by Mary Winter
“I’m fine,” Reid replied a bit too quickly to be believed.
“Bullshit,” Te shook his head. “I haven’t been here that long, but even I saw the way you were mooning after Laura. She’s got you wrapped around her little finger, and you’re following her like a stud after a mare in heat. You’re not thinking with the brain between your ears and we both know it.”
Reid stiffened at the worry in Te’s words. “What do you know? You ran away from StarMyst and stayed away until it was almost too late.” Reid flung the accusation back in Te’s face.
To his credit, Te remained firm. He dragged his fingers through his long, black hair, dislodging it from the tie that held it back at the nape of his neck. “You’re right. I just don’t want you to make the same mistakes I did all because of a woman.”
“Yeah, but Jacy’s one hell of a woman,” Reid said.
“And so’s the doctor,” Te agreed. “So where does that leave us except acting like two gangly colts tripping over our own feet?” Te’s mood lightened. He let the pitchfork fall and strode down the barn aisle toward Reid. Grabbing his younger foster brother in a hug, Te clapped him on the back. “Look, I just don’t want to see you get hurt. I think you can agree that we’ve all been through enough.”
“Yeah, we have.” Reid returned the embrace, startled by the show of emotion from the Conclave’s leader.
“If you love Laura the way I love Jacy, then you do whatever it takes to bring her back. Okay? StarMyst is her home too. Edwin gave her his protection. I can do no less.” Te released Reid and picked up the pitchfork. “Now you going to help or do I have to do chores all by myself again?”
“All right,” Reid admitted. He went to the tack room and grabbed a second pitchfork, prepared for what may be his last normal afternoon at StarMyst.
Chapter Six
After eight hours of driving the next day, Reid was more than happy to see the city limits for Memphis, the halfway point on their journey. Laura told him she’d taken care of all the arrangements, and after sitting on his butt for so long, right now he didn’t care if they ended up in a tent. Somehow, with Laura, he doubted it.
“Take this exit,” she said. Just the sound of her voice tightened his cock. Her. Him. A cozy hotel room. Yeah, he could dig that, and if the promising looks she’d been giving him all day were any indication, so could she.
The drive had given him way too much time to think. Conversation had run out around Springfield, Illinois. The radio stations became even too much country for him as they entered Missouri. Sliding out of the boot heel and into Tennessee was almost like entering a different world. A world from which Laura had come.
So, he remained quiet and followed her directions. She sounded better than any GPS system he’d tested, and soon, she steered him into the parking lot of a huge, historic hotel. Yeah, no bargain chain motels for him tonight. He grinned.
“I hope you don’t mind,” she said as he turned off the engine, “but I booked us for two nights. I thought it’d be nice to have some time to ourselves before we entered Brazos politics.” She opened the car door.
He hurried to catch up with her, holding the door open as she exited. Grabbing their two overnight bags and leaving the rest of the luggage in the car, he followed her to the elevators. She moved like she’d been here before. With her Conclave, he figured she probably had.
“I didn’t use my connections if that’s what you’re wondering,” she said. The elevator doors slid closed.
Reid stared at their mirrored surfaces. The more he and Laura fed the lussor, the closer they’d become, until at times like this, he swore she could read his mind. Or was he really that transparent? “I wasn’t,” he lied.
“Of course you were. I would have if I were in your shoes. This is Presley Conclave territory, by the way. They’re pretty friendly. We might have a welcoming note in our suite, but that’s about it. They tend to stay out of other people’s business.”
“So Elvis, he was a…”
Laura laughed. “Nah. Though there are rumors there were Sorcerers somewhere in his family tree. I think it’s because of the notoriety. They tend to stick to themselves, which makes Memphis a good place to hold meetings.”
The elevator doors opened. Reid said nothing, his head whirling with all the politics that he knew was out there and never had taken part in before. Good thing Laura knew it. He figured he’d make a faux pas and start the Sorcerer Wars all over again. Not a pretty thought.
