Double Alchemy: Climax (21 page)

Cade gave a slow smile and moved away from him, leaving Quinn feeling bereft. Cade lifted his shirt over his head, tossing it on the couch then reached down and slid his pants to the floor. Quinn took a deep breath at seeing Cade standing nude before him, the lean lines of his body outlined in the orange glow. Cade moved over to the large Flokati rug in the middle of the lounge and lay down on it. Quinn lost his breath at the decadent sight of naked male perfection splayed out wantonly like some sort of celestial Greek gift.

“You are magnificent,” he breathed in appreciation as he divested himself of his own clothes and moved over to where his lover lay. “I can’t get enough of you, Fey attraction or not.” He lay down beside Cade, taking his hands and placing them above his head, holding them there with one hand. Cade laughed softly, his silver eyes shining in the firelight.

“Then show me,” he whispered as his body writhed sensuously among the soft white strands of the rug. “Show me how much you want me, Quinn. You have carte blanche to do anything you like to me, so do it. Drive me crazy, make me yours.” He leaned forward and licked Quinn’s ear. “Own me.”

Quinn growled, already rock hard and ready. That was an invitation he relished, one that he couldn’t resist even if he wanted to. This man before him made him insane with want and the need to possess him. The lithe lines of his lover’s body made him want to bite, suck and taste everything he had to offer. From the heated look in Cade’s eyes, the cock that stood proudly from his dark curls and the deep, rhythmic pants emanating from his mouth, the feeling was mutual.

Quinn grinned. “Oh, you have no idea of the things I can do to you. You haven’t seen them all yet, so I suggest you lie back and prepare to be ravished.” He moved on top of Cade, pressing cock against cock, loving the moan that Cade gave at feeling their mixed silk and heat. “I think I might still have a little magyck in me that you haven’t seen.”

Cade chuckled as he languidly stroked himself. “I can’t wait to see it,” he murmured, his eyes glinting in the firelight. “Bring it on.”

Chapter 20

A couple of weeks later Quinn was lying in bed reading his book when his mobile rang. He frowned as he looked at the number, not recognising it. He thought about ignoring it altogether but then sighed. He’d better see who it was. He was surprised to hear the voice on the other end of the phone.

“Valensia? It’s a little late for you to be calling, isn’t it? It’s eleven.”

At the mention of the witch’s name Cade frowned, looking up from the textbook he was flicking through.

Valensia’s voice was amused. “Honestly? The Warlock Grand Master is worried about his bedtime? My, how the mighty have fallen.”

“Did you just call to insult me or was there something I could help you with?”

She laughed softly. “Sorry, I’ve been with a bunch of idiots all day and as you know, they tend to bring out the worst in me.” Her voice became more businesslike. “I wanted to talk you about the summit next week. I know that both of us have enemies within our own organisations who are opposed to this alliance and I wanted to be sure you and I agreed on our approach.”

Quinn leaned back against the headboard, drawing the covers up over his hips. He was aware of Cade idly perusing his book but Quinn knew he was hanging onto every word.

“We both agreed we need the union of Warlocks and witches. The Council agreed too—you know the results of the ballot vote I initiated were in our favour. Now we just have to keep the peace.”

“I had to deal with a real problem today.” Valensia’s voice was hard. “I found a witch plotting to disrupt next week’s meeting with a fairly extreme plan to kill as many of us as he could. Luckily for us I managed to convince someone to tell me all about it.” She laughed nastily. “Needless to say he’s no longer with us, but it doesn’t appear he was working with anyone.”

Quinn sat up in bed, his knees drawn up, his face fierce. “Are you sure about that? The last thing we fucking need now is some sort of witchy terrorist attack and more of us getting killed.”

Cade laid his book down and regarded him worriedly.

Valensia snorted. “I’m pretty sure he was alone, that he was a lone wolf. With what I put him through, I’m fairly sure he was telling the truth.”

“Good. I think we need to organise a little extra security anyway. It won’t hurt.” He frowned. “Next week’s first summit is important; we both know that. I’ve got Percy with all ears and eyes to the ground looking for similar insurgents. If I find any you have my word they’ll be taken care of with the same efficiency you dealt yours. I’m not taking any prisoners this side and I’m glad you’re not either.”

