by Anthology
“God, you feel so good, Xander.” She moaned at the intense sensation.
“So do you, my star,” he said, holding her hips, bringing her closer. Suddenly he stopped moving. “Shit, Mia, I’m not wearing a condom.”
She leaned down, pressing her breasts to his chest, and ground herself against him again. “Then you’ll just have to come in my ass instead.” She knew it would be safe with him. Xander grabbed the back of her head and kissed her hard, giving her no chance to think about her boldness.
“If that is what you want then that is what I will give you.” Staying inside her, he rolled them over. He placed her beneath him and within reach of his nightstand from which he took a familiar-looking little bottle. Moving slowly, he put his hands behind her bent knees and pressed her thighs back, forcing her hips up and exposing her ass.
He slid out of her pussy then, still facing her, repositioned his cock at the tight entrance of her anus. He squeezed the lube onto his fingers and gently circled her bud. The coolness of the gel teased her skin. When he put more on his cock, her breath caught. It had been so long since she’d had anal sex. Only with Xander had it ever been this pleasurable. He entered her gently but steadily, stretching her to accommodate him. A flash of discomfort came and went swiftly. Then all she was aware of was how filled she was, how close she was to him.
Once she completely surrounded him, they began to move together, meeting each other’s thrusts and needs. Mia ached to touch every part of him. Her hands were first on his chest then raking down his back. She arched up as he bent over her to suck one of her nipples into his mouth. When his hand slid between them and found her pussy lips, she knew she would climax soon.
“Mia, love, you are so wet, so responsive.”
“It’s what you do to me,” she said in his ear. “What you have always done to me.”
“My body remembers the feel of you so well.”
“Mine missed yours.” She gasped as his finger moved faster. “God, I’m so close. Are you?”
“Very. Keep moving like that. Let me come with you.” He leaned back slightly and rubbed his finger directly onto her clit.
Mia moaned loudly with the intensity of the pleasure. “That’s it, Xander. Now. Please. More… Yes.”
His hips slammed into her faster, matching the pace of his fingers circling her nub. When he screamed out her name, she knew he was coming too. Wave after wave of sensation broke over her and she pushed herself against him, wanting as much contact as she could get.
After a while, bending his elbows, Xander leaned forward, kissing her as they both tried to catch their breath. His skin was hot and sweaty and she was thrilled to feel his heart hammering against her chest. He shifted gently away from her body and rolled to the side.
“That was…” she said.
“Perfect,” he completed.
Mia turned and looked at him “Are you always going to finish my sentences after we have sex?”
“Only if you insist on talking after.”
She smiled and lay back in his arms, happier than she had been in years. It was amazing how she was able to simply turn off her thoughts and respond with her emotions around him. Nowhere else in her life had she been able—or willing—to do that. Was that the real reason she’d walked out on him? Had she been afraid to be that vulnerable? Was she really a coward? Mia wondered if after this week she would find herself taking new risks in other parts of her life but she was too tired to think about that tonight.
“Sleep here,” he said. “Stay in my bed.”
She answered with a kiss.
Chapter Five
Mia knew from the shadows in the room that she had slept late. Stretching to look at the bedside clock, she saw it was nearly eleven. She couldn’t remember when she had last slept this late or felt this good. That’s not exactly true, she thought. She knew precisely—three years ago. She had to admit that she was enjoying this casual living. Time had become more fluid during this week with Xander since everything was determined by light, not appointments. Walking over to the coffeemaker, she found a mug laid out for her with a note. Gone to get supplies. Back in a bit. X
She poured herself some coffee then, sipping her drink, strolled over to where his most recent painting of her stood. From the fresh smell of the paint, she gathered he had gotten up early and done work on it already. Sitting on a couch near where the canvases had been arranged, she looked at the images of her Xander had created. Although she had enjoyed being covered in sunlight—and clothes—for her initial poses, the new ones he had done at dusk and at night were becoming her favorites. She had never known anyone who painted by candlelight. It had been very sensual. Then again, everything in the past few days had been. Mia relished being awash in passion, creativity…and love. God, she was completely in love with Xander again. Assuming of course she had ever really stopped loving him.
Her week with him was almost up. They’d never left the loft and had eaten almost all the food in his kitchen. She’d be happy to never leave, to stay and be sustained on sex. Mia smiled, thinking there was nothing she craved. Well, maybe some chocolate.
Chocolate, shit!
Mia jumped off the couch. Mr. Howard’s, one of her first and best customers, anniversary was next Monday and she was supposed to send a box of chocolates to his wife. It was one of his traditions on her birthday and their anniversary. Mia grabbed one of Xander’s shirts that was lying on the floor, threw it on and headed for the computer. A couple of quick clicks and the order would be placed and in Mrs. Howard’s hands on time. Then she could go back to being in Xander’s hands.
And hopefully come up with a way to be in his life.
* * * * *
Xander had left Mia dreaming when he went out to get more acrylics—and condoms. He hoped she would still be sleeping when he got back. Images of kissing her awake filtered through his mind along with an idea for a picture of her asleep in his bed. He would call it Sated.
