by King, Thayer
Ronan glanced down at his cousin out of the corner of his eye. Brian was a few inches shorter than him. He wore a thick flannel plaid shirt and jeans. His dirty blonde hair was close cropped but there was no hiding the fact that it was already thinning at the top. Brian wasn’t aging well. Though he and Ronan were born within a few months of each other, Brian looked at least ten years older. He was unshaven and had the general appearance of someone who had lived a hard life. It had been months since Ronan had last seen Brian and suddenly he had the misfortune to run into him twice within a week. Declining to discuss Nikita with his cousin, instead he asked, “What are you doing here? This doesn’t seem like your type of event.”
Brian slapped at a bunch of leaves decorating the edge of a table. “No, shit. The wife got free tickets at work. It was either bring Natalie and the kids or listen to her nagging until my ears fall off. They’re around here somewhere.”
“How old are Lindsay and Logan?”
“Four and five,” Brian snapped. “What do you care? Who’s the girl?”
“A friend. Listen, it was a surprise to see you at Uncle Hugh’s.” Ronan couldn’t forget how upset his uncle had seemed after talking to Brian.
“Why? He’s my father. I have as much right to visit as you do.”
“I wasn’t objecting. It’s just that you’ve never shown much interest since-”
“Shit changes. So she’s a fuck friend or just a friend?”
Ronan gritted his teeth. It was a small town. He’d heard rumors that his cousin wasn’t faithful to his wife. But it was pointless for him to set his sights on Nikita. She was his and Ronan would make sure he knew it. “She’s my one.”
Brian’s mouth twisted as though he had a bitter taste in his mouth. “Well, isn’t that grand? The world just keeps on giving to you, doesn’t it?”
Ronan frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“Let’s see.” Brian stepped close to him so that their chests were practically touching. “You got two parents who think you walk on water. As if that weren’t enough, my own father treats you more like a son than he does me. I’m a dud, married to a nagging slut who got knocked up our first night together. But you, you’re a wizard who finds his perfect woman. Doesn’t sound fair, does it? What have you ever done, what have I ever done, to deserve this?”
To discover that Brian was jealous of him was a surprise. While he made a decent living, he wasn’t rich. He had a nice house, a big truck, and a flat-screened television that he loved. He’d worked hard for everything he had. As a wizard, he was decidedly mediocre. He did what he needed to protect himself and his home and not much more. No one was to blame for Brian’s unhappiness other than himself. He’d always been selfish and lazy. He didn’t seem capable of keeping a job. He behaved as though the world owed him for being born. As for Natalie, Ronan had been around the couple only on a few occasions. From what he’d observed, their bickering was nonstop. Maybe his cousin had loved her once, but no one had forced him to marry her. And, yes, he was raised by loving parents, but Brian’s dad loved him enough for two parents. If he couldn’t see that, then it was his problem.
“Brian, it’s never too late to change your life.”
“Oh, don’t worry about me. I find ways to make do with the hand I’ve been dealt. The old man gave me a gift I’m not about to let go to waste.” Brian gave him a smile that made his skin crawl. “See you around, cuz.”
Ronan watched him retreat through the crowd. He wondered what Uncle Hugh had given Brian. He hoped his uncle hadn’t dipped into his savings for Brian.
Vicky grabbed his hand, a flirtatious smile curving her lips. “Is now a good time for that dance?” Without waiting for an answer, she dragged him toward the music. He wanted to refuse, but his ingrained Southern manners wouldn’t allow him to insult a lady. A slow song was playing. It sounded vaguely familiar. He thought it was by Kenny Chesney but he wasn’t sure.
Even as Vicky moved into his arms, he was scanning the crowd for Nikita. Would she think to look for him here?
Vicky sighed and ran her palm up and down his back. “Ronan, you’re the only man I can dance with and not feel like a giant.”
“You’re exaggerating.” She was tall for a woman, almost six feet. But he wasn’t the only tall man in attendance.
