Laughter followed them. “Been there!” Darcy called out.
“Done that!” Carla followed.
Linc raced by the pool and student dorms, enjoying the freedom of running flat out with Risa in his arms. The wings tattooed on his back itched, as if trying to push out.
Damn he’d love to fly one day.
But now he had other plans. Shifting his path, he headed for the garage.
“Where are we going?”
“To a place where it’ll just be the two of us. I was coming to pick you up when you blindsided me with your witchcraft. We’ll work on your magic to find Kendall.” He looked down into her flushed face. “After I keep my promise to you.”
“What promise?”
The first time he’d taken her in a concrete room with a window that gave the others full view. That bugged the shit out of him. Tortured him. Risa had been used in ways he didn’t even want to know about. There’d been no one there to protect and care for her. But now she had him.
“All the pleasure you can handle when we make love. We’ll experience it together.”
* * *
“Can I drive?” Risa watched the way Linc, wearing dark slacks and a crisp white shirt with the sleeves rolled up to reveal a hundred K watch on his thick wrist, shifted through the gears of the gray-striped, ceramic-blue Viper. The car’s engine rumbled with the same restrained power that lived in Linc. She’d love to get her hands on it.
“I’ll buy you your own car. Anything you want.”
Amusement tugged at her mouth. “You’d buy me a car to keep me from driving yours?”
“Well, I don’t want to be an ass about it.”
Oh my God, he was serious. She couldn’t resist and asked, “Can I eat Twinkies in this car?”
His jaw clenched. “No.”
“Sno Balls?”
The tendons in his neck stood out. “Not happening.”
She had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing. “Ding Dongs?”
Linc snapped his head around, lowered his chin and glared at her over the top of his shades. “You wouldn’t dare.”
Don’t do it. Don’t. Yet her magic swelled in her chakras, then burst out. A twin package of Twinkies appeared in her hand.
Comical shock stamped onto his face, and he nearly missed a corner.
Risa doubled over laughing, her body shaking with the force of it.
Linc swung the car around another corner, then refocused on her. “Having fun?”
Wiping tears, she lifted her head. “Yes. And it feels so damn good.”
His face softened. “Yeah?”
“Yeah. I can tease you, defy you, and you won’t hurt me.” It came out before she thought about it, but it was the truth. She held up her Twinkies. “Besides, you bought me a box of these, Sno Balls and Ding Dongs.” She’d been so touched when he showed her the cupboard in the small kitchen with all the treats. He’d done that for her while she’d been in the soul screams. She grasped the package, wanting to tear into it and bite into her Twinkie.
“You don’t want to defy me on this.”
His low voice got her attention. “No?”
“You open those and I swear to Wing Slayer I won’t let you come. I’ll kiss you, touch you until you moan, but I stop right there when you’re begging me. Still want to open that package?”
“That’s… You’d really do that?”
“Want to test me?”
She looked sadly at her Twinkies, then waved her hand, sending them back to the box in their suite.
His laugh rang out in the car. “You’re pouting.”
“I like Twinkies.”
He reached over, his large hand folding around her thigh. “I’ll make it up to you. We’re almost there.”
Excitement bubbled in her veins. The worry for Kendall was always there, but now she had real hope, and with Linc’s help she’d find the baby with her magic. To distract herself, she said, “This car wasn’t in the garage the night we arrived.” She sniffed, the new-car smell tipping her off. “It’s new.”
“Yep. My other Viper was destroyed the night Archer spawned. This one came in as a special order for another client.”
“And the dealership sold it to you?”
“I own the dealership.”
Interesting. Every tiny thing he told her increased her curiosity, her desire to really know Linc. “What does this car mean to you? You took the time to go get it while dealing with all the other shit going on. I know you have other vehicles. Why, Linc?”
Linc guided the car into a gated parking garage. Once parked, he turned to look at her. “You really want to know?”
“Yes.”