He’d had the best—well, worst—intentions when this week had started. He’d expected to paint her, fuck her and throw her out when he was done. The first two items on that list had gone smoothly, very smoothly, but the last would be impossible. There had to be a way to show her that they were meant to be together. If she could see how she had relaxed and smiled in the last few days, he knew she would stay. He would bet that she hadn’t been this happy in a long time. He had to admit he hadn’t been either, even though he had told himself he was fine. He would tie her to one of the poles if that was what it took to convince her that she belonged with him. That image made him smile.
The smile disappeared when he came into the loft and found her at his computer. She was deep in thought and didn’t hear him come up behind her. He could see over her shoulder and knew she was online. She had at least three different windows open simultaneously. Accessing work, e-mail and who knew what else, he thought angrily. It was an all-too-familiar sight.
This was what she had done most of the time they had spent out of bed. Once the sex was done, the work began. And here she was again. Nothing had changed and nothing could ever take her away from that world. At the end of the week, she was going to leave again and he would be left with a pain so fresh it would be hard to breathe.
“Checking to make sure the firm can’t do without you?” He couldn’t keep the annoyance out of his voice and was too disappointed to care.
“Yes… No… Wait, let me explain.” Mia was clearly startled, probably upset at being caught. She may have been enjoying her time with him but playtime clearly had its limits.
“Don’t bother. I said you had to stay with me for the week. I didn’t specify that you couldn’t be in touch with your office, so I guess you haven’t broken your word. Don’t let me interrupt you.” Xander turned and started to walk away. Damn, he was an idiot for letting this happen to his heart a second time.
“Don’t walk away, Xander.” He kept walking. “Please, it’s not what you think,” she called after him.
“Go, Mia. Run. Hide behind your cases and your motions and your future partnership. I hope you enjoy their company. I hope they keep you warm because as long as they are more important to you than a relationship, I won’t be the one in your bed.”
Mia cringed. That was the tone he’d used the day she arrived in his loft. She hadn’t liked it then. She liked it even less now. “Xander, please listen.” She breathed a sigh of hope when he uncrossed his arms and put his hands in his pockets. “I left the last time. You deserve to be the one to leave now and I will accept it if you do, but I’m asking you to hear the truth from me first and not leave because of an incorrect assumption.”
“I’m listening.” She tried to read him but he was still closed to her.
“Everything you said about me that first day was true. My career was my whole life. I wasn’t able, wasn’t willing, to make you more important or even as important. Then I almost lost a good friend who had made similar choices and regretted them deeply. I decided to make a change. I am still with the firm but finishing up. What you saw me doing was work for my own company, where eventually I will be able to make my own hours and have a life outside my job.”
She thought she could see her words sinking in. “No partnership?” he asked.
“Nope, turned my back on that possibility months ago. You were right. I was living without any real connection and I missed that terribly after you were gone. I didn’t have a great example of what a good relationship looks like and there are times when I am still scared. But I’d rather be out of control with you than in control without you.” Mia looked at Xander, trying to discern his reaction. Were his arms starting to relax? Did his legs seem less stiff? She hoped with all her heart he was hearing her.
“You’ve always been able to see the truth in me. See it now, Xander.” She slowly unbuttoned the shirt she was wearing. “Please look at me.” She let the shirt fall to the floor and stood there naked. “Please see me.”
He closed the space between them faster than she thought possible, scooped her into his arms and carried her to his bed.
They both fumbled with his clothes, moving feverishly in their shared need to feel each other. As soon as he was naked, he kissed her hard, passionately, his mouth open. Mia responded by giving him all the love she had for him and taking all he gave in return.
Xander moved away from her mouth and kissed his way down her body, stopping to stroke her breasts, lave her nipples. Her muscles softened at every touch. He continued to sink lower until he got to her navel.
“Open for me, Mia. Let me see you, taste you.”
“Yes, see me.” She closed her eyes in pleasure, letting the sunlight swirl images inside her eyelids. His tongue gently sought her skin, a whisper of contact, as he traced the lips of her pussy. Her body flooded in response. Nothing was as torturously wonderful as the flicker of touches she was experiencing. The lightness was maddening and out of proportion to the intensity of her responses.
Mia had not thought it possible she could enjoy the thrill of his mouth on her more than she had in the past, but now that she had surrendered to her emotions, her body was surrendering as well. Every response was heightened, the depth greater than she had ever experienced. It was as if love had deepened her ability to feel pleasure.
Xander moved his tongue quicker and inserted a finger deep inside her. A moan escaped her as her hands grasped the sheets. She had a fleeting thought that she might shred them in her fervor. Then the flat of his tongue was against her pussy and she considered nothing beyond what she was feeling. Everything was sensation and every sensation came from him. Too soon and not soon enough her climax began.
“Xander, oh yes, I’m coming. I can’t wait, can’t stop.”
