Fateful Attractions

by Lucretia Stanhope

  He put his other hand on top of hers, sandwiching it between his. There were only five more days to get results. They needed to make love every single day, if not more often. “Yes. I do. I want to open a silly charm shop in this quiet little town, and take our kids to Mel’s for cake, after a day at the lake.”

  “That sounds so normal, so far away. Just give me time to make that a safe reality.” She rubbed her free hand over his jaw. “I will make this safe for you, for us. For a family.” A smile lit up her face as she thought about the reality of a happy, normal life. As normal as a family of witches could have. A family of witches who was watched over by vampires and shapeshifting familiars.

  “But in the meantime…” He kissed her and rolled so he was propped over her. “Don’t punish me.”

  “Punish?” She laughed. “You are incorrigible.”

  “I’ll be careful.” He kissed her neck and trailed down to her shoulder. “Let’s wash away the darkness. Make magic with me.”

  She needed to feel magical and lighter. His kisses, paired with images of a happy future started to push away her better judgement. “We shouldn’t,” she whispered, breathless as his kisses and caresses sent erotic sensations across her skin.

  “Do you feel that?” Each word was punctuated by a kiss, that mingled the pull of magic with the desire they both felt. “Let me love you.”

  “Stop. We haven’t even talked about when we will see each other again after you leave.” She pushed him away. “We shouldn’t. It’s reckless, all things considered.”

  He sighed and sat up, pulling her into his lap. “Go on, talk about whatever you need to.”

  “I assume you will be going home soon.” She looked up in time to see him frown.

  “Why? I told you I love you. If you don’t want me here, if it’s too soon, I’ll make sure whatever store front I rent has an apartment.” He started to twirl her hair.

  “I didn’t say I don’t want you here. I just figured since you have a life and a family, and we just started dating.” She rubbed her forehead with two fingers.

  Shane reached up and took her hand. “I don’t care when we started dating. I love you.”

  “Let me just make things safer. You understand what we are facing, why plunge deeper into danger? If we wait, I can do this one at a time.” She started to protest again but he kissed her, stopping the words and continuing to kiss and caress her every time she started to talk, until her resistance washed away under the assault of something that felt good.

  A s soon as Gwen drifted off, Shane got up and started looking for Sergei. He paced both floors of the house and tested the basement door, which was locked. With no results, he decided to wait in the main room until Sergei came in for the night.

  He wasn’t waiting long when Sergei appeared in front of him.

  Shane jumped at the sudden presence. “Jesus man, make a sound.”

  “What do you need?”

  “I need to see Dmitry. Take me to him.” Shane was so distracted with his worries about Fannie he didn’t even think to ask Sergei about his results searching for the witch.

  “Take you to him? What is this about?” Sergei eyed him and wrinkled his nose.

  “I need to talk to him about Fannie.”

  Sergei sniffed the air and paced the room slowly. “Fannie was not here.”

  “No, but your master’s request will bring her here. Just take me too him.”

  Sergei contemplated the request before he vanished from the room, appearing minutes later with Sebastian. Sebastian only regarded Shane with a nod before he walked up the stairs. While he was watching Sebastian leave, Sergei grabbed Shane’s arm and took them both to the manor.

  “Why does your way feel so awful? Gwen’s is just as fast.” Shane took a second to let the world stop spinning.

  “I don’t have a problem either way.” He smiled and snorted. “Let’s go. I don’t like leaving Gwen with so much going on.”

  “What is she to you anyway? She’s his, right?”

  “She is mistress to all vampires. I am honored to be in her service.” Sergei stood taller. “As you should be.”

  Shane rolled his eyes and walked toward the manor. Inside, they made their way to the meeting rooms and waited while Dmitry was told they were there.

  It was a long wait, and Shane could see with each passing minute Sergei grew more impatient.

  “Sebastian won’t let anything hurt her.” Shane stood from the chair he had been sat in and stretched his legs.

