“I live in two different worlds, Tess. That is my choice. I cannot change who I am. I can only change how I live.”
“You mean you’ve chosen to live like I do, as a human?”
“Yes.”
“And you can choose not to?”
“Yes.”
“Could you elaborate?”
Jaxon smiled. She was irritated. He liked that better than fear. “I have chosen to live my life as you do simply because I like the way you live in your world. There is a sense of freedom I do not have otherwise. Would you like to sit down?”
“No, I don’t want to get comfortable. I just want the truth.” She fidgeted with her hands. “You kissed me like a man.” Her head tilted. “You did everything like a man.”
“I am a man.” He watched a combination of confusion and suspicion skate across her face.
“No, you’re not. You’re a wizard.”
“Okay, fine. I’m a male wizard with all the desires and needs of a man.”
She turned her back on him, directing her gaze out the window, but Jaxon didn’t need to see her face to know indecision warred within her. A part of her wanted to run, to escape what she didn’t understand but the other part, the part he hoped was the strongest, was interested, intrigued even. “I have to let Belinda know where I am. Of course, she’ll never understand how I could be in the Himalayan Mountains so soon. I mean you can’t get to Asia by plane in twelve hours. That’s how long it’s been since we saw each other, Belinda and I. She would never understand. But I have to call her.” She stopped, looked over her shoulder. “Do you even have phones up here?”
“You can call your friend but what you can tell her will be limited.” He had moved to stand behind her and his hands now fell to her shoulders, massaging gently to ease the tension.
“You don’t need to tell me that. I’m not about to get on the phone with my friend and tell her I’ve met a real-life wizard. She’ll think I’ve finally gone over the edge.”
“And we couldn’t have that now, could we?” He nuzzled her neck with his lips. He loved her scent, the taste of her skin. She was more intoxicating than his first magic spell, more powerful than his most recent. And she was scared. He didn’t like that he had frightened her, that knowledge of his world had frightened her. “I know you have a lot more questions and I will answer those I can.”
“Which means you’re going to continue to keep things from me. You know, I don’t think we can have any type of relationship. You have too many secrets, secrets which shouldn’t be told to anyone, least of all a human.” Tess turned, her body brushing his. “Are you in trouble?”
He lifted one eyebrow. “In trouble?”
“With your group, the other wizards, for telling me?”
“They weren’t happy.”
“What did they do to you?”
He brushed at her hair. “Nothing. They did nothing.”
She lifted her hand and captured his. “I knew there was something different about you.”
“You’ve said that already.”
“I felt like repeating it.” She ducked her head and rested her forehead against his chest. “So, is it like against the rules for me to be here with you like this?”
“I have no rules. How I choose to live my life is my own business.”
“Hmm, I doubt the other wizards think that way.”
Jaxon chuckled, dropping his chin to the top of her head. “You have a lot of wisdom, Ms. Montgomery.”
“But I wasn’t wise enough to figure you out.”
“Most people cannot figure me out. That doesn’t lessen your intellect or wisdom.” His hands rubbed her arms, soothing.
“And do you whisk those people to your home in an attempt to help them?”
Jaxon kissed her hair. “You are the first woman I’ve brought to my home. And the only mortal.”
Tess shivered. “I don’t know that I like that word. Mortal. It implies you’re not mortal.”
His arms enveloped her. Would it help her to know she was the only woman he’d ever wanted to bring here? The only one he could imagine letting into his world? “Let’s take one big leap at a time. Too much information will only add to your fears.”
She pushed against his chest. “Don’t treat me like a child. You haven’t before now and I don’t need to be coddled just because I know what you are.”
“Duly noted. Are you ready to eat?”
Her stomach rumbled in response. “I suppose I do need to keep my strength up. In case I need to run for my life.”
“You did not believe me when I told you I would not hurt you?”
“I believed you but there is only so much a woman can take in one day, especially when you’re considering the type of things I’m seeing.” She followed his lead out of the bedroom.
He gave her a wry smile. “Then I shall have to be extremely careful.”
“Will I meet the others?”
Jaxon came to a dead stop in the middle of the hallway. “I don’t think that would be a wise idea right now.”
“They don’t approve.”
“It is difficult to please a wizard.”
“Hmm, I haven’t found that to be the case.” She slid her hand along his stomach as she strolled past him, leaving him standing in the middle of the hallway with erotic images dancing in his head.
“Damn.”
* * * * *
“Okay, let me get this straight. You left town with Jaxon and you’re not sure when you’re coming back. Where are you going?” Belinda’s voice held depths of worry.
Tess clutched the receiver to her ear, grateful for the sound of her friend’s voice, a link to sanity in this world gone mad. “I’m not sure. He hasn’t told me yet.” Though she kept her voice soft, she didn’t doubt Jaxon could hear every word. He hadn’t left the bedroom.