Laura smiled at the bellhop and made her way confidently to the front desk. A large fountain with splashing ducks in it dominated most of the lobby. Polished gilt and rich woods made a subtle statement about the luxury of the hotel. While he gawked, Laura took care of the transaction, and she handed him his key.
The bellhop stepped forward to take care of their bags and Reid waved them away. Neither his nor Laura’s bag were very heavy and he never liked the idea of someone else carrying his luggage. The elevator slid open, and Laura slid her key card then pushed one of the top buttons. Apparently, she spared no expense, and he wondered how to approach the topic of splitting the cost.
His heels sank into the plush carpeting as Laura led him down the hall. At the last door, she paused and opened it.
Reid stepped into one of the nicest hotel rooms he’d ever been in. A huge king-sized bed, piled high with pillows dominated the center of the room. A loveseat and recliner created a living area on one side, the desk next to them with a big, leather chair. Next to the bathroom was a nook with what looked like a wet bar and the obligatory coffeemaker, and the bathroom looked big enough for a family of four. What caught his eye though was on a raised tile platform. A huge Jacuzzi tub and fireplace sat opposite of the living area. Instantly, his cock hardened.
“Wow,” he breathed as he set their bags on the floor of the already-open closet. “This is really nice.”
“I wanted it to be nice.” Laura sat on the loveseat.
Reid sank to the plush cushions beside her. He rested his arm along the back, his fingers just barely brushing her shoulder. “You didn’t have to go to all this trouble for me. I’ve slept in far worse places.” He remembered a cross-country trip with his parents when he and Kade were small. It occurred right before the Sorcerer Wars, and they’d stayed in seedy little mom and pop motels and the cheapest places. But they’d seen Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon and the Painted Desert, all those things that families were supposed to do together. He cherished the memory and wondered where Kade was now.
Laura turned to face him. She rested her hand on his thigh. Though her touch was innocent enough, heat burned from her hand through the denim of his jeans. He imagined her fingers moving just a few inches higher. Her gaze dropped to her fingers, and to the growing bulge behind his fly, and a soft smile curled her lips.
“That’s why I wanted a nice room. Just a couple of days to try things without the lussor getting in the way,” she said.
Reid wrapped his arm around her and tucked her against his side. “You don’t have to impress me, honey. I’m just glad for a respite before we pull into Brazos Conclave.” He dropped a kiss on the top of her head. That she thought she needed to explain herself touched him. “Though I’ll admit this is nicer than the places I usually stay at.”
A discreet knock sounded at the door.
“That’s room service. I told him to bring up our dinner right away.” Laura stood.
“Let me.” His sense of chivalry came out whenever he was around her. Opening the door, he let the waiter set the tray on the table in front of the loveseat. Heavenly smells of rich steaks and roasted vegetables wafted up from the tray. A bottle of champagne chilled in a bucket of ice. Six roses sat in a vase, and he realized there was a small dish full of bath favors on the tray between the empty champagne flutes and goblets of water.
Laura signed for their meal and the waiter left. “It came with the room. I hope you don’t mind,” she said, taking the top of the plates.
“Don
’t mind?” Reid’s stomach rumbled as she revealed the juicy medium-rare steaks, huge potatoes and steaming vegetables. “Not at all. Do we want to open the champagne now or later?”
“Later,” Laura said. She unfolded her napkin and laid it across her lap. He watched as she bit into her steak.
They truly came from different worlds. A place like this, Reid knew this might be the only time in his life he stayed in something this fancy. Not because they couldn’t afford it. Between Edwin’s investments and the horses, StarMyst had plenty of assets in the bank. More because he didn’t need to stay in a place this nice. That Laura had made the reservations for them touched him in places he didn’t want to think about.
She closed her lips around the bite of steak and chewed. Eyes closed, she swallowed, her tongue darting out to catch a bit of juice. He could sit here and watch her eat all night.
“You have to try this.” She held out her fork with a bite of steak.