She laughed. “Well, you’re the only one I desire…to have as a partner.” She pressed her sizable breasts to his chest, causing her cleavage to overflow her low cut top. "Maybe we could meet up later tonight? Maybe discuss other activities two such altitude advantaged people such as us can get up to?”
“Vicky, Nikita is my date.”
“I understand. And when you take your ward home, we can engage in some adult fun.”
Ronan sighed. “She’s not a child and you know it.” He stepped back from her, prepared to walk off the dance floor.
“Wait. I was just kidding.” She pouted. “I’m sorry. That was very catty of me. I can take competition.”
She toyed with the hair on the nape of his neck, sending a shiver of irritation down his spine. Ronan flattened her long fingers and moved her hand to his shoulder. “Vicky-”
“Let me prove it to you. I’m having a dinner party tomorrow night. Why don’t you come and bring your friend?”
“Thank you, but no.” Convincing Nikita to go would be impossible. And he had no desire to attend. Vicky was smart and beautiful, but she was high maintenance. Though he recognized her appeal, he wasn’t interested.
The song ended. Vicky shrugged. “Some other time then?” He began shaking his head and she interrupted him. “No, don’t say no. What you have with her may not be permanent. Oh, there she is. She doesn’t look too thrilled with you.”
***
Men! Nikita stood at the edge of the dance floor trying to hide her irritation. She was furious at herself for the sudden flare up of jealousy. Vicky had been practically draped over him. Grudgingly, she admitted, that it wasn’t Ronan’s fault. He was an attractive man. He couldn’t stop women from desiring him. Once they spotted her, Ronan and the hussy weaved their way through the crowd. They’d been in the middle of a sea of swaying bodies but due to Ronan’s exceptional height and red hair, they weren’t hard to spot. Vicky wore a smug smile as though she’d achieved something.
“Nikita,” Ronan began only to be interrupted by Vicky.
“Ronan, I’m so thirsty. Could you get me one of those yummy pumpkin spice eggnogs?”
Ronan’s frustration was clear to Nikita. For a moment she thought he’d refuse Vicky’s request, but then apparently manners won out. “Nikita, can I get you anything?”
“No, thank you.” The big sweet lug looked so confused and worried that Nikita smiled. “We’ll follow you. I don’t think they allow drinking or eating in this room.” His wide shoulders visibly rose and fell in a sigh of relief. He engulfed Nikita’s hand in his.
A winding line had developed for the eggnog. “Wow,” Ronan said, coming to a halt. “They must be good. Sure you don’t want one?”
She shook her head. “Pumpkin belongs in pie.”
“You don’t have to wait in line for me. Why don’t you two look around?”
Nikita arched an eyebrow. Spend time with Vicky? Was he crazy? Before she could respond, Vicky opened her yap again. “I think I spotted some pumpkin cinnamon glazed donuts this way.”
“Really? Is it in everything?”
“Just half of everything,” Vicky replied with a smirk. She found the donuts and some rolls. Ronan was third in line. Vicky swirled her finger in the icing of her donut and then licked it clean. “I haven’t noticed you eating much. Watching your figure? I mean, because of your height, it must be terribly hard to stay thin.”
“Nope. High metabolism runs in the family.” It was true. She worked out but even when she slacked off, she didn’t tend to gain weight. At that moment, Ronan shot her a quick smile as he advanced in line.
“So how do you know Ronan?”
“We’re t
emporary neighbors. I’m housesitting for Mrs. Williams.”
“Oh, really.” Vicky’s obvious relief was almost comical. She laughed. “For a while there I thought the two of you were on a date.”
Nikita shrugged. “We are.” Sort of.
“But that’s ridiculous. You don’t even come up to his shoulder.”
“And what do the two of you have in common besides height?”
“We have a history. Ronan and I have been dancing around the attraction between us for years.”
Nikita doubted the truth of that. “You’re handling this poorly. Trying to make me jealous. You’re too obvious. Everything you’ve done proves that you find my presence threatening. But if what you had with Ronan was so special, you’d have no reason to worry.” The other woman opened and closed her mouth but no sound escaped.
“Vicky, here’s your drink.” He held two cups. He gave one to Vicky and kept the other. “I got one for us to share.”