“When I was caged, one of my handlers had a Viper. He’d showed me pictures of it, telling me how many fights I’d had to win to get him that car. Taunted me with it. The day he bought it, all of them talked about it. I could smell the leather on them…” His hand caressed the seat, his eyes distant.
“Linc?”
“It was the smell of freedom to me. Power. Controlling my own destiny. After I escaped and could afford it, I bought a Viper. I have a lot of cars, but the Viper, when I see it or drive it, it feels like I made it out of that cage.”
She put her hand over his on the seat. “That’s why you don’t want anyone else driving it?” Linc’s entire life and future had been ripped from his control the night he’d been taken from his bed. Not waiting for his response, she answered her own question. “You don’t want to give anyone else the keys to your freedom.”
Their eyes connected, and tension thickened the air like a summer storm. She held her breath, waiting for…something.
Linc twisted away, breaking the moment to shove open the door.
Startled by the abrupt change, she turned to get out.
Linc shot around the car and opened her door before she could reach the handle. Taking her hand, he eased her out, shut the door and led her to an elevator.
“What’s this place?” It didn’t have any signage on the outside. “Condos?” she guessed, since it was a high-rise building.
“L.C. Family Recovery Center.” As the elevator doors slid closed, Linc hit a button and added, “It’s not open yet, and the building is damned secure. Unless Archer wakes and destroys it with hellfire, no one uninvited is getting in here.”
“Part of the L.C. Group that Hilary mentioned?”
He leaned back against the side of the elevator, one perfectly draped pants leg over the other, and inclined his head.
“Recovery center for drugs?”
“And other issues, yes.” Once the doors opened, Linc led her out. Two steps later, she stopped, tugging on his hand as she took in the huge room. It was a kid’s paradise. A rock climbing wall, playground equipment, a sectioned-off room with trampolines, even a snack bar.
“What’s this?”
“Child care. Children will live here with their parent or parents. Our goal is to help families that want to stay together. You can look later. We’re going to the roof.”
As she followed him up the stairs, the scope of what he and Hilary were doing sank in. They weren’t just building a school for lost kids, but also a center for fractured families. He led her to a hallway and up a flight of stairs. Linc opened the door, stepped out and held it for her.
Risa walked out into an oasis in the desert. On one end of the roof bloomed a full garden of desert plants mixed with greenery. The other side had a built-in kitchen, couple big BBQs and in the center was a massive fire pit surrounded by wide lounge chairs covered in thick cushions and sitting areas. Looking up, she saw retractable canopies. Linc flipped a switch and misters sprang to life, cooling the hot air.
“This is amazing.” The entire roof had metal-and-glass fencing that came up to her chest. She walked over, placing her hands on the glass. She could see the casinos in the distance.
“Shatter and bulletproof. Completely safe.” Linc covered her hands with his and pressed his body against her b
ack and ass. “And treated so no one can see in.” Leaning down, he kissed the side of her neck. “You’re the only woman I’ve brought here, Risa. And the only woman I want to make love to.”
She closed her eyes, sexy chills skittering down to her nipples. Magic rippled in her belly, and longing built in her throat. She turned, forgetting the world beyond the glass.
This was their time. He’d brought her to this place that held some meaning for him. Shared a part of himself with her. And he’d seen all her darkest parts.
Except one—the lie that would tear them apart.
But for this moment he was hers. Rising on her toes, she kissed him.
He wrapped his arms around her, lifting her off her feet and ravaging her mouth. One hand covered her ass, kneading as he pulled her tight to his thick erection. He walked, every rolling stride pushing his cock through their clothes against her center.
Each beat of her heart ramped up her need. Magic rushed and bubbled, heightening her senses. When he broke the kiss to lay her on the thick cushion of the wide lounge chair, she clung to him, craving the feel of him surrounding her. A harsh, deep ache grew below her belly button. In bold desperation, she focused her magic, taking their clothes and tossing them to a nearby chair.
