Indigo Spell (7 page)

“No, you have not, but tell me you do not feel the connection to her now that you’ve lain with her? She is like a drug in your system now. The addiction has begun. I have long told you of the power women possess.” He blew out a breath. “Perhaps I should have warned you more about mortal women.”

“Is there that much of a difference between our women and the women of Earth, other than their mortality and our power?”

Falcon resumed his pacing. “You already know the answer to that. A mortal woman cannot protect herself against the unforeseen enemy.”

“She does not need to protect herself. I am more than capable of doing that.”

“So now you are speaking of watching over her, caring for her.” He shook his head almost sadly. “I assumed that once you did decide to take a wife, you would choose from another Guild, another wizard.”

“We have not spoken of marriage.” Though Jaxon couldn’t deny that Tess had intoxicated him and he wasn’t so sure he wanted to fight the addiction.

“Tell me then you can walk away from her, that you will not see her again.”

Jaxon folded his arms. “I will see her again.”

For a brief moment the tension climbed, escalated until muscles were bunched and eyes locked in a quiet duel but centuries of respect for his mentor had Jaxon lowering his eyes, looking away from the compelling plea he saw there. “Do not ask me not to see her again. For once, I have met someone who captivates me. She feels me.”

“She feels something but she does not know or understand what it is. Do you really think it would be fair to bring her into your life?”

“Do you really think I can do otherwise now?”

“You have a choice.”

“She touches me.” Jaxon placed his hand over his heart. “Here, deep inside. I have never felt this feeling before.”

The elder wizard sighed with some defeat. “And you are so sure she will stay after she learns the truth?”

Jaxon shrugged slightly. “It is a chance I am willing to take.”

Falcon caught hold of his arm as he tried to walk away. “Jaxon, do you understand what will happen if this woman finds out the truth about you and decides to leave? We cannot allow her to keep those memories. Nor her friends or anyone around her.”

“I understand.”

“She is a mortal.” The reminder was spit out from between clenched teeth.

“Of that, I am very much aware but I have chosen to live among the mortals, Falcon. I will follow the bidding of the Assembly when it is required. I do not use my abilities for personal gain, nor to hurt anyone. I have chosen to live my life in a way which best suits me. I had hoped the Assembly would one day understand my reasoning.”

Shaking his head, Falcon abruptly released Jaxon’s arm. “It is not that we do not understand. It is that we fear for the safety of the mortals with whom you associate. We do our best to protect them, to protect our friends but while our powers are immeasurable, even we cannot be everywhere at once. You leave this woman open to possible harm when you are not with her.”

The words caused a slight stirring of unease before Jaxon shook it away. He could protect Tess. He would protect her. “And you would ask me to just stop seeing her.”

“I feel I have no other choice.”

“Is this coming from you or from the Assembly?”

“Does it need to come from the Assembly to make it law?”

Jaxon stiffened. “I will not follow dictates when it comes to my heart.”

Falcon grumbled below his breath and shot a hand out from his side. Sparks dazzled in the air, sizzled before dissipating. Jaxon had long known his mentor’s propensity to theatrical displays of temper. Even now, with centuries of knowledge and wisdom, the older wizard could throw a temper tantrum better than any two-year-old. “We will discuss this at a later date when you have had time to consider what you might be doing to this woman’s life.”

“I have already considered, my friend.” With a wave of his hand, Jaxon was gone, leaving the old wizard alone.

* * * * *

“I can’t believe you slept with him.” Belinda sat back against the love seat, her eyes rounded with wonder. “Well, I mean I can believe it but…wow.”

“I couldn’t believe it either until I woke up this morning and found the note he left me. I think I’m still in shock.” Closing her eyes, Tess sighed. “It was the most amazing night of my life.”

Belle made a gulping noise. “That is so romantic.”

“It was wild,” Tess corrected. And hot.

“He sounds magical.”

Tess curled her feet beneath her and nodded. “You took the words right out of my mouth.”

“And he said he would see you again?”

“That’s what he said in the note but here’s the thing, he didn’t say when and when I called directory assistance, he wasn’t listed. So I have no way of getting in contact with him.”

“You wouldn’t call him anyway.” Belinda paused. “Then again, I didn’t think you’d sleep with him either. He must have really done a number on you to get through those concrete walls of yours.”

“I’m beginning to think he doesn’t really exist. I mean the man was, well, I can’t explain it. He took my breath away and no man has ever done that before.” Tess propped her chin in her hands and stared at the logs stacked inside the fireplace. The image of silver-gold eyes filled her mind and she couldn’t will away the vision any more than she could the memories of his touch, his scent, his very existence.

“Wow,” Belinda extolled again. “It doesn’t sound like you’ll be forgetting him anytime soon.” Her double chin bobbed in time with her head. “You’ll see him again. I just know it. I feel it in my heart.”

“Belle, there’s something different about him.” Something she couldn’t explain, even to herself. Being with Jaxon was like walking on a high wire without a safety net. But the element of danger didn’t overshadow her desire to be with him. Even now she craved him, wanted to feel him again. No man had ever touched her in quite the same way.