“Ronan, I told you I didn’t want-”
“Just a sip.”
“I won’t like it.”
“How do you know until you try it?”
Grumbling, she accepted the cup and took a small sip. She’d never even tried eggnog. Egg in a drink? Gross! But it was surprisingly good. It was sweet and creamy. “Mm.” Ronan grinned at her, displaying a row of perfect white teeth.
He took the cup from her and turned it to where her lips had been. He held her gaze as he swallowed deeply. His pupils were dilated so that only a small amount of the blue green irises showed, his desire for her clear for anyone to see. Nikita’s breath caught in her throat.
The tension was broken by Vicky. She poked her head between the two of them to draw attention to herself. “So I was thinking I wanted to go on a hayride, but I can’t find Sophie. What do you say, Ronan?”
“Huh? Oh, I’m sorry, Vicky. I owe Nikita a dance.” He emptied his cup and tossed it before taking Nikita by the elbow. She allowed him to guide her and even slid into his arms once he’d dragged her to the center of the dance floor.
Her head barely reached his shoulder despite her high heels. Ronan held her close, one large palm spanning her back. The warmth of it seemed to encircle her. As they swayed together, she could feel her nipples tightening. Everything about him was hard and hot and oh, so big. It was only natural that she would find him sexy. She shifted in his arms, causing his erection to nudge her belly. Yeah, everything about him was supersized.
She expected him to pull back and apologize. He did neither. He stroked her cheek with the backs of his fingers. “You’re so beautiful.”
Nikita took his hand in hers and drew it away from her face. Her hand felt dwarfed by his much larger one. “Don’t.”
“You can’t keep running from this.” He held her gaze as he lowered his head to hers.
He was going to try to kiss her. Nikita was frozen as time seemed to slow down. It would be lunacy to let this go any further. Her reflexes kicked in and she turned her face and his lips grazed her ear before sliding down the curve of her neck, sending shivers of desire skidding down her spine. He emitted a growl mixed with a groan that caused heat to unfurl in low in her belly. Magic. It had to be magic. She shouldn’t want him this much. It was dangerous and stupid. And she never did stupid.
“I want you, Nikita.” When she didn’t respond, his mouth opened over her nape in a kiss that was hot and wet, and oh, so delicious. He drew her closer so that her tight nipples were abraded by contact with his chest. He nipped her earlobe. “Can you imagine it? My tongue deep in your mouth, my cock buried in your sweet pussy?”
Too easily she could envision it, hunger for it. Shaking her head to dispel the taunting image, Nikita stepped out of his arms. “That can’t happen. Take me home,” she told him.
Chapter Six
Nikita couldn’t help being disappointed when Ronan walked her home but didn’t ask to come inside. Her head and body were having a major disagreement. Letting him walk away was the wise thing to do, but she’d had to bite her lip to keep from calling him back. She didn’t know exactly what she had expected. If she continued to turn him down, he had to get the message some time, didn’t he?
She hated having conflicting emotions. It had her stomach tied up in knots. Normally, she wasn’t this indecisive. When it came to relationships, she liked to keep things light and casual. If I guy ever seemed like he was getting too serious, she lost his number and refused to answer his calls. It was useless for her to get too attached. She couldn’t tell the men she dated about her work. They’d assume she was crazy. So when she disappeared with little to no explanation, men tended to get pissed off. It was better that she end it on her own terms.
After checking on Minx, she stripped and took a hot shower. Sometimes it helped her to get an hour or two of sleep if she bathed before slipping into bed. Tonight she would need every advantage she could get. Her mind was occupied with thoughts about Ronan. No matter how much she tried to banish him from her mind, she soon found herself thinking about him again. Many of the thoughts were innocuous, but tonight she couldn’t stop remembering his attempt to kiss her. How would it have felt? The man had sexy full pink lips. Were they as soft as they looked? Just the touch of them against her neck had her on the verge of jumping him. How much better would it be if they’d moved lower…?
Nikita gulped and removed her hand from her breast where she’d been unconsciously squeezing.
