Heart of Darkness

by Lauren Dane

  “Finally,” he said before taking a nipple between his teeth, “you’re just where I want you.”

  She laughed. “Is that a compliment?”

  “God, yes.” He kissed his way to the other nipple, enjoying the way she squirmed.

  “Okay then.”

  The curve of her hips called to fingertips and mouth, the dip at her waist, the swell of her thighs, velvety soft at the back of her knees. Tickled the backs of her thighs as he rolled her over. Her back was a perfect curve as he kissed up the long line of her spine, pausing to kiss each indentation at the base, right above her perfect ass.

  Sweet … her soft shudder when he gave her a gentle edge of his teeth at the back of her neck.

  “Hurry,” she whispered, rolling her hips back toward him, inciting his want.

  “I’m trying to take this slow. Greedy.”

  She turned around and grabbed his cock, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I don’t want slow. Not this time.”

  It was his turn to swallow hard. “I don’t want to hurt you. I want you so much.”

  “I won’t break. I promise.”

  She dragged the head of his cock through her slick folds and he might have blacked out for a minute or two at how good it felt.

  His resolve melted away and he leaned over, grabbed a condom and was ready for action.

  “Still with me?”

  She paused, looking up into his face. “You’re very sweet.” She stretched up to kiss his lips. “It undoes all my defenses.”

  He pressed in, counting to fifty to try not to lose it before he even got all the way inside her.

  Resolve? Ha! He had none left. She’d torn it to shreds. He wanted inside, wanted to be in her as deeply as he could get and still, he knew without a doubt it wouldn’t be enough.

  She stretched beneath him, tightening her muscles and then wrapping herself around him.

  Which took him deeper and made him forget how to count.

  “So good.” He kissed her lips, across her chin, down to her neck where he nuzzled, breathing her in. Her nails sank into his skin as she held on.

  Her body received him and as he seated himself in her fully, he had to pause to appreciate just how amazing it felt.

  He breathed deep and began to move.

  Hard, she’d said. And he’d agreed. Every cell in his body had agreed as he thrust into that wet, snug heat.

  He’d kept his face buried in her neck. Tenderness rushed through her, spicing the arousal. This was so much more than having sex had ever been. She’d thought she’d loved before. Had been close with those men she’d slept with. But this was different.

  It was different because he was different. His weight against her was just right. He fit her just right. A silly sort of Goldilocks moment, but it was true nonetheless. Sweat-slicked skin slid together, the friction of it delicious. Leaving her delirious with need. Need she understood only he could fill.

  That connection to him shook her. She was glad it came as he was inside her. Glad it came as his lips rested against the throbbing pulse at her throat. Possession swept over her then. She’d never been the jealous type. After all, if a man didn’t want her as much as she him, it was his loss. But Dominic Bright was her man. Hers.

  And she had zero intention of giving him back.

  He angled himself, adjusting the legs she’d had wrapped around his waist. He pushed her knees up and apart, fitting into her so deeply it stole her breath. The length of him stroked over her clit over and over. The pressure hard enough that she understood he knew exactly what he was doing.

  He’d moved his head; this time they were nose to nose and the intimacy of it made her nervous even as it titillated. Being seen by this man, in such a raw way, left her short of breath. Or it could have been the way her orgasm began to hover just at the edge of her vision. Waiting for that right stroke, the perfect amount of pressure for long enough.

  He thrust, playing her body like a master. And she wanted more.

  “More,” she heard her stuttered whisper and forgot she hadn’t meant to say it out loud.

  Harder this time, so that her breasts bounced up each time he slammed into her all the way. He reared back and she was able to take him in better. He had tattoos on his biceps and along his belly. She’d need to investigate that further. Like with her mouth.

  “Come on, gorgeous. Come,” he whispered against her lips when he dipped his head down for a kiss.

  Nearly there …

  Just a little more pressure …

  And then he moved his fingers, brushing two of them over her clit with a light but consistent touch and she flew apart with a cry of his name.

