His eyes never left her as she popped open the button on her jeans and tugged the zipper down. The front of his sweat pants began to bulge outward. Esther grinned at the evidence of his desire for her. He followed her gaze and shrugged. “I always want you, babe.”
Bolstered by his very blatant show of desire, she slid the buttons of her blouse from their holes one at a time. The material parted, exposing her pale blue bra, which matched her underwear. She’d put them on this morning because they made her feel sexy and confident.
She shrugged her shoulders, letting the material slide down her arms and fall to the floor behind her. Making a low rumbling sound in his throat, Ryan reached out and cupped her lace-covered breasts. Her nipples puckered, pressing against the flimsy material. He brushed his thumbs over them and Esther creamed her panties.
“So pretty.” He continued to tease her nipples. “And so responsive.” He dropped his hands back down by his sides. “Finish it, Esther. I need to see you.”
His voice was thick and gruff with need and her belly quivered. She hooked her hands inside her jeans and shimmied them down her hips and thighs. They pooled around her ankles and she stepped out of them, kicking them out of her way. Clad only in her panties and bra, she faced him.
His hands were clenched at his sides, his nostrils flaring with each breath he took. His jaw was hard, his lips a thin line. His features appeared almost brutal, but Esther wasn’t afraid. She was proud. Proud she aroused him to such a degree.
Placing her hands on her stomach, she slid them over her torso. Excitement rushed through her as Ryan focused on her every move. Cupping her breasts in her hands, she squeezed them. It wasn’t enough. She wanted his hands on her body.
Reaching behind her, she unhooked the bra and leaned forward, letting it fall down her arms and away from her. Her breasts felt fuller, heavier.
Ryan licked his lips.
Esther felt another surge of cream flood her panties as her inner muscles contracted. His arm snaked out and wrapped around her, tugging her between his legs. His large palms squeezed her ass before sliding down the backs of her thighs and around to the front. The bandage of his left hand was a stark reminder that she’d almost lost him.
“You’re wet for me, aren’t you?”
She nodded, unable to speak.
“I can smell your arousal.” Leaning forward, he nuzzled her belly as he took a deep breath. “Damn, you’re hot.” His fingers rubbed over the outside of her panties, teasing her. She tilted her hips inward and he laughed.
“You want me to touch you, don’t you? You want me to slide my fingers deep into your hot pussy and stroke in and out until you come?”
Oh, mercy. He was going to make her come with just words. She was burning up inside and out, her inner muscles pulsing hard and fast.
“That’s what you want, isn’t it?” He let his fingers barely stroke over her clit. Even through the barrier of her underwear it was electric. She moaned as he pulled his hand back. “Show me, sweetheart,” he whispered.
On fire for him, she shoved her panties down her legs with more haste than finesse. With no hesitation, she reached between her thighs and pulled back the folds of her labia, exposing herself to him.
His fingers stroked the inside of her thigh before going higher, gliding over her heated flesh before withdrawing. He brought his fingers to his mouth and licked them. “Sweet.”
Her legs buckled and she stumbled, but he caught her and lowered her to her knees in front of him. The position brought her straight in line with the front of his sweat pants. She wrapped her hand around his shaft as best she could. Even through the fleece material, she could feel the hard, hot pulse of him and it made her squirm.
“Take them off.” She barely recognized her own voice it was so low and harsh.
Ryan lifted his butt long enough to tug both sweat pants and boxers off at the same time. It was awkward with only one good hand, but he managed. Esther helped, pulling them off and shoving them aside.
His erection was full and thick. Heavy blue veins ran the length of his shaft. It pulsed with desire as she shifted closer. The bulbous head was wider than the shaft and wet with arousal.
Esther nuzzled his balls, drinking in his musky scent. His fingers tangled in her hair, catching in the clip. She heard him curse and then the clip was gone, her hair falling loose around her shoulders. Gripping her head securely, he urged her closer.
Starting at the base of his shaft, she traced a prominent blue vein with her tongue. One of her hands wrapped around the base of his shaft while the other cupped the heavy sac between his legs. Holding him steady, she twirled her tongue around the head, flicking over the tip.
He groaned and gripped her head harder. She tasted his essence on her tongue—salty and warm. Lowering her mouth over him, she teased the sensitive skin at the base of the head before sucking hard. Ryan laughed and swore at the same time.
“Esther.” Her name was nothing more than a ragged plea. He held her head steady and began to fuck her mouth. With each flex of his hips, he pushed deeper. She relaxed and took him as deep as she was able. His cock glided in and out of her mouth. She squeezed his balls gently, feeling them pull tighter against his body.
Her breasts ached, so she instinctively rubbed her nipples against his leg, reaching for satisfaction. The wiry hair and tough muscle only made them hurt even more. There was no relief and she undulated her hips, unconsciously matching his rhythm.
“Enough.” He pulled her back and she released him with a loud, wet popping sound. The head of his cock glistened and a pearl of liquid beaded from the tip. She tried to lick it off, but he stopped her. “I’ll come if you do that, and I want to be balls deep inside you when I let go.”