“And have you told your mother?”
Tess chuckled a little, picturing Colleen Montgomery’s mouth falling open in a perfectly scandalized manner. Her mother never showed emotion. They were a sign of weakness and the Montgomery family could never be called weak. They’d made their fortune steamrolling over the less fortunate. In her father’s desperate bid for the top rung of the ladder, he’d turned his back on his best friend, sold him out to the highest bidder and then walked out on his wife when his secretary offered greener pastures.
It was no wonder the Montgomerys didn’t have too many friends. Except for Tess. She had Belinda who had stuck by her side through the trials of growing up in the Montgomery family, had helped her sneak out of the house at midnight so she could be one of the girls, had even covered for her when Tess was too hung over to come to the phone when her mother had called. And now Tess heard her own voice lying to Belinda. She hated it, hated the way it made her feel inside.
“Hello? Are you still there?” Belinda called her back to the present.
“Yes, I’m still here. I’m sorry. I was drifting for a moment. Mother hasn’t met Jaxon.”
“I should hope not! I haven’t met him either.”
“You will and so will my mother…eventually.” Tess hoped anyway. For once, she wanted Colleen to approve of someone she’d fallen in love with instead of giving her a million reasons why the man was unacceptable as a potential husband.
“Well, that answers my next question. You haven’t even told her about Jaxon or where you are. You haven’t told me where you are for that matter.”
“We’re headed up the coast. I think we’re going to catch a flight out of Bangor. Jaxon owns some property in the mountains.”
“Which mountains?”
The lie clogged in Tess’ throat. “Look, just tell Mother I’ll call her later. I have to go now. He’s waiting for me in the car. I’ll miss you.”
“How can you not know when you’re coming back?”
“Because I’m not so sure I want to come back, Belle.”
The line crackled with static and silence before Belinda responded in a small, slightly wounded to
ne of voice. “Oh, I see.”
Tess sighed, retracted her words. “That’s not what I meant. Of course I’ll miss you but when I’m with Jaxon, it’s like…magic.” She wasn’t too far from the truth.
“Well, I guess I can’t fault you on that one. Just promise me you’ll keep in touch.”
“I promise. As much as I can. Don’t forget to tell Mother and if you wouldn’t mind, contact my attorney and have him take care of the house for me. He’ll know what to do.”
“And if he asks questions?”
“He doesn’t get paid to ask questions.” A knot the size of a peach settled in the pit of Tess’ stomach and suddenly all she wanted to do was end the conversation. “I really have to go now.”
“You do realize Colleen’s going to flip.”
“My mother flips over a broken nail. I’ll talk to you soon.”
“You’d better.”
Tess replaced the receiver and dropped her head, her hands shaking a little. “I don’t know what I’m doing.” She sensed Jaxon standing behind her.
“You’re listening to your heart.” His arms went around her waist, settled her against his chest. He held her tight, offering strength, but Tess knew the offer included more. A bond had been forged, probably unbreakable considering the man behind her…or the wizard rather.
She tilted her head back to see his face. “And you can convince me this is all real, that I haven’t lost my mind?”
Jaxon circled her in his arms, drawing her even closer to his body. “Doesn’t this feel real?”
She rested her head on his chest, unsure of how to respond. “I’m not even sure I know what real is anymore. I can tell you, for now, it feels right but that doesn’t mean it is right. Amazing chemistry doesn’t build a strong relationship.” And incredible sex. She couldn’t forget the incredible sex.
He cupped her chin, lifted her head to see her eyes. “Look into my eyes. Tell me what you see.”
She focused on the silver-gold orbs. They were a potent draw. She could see herself in the swirls, see the promise. She quickly looked away before she started to melt. Those eyes were her downfall. “This can’t be happening.”
His arms tightened. “But it is and we both need to accept it.”
“That’s easy for you to say. There’s not much for you to accept. But there’s a whole lot for me to accept.”
“Granted, but you’re not alone.”
“Except when you fly off and leave me.” A whisper of a smile touched her lips. “Do you fly?”
“Sometimes but mostly, no.”
“Oh, that’s right. You prefer to beam. Sorry, my mistake.”
He grinned down into her face. “I like your sense of humor.”
“Wait until you see my temper.” Tess knew she should push away from him but her arms crept around his neck, brought him closer. “In the meantime, you could really help to ease some of my fears.”
“And how could I do that?” He leaned in, his lips inches away from hers.
“Kiss me. Make me believe I’m really here. That we’re really here. That—” Her words were silenced by the press of his lips.