  He wasn’t far behind and within long, excruciatingly pleasurable moments, they’d ended up collapsed on his bed, breath heaving.

  Chapter 11

  “WHY are you here?” Nell cruised into Meriel’s office.

  “That’s my line.” She got up and moved to embrace her friend. “I’m so glad you’re back. Tell me about the honeymoon.”

  “I’m not telling you shit here.” Nell waved and her pretty diamond ring caught the light. “It’s Sunday. You’re at work. This is ridiculous.”

  “Says the woman standing in the office on Sunday lecturing me about being here on a Sunday.”

  “I’ve been having sex with my absurdly handsome husband multiple times daily for two weeks. I have the rest of my life to catch up on.” Nell laughed. “Girl, I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed Fiji. But that’s mainly because I was too busy getting carnal with William.”

  “Let’s get some lunch. I have so much to tell you.” She squeezed Nell’s hand.

  “Most of it had better have nothing to do with this mage crap. I want to hear all the good stuff first. Then we’ll talk about work.”

  “I need a reuben.”

  Nell looked at her carefully. “What the hell, Meriel? You only need reubens from Three Girls when you’re eating your feelings.”

  Meriel laughed, like truly, deeply laughed because she’d missed Nell so much.

  “I met my bond-mate. Guess what he does?”

  Nell goggled at her. “You better mean last night. You have to since you haven’t told me anything about it until right now.”

  Even though she knew Nell would be mad, she was still giddy over it. Both at having Nell back and being able to talk about Dominic with someone who’d understand.

  “You are in such trouble.” Nell looked around and grabbed Meriel’s bag. “Let’s go. We’ll talk elsewhere. You can’t be at work on a Sunday anyway.”

  Her friend’s expression told Meriel there was no use arguing with her and she didn’t want to.

  They walked down to Pike Place and grabbed the aforementioned sandwiches, along with some cookies and a few lemon bars. One more quick stop for some tea and they headed over to Nell’s place.

  “Where’s the mister?” Meriel looked around for William.

  “He had to run down to Vegas for a few days to deal with work stuff. Sit down, I’m going to start the water for tea and you’re going to tell me everything. Most notably why you’ve met your bond-mate and haven’t ascended yet.”

  “He’s the guy who runs Heart of Darkness,” she said around a mouthful of her sandwich.

  “Why, oh, why do we get tested with men who run nightclubs?” Nell shook her head, grinning. Her husband owned a burlesque-themed nightclub in Las Vegas and was in talks to open another locally. Nell had met him nearly two years before while investigating a woman who’d stolen money from some Owen holdings. The woman had been his ex and he and Nell had connected from the start.

  “We haven’t done the ascension spell yet because … gah, it’s complicated.”

  “Complicated how? Is he married? With someone already?” That happened, they both knew. The bond was perfect if one meant in the way it connected two witches and unlocked magickal potential. But people had lives and life included things like the person you’re a potential bond-mate to being with someone al
ready.

  “No, not that, thank goodness. He’s outclan. He didn’t even know he was a council witch until I keyed him into the font and we worked our magick together.”

  “Good lord, so what does he think? That we have secret police and arrest people who don’t give us all their worldly goods?” She stood again. “Why do we have no chips out? Falling down on the job, Meriel.”

  Back in moments, Nell tossed a bag of Doritos on the table between.

  “I’m going to be so sick in like fifteen minutes if I keep inhaling this.” Nell put her sandwich down a few minutes later. “I can’t not tell you this any longer. I have no willpower and I think it might be because I’m pregnant. And, obviously I want to share that with you because it’s so totally cool!” Nell laughed, clapping her hands and Meriel got up to give her friend a hug.

  “Damn right it’s cool! How long have you known?”

  “Oh, you don’t get to be pouty over me not telling you when you met your bond-mate and didn’t even leave me a voice mail about it.” Nell frowned a moment and then got back to the point when they’d sat down again.

  “I was late on our wedding day. But I thought hey, stress of the wedding because as you’re aware, his mother is Satan’s minion on earth.”