“That’s hot,” he growled in approval. Linc kneeled at the side of the spacious chair, the sun catching the highlights in his brown hair and gleaming off the fine sheen of moisture from the misters that was beading on his broad shoulders. He slid his fingers down her throat and chest to cup her breast, thumbing a nipple. “I want to explore you, give you pleasure you’ve never imagined.”
Fire streaked from his touch, making her writhe. She shook her head, a near-frantic sensation riding her. “I need you inside me. I have to feel that again.” Thick want tightened her throat. “I hurt for it.” Linc’s belief in her had freed her ability to feel desire, to embrace it as normal and healthy.
“Hurt where?”
Taking his hand, she led him to the spot right over her mound between her hipbones. “Here.” Her magic surged up to touch his hand and spread more agonizing want. The heat of his touch branded her skin.
Trailing his fingers down, he brushed her thighs.
Magic chased his touch, making her clench.
“Are you wet, Risa? I want you soaked, so slick that I glide into you, filling up the emptiness.” His voice dropped to a sexy growl. “Show me.”
She opened her thighs, spreading them far enough to feel the gentle mist and Linc’s heated gaze. He dragged his fingers along her cleft, then parted her. “Oh God, wet. So wet.” He sank his fingers into her depths, while his thumb circled her clit. A deep moan rumbled out of her, and Linc moved with blinding speed.
He took his fingers out, and just when she missed the feel of him stroking her, his massive body covered hers. The weight and heat of him pressed her into the chair, his legs pushing her wide, and his cockhead, thick and hot, seated against her entrance.
His face flushed, eyes burned. “Put your hands on my shoulders. You need your hands for shield magic, and I’m not taking any chances. Keep your hands anchored there.” Leaning nose to nose, he said, “You’re mine now. I’m not letting you slip away from me. You’re going to feel what we do, every slide of my cock.” Each word bled possession. Raw need. “Hang on to me.”
As soon as her palms hit his shoulders, he pushed in, tunneling fast, hard and deep, filling the emptiness inside her. She arched beneath the sensual assault, her vaginal walls fluttering with pleasure and magic. Desire rose and twisted, until she had to move. Wrapping her thighs around him, she held on. With her eyes closed, she rode the wild sensation as he pumped his cock into her, hitting nerves that made her gasp and writhe.
“Look at me. I need to see your eyes.”
Following the growled command took everything she had, but she forced her lids up.
Linc’s jaw was rigid, tendons bulging his neck and arms, nostrils flaring. “There’s my girl, my Risa. So fucking beautiful.” He kissed her hard, stealing her breath as he thrust deeper, driving her higher. Her womb tightened mercilessly, and her muscles locked as she arched up, reaching for that pinnacle.
She yanked her mouth free, gulping air, clawing at his shoulders. “Too much.”
He pulled back and locked gazes with her. “It’s never too much. Surrender, sweet witch. Let the pleasure have you.”
Linc shifted his hips, and her body lit up, ripples of fiery waves rolling and spasming, so exquisite she was helpless beneath the onslaught.
And through it all, Linc held her gaze.
* * *
The dazzling blue of her eyes warmed to fire as she showed him her pleasure. All of Risa was there, completely with him. Her channel rippled around his cock from her orgasm, her magic swarming him, making his heart pound.
His balls drew up. He tried to hold back, determined to give her more. To watch her again, experiencing the pure trust in her as she came apart. Letting her tumble into that exquisite place while he and the bird stood guard, keeping her safe.
Priceless.
Risa drew her hands down his shoulders and stroked the ink, her fingers tracing not the bird but the brand. “Don’t hold back. I want all of you right down to the feral side you keep leashed.”
She saw him. Knew. Cared about him anyway. Her words and touch snapped his control. An inferno ignited and spread, bowing his back until he rose stiff-armed over her, pumping fiercely into this woman. Her glove-tight sheathe rippled and milked him as she met every thrust.
Linc looked down at Risa, swimming in her magic, surrendering everything to him. He felt her tightening, her legs trembling around him, panting as her fingers dug into his back. He didn’t feel the brand, only her touch.