A hungry explosion of exploration and heat, the kiss took on a life of its own, stifling breaths, fusing their mouths together in a passionate surge. His hand cupping the back of her head, Jaxon swept his tongue into her mouth, twirling it around hers, before drawing back to suck on her lower lip.
Tess’ hands fisted in his thick, brown hair as she ground her hips into the thickness of his cock discernible even under his jeans. She shifted, rubbing her body up and down against that delicious warmth. Low curses vibrated against her lips while rough hands dove underneath her robe to cup the fullness of one breast. Desire pushed rationale aside and she tumbled backward, toward the cushiony softness of the bed.
He lifted his head and pinned her with eyes filled with desire. “Do you really want me to make this real for you?”
Swallowing the lump in her throat, she nodded.
He slid one hand along her cheek. “Then close your eyes and don’t open them until I tell you to.”
Slightly hesitant, Tess obeyed, trying not to peek.
“No peeking.” His finger traced the bridge of her nose.
“I wasn’t peeking,” she lied.
His hands slipped beneath her thighs, lifting her as he had when he’d saved her. “Where are you taking me?”
“Has anyone ever told you that you ask too many questions?”
“Many times.” She nestled against his chest, loving the feel of the strong muscles against her. “So where are you taking me?”
“Shhh.” He bumped his forehead against hers. “Open your eyes. We’re already here.”
Tess cracked open one eye first and quickly slammed it shut. She couldn’t have seen what she thought she’d seen. Water. Everywhere. Surrounding them. “Umm, Jaxon, I don’t know if you remember this or not but I came close to drowning. Not really a big fan of water right now.”
Chuckling, he lowered her until her feet touched something cool and slick. “You’re not going to drown.” His thumbs caressed the corners of her mouth. “Now open your eyes and look around. I want you to see my world.”
With an extreme amount of caution, Tess opened both eyes and sucked in a breath so sharp her lungs ached. They floated below the surface of the ocean surrounded by walls and floors made only of glass. A blowfish bumped against one side of the bubble and she could only stare, fascinated as sea life came alive in front of her.
From striped bass to hammerheads, the ocean was a hive of vibrant activity. An octopus lumbered by, sending out a spray of dark ink which splattered against the glass. Tess shrieked and backed away, bumping into Jaxon’s solid chest.
“H-how is this possible?”
“Weren’t you listening? Anything is possible now, baby.” The gurgle of the ocean combined with the sexy drawl of his voice sent her senses into overload. “Now what was it you wanted me to do again?”
He didn’t give her time to answer before he lifted the hair away from her neck and started to kiss his way down to the collar of the robe. Sucking on one earlobe, he dragged her closer against his body, enabling her to feel the fullness of his erection.
Tess leaned back and wrapped one arm around his neck, pulling him closer. His fingers slid down the side of her breasts, dropping lower to reach the tie holding the robe closed.
The material fell away, slithering against the floor like a crystal snake. He simply touched the front of her nightgown and it parted. “Oh yeah, this is what I wanted to see.” Lifting one breast, he took the nipple into his mouth, nibbling and suckling until she writhed against him.
Hunger slammed into her and she rode it wave after wave while sparks sizzled down her spine. She knew she should be angry with him, should question him. But later. For now she just wanted to know, to feel that he was real. She cried out for him, her hands extending but he moved out of her reach, his fingers hooking in the thin scrap of expensive silk covering her pussy. He bared her treasures to his gaze and she felt the heat of those sinful eyes impaling her before he dropped to his knees.
Water sloshed against the sides of the walls and but for the tiny glow of a string of lights lining the top of the glass ball, their world would have been dark. Grateful for the ability to see Jaxon’s face, she watched him slide down onto the floor.
Looking up at her, he winked and crooked his finger. “Come to me.”
Her knees wobbled. “I’m right here.”
He shook his head. “Lower.”
Bracing her hands against the cool glass, she lowered her body until she hovered over the top of Jaxon’s face. “Is this what you want?”
In response, he grabbed her hips and tugged her down hard, grinding her pussy against his mouth.
Tess’ hands smacked the wall while a seahorse bumped against it, its eager nose pressing close to the glass. As she stared at the small creature, Jaxon’s tongue lavished her, worshiped her, his hot mouth suckl
ing on her clit like a fine piece of candy. He buried his face deeper into her pussy, grasping the globes of her ass to press her even closer.
A wave shifted the bubble, making Tess’ knees hit the shiny floor while her hands curled into fists. “Oh, that’s good,” she whispered, encouraging him by rocking her hips forward.
Teeth nibbling, fingers pulsing against her flesh, he dove into her, inhaling her scent, savoring her cream. She couldn’t see his face, only the darkness of his hair against her thighs, but she could feel every inch of his deliciously perfect tongue as he slipped the hot member inside her channel.
Indigo Spell Page 11