Esther wanted that too. She surged to her feet, grabbed a handful of his T-shirt and dragged it over his head. He flinched and she was forcefully reminded of his injuries. She started to stop, but he took over from her and carefully removed his top.
“I don’t want to hurt you.”
“The only way you could hurt me is by stopping.” He shifted back on the bed until he was lying in the middle, his head resting on the pillows. “You’ll have to do most of the work though.”
Esther smiled as she tugged open the drawer to the nightstand and pulled out the box of condoms she’d bought last night on her way home from the hospital. Opening one, she sat on the bed alongside Ryan and quickly rolled the latex sheath over his hard length.
She straddled him and his hands settled on her hips, guiding her as she lowered herself onto his erection. There was no time for teasing. They both needed this way too much to wait any longer.
Esther could feel his girth stretching her inner muscles. It wasn’t enough to hurt, but enough to make her feel as if she was full to bursting. It felt…good…right.
She was so aroused she slid easily down his shaft until she’d taken every last inch of him within her. Her hands rested on his rock-hard abs for support. His skin was hot and slick beneath her hands.
She tried to catch her breath, but it was impossible. She raised herself slightly and came back down again.
Ryan groaned and this time when she moved, he was ready. He arched his hips upward, driving his cock even deeper. His palms covered her breasts, her nipples hard against the center of his hands.
She tilted her head back and began to ride, finding a rhythm that pleased them both. Ryan teased one of her tight nipples with his thumb and forefinger. His other hand slipped lower, foraging between her thighs and finding her swollen clit.
He brushed it lightly. Once. Twice. That’s all it took. Like a volcano erupting, Esther felt everything inside her explode. Her thigh muscles tensed and quivered. Her lips parted on a scream. Her pussy clenched hard and long. Her orgasm shot through her, expanding to her entire body, consuming her. Her mind went blank as she rode out the waves of pleasure.
Ryan’s rough growl went through her like a bolt of lightning. He gripped her hips and pumped his
hips several more times. She felt him tense, felt his heat even through the latex barrier as he came. He groaned and his body bowed with pleasure.
Aftershocks rocked her and she slumped forward, unable to hold herself upright any longer. Ryan wrapped his strong arms around her, holding her safe against his much larger body. She snuggled closer, needing to feel his skin against hers. She simply lay there, absorbing every sensation. Esther felt closer to Ryan in that moment than she ever had to another person. She never wanted it to end.
But it couldn’t last. Her breathing finally settled and she lifted her head.
Ryan’s eyes were closed, his breathing deep. She wondered if he’d fallen asleep even as his eyes opened. She smiled and brushed a lock of hair from his forehead. He looked like a wreck and she imagined that she didn’t look any better. Their bodies were practically stuck together. She felt his flaccid shaft slide from her.
“That was…” She licked her lips and tried again. “That was amazing.”
“It was more than amazing.” He reached out and plucked several tissues from a box on the bedside table, wincing as his injured muscles protested.
She wanted to offer her help, but had to trust he’d ask for assistance if he needed it.
He quickly disposed of the used condom. Settling back on the mattress, he hooked a strand of her hair over her ear. “Esther,” he began, his tone serious. “I know most folks would never believe us, but I know in my heart that I loved you in another life.”
She nodded knowingly. She felt exactly the same way.
“But,” he continued. “I’m not the same man I was then, and you’re not the same woman.”
She tensed and propped herself up on her arm so she could see him better. A chill went through her so she tugged the sheet over her, tucking it under her arms. What did he mean by that?
His hand rubbed her nape, stroking and soothing the tense muscles. “We may be different people, shaped by our experiences in this life, but, Esther—” he caught her gaze with his and she could see the emotion swirling in them, “—my soul knows yours.” He shook his head, making the crisp pillow case crinkle beneath him. “From the moment I saw you, I was drawn to you—your beauty, your intelligence, your sense of humor and everything that makes you who you are.”
“Oh, Ryan.” She laid her hand gently against the side of his face. “I feel the same way too. It scared me,” she admitted.
“I know.” He turned his head into her hand and kissed her palm. “I’m just glad that you changed your mind. We both would have lived fine lives, but I would have always felt as if there was something missing without you.”
“I’m still afraid, but I know I can get past it. Living without you is no longer an option for me.”
“I love you.” The color of his brown eyes deepened. “Marry me, Esther? Marry me again.”
Fear reared its ugly head. She imagined all those times his job would draw him away from her, never knowing if he was coming back. The fear was quickly pushed aside by the happiness blooming within her. Esther leaned down and gently kissed his lips, loving this man enough to face any fears or problems to come. “I love you, Ryan. I’ll marry you. I’d marry you again a hundred times.”
His slow smile made her toes curl and, when he reached for her, she felt as if she’d finally come home for good.
Epilogue
Esther looked around the dining room table and smiled. It was late November and dinner was at her house tonight. She’d made a huge pot of spaghetti and served it with a mound of spinach salad and several loaves of garlic bread. There were three pies in the kitchen—apple, cherry and pumpkin—waiting to be sliced. With three men to feed, they needed a lot more food than they used to.