He fucked her harder, digging his toes into the cushion, snapping his hips in a feral need to claim her, mark her as she’d marked him. “Risa.” He slid his hand beneath her ass, raising her hips to take him, making her completely open and vulnerable to him. “Now. With me. Let go and come.” In this moment, Linc wanted to be the center of her world and to shatter with her into total bliss.
She cried out and lost control, her head thrown back, neck exposed and her magic slamming him. His orgasm ripped down his spine and exploded. He powered into her, jetting hot seed and giving her everything he had. Finally he buried his face in her neck, inhaling the scent of his soul mirror.
She smelled like home.
* * *
Risa shivered as she stood at the treated glass wall, looking out as darkness fell over the city. She’d pulled on her panties and T-shirt, but the scarcity of blazing neon lights that normally lit up the Vegas night had drawn her before she finished dressing.
“Hey, sorry.” Linc’s heat spread behind her. “I had to take the call from Carla.”
She flattened her hand on the glass. “Everything okay?”
“At the moment, yes.”
Out in the distance the high-rise casinos that dominated the landscape should be lit up, but many of them remained dark like gaping holes, either burned down or the power still out. Even the energy in Vegas was different. Just like Risa was different from the woman she’d been a week ago when she, Blythe and Kendall had arrived.
“Is something wrong?”
Yes. She was falling for this man, but it didn’t matter. “No. I was just thinking how you gave me a beautiful memory by bringing me here, making love to me.” She craned her head to look at him and smiled. “Thank you.”
His eyes darkened, the gold taking on veins of bronze. He wrapped an arm around her waist, tugging her back against him. “It’s more than that. I can feel your turmoil and sadness.”
God. Turning her gaze from his, she stared out into the night. “It’s just more than I expected.”
The sounds of traffic drifted up, and Linc’s scent swirled around her. “The sex? Or us?”
Did it matter if she told the truth? “Both. You’re a just man when you have every right to be bitter. You care about k
ids and those who can’t fight for themselves, like Kendall. You built a school, this family recovery center. You’re kind of a modern day Robin Hood, using your money won by gambling with the rich to give back to the poor. And you believe in me even though you’ve seen me broken by soul screams.” He’d taken care of her then, holding and comforting her, coaxing her back to reality. “I’ve never met anyone like you.”
“Risa.” He stroked her hand and paused. After a couple seconds, he added, “I’ve dated a lot of women.”
Her stomach twisted in awful humiliation. Of course he had, she’d heard the tales. And she was acting like a teenager with her first lover. “You’re right. My experience is limited. This is probably just—”
Linc caught her chin, tilting it up for his gaze to blaze down into hers. “But I’ve never felt like I do with you. You’re more amazing than anyone I’ve met. I’ve told you things, trusted you with the parts of me I’ve told no one else, not even Hilary. You touched my brand, felt that there when no one else cared.”
Her eyes filled with tears. “I care. You’re not feral, Linc. You’re a man who does the right thing, makes the hard choices. That brand…you let them brand you rather than hurt a woman. Don’t you see?” God, she was crying. But her heart hurt for him. “That’s your mark of honor. Not shame.” Risa knew what he’d been forced to do, but his care with her when her mind shattered told her that he’d been just as kind to those poor girls.
“You scare me, little witch. You have far more of me than I’ve shared with anyone else. Ever.” He kissed the top of her head tenderly.
Dear Ancestors, he trusted her with too much. Something rare and special was growing between them. She touched the glass again, wishing she had a way out of the lie. Regret pushed into her chest. She was going to destroy their relationship when the truth came out. Could she tell him? God, she wanted to, but fear kept her silent. Kendall was one-quarter demon, the daughter and granddaughter of the hunters and witches most hated enemies.
He’d never forgive that lie.
But what could she do? She couldn’t risk them not helping her find and rescue Kendall.
Linc’s hand settled over hers against the glass. “I feel your magic in this ring.” He fingered the silver wrapped around her thumb.
Caged Magic Page 25