  Meriel nodded, sipping her tea. This was an accepted truth.

  “Anyway, I was late but it’s not the first time so I’m really not thinking it’s a big deal. You on the other hand have no such excuse.”

  “I didn’t tell you because I wanted you to have your honeymoon without any intrusions. I couldn’t tell you over the voice mail. I don’t even …” She shook her head, not knowing how to say it and already on the verge of tears as it was.

  “We’ll get to that next.” Nell gave her a brief glare. “I’m about six weeks along. We haven’t told anyone but you. My parents would fuss and I’m not ready for that yet. God only knows what his mother will do, but I truly hope it means she’ll stay on the other side of the country. Like forever. He’s telling his brother on this trip to Vegas. It’s”—she paused, smiling at Meriel—”it’s the most wonderful thing I could have imagined. He’s been beautiful about it. He wanted to take a picture of the stick with the two lines. The stick I’d just peed on, for heaven’s sake.” Nell shuddered and made a face. “So of course I vetoed it, but I’m giving him credit for being so mushy about it. And by the way, Meriel, were you aware that many resort sundry shops carry pregnancy tests? All in all, pretty much the best honeymoon a gal could ask for.”

  “I’m so happy for you both. This is so cool.”

  “It is. And you’re going to be here to help me because you know how hopeless I am at this stuff. What do I know about babies?”

  “Puhleeze. You’ll do great. Anyway, don’t look at me, I can’t even keep a houseplant alive.”

  “You know everything. And if you don’t, you know where to find the answer. I think William’s more excited about that than I am. He just sold half the club to his brother. Nash will run it.”

  Meriel knew what a big deal that would have been. As long as William had the sole responsibility for the club, he’d never be able to live in Seattle full-time. This sale meant he was committed to life here with Nell and their baby. It was a really good day.

  “I was just thinking what a good day it was.”

  “Yeah. I knew you’d make me feel even more excited. And you did. Now, tell me about Dominic. What’s his deal?”

  “He’s everything I thought I didn’t want. Overbearing. Bossy. Likes having his own way. Looks so damned good you know why he mostly gets it.” She grinned. “He’s arrogant. Just oozes testosterone. Has a mysterious past that—come on, let’s face it—you know has to be dark. Wary.”

  She bit off the corner of the lemon bar and sighed happily.

  “And he’s also protective. Gentle. Sweet at times. Intelligent on several levels. He’s a smart businessman. You can tell when you look at Heart of Darkness. He’s got a great deal of power. He doesn’t even have an idea of how much. He was raised by a foster father. He doesn’t talk much about his parents, just that they’d died when he was a baby.”

  “What’s he like in bed? What does he look like? Come on and tell me the juicy stuff.”

  “He’s about six and a half feet or so. Big. The kind of body that tells you he works out.” Meriel paused to fan herself. “He boxes. He tried to make it sound like he and his friends just met up and I don’t know, punched each other a lot. And being familiar with men and the kinds of things they consider fun, I believe it. Whatever it is, his upper body is tight and muscular. It’s the flattest belly I’ve ever seen in person.”

  “Damn, you scored.”

  She nodded. “Totally. Anyway, he’s got brownish-blond hair. Just touches his collar. It’s all thick and soft. He’s even got one of those locks that falls forward and makes him look rakish. He’s a menace. Dark lashes against these eyes. Unbelievable this color. Pale green. Dapper dresser, even his casual clothes.”

  She sat back and brushed the crumbs from her hands. “He’s got a tattoo on his back. Giant unfurled wings in black and gray but there’s a tiny bit of color here and there on the feathers. He’s also got a nipple ring and around the other nipple, on his chest above his heart there are protective runes. He’s actually got those in a few places. But they’re not tats. It’s as if they’re worked into his skin and muscle. Someone wanted him protected. Probably a good thing too because he’s had a broken nose on more than one occasion and he’s got some scars on his side and belly that look a lot like knife wounds.”