“Then don’t, my star. Show me your passion.” If he said anything after that, she didn’t hear it as she screamed out her orgasm. Every muscle in her body experienced the release. Control was an illusion and she was happy to have it shattered.
When she came down from her peak, only one thought was clear. “I need more of you. Closer. Now,” she said.
“You have to wait while I get something,” he said and she heard him running to the other side of the loft. He came back opening a box of condoms and had one on before he joined her in bed again. Without hesitation, he buried himself inside her and she lifted her hips to welcome him completely.
“God, yes,” she sighed with pleasure. Mia looked into Xander’s eyes, loving how he was so close he filled her vision. They moved together. There was no space between them. She wanted contact with every part of him—especially his heart. Thoughts of how much she loved him flooded her.
She touched him as if it were the first time, as if she was only getting to know his body, and she was rewarded by finding new places where he was responsive. The nape of his neck, the small of his back, the curve of his ass all received her attention. She was thrilled to hear him gasp when she found another sensitive spot. Never had she gotten so much out of pleasing another person.
“Mia, love, what do you do to me? I can’t be deep enough inside you.”
“I want you as close as you can be, in all ways.”
Xander stopped moving and Mia smiled, hoping he could see the truth in her eyes. His mouth dropped to hers in the most tender of caresses and she responded fully, putting all her ardor into that kiss. Then she wrapped her legs around him, using them to pull him closer to her. When he began to move inside her again, it was faster, more intense than before. She knew he was building up to his climax and her body quickly responded in kind.
As always, he read her perfectly. “Come with me,” he demanded. “Kiss me.” She did both, letting him swallow her screams as she came again. His orgasm was close behind. His muscles were tensing beneath her hands. Mia pulled Xander closer and let him collapse onto her, loving his weight against her. They stayed that way until their heart rates dropped to safer levels then he rolled off her, drawing her into his arms.
“That was…” he said.
“Love,” she answered and turned to face him.
“Guess it was your turn to finish the sentence. Do you enjoy turning the tables on me, my star?”
“Absolutely. I would never want you to be bored.”
“I can’t imagine that happening.” They lay in each other’s arms. “Do you mind if I keep working at the club to make ends meet?” he asked.
“As long as you stay out of dressing rooms with anyone other than me.”
“That’s a promise.” He smiled at her.
“Do you mind if I stay at the law firm until my company is doing better?”
“As long as you don’t let it take over your life. You deserve more than that. I love you, Mia. I love your focus and drive and how you let yourself go with me.”
“And I love you. Your passion and vision and how you share it with me. I love how you see me.”
“You are worth seeing.” Xander kissed her. “Tell me you aren’t going to leave.”
Mia pushed herself up on her arms and looked into his beautiful green eyes. “Tell me you want me to stay.”
“I want you to stay.”
“Then I am never going to leave.”
Sorcerer’s Song
Cindy Spencer Pape
Dedication
This one is dedicated to my husband and sons who put up with a phenomenal amount of weirdness. Without you I’d be lost.
Acknowledgements
Thanks to my wonderful editor Helen for her help and encouragement, and to the friends who helped me polish this manuscript on short notice—Judith, Janet, Anny, Steven, Sarah, and Christine. Thanks for being there when I needed you. And finally to my guys, for all the times they have to say, “Mom, can you move the computer so we can eat dinner now?”
Chapter One
Cian stood, taking his leave of his grandparents at the end of their holiday dinner. His grandmother smiled, spry and bright for all her twelve hundred years.
“The time has come,” she told him. “Within the year you will have a mate.”
With as much affection as duty, he bent down and kissed her pale, lined cheek. “If the Fates so will it, Grandmama. But I wouldn’t get your hopes up yet. There aren’t too many women out there willing to take on a family like ours.”
“You’ll see.” She squeezed Cian’s hand. “But you’ll have to work for it, my lad. Yours won’t be an easy love.”
A chill passed down Cian’s spine. He liked being single. He didn’t want to hear that his carefree bachelor days might be numbered at the relatively young age of three hundred and six. But he’d never known his grandmother’s visions to be wrong. He tried to return her smile.
She winked. “Ah yes. These old bones will dance at your wedding, before next Yule. Now go on with you. I’m an old woman who needs her rest.”
* * * * *
From the balcony of his penthouse apartment, Cian looked out over the city. Waves crashed and rolled on the Lake Ontario shore. He loved Toronto, this young but vibrant city. It was a good headquarters for his various companies and charity foundations as well as his mystical research. Lately though, he’d been restless—almost as if there was something he was missing or something he was supposed to do. Maybe it was time to pay a visit to the family home in Ireland. Or even take a vacation, perhaps somewhere warm and sunny.
He listened to the waves and sipped his drink. His grandmother would have a fit if she knew he favored Scotch. She believed that nothing good could come from those barbarians across the Irish Sea. Cian considered himself a true son of Erin, but he wasn’t about to give up his aged single malt. Not even for Grandmama. Barbarians the Scots may be—at least in her eyes—but they sure knew how to brew whisky.