She wasn’t going to be here much longer. Would a short-term fling be impossible? Once she left for Asheville, she’d likely never see him again. It would be over and she could pretend that it never happened. No one besides the two of them would ever know.
She ran a lathered pouf over her arms, enjoying the slight abrasive texture. When she shifted her torso, water hit her tight nipples. It was possible she was horny and thus overestimating her attraction to the red menace next door. Or it was cabin fever. Or a spell. Anything was preferable to having the hots for a witch.
That she was even considering it was insanity. But the seed had been planted. How easy it would be for once to let go, to break one of her rigid self-imposed rules.
She’d just wrapped a towel around her body when she heard the doorbell ring. Finding Ronan on the doorstep shouldn’t have been a surprise. Smiling, she said, “You’re making a habit of this.”
His eyes travelled over her from the top of her head to the tips of her bare toes. “Is it a habit for you to greet guests this way or am I special?”
***
Fragrant steam rose off her glistening golden brown skin. She smelled delicious. Some sort of citrus if he had to hazard a guess. He wanted to lick her all over to learn if she tasted as good as she smelled. A soft looking pink and white towel covered her from chest to mid-thigh, but that still left a lot of skin open for his perusal. She’d pinned her hair on top of her head but wisps of it had escaped and clung to her nape and temples. He’d never met anyone so feminine or sexy as his Nikita. He hoped like hell that she wouldn’t open the door to anyone else like this.
“I take it you want to come in,” she said and stepped aside. “Come in.”
She was evading his question, but he decided not to call her on it. When she gestured for him to take a seat, he sat on the couch. She remained standing and he thought that was for the best. If that towel rose any higher, he would probably lose his sanity. “Nikita, I owe you an apology.”
“For what?”
“The comments I made while we were dancing were out of line. And I’m sorry if I offended you. My only defense is that my reaction to you is like a fist to the gut. You take my breath away.”
Nikita stared at him for a long moment. Finally she murmured, “You didn’t offend me.”
He frowned. “Then why did you end our date?”
“It wasn’t a date.”
“You’re trying to distract me. It’s not going to work. Why did you ask me to bring you home if you weren’t angry?”
Nikita shifted from
one foot to the other and she avoided his gaze. “As you have already guessed, I find you attractive.”
Ronan grinned. “So you’re saying that you were turned on by what I said? That you’re tempted.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “I haven’t decided anything yet.”
He wanted to jump and shout for joy. That she was even considering him as a mate was a serious improvement. “Anything I can do to help you make up your mind?”
Her eyes fastened onto his lips and his breath caught in his chest. “Maybe.”
“You want to kiss me.” It wasn’t a question. He wet his lips and dried his palms on his jeans before holding his hands out to her. “Come here. I won’t take advantage of your state of undress. I promise.” Making a promise wasn’t taken lightly by witch. Promises were binding.
She nodded once. Then dropped her towel. “Déjà vu,” he murmured as she approached him, her curvaceous hips swaying sexily. She knocked his hands aside and slung her leg over his thighs. He leaned back against the couch, groaning as Nikita crawled on top of him. Her thighs were splayed wide as she straddled him, giving him an enviable view of her firm breasts and her glistening pussy. She was waxed below so that only a thin strip of hair remained. When she kissed him, he gripped her waist to keep his hands from wandering as they were wont to do. He didn’t know what had brought on this change in her and he didn’t want to do anything to make her stop. She pressed warm, soft lips against his, her bottom lip settling beneath his. When her tongue tapped at the corner of his mouth, he didn’t hesitate to open and allow her entrance.
The second their tongues touched his hips bucked of their own accord. God! It was as though pure lightning raced through his veins. He knew she felt it, too. She moaned and molded her body to his, her fingers sliding into the curls at the nape of his neck as she slanted her mouth over his and further deepened the kiss. Her pebbled nipples enticed him through his shirt. He prayed she wouldn’t stop him as he moved his hands up her ribcage and cupped her full breasts. When she didn’t protest, he thumbed the hard tips.