Reid hadn’t even cut into his yet. Leaning forward, he took the succulent morsel into his mouth. Swallowing, he grinned. “Delicious. Now, it’s your turn.” He gave her a first bite, passing it to her. Laura made a show of taking the bite from his fork, chewing and swallowing.
“Oops. You have a little bit right here.” Reid cupped her chin and kissed off a droplet of juice.
Laura shivered. “We better eat before it gets cold.”
“Honey, I think it’s just starting to warm up.” He tossed her a hungry, masculine grin then dove into his food. Moments later, the plates were empty, leaving only a few assorted chocolates, the champagne, and the bath favors. The latter he’d save for later.
He reached for her plate, stacking them on the tray, before grabbing the bottle of champagne. Removing the foil, he popped the cork. It fizzed, dripping over the edges. Reid swiped some of the foam with his finger and sucked it off.
“Glasses or bottle?” Personally, he’d love to watch her red lips wrap around the neck of the champagne bottle, her tongue caressing the end as if it were the tip of his cock. His body responded and he wondered how long it’d be before he could peel off her clothing and they could both be naked.
“Bottle. Let’s live dangerously.” She scooted to the edge of the loveseat and snagged the cup of bath items. “Really dangerously.” Before he could say anything, she rose to her feet and hurried to the Jacuzzi. Stripping off her clothes, she leaned over the edge of the tub and stared the water.
Reid flicked open the button of his jeans. Just looking at her heart-shaped ass with its tantalizing glimpses of her pink folds, had his cock standing at attention. He toed off his shoes as he crossed the thick carpet. By the time he reached the tub, she had it filling with water and frothy bubbles crossing the surface. The fruity scent of piña colada perfumed the air.
Laura lifted one foot onto the step leading into the tub. “You’re overdressed.” She reached for his shirt, grabbing it and hauling him toward her. He stumbled, the champagne splashing over the edge of the bottle. This was a side of Laura he hadn’t seen, the devil-may-care glint in her eyes promising him a night of sensual delights.
“So I am.” With his free hand, he reached for his buttons, pulling them open. A couple pinged off, bouncing across the floor to land in the carpet. He shrugged his shirt from his shoulders, setting the bottle down on the edge of the tub, to remove it. Now this, he could deal with, a couple of secluded days in a fancy suite far away from either one of their Conclaves. Good thing it was him and not his brother. Damn, but he was a lucky bastard.
Laura stepped into the tub, activating the jets as she sat down. Water churned around her. Her breasts broke the surface of the water, the bubbles swirling around her. She closed her eyes and moaned. “This feels heavenly.”
Reid stepped into the water. After the drive, he figured anything would feel good, but as the water swirled around his calves then higher. He crossed the tub, his cock pounding with the prospect of taking her in the warm, bubbly water. Grabbing the champagne bottle in one hand, he cupped her breast in the other. He dribbled the sweet liquid over the slope. Then, he bent his head and lapped it off.
She moaned. “Again,” she breathed, tangling her fingers in his hair.
He obliged, once more dripping the fizzy champagne over her flesh. He licked it off, lifting her breast enough to wrap his lips around her nipple. He drew it into his mouth, sucking and laving it with his tongue. Her moans escalated.
He released her nipple with a pop. “Sit on the edge of the tub. I want to taste you.”
Laura hoisted herself onto the edge of the Jacuzzi. Water sluiced from her body, and he sat back on his heels simply marveling at the site. Wet strands of blonde hair hung around her face. Her skin flushed red with the heat from the tub. Droplets of water slid over her nipples and down her stomach. The neatly trimmed, wet curls between her thighs drew his gaze as did the pink flesh beneath. Wet, dry, no matter how he saw her, Laura was a beautiful woman.
Reid licked his suddenly dry lips. He held the champagne bottle above the churning water, the enormity of what they were about to do sank in. Setting the bottle on the edge of the tub, he cupped Laura’s knees. His gaze caught, and held, hers. Lips parted, she stared at him and the depth of lust and need in her eyes shocked him to the core. She might be doing this to get free of her Conclave, and frankly, he didn’t blame her, but she wanted him too. He parted her thighs.