  “Oh, a bad boy with a heart of gold. Those are like unicorns right? Imaginary?”

  Meriel laughed. “He does appear to be of the bad-boy-with-a-possible-heart-of-gold variety. He touches me like I’m precious.”

  Nell’s smile softened. “Yeah. That’s something else, isn’t it? Especially when they’re all reluctant. I am sorry about that last part. Makes it all the more sweet when he finally accepts it though. I don’t have a bond-mate like you do, but fate brought William to me. He was meant to be with me. I had to believe in that and do my best to make it happen. You’ll do the same.”

  “He does admit to the bond. But he’s dubious of it. Untrusting. Even without the bond he and I would have something electric. He’s sexy, successful, gorgeous, funny and really, really inventive in bed.” She fanned herself. “I like him. I like being around him. I want more and I can’t have it because he’s at a different place than I am. He’s got a learning curve and while I know that—while my brain tells me this is totally normal—I want more. But I feel hesitant about asking for it.”

  She sighed.

  “I’d tell you to be patient, but you already are so that’s of no help at all. When do I get to meet him? And I take it you haven’t told your mother about this.”

  “God, no! Can you imagine? She’d send you out to kidnap Dominic and then glare at him until he agreed to do the ascension. I don’t want that. I want it to be his choice, totally. It’s not that I think he hates me. We’re good together. It’s still new, but he’s far more comfortable with what we have now than he was even just on Thursday.”

  “She wouldn’t understand. Not because she doesn’t love you in her own way. But because she never had to face what you’re facing right now. Ron grew up knowing what he was. She grew up knowing what she was and what she’d be. She’s never had to face this sort of uncertainty before. I get it. But she’s going to notice. Even she can’t miss that you’re practically humming with magick.” Nell tipped her head. “And love. I like that.”

  “I don’t know about love. I love being with him. I love that he’s my bond-mate. But love will come. As for the difference in my magick? I know. That’s why I was at work. I wanted to clear some stuff off my desk so I could work from home and stay out of the office this week. That and well because I spent last night through this morning with Dominic. I don’t want to get so used to him yet. He’s got to go to New York for most of the week.
Maybe we can get together, all four of us at the weekend?”

  “When’s he going?”

  “He’s already on his way.” He’d woken her up at four and kept her up until nearly seven when he had to jump in the shower to get to the airport. “His plane left at nine.”

  “Stay here tonight. We’ll get pizza and watch movies.”

  “That’s a fine offer, ma’am.”

  ACROSS the country, Dominic had a jones for the lovely, redheaded Ms. Owen. Definitely found himself missing the warm weight of her next to him in his bed.

  Funny to be used to something after only having it once. But there he was, sitting in a crowded restaurant as his financial advisor and longtime friend Trey told the table a story about a recent trip to Chicago.

  All the while he thought of her.

  Wondered what she was up to. The morning before he’d tried to let her sleep but failed. Every moment he’d lain there in the predawn darkness, giving himself a lecture about how she needed her rest, had been agony. Until he’d given in and touched her.

  She’d come awake quickly, into his arms without hesitation. She’d even offered to drive him to the airport and reminded him to check the warding on his hotel room.

  And now he’d be there in New York until Thursday night while she was back in Seattle. His bed would be empty. Damn it.

  Simon had cornered him in his office on Saturday night as she’d been at the bar, conning his bartenders to show her new recipes. In a cocktail dress.

  “So what’s the story?”

  Dominic had looked up from the papers he was signing. “Story?”

  “Don’t be coy, dumbass. What’s the status between you and the lovely Ms. Owen?”

  “You know the story.”

  “So you accept the bond then?”

  “You’re like a dog with a bone.” He snorted and Simon flipped him off. “I like her. She likes me. There’s a bond, I admit that too.”

  “Are you going to screw this up? Yes, yes, I know you’d rather I just stop bugging you over it. But though I’d deny it if asked, I’ve watched you searching around for something real for years now. Meriel is something real. What you have, no matter how fantastical, is real.”