“I’ll say.” Belinda tipped back a bottle of soda, took a long slurp and then lowered it, cupping it in her hands. “And just think. You have me to thank for this.” She jumped a little when the lights in the room flickered. “Hey, it’s not storming out there, is it? I swear, you couldn’t hear a cannon shot inside this house.”

Pushing herself to her feet, she ambled toward the window to inspect the elements. “The wind’s picking up. I’d better be getting home before Ed starts to worry. I told him I wouldn’t stay long.” Returning to Tess’ side, she kissed her cheek. “Call me if Bachelor Number Four calls you. I mean immediately. Right after. Understand? God, this is better than a steamy romance novel.”

Tess smiled and escorted her to the door, partially walking on air. But for her own sanity, she managed to reply in a slightly droll tone of voice. “Don’t let your imagination get carried away with you. Jaxon Richards is just a man with an intriguing personality.” And a touch finer than a master violinist’s.

“Yeah, and my size sixteen body is just an illusion.” Belinda rolled her eyes and tugged open the door. “I’ll pray he’ll call tonight.”

Tess shoved her out the door. “Good night.”

Waving her fingers over her shoulder, Belinda dashed through the sprinkling rain toward the battered pickup truck her husband Ed used for his plumbing business.

Tess closed the door and leaned against the solid wood, a smile playing about her lips. An intriguing man? She laughed in the quiet of the room. If Belinda only knew…

Maybe Jaxon was just a figment of her imagination. No real man could whip her body into a frenzy of desire and need simply by whispering to her…at least she hadn’t thought so. And with every touch, he’d become more and more real.

She tried to move away from the door and found her legs wouldn’t cooperate. Her palms were damp, her respirations quick and uneven. Her eyelids drifted down, rested against her cheekbones. He was with her now. She couldn’t understand it, couldn’t explain it but she could feel him. Could even smell the scent of his cologne. Her body warmed, pressed toward the hard wood.

Warm wet lips moved along the line of her throat, drifted down to the pulse beating strong beneath her skin.
This isn’t happening!
Yet trying to convince herself was futile. Her head bumped against the door, falling back to allow soft kisses to bathe her neck.

Her hands clenched into fists as invisible fingers caught the zipper of her jeans and began to tug it downward. She could only stare as the denim material opened and her panties became visible. She didn’t need to move.

Though she was totally alone, she felt the brush of his body against hers, the heat of his skin. Phantom hands took hold of her jeans and pushed them down her hips along with her panties.

The coolness of the wood against her ass startled her and Tess lurched forward, meeting a resistance she couldn’t see. “What’s going on?”

Silence was the only reply and, as invisible hands traveled over the flat expanse of her abdomen, lower and lower, her teeth sank into her lower lip.
I’m going insane
.

A soft wind began to stir her hair, lifting it from her shoulders, confirming Tess’ belief in her own lack of sanity. No windows or doors were open. She was having a daydream. That was the only explanation.

Calloused fingertips took hold of her hand and she jerked in surprise, crying out and trying to loosen the hold. “Jaxon, is this you? You have to say something because I’m feeling a little bit crazy right now. I have to know!”

“Shhhh.” The whisper filtered through the air, offering reassurance.

The panic subsided. Tess stifled a nervous giggle. “Oh my God. I’m imagining you.”

Her own hand moved without her permission, reaching between her legs and as Tess’ fingertips parted the lips of her pussy, she sucked in a sharp breath. She hadn’t intended to touch herself but he was guiding her, urging her on. As much as it didn’t make sense, it was the only explanation she had.

She closed her eyes and circled her clit with her index finger. An unspoken command pushed her to the floor. She dropped to her knees, her finger still moving across her clit with slow, languorous strokes.

Those same unseen hands urged her backward, adjusting her hips and her thighs as if to set the stage for a perfect viewing. Tess was beyond caring now. Her body had heated to an unbearable level and all she could think about was the orgasm waiting for her.

She slid three fingers of her left hand deep inside the opening of her body. Her pussy contracted around the digits and she moaned low in her throat, arching off the floor.

Something gripped her hand and for a brief moment Tess was sure she’d seen the outline of fingers. The thought should have sent her racing up the stairs to seek the sanctuary of her bedroom. Instead she simply lay there, watching her hand being guided to her mouth. The scent of sex reached her nostrils and a warmth much like the caress of a palm, brushed over her cheek.

Instinctually she parted her lips and licked the moisture from her fingertips, tasting the salty musk of her body’s own juices. She shivered a little before lowering her hand back down to her pussy.

Though no words were spoken, she knew every action she was supposed to take and followed every silent dictate. Pinching her clit with just the lightest amount of pressure, Tess sighed with pleasure. Her nerves extremely sensitized, she tossed her head left and right, arching her back as the sensations intensified.

“Jaxon, if you’re really here, if you can hear me, touch me.”