  “Sebastian is not a soldier.”

  “Dmitry thinks he is a capable guard.”

  Sergei looked toward the door and tapped his fingers together. “Capable is not best, is it?”

  Shane didn’t have time to respond.

  Dmitry walked into the room, filling it with his presence, making the air grow bitter. “What am I being bothered for?”

  “Master, Shane requested a meeting.”

  Dmitry circled Sergei. “Did he now? And you take orders from humans?” He laughed. “Get out of my sight.”

  Sergei left the room in a few steps and pulled the door shut behind him.

  “I need to…” Shane didn’t finish his thought as the wall slammed into his back and the air left his lungs.

  “You need to remember who you are and who you are addressing. You have news of my children yet?” Dmitry stood less than an inch from his face, fangs bared.

  “What good is avoiding your wrath, if some crazy voodoo goddess kills me for doing what you ask?” Shane looked at Dmitry, directly in the eyes.

  Dmitry drummed his fingers together. “No one will kill you unless I say so. Sergei is there. Have you done what I ask?”

  “But this witch, the one killing her old loves, she moves during the day. I assume Fannie will as well. How can Sergei help me then?”

  The air grew bitter and Dimity smacked him onto the floor. “Don’t presume to tell me my business. I am not a foolish creature. My witch, and thus you, are watched all day, every day.” He pressed a foot on his chest. “Have you done what I asked?”

  “Possibly.” Shane tried with no result to push the foot up.

  “Possibly?” His foot pressed harder. “Did you, or didn’t you? Your time is running out.”

  Shane wiggled under the weight of his foot. “I’ve slept with her, as often as is possible considering. Now she wants to wait until both threats are gone. It’s going to get harder to convince her, when I tend to agree that my safety is more important than sex.”

  Dmitry snarled and kicked him. “It’s a miracle your species survived at all, when the women need so coddled to mate.”

  Had he not been in such a life or death situation, Shane might have laughed. He felt like he might have even liked Dmitry.

  “Get up. I will see to it she’s receptive. Do as you are told. Monday, witch. You have until Monday.” When Shane didn’t get up fast enough Dmitry grabbed him, opened the door, and tossed him out of the room. “Sergei, come here.”

  Once the door was closed behind Sergei, Dmitry paced. “I expect you to keep control of this witch, and voodoo situation. Do you understand me? Leave her with Sebastian and go kill them if you have to.”

  “Yes, Master. If I have to?” The unclear order was new. Typically, Dmitry was very direct about what he wanted.

  “I understand from my sunshine’s thoughts it’s rather important to her to kill the witch. See to it she kills the witch safely.” He paused. “If you have to, you kill them. Clear?”

  “Yes, Master. Shane? Is he to stay with our mistress?”

  Dmitry smiled. “Until his use runs out, or Greta finds me a stronger witch. Keep him safe, at least until I get information on more witches.”

  “Yes, Master.”

  Dmitry raised both eyebrows and then waved a hand toward the door. “Dismissed.”

  Sergei left to the sound of tapping fingernails and pacing.

  G wen was still sipping her first cup of coffee when Dillon called. The pe
ace of the last night lingered and she hesitated to answer. On the third ring, she decided since it was his personal number it might not be about the case, and even if it was bad news, she needed to know.

  “I wanted to let you know there are two undercovers watching Mr. Greenly.” Dillon’s voice sounded weary.

  “Thank you.” While she was happy to hear that, the exchange they had the last night made talking to him feel strained. She couldn’t help feel something about his coldness in admission of her love.

  That thought made her wonder if she had been too cold with Shane. He had said he loved her, and it just dawned on her that she didn’t return the admission, she had continued to try and push him away. She was behaving badly still.

  Dillon was the one who earned that, not Shane. “Was there anything else?” She asked.

  “No, I’m sorry, I…”

  “Okay then. I will call if I think of anything else. Have someone call if things change.” She quickly hung up and started pacing, looking around for any note from Sergei.