“Well, it sounds like you’re very satisfied with what I’m doing this side.” The witch’s voice grew throaty. “Imagine what a powerful union we’d be if we were still together. Are you sure you still want your Fey man? I can think of another union we could try that would bring so much more pleasure, just like it used to.”

“I’m not having that conversation with you.” Quinn glanced at Cade, wondering whether he’d heard Valensia’s words. “Keep your mind on business.”

As he said the phrase he groaned inwardly, knowing Cade would pick up on it, even as his fiancé stiffened and his eyes narrowed.

Valensia chuckled softly. “I take it your man is sitting beside you? Is he upset that I’m calling you so late?”

“Was there anything else you wanted to talk about?” Quinn asked curtly.

She sighed loudly. “You’re not as much fun as you used to be; it’s quite sad. Yes, I did have something else to ask you. I need the assistance of some of your research team to decipher an old parchment that’s come into my possession. And before you ask, no, you can’t have it.” Her voice was wry. “I’m still waiting for that Book of Shadows to be returned. Will that be anytime soon?”

He smiled slightly. “You can use the researchers if you like, if you trust me not to steal it away from you. As for the book, well, I thought I deserved a little present for myself after all the work my team and I did on getting Matthew Hopkins out of the way. Are you going to begrudge me my reward?”

“I had another sort of reward in mind for you, one that involved me, you and a rather interesting bondage spell. But I suppose that’s out of the question?”

“Hell, give it a rest!” Quinn shook his head in impatience. “Let me know when you want that parchment looked at and I’ll sort it out for you. Was there anything else?”

“There was but you’ll only shout at me again.” The witch laughed softly. “Other than the thought of you spread across my bed again in nothing but skin and some silk ties, there’s nothing else.”

Quinn remembered a similar situation he’d been in with her in a previous life and he his face tightened. “Good. Then I guess I’ll be seeing you next week at the summit. Good night.”

Quinn disconnected the call and looked across at Cade, whose face was a picture.

“Did she realise that I could hear everything she said?” Cade said angrily.

Quinn looked at her in surprise. “Really?” His heart sank as Cade nodded violently.

“Yes. My hearing seems to have become a lot more acute of late. I guess it’s my inner Fey working. Hell, Quinn, that woman is a menace. How dare she think she can proposition you like that? And as for that bit about being”—he huffed fiercely—“being tied down on her bed, that was just pure bloody mindedness. She knew I was fucking listening.”

Quinn sighed. “Cade, she likes to rock the boat. Don’t take anything she says seriously.”

“You have to spend two days with that woman next week at your summit. How am I supposed to feel knowing she wants to tie you down on her bed and screw you senseless?”

Quinn chuckled at the aggrieved look on his fiancé’s face. “That’s not going to happen. You have my word.” Privately he felt a little bit of apprehension at Valensia’s renewed pursuit of him. He thought they’d had an agreement to let the past be just that.

“Well, I’m not happy. Valensia is really pushing the envelope.”

Quinn sighed at Cade’s mutinous expression.
Why couldn’t that bloody witch have kept her mouth shut?!

He reached out and pulled Cade over to him, sliding his hands down to his hips. “You are the only one I want tying me up and ravaging my body,” he whispered, as his mouth kissed the softly pulsing skin at Cade’s throat. “In fact, it sounds like a pretty good idea right now. Perhaps you could show me how that’s done. The whole skin and silk tie bit and me spread-eagled on the bed.”

He was feeling fairly horny himself with his own words, and when Cade reached over with darkened eyes and took the red ties out of his bedside drawer, Quinn knew he was in for a rough ride.

Chapter 21

It was a dark June night and Quinn and Daniel sat by the riverbank watching Cade swim tirelessly across the heath pond. His strong arms cut through the water as he propelled himself toward the opposite side of the bank.

Quinn thought Cade was certainly faster, stronger and more self-confident in the water than he’d been. Quinn couldn’t say exactly what the full extent of Cade’s powers were. All he had was the Sprite lore in his head and books. But they were learning more about the Sprite race together each day.

Now that Cade had more knowledge he was no longer worried about the ones in the pond dragging him under, and had in fact been a little disappointed that they hadn’t tried to make contact with him again.