“I bet you taste like honey,” he said as he made room for his broad shoulders.
Her fingers curled around his muscled biceps. “You know what I taste like,” she joked, though the trepidation was there too. Her voice wavered.
“Maybe I want to try you again, just to see if it’s as good as I remember.” He dipped is head closer.
“Reid.” Her fingers slid to his shoulders and she squeezed.
“Yes, honey?” He stilled, his lips just inches from her labia. Her swollen, pink folds called to him. The musky scent of her arousal teased his nose. Inching his palms up to her thighs, he drew her closer to the edge of the tub.
“I don’t feel the lussor.”
Neither did he. The power of his magic remained at a low ebb, satiated from all the sex they’d had over the last few days. “Isn’t this what you wanted? Just a chance for us to get to know each other without the magic in the way.” He grinned, realizing this would be the first time he fucked her without their powers dictating what happened. His cock jerked rock-hard and it was all because of her.
“Yeah, but…” Her voice trailed off.
Reid drew his attention up her body, over her stomach, between her pert breasts to her face. “You scared?” He cupped her chin so she wouldn’t look away.
“Yes,” she admitted. “What if you don’t want me?” Her question emerged as little more than a husky sigh.
“Don’t want you?” He struggled not to laugh. Waist-deep in water with his cock aching to be inside her, he found it hard to believe that she thought he didn’t want her. He rose to his feet, letting her see the full extent of his need. Taking her hand, he guided it to his shaft and curled her fingers around it. “Feel that and then tell me that I don’t want you.”
Laura drew a halting breath. Her tiny fingers stroked him from base to tip, curling over the head and then back down again. “That’s just your body. What about your mind?” Her hands stilled.
“My mind doesn’t figure into this.” Reid grinned. “In fact, I think you’re holding it in your hand. I want you. I’m not sure what I can do to convince you except make these next couple of days ones your never forget.” Please don’t bring up the past. Deep in his gut, he suspected that’s where she was headed. That after finding her in bed with his brother, she wondered how he could even want to do this.
The past was the past. Edwin had always said things happened for a reason. Whether it was learning that Kade had fucked her or finding himself in an expensive hotel room with her now, it was, as Edwin used to say, as the Universe willed. Who was he to argue with something far gre
ater than himself?
Laura resumed her stroking with gentle touches that tightened his balls.
Reid lowered himself back into the water, mostly to keep himself from coming in Laura’s hand like some untried teenager. With his palms on the insides of her thighs, he focused his attention on her labia. “I still want to taste you.” He blew a puff of air across her labia.
Shivers raced through her body, and beneath the water, she curled her toes.
Reid swiped his tongue along her folds, tasting her natural juices and the fruity fragrance of the bubble bath. Grinning, he dipped his head to her pussy, working his tongue between her labia, with slow, deliberate licks. Above his head, Laura whimpered. Her fingers curled into his skin, nails biting into his flesh.
Her plump clitoris tormented him. Swirling his tongue around it, he delighted in the tiny moans she made. The jets faded, the water going still and clear with just a few bubbles across the top. If she looked down, she’d see his head bent between her legs, her feet dangling in the water close to his erect cock. He paused a moment to savor the visual picture she made.
She shivered. Goosebumps rose on her skin.
“You’re cold. Come back into the water.” He slid his hands down her legs, grabbing her ankles.
She looked reluctant.
“Come on. Don’t worry, I can still lick your pussy.” Reid grinned, enjoying the view of her long, tanned legs, leading to her sex. A gentle tug had her sliding toward the edge of the tub.
Laura squealed. She grabbed the edge of the tub and slid into the water.
Reid pulled her ankles to his shoulders. “Hang on.” He dove forward between her legs. Caressing the backs of her calves and thighs, he cupped her ass. Dipping his head, he nuzzled her folds. “Just lie back and relax,” he said before focusing on the job of making Laura scream his name.
