by Cherrie Mack
She watched him move closer to her nakedness. A heat consumed her body, pulling her toward him as he tried to explain.
“It is like that of a great cathedral to humans, the Vatican if you must. The elements are held in the highest esteem to witches. It is where witches derive their powers and travelers are healed.”
He was out of breath, his wounds turning a foamy white as the water swallowed them up. Stopping a few feet from him, she watched him gaze at her breasts. Giselle made no attempt to cover herself.
He smiled. “Little Witch—you—you’re beautiful.” She felt heat spread on her cheeks.
He reached out to touch her when she noticed him look at his hands. He looked up the length of his arms, then pulled back in retreat. “My ugliness must surely repel you, but it was a necessity. The healing pool will turn these wounds into scars.”
“The healing pool?”
“Yes, you’re standing in it. This is not water. It’s a mineral bath that had taken centuries to fill. The limestone and stalagmite stones excrete oils with special healing powers known only to our kind. I've been in caves all across the south tending to my injuries. It’s a slow process but I’m healing.” He looked at the water more intently. “But—I don’t recall the pools quite so clear before.”
Giselle knew her tears had purified the pools. Did she deplete its power or enforce it? “Is that why I felt renewed when I got into the water?”
“I would imagine so.”
She looked away in shame, unable to meet his eyes. “What in the world would I have to recover from?”
He stepped closer, inches from her. “Look at me.”
She slowly turned her head, meeting his eyes.
“You saved my life,” he whispered.
The raw emotion in his voice was more than she could bear. Her body responded with a tremor, a whoosh of raw urgency, as her skin prickled with the tingling sensation of desire. Reaching out to him, he pulled back. “If you don’t touch me, Julien—I swear I’ll combust. Please don’t turn away from me. Your wounds don’t repel me. They only prove your greatness.”
He slowly shook his head no as he reached up, touching the side of his marred face. “I cannot. I will not have you look into this face for your first time.”
“Please.” She approached him, slowly. “For the first time in my virginal existence my body is begging for relief.” He stood frozen when she pressed her breasts against his chest. He flinched and pulled away. Walking out of the pool, Julien said nothing.
Tears stung her eyes as rejection balled up in her chest, the pain so real, she felt it burn her. Bereft and void of pleasure, Giselle felt numb. Watching him walk away, she noticed him glance down at his body. Swiftly turning to face her, his expression was one of wonderment, then horror, as he placed his hand over his chest. His torso and chest were healed completely. No cuts, scabs or scars. His other wounds remained, except for where she pressed her own body to his. Rushing towards her, he stared at her breasts. He shouted, “No! No, please. You mustn’t!” He stopped within a few feet of her, breathless and afraid to touch her.
Giselle slowly glanced down at her breasts. She wore Julien’s wounds. Every abrasion. Every gash.
“Undo this immediately.” He pleaded.
She smiled. “I don’t know how. And even if I did, I wouldn’t.”
His voice sounded strained as he scolded her. “I demand you to undo this immediately. You will not wear my scars on your beautiful body.”
Beautiful body. Standing waist deep in the very clear water obviously left nothing to the imagination. Reaching out to him, she touched his hand. A burning sensation made her gasp and she looked at her hand. The transfer of a wound from his hand to her hand happened within seconds.
He jumped back. “You mustn‘t touch me. Until we find a way to reverse this, you must stay away from me. Do you understand?”
“Mm.” Giselle wanted to take his pain away, wanted to wear the scars he received protecting her.
He glared at her. “Are you listening?”
She glided toward him.
Continuing his retreat, he backed away from her. “I said do not come near me. Do you not understand what I’m saying? What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
Gracefully determined to catch up to him, she was unafraid of disobeying his wishes.
“Stay away from me Giselle—I’m not joking.”
“I understand. You are not joking. You want me to stay away from you. No touching.”
As the lower half of her body rose above the surface of the water, beads of the minerals and oils clung to her skin, slowly dripping down her legs.