In addition to Cade’s underwater breathing exercises in the bathtub, Quinn had even found Cade in a yoga position trying to “tap into his Spriteness” as he called it. Cade had been disappointed when the position of downward-facing dog had done nothing to help him find himself, but his practice of the position had done everything for Quinn’s cock. Seeing Cade’s pert arse tight and round before his eyes had definitely done things for Quinn’s libido. Finding out his boyfriend had done yoga in his past had fuelled Quinn’s sexual fantasies beyond the pale.

Quinn grinned now at the conversation they’d had one night while sitting around the dining table.

“Don’t they want to Sprite with me?” Cade had muttered peevishly. “Now I fancy getting to know them, they’re nowhere to be found.”

Quinn knew he desperately wanted to find out more about his potential healing abilities. Cade had tried to tap into them when he’d caught his finger in a door and cut it open, but unfortunately, the good old practice of spray plaster and disinfectant had been the sum total of his healing prowess. The fierce concentration on Cade’s face as he’d tried to think himself better had Quinn smirking behind his back. Cade had refused to let Quinn heal him either, saying peevishly that if he couldn’t do it, it would have to heal naturally, like a human. Cade was stubborn that way.

Quinn had chuckled. “They’re probably wary, given how you shouted at them the time they tried to make contact,” he’d remarked dryly. “I have no doubt they will soon, though. Your prowess in finding out a little more about yourself is making you more comfortable with who you are. They’ll soon pick up on that.” He’d licked his lips. “Now I, on the other hand, would love to Sprite with you.”

Cade had chuckled and ruffled Quinn’s hair which had led to bedroom calisthenics. Cade creatively demonstrated his ability to attain various yoga positions Quinn hadn’t even known were possible. Cade put his Kama Sutra book to shame.

Quinn had also reflected grimly that it was only a matter of time before Cade demanded even more information and he’d resigned himself to that fact. It was time to tap into Taliesin, who had been a complete and utter pain in the arse about his demand to help. Perhaps between them they could teach Cade some of the old Spritean language so he could make contact with them himself. Quinn felt a sense of dread at that thought.

“He’s an impressive sight to watch in the water, isn’t he?” Daniel muttered, drawing his old bomber jacket tighter around his shoulders. The cool night air was chilly and wrapped itself around the body like a blanket. “I can’t believe he has the stamina to get into that bloody water and swim like he does.”

Quinn chuckled. “Cade is probably more at home in the water than he is on dry land. If he doesn’t get his swim every day he gets tetchy and I can’t have that.”

“Is that why you magycked open the gate in the middle of the night and we snuck in here like a couple of teenagers skinny dipping?” Daniel remarked drily. “Gates are meant to keep people out. You can’t go opening them at whim and sneaking onto other people’s property. Did I teach you nothing when you were a boy?”

Quinn laughed, his eyes twinkling. “A tetchy Cade is more than I can bear. I’d rather face the wrath of a constable patrolling the park. Them I can enchant, make them forget they’ve seen us. But that man of mine in a bad mood does not bode well for my sex life.”

He grinned as Daniel shook his head in amusement.

Quinn eyed Daniel mischievously. “And it’s not the middle of the night, old man, although it’s probably past your bedtime. It’s only nine.”

Daniel reached out and punched Quinn hard on his arm, the force of his solid frame behind the blow making Quinn exclaim loudly.

“Enough of the cheek, you disrespectful bastard.” Daniel scowled. “Did I teach you no manners?”

The two men grinned at each other fondly. Not for the first time Quinn wondered what he would have ever done without this man in his life to turn to when things got dark.

“I was very proud of you when I heard the result of the Union Summit,” Daniel said quietly as Quinn watched Cade swim. “Not only did it go off without a hitch, you made history, you and Valensia together. Your father would have been very proud of you.”

Quinn felt warmth inside at his uncle’s praise. “I was pleased with the result too.

It took a lot to get us to this stage but I think we’ve finally got a real ally we can work with.” His voice was dry. “Even though Valensia is not my idea of the perfect partner in this enterprise, she’s good at what she does and we have the same views on most things. And I know she can control her witches, so that makes things a lot easier.”

He smiled. “And I have a great ally in Misty Ravenbrook, the witch that used the original book in her spells and started this whole thing off. We see each other occasionally and she’s even coming over for dinner in a couple of weeks. We’ve become good friends. I want her to meet Cade.” His voice faltered. “I have an idea I want to swing by him before she does though, something pretty mind blowing and it will need both Misty and Cade to get comfortable with each other.”