“You okay, babe?” Ryan leaned closer, linking his fingers with hers beneath the cover of the table. He’d totally recovered from his injuries and had been back to work for a week. He was still stuck at a desk but expected to be medically cleared and back in full rotation within the next week.
“I’m great.” She smiled and gave his hand a squeeze. She still worried about him, but her fears were tempered by the love they shared.
Rhiannon laughed at something Maggie said, drawing her attention. Ryland and Jed smiled, both of them clearly besotted with their women. Who knew when they’d cast that candle-magick spell asking for a lover that they’d all end up finding men they’d fall in love with.
There was definitely magick in the air tonight, but magick of a different kind. What was left of the infamous red votive sat in a clear holder in the center of the table, the flame flickering bright. It would fade by evening’s end, but that was okay. It was time for a new beginning.
Esther stood slowly, pushing back her chair. Ryan’s chair scraped over the floor as he stood beside her, waiting for her to speak. “I have an announcement to make.” Her friends went silent, waiting.
Rhiannon smiled and waved, flashing her engagement ring. Esther laughed. She supposed she couldn’t keep secrets from a witch. Or maybe it had more to do with just being good friends. Maggie was also fiddling with her engagement ring. Her friends were already engaged. She was the last of the three.
Taking a deep breath, she took the final step toward the future. “Ryan and I are getting married.”
The women squealed and jumped up, hurrying over to Esther to hug her. The men all shook hands. When all the congratulations had died away, Ryan reached into his pocket, pulled out a ring and slipped it on her finger. “Now and forever,” he whispered before he kissed her.
Now and forever. The words echoed in her head as her lips met his.
About the Author
N.J. Walters has always been a voracious reader of romance novels and decided one day that she could write one as well. The contemporary story, Discovering Dani, was the very first novel she wrote while living in a little town much like the one Dani O’Rourke lives in, though all other similarities to Dani’s life pretty much end there. Then she wrote another one that followed up on Dani’s friends and neighbors. But she didn’t consider herself a “real” writer yet.
Just a few years later N. J. had a mid-life crisis at a fairly young age, gave notice after ten years at her job on a Friday and received a tentative acceptance for her first published novel (an erotic romance) from a publisher on the following Sunday.
Happily married for over eighteen years to the love of her life, with his encouragement and support she gave up the job of selling books for the more pleasurable job of writing them. She now spends her days writing, reading and reviewing books. It’s a tough life, but someone’s got to do it. And some days she actually feels like a “real” writer.
N.J. enjoys hearing from readers, and she can be reached at [email protected]. You can check out her web site at www.njwalters.com.
Look for these titles by N.J. Walters
Now Available:
Jamesville
Discovering Dani
The Way Home
The Return of Patrick O’Rourke
The Seduction of Shamus O’Rourke
A Legal Affair
By the Book
Past Promises
Legacy
Alexandra’s Legacy
Isaiah’s Haven
Legacy Found
Spells, Secrets and Seduction
A Touch of Magic
Dreams of Seduction
If you go casting love spells, be careful what you wish for.
A Touch of Magick
© 2010 N.J. Walters
Spells, Secrets and Seductions, Book 1
Rhiannon Sparks admits she’s not a very good witch—she can’t even light a candle without a match—but she keeps trying. At least her talent for business has made her magick shop a huge success. Now if only there was even the faintest flicker in her nonexistent love life.
During a night of eating and drinking, she and her girlfriends cast a candle-magick spell for hot sex. All in good fun, of course. Except Rhiannon accidentally mixes up the words.
Instead of a lover, she asks for true love.
Deputy Ryland Stone’s past keeps him firmly rooted in reality. Then he meets Rhiannon and sparks literally fly. One date leads to another, and then they’re practically setting the bedroom on fire…until she reveals the deal breaker.
Though love and magick have found Rhiannon at last, getting a handle on her newly unleashed power is the least of her problems. Unless Ryland accepts that magick exists, he will never accept her for who and what she is.
Warning: This book contains a simple candle-magick spell, which you use at your own risk, a disastrous date, phone sex, and enough sizzle to practically set the sheets on fire.
Enjoy the following excerpt for A Touch of Magick:
She stepped back and looked at the two women she loved liked sisters. “I still think we all need to get laid.”
They both laughed, as she’d hoped, and the atmosphere was lightened once again. “What do you propose?” Esther appeared intrigued by the idea.
“Something simple. Like I said, I’m not a very good witch. I’ve got issues.”
Maggie giggled. “You need a self-help group or something.”
Rhiannon laughed in spite of herself. It wasn’t a topic she usually found funny, but she supposed it did sound a bit ridiculous.
Esther shrugged. “I’m in. What can it hurt?”
Both of them looked at Maggie, who held up her hands in mock defeat. “Okay. I don’t think it will work, but I’m game.”
Pleased that her friends were willing to try her experiment, Rhiannon went over to the large oak cabinet dominating almost one entire wall of the dining area, and pulled open one of the drawers. This was where she kept all her magickal supplies. It only took her a moment to collect what they’d need.
Love in Flames: Spells, Secrets and Seductions, Book 3 Page 12