Julien moved quickly, continuing to glance back, checking her progress.
Watching him nervously glance in her direction made her giggle.
With hurried steps he climbed out and held his hand up. “I’m asking you to stop. Why are you giggling? It’s not funny.”
“I’m laughing because you’re afraid of me. Of me! And the fact of the matter is, you will not win. I am determined to do this. If I can take away the pain and scars you bear for me, I will do it. You cannot stop me.”
“Like hell, I can’t.”
Witch against traveler? Better make it look good, Giselle. Don’t let him see your uncertainty.
As she strode toward him, Julien focused. When she ran into an invisible force field, she saw his satisfaction, how his ability to stop her made him chuckle. “What’s the matter? Can’t get me?”
Giselle sucked in her top lip, amused by his confidence. “Is that a challenge? You think you’re clever, traveler. Fortunately, I’ve done a bit of practicing while you were out prancing about in the forest as a little bunny.” Raising her hand, she quickly zapped his protective shield. Standing mere inches from him, she reached out, just missing his arm. His expression made her burst out with laughter.
As he dashed away, coming to rest near the edge of the pool, he laughed, appearing to give in to her playfulness. “Missed me, Little Witch.” The words tumbled out like that of a child, carefree and funny.
The lighthearted moment made her realize she not only loved him, she liked him. He was showing her a part of himself she had not known before. The serious, angry traveler had a soft side. And that caused a wave of yearning to weasel its way up her body. Giselle bit down on her lip trying to stop the erotic images firing into her mind. They would need to be skin to skin. And just maybe he’ll kiss me again. But how can I get to him?
Suddenly she had an idea. She widened her eyes and clutched her stomach, pretending she was in terrible pain. Julien’s reaction was one she’d hoped for. He rushed to her side, careful not to touch. “What I can do?”
“You can touch me.” She tackled him, sending them tumbling into the cavern pool. Giselle kept a strong hold on his arm while they tossed and turned dunking under the water. Struggling to get free, Julien stood, pushing her away. The laughter died down as he studied her. Giselle looked down at her breasts. She was happy to see her injuries were gone. When she examined Julien, his chest was still free from harm. But the rest of him was still injured.
“Julien, you must trust me. I can heal you. Look at me. I bear no marks, not even a scar. It’s the pool. It heals me completely. You’ve asked me to trust you. It was hard but I did. I need the same from you. You’re hurt, I can heal you. I am the tenth power. If you believe in me, you will allow me to do this for you. I have to. Please.”
He pursed his lips, then unenthusiastically nodded his head, giving in to her.
She smiled. “We will do a little at a time. Hands first.”
Julien stood statuesque as Giselle closed the gap between them. Saying nothing, she felt his eyes on her. Touching fingertips at first, then fingers and palms until their spread hands fit together mirroring one another, the burning sensation made her flinch. She pulled her hands free, looking at the cuts, scrapes and bruises and quickly dipped her hands in the water. Once she removed them from the magical oils, her hands we
re smooth, just as before.
His eyes widened when she held out her hands in an offering of proof. “Look. The wounds have left me.”
He tilted his head. “But you feel pain when you take my injury?”
“No. I don’t feel anything.”
“Bullshit. You can’t lie to me. I might not have known you for very long, but I can tell when you’re lying or avoiding something. If I feel it, you feel it.”
She nodded her head. “It’s a little burn, more like a sting.”
“Mmm.”
She cleared her throat. “You’ll need to remove—everything.”
His smile taunted her. Not taking his eyes from hers, he hooked his thumbs in the waistband of his bloodied, tattered jeans, pulling them down in a quick movement.
Giselle caught sight of his large, rigid penis and looked away.
“Ready?”
“Mm hmm.”