  Three rounds of all the rooms they used later, she decided there had been no note from Sergei, which meant either he had no success yet, or he got in too late to leave one. As she let her mind drift, she imagined it was the latter and he would have good news when the sun went down.

  After pouring a second cup, she did a fast search for a local doctor, and was glad to be able to get in as soon as the end of next week. Even though Shane wasn’t worried, she didn’t want to take any more risks with his life until Fannie and Josephine were both dealt with. While a week away wasn’t optimal, it was something, and they could talk again about caution if he continued to press.

  With that off her mind and Steven being watched, she allowed herself to relax in the sun room, enjoying the way the light felt on her face. Shane was upstairs, and had been since he woke up, working on whatever gift he went shopping for. The most she could get out of him was that it was something magical. There was a slight hum that told her, at the very least, he was working a blessing spell like she did on yarn.

  Yarn. She would need to make time for that very soon.

  “Hey, beautiful, what are you thinking about?” Shane walked in and kissed the top of her head.

  She reached up and took his hand. “You. I could feel you humming, what are you up to?”

  “Making magic for you.” He walked around in front of her and stood at the foot of her lounge chair.

  She could see a look of childlike excitement in his eyes. “When do I get to see this surprise?”

  He took her hands and helped her up. “Now.” He glanced around the room and looked out toward the driveway. “Are we alone? No day time witches or wizards hiding in the bushes.”

  “Your ability to brush this all off is amazing. We are alone. My monster hides in the bushes at night,” she kidded, finding his playfulness was infectious.

  He laughed. “Good, come here.”

  She let his arms wrap around her, and when she looked up he kissed her deeply.

  When they woke up she noticed his kisses and touch had an even stronger draw. It wasn’t like the magical tug she felt with him before, or with Sebastian, it was more of an urge deep inside her subconscious for more, more touches, more kisses.

  It was puzzling, since she was the one who wanted to wait. They might need to limit touching with her feeling that way, at least until next week. “Thank you.”

  “I haven’t given it to you yet.” His eyes sparkled like he was the one getting a gift.

  She gently kissed his lips again. “You gave me a moment of peace.”

  He reached in his pocket and pulled out a little pink jewelry box. “For you, my most beautiful love.”

  She took the box from his hands and hesitated to open it a moment. Her eyes looked up to his.

  “Go on.” He smiled at her and nodded toward the box.

  She slowly pulled at the lid and it popped open, revealing a beautiful charm on a silver chain. The charm was made with three crystals. The center one was larger and had a beautiful swirling pattern of green and pinkish purple colors. The two others were green without the purple. He set them together exquisitely, showing the natural beauty of the stones.

  “Shane, this is gorgeous. What are the stones? What is the meaning?” She ran her fingers over the smooth surfaces.

  “That’s my secret.” He winked at her and took the box, unfastening the necklace and putting it on her. “I blessed it for us.”

  She held a hand to her chest, covering the stone. “It’s stunning. I won’t take it off.”

  “I’m so happy you like it.” He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her closer, nibbling at her ear. “I love to see you happy.”

  She hugged him tight and kissed his neck. “You make me so happy.” She sat down and patted the lounger.

  He sat down beside her and rubbed her legs. “What’s planned for the day?”

  “Nothing yet. I really hadn’t gotten that far.” She held the chain up and looked at the charm more closely. “The main stone is so unique. I’ve never seen one.”

  “It’s Zoisite. I had a time finding it.” A huge grin filled his face. “I should really open up a shop in town, so other witches don’t have such a hassle.”

  “Other witches, here? As if.” She paused as her eyes studied the happiness that he wore so openly. “Do you really want to stay? Here, with me?”

  “Of course I do. I told you what happened between us meant something to me.” His hand drifted down her calf and started to massage her feet. “Besides that, you would miss me if I left, and that would make you sad. I want to make you happy.”

