d never thought of her skin as anything but a blotter for the fancy moisturizers she used. His lips traveled to her ear and the wisps of air he puffed inside made her eyes quiver closed and her resistance ebb. His hand stroked the nape of her neck and his fingers splayed through her hair. Why did it feel so marvelous when he touched her? Her nipples tightened and she longed for his hands on her. Again? The heat of a blush crept along her cheeks. She leaned against him, using his wonderful chest as support, his arm around her waist holding her gently.
“Lucinda!”
Rand?
She gasped at the sound of the newcomer in the room. What was Rand doing here?
She pushed away from the obnoxious, but all too inviting, man holding her. Scurrying to her feet, she glared accusingly at the man with no name who still occupied her bed, then swung around to face Randalph’s imposing figure. She caught sight of herself in the mirror behind him and suppressed a gasp. Her blond waves stuck out around her face like cotton candy caught in a strong breeze, and her oversized sweatshirt had shifted off one shoulder. She set the shirt straight and dragged her fingers through her hair in a futile effort to detangle the mess. Thank heavens she’d changed out of that stupid camisole set before she’d climbed into bed the second time las
t night.
“Don’t you ever knock?” Exasperation edged her words and Rand eyed her speculatively. He kept his gaze firmly away from the bed she’d just fled, pointedly not looking at the man lying there. At least Rand allowed her that privacy.
“Would you have heard me?” he asked.
Probably not, she thought, embarrassed by how far she’d been drawn into a sensual abyss.
When she didn’t answer, he continued in a hurried fashion. “You know I don’t usually barge in, but I must consult with you on a matter of great urgency.”
Anxiety curled the edges of her stomach. It was true that Rand normally did not intrude. This must be important.
“Fine. I’ll meet you downstairs in ten minutes.”
She watched as Rand nodded, then spun around to face the door and strode from the room, his cape swirling around his ankles. Lucinda turned back to face her other guest and saw him staring at the door, a fierce expression on his face. When he realized she was watching him, his features settled back into their usual pattern of confident ease.
“A friend of yours?” he asked blandly.
“Yes. Randalph is a very good friend.”
His eyebrows drew together. “How good?”
Her attention perked up at the demanding tone in his voice. “That’s none of your business.”