Trying to keep her eyes on his, she leaned her body forward. She hooked her arms under his and pulled him to her. Pressing her naked body to his was slow and sensuous torture. One extremity after another imposed greater frustration, leaving her breathless. On and on it went, until she felt intoxicated by lust. Dipping herself in the water after touching him was no longer cooling her. Instead, it stoked the fire spreading low in her belly.
On and on she went, until finally, Julien’s body was healed. His face, the only place left untouched, was her ultimate goal. Inching up the small incline at the edge of the pool, their height more equal, Giselle laced her fingers in his hair. Placing her hands at the back of his head, she gently pulled him close. Cheek to cheek, forehead to forehead, she gladly took every mark, leaving only a small abrasion near his lips.
She cupped the water in her hands, splashing it over her face. Once she was healed, she placed her hands on his shoulders. “One more spot, Julien. Then you’ll be healed.”
Her nipples tightened with the thought of kissing him. Heat rushed to her face, and dampness gathered between her thighs, as she shook with a ferocity of passion she’d never felt before.
With his arms straight down at his sides, he let out a low growl of warning when she slid her hands over his pectorals. Enamored by his taut skin and defined muscles, she let herself explore his biceps. Gently running her hands up his arms to his shoulders, she let her fingers rest on his neck. Feeling his pulse quicken, her heart rate sped up to match its rhythm. He said nothing, but his tightened jaw proved his anxiety. With features that were straight and perfectly aligned, he reminded her of a mythical creature for whom statues were carved.
With trembling hands she entwined her fingers in his hair and pulled him to her. “I’m going to kiss you, Julien.”
Before he could protest, she pressed her lips to his, clearly taking him by surprise. She felt his hesitation, but within seconds he returned her affection. Without warning, happy tears welled in hers eyes as her kiss was reciprocated. But this kiss was different than the one before. It was soft and slow, simmering her insides.
As the intensity of their connection grew, Julien’s tongue plundered her mouth. Moaning with unbridled enthusiasm, his hands cupped her ass cheeks pressing his throbbing erection to her vagina.
Their exploration took on more urgency. Pure bliss pulsated through her veins, making her gasp for breath as he took what she gave so freely. When he broke the kiss, his eyes looked at her as if seeing her for the first time. Something about him was different. The lines of his face seemed softer when he looked at her with—love? Pulling her by the hand, even his touch was more gentle. He scooped her in his arms, carrying her out of the pools and laid her down on thick warm blankets.
His smile was infectious and she was sure something had changed in him. Was it the kiss? Hmm. I wonder. Julien ran his hand down the center of her breasts. “Are you sure about this? I’m just an ordinary witch.”
Surprised by his assessment, she touched his cheek. “You’re far from ordinary. You’ve captured my heart. I—” Stopping short of professing her love for him she pulled him close, but he resisted.
“Say it. Please.”
Her mind was scared to admit her feelings to him, but her heart was sure. “I’ve fallen in love with you, Julien.”
Mindful of his reaction, she was surprised when he let out a sigh of relief. He moved his body over her, his weight resting on his forearms. “A friend once told me, when you fall in love, colors will become more vibrant, simple sounds become a symphony and sex becomes the nourishment of the soul. When a true love rushes into your heart, it crashes with the force of an ocean wave in a ferocious storm. I can’t explain it except to say—it has. I feel it deep inside. I’ve felt empty for so long—until now. I love you, Giselle.”
A tear slid down her cheek. It was the moment she’d always dreamed of. “You were right. Being in love is so much better.”
“Every woman should be in love for their first experience.” Julien’s mouth covered hers.
His tongue, needy at first, slowed to a gentle caress. His heavy breaths slowed to a steady rhythm. His hands explored her body with expertise, as if wanting to commit every curve to memory, and he made her body soar. His soft lips inched down her skin, igniting a path of passion in their wake.
Julien brushed the hair away from her face. “This is the way it’s supposed to be.”
Steady hands moved over her body, his caress gentle and exploratory. He adjusted his position, gently pressing his body over hers. She shifted, allowing him to rest in between her legs. He kissed her, lightly licking her top lip. Slowly tracing his mouth over her chin, down her neck to her aching breasts, he closed his mouth over her nipple.