  “So what are the properties of these gems?” She held the charm between her fingers, feeling it had a magical blessing, but not able to tell anything beyond that.

  “They all have various uses. All stones do.” He shrugged and grinned at her.

  She cut her eyes at him. “Listen, you. I’m a witch too. Tell me. It’s interesting.”

  “Leave the charms and crystals to me. You have evil witches and dark monsters to deal with.”

  “Fine, what are the other two?” She lifted the charm and looked at them more closely. The smaller stones were an apple green with black veins in them.

  “Chrysoprase. I’ll teach you all about stones and crystal work, eventually.” His hands drifted back up her legs. “You want to go to Mel’s, grab some lunch, browse around town for a store front?”

  She sat up straighter. “Store front? Really, Shane, so soon?”

  “Unless you are going to tell me you don’t or never will love me, I don’t see why I should drag my feet in the sand.” He stood and offered her a hand up.

  She took his hand and when he pulled her up they were face to face. Her hand reached for the charm again. Although there was still something very special between them, and the new desire to touch and kiss was growing, she couldn’t find the words, I love you, yet. “I will cherish this forever.”

  “And I will cherish you forever.” He started in the house. “I need coffee for the road, you?” Over his shoulder he said, “I need to shop for a few fishing things too. I hope you don’t mind, I asked Dillon over tomorrow to fish at the lake.”

  “I. No, I don’t mind. You both need a relaxing day. He leaves a boat docked there and there are fishing supplies in the shed.” She walked in the kitchen behind him and got out two travel mugs. “You can rummage around before we leave and see what else you need.”

  He agreed, and while he was out checking the state of the fishing supplies she settled on a masculine throw blanket for him in her pattern books, and made notes of what she would need to get started.

  On the drive to town, Gwen listened as Shane talked about his plans to open the shop, and all of the logistics of moving his old shop. It all seemed so unreal, so sudden. They had gone from a few nice dinners on the beach to lovers in a blink.

  Her heart said it felt right. He loved her so madly, irrationally almost. It was a change to the indiff
erence and tempered love she had felt from everyone else. It was a welcomed change. She tapped her nails on the door handle as the thought that it might burn out just as quickly entered her mind. Her mind and heart were wrestling to agree with each other when he caught her attention.

  “Well, do you agree?” He looked from the road to her. “What are you thinking about? You didn’t hear my question, did you?”

  “No, I’m sorry. I was thinking about us, if that makes it any better.” She looked guilty about not hearing him.

  He shook his head. “Only if they were good thoughts.”

  “What were you asking?”

  “About staying, sweetie. Have you been ignoring me long?”

  She chewed the edge of her lip. “Ignoring is harsh. I was thinking about you.”

  “So I guess I’ll start back at the beginning, or do you just want a condensed version, better yet, tell me what has you so distracted.” He tapped a finger on the steering wheel.

  She wrung her hands in her lap. It had been her intent to make him feel number one, to feel as loved as he had made her feel. “I’m just worried about rushing and ruining something that could be so beautiful.”

  “Could be? Is, you mean.” In the short time he spent with her he already figured out that she was very easy to guilt into things, so he turned up the hurt in his tone. “Look, I’ll just go, if that’s really what you want.”

  “No, it’s not, Shane.”

  “You want me to get an apartment or extended stay room while you work out how you feel about me, or Dillon?” He released an exaggerated sigh.

  “No, it’s not about Dillon. I told you, you are first. I’ve decided, that is done. Stay with me. Please, I want you to stay with me.”

  He smiled and the car filled with his happy vibration. “Good, then let’s shop for a shop.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  “W hy don’t we stop at the yarn shop first?” When Gwen heard Shane chuckle she cut her eyes at him. “Seriously, Kathy knows everything about everything. She gets more gossip than a hair salon. If anything is for sale she’ll know. At the very least she will know a good real estate agent.”

  “Sure, but won’t that make us the new gossip?” He raised both of his eyebrows.