The exquisite feeling had her moaning, arching her back, pushing her breasts up to meet his lips. He switched to the other breast, lathing her nipple before he nipped the sensitive flesh, making her yelp.
The slowness of his movements were agonizing, her body anxious for more. Julien licked up the center of her breasts, while moving his hips, rubbing his hardness over her mound.
The simple act of mimicking being inside her had her clawing his skin. Silently begging for him to take her, she pushed her hips up, grinding into his groin.
When their eyes locked, he gently aligned his cock to her opening. “I love you, Giselle.” Then, he cautiously pushed inside her softness, making her scream out. Never taking his eyes from hers, he stilled inside her, studying her face. He began to pull out, only to push back in, each time a little more forceful. His thrusts became faster, more urgent. Her pussy throbbed, stretching to accommodate him. The more he moved, the more the painful sensation gave way to pleasure, until she felt her nerves bundle together in a tight coil. When she felt her body ready to let go, she fisted her hands in Julien’s hair bringing his mouth crashing onto hers as she experienced her first orgasm.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Desiree Mercier sat on a stool at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar for the third night in a row. Although it was dark inside, the atmosphere was fun, eclectic, and smelled of whiskey and bourbon. Not knowing why she was drawn to it, she came back night after night, as if it held the answers to her life’s mystery. A few days ago, all she could think about was her true calling. It was exciting to have discovered what she could do. The possibilities were endless with the talent she possessed. But prying on her mind more and more, was Simon Granvil. She wanted to reach out to him but, didn’t know how to.
The traveler consumed her thoughts, making her question her very existence. Was she in fact the reincarnation of Aimee Granvil? It’s preposterous! There must be some other explanation, yet the coincidences gave her pause. Wanting to forget her current dilemma, she called out to the bartender. Getting to know him was easy. The good looking, strapping, muscled man had just what she needed to make her forget all about Simon.
“Hey, Louie. Down here.” She waved him over, her bangle bracelets clanging together. Louie strode over, flashing his most devious smile. She nearly fainted as he showed off his pearly whites. �
�Mmm. Louie you’ve got what I need and I need it now.”
Louie laughed. It was a high-pitched chuckle for such a manly man. “I’ve gotten to know you pretty well these last few nights, Desiree. Not only do I have what you want, it’s all ready for you and behind this bar just waiting for you to part your lips and—”
“Louie! Désespérée flirt!” His wife shouted to him. “Can’t you see I’m working twice as hard?”
With a grin on his handsome face, Louie handed her the drink she ordered every night.
Desiree stifled a giggle. “Your wife thinks you are a hopeless flirt, Louie.” His grin morphed into a full blown smile that made her press her thighs together. Damn, that man could melt ice in the Antarctic. But she secretly wondered, if Louie wasn’t married, would she think he was so great? All her life she dated men without serious intentions. And if they were possessive, she’d run for the hills. Yet, Simon had her wanting all the things she once shunned. Why?
Paulette, Louie’s wife passed her on her way to behind the bar. She was no slouch, either. Shoulder length blond hair, green eyes, and a body that could be on the cover of a magazine. Desiree held up her drink in a hail to Paulette. “You are one lucky woman, Pauli.” Paulette rolled her eyes and sauntered over. “You must let me fill you in one of these days.”
Leaning over the bar, Pauli dropped a little signature umbrella into her drink. “See, Desiree? It’s the little things he forgets. But a man who remembers the little things is a rare find.”
Desiree narrowed her eyes. “Hey Pauli? Have you ever heard of the name Granvil?”
She scrunched up her face, looking deep in thought and nodded. “The name sounds familiar. Hmm, let me think.”
When a loud crash interrupted Paulette’s concentration, she shook her head in disgust. “Excuse me. There may be a brawl brewing in my bar. I’ll be back.”
