Bewitched, Bothered, and Bitten Read online

  “Okay, I can do that.”

  “And be affectionate without sexualizing it.” This time I did laugh at his blank expression. “Hold her hand, hug her, and kiss her without trying to get into her pants,” I explained.

  “What?” he snapped.

  “Calder, human women enjoy non-sexual attention just as much, sometimes even more, than they do sex. It makes them feel as though you care about them as a person instead of seeing them as a walking vagina with a nice rack.”

  He nodded as though my explanation made sense. Then he smiled. “So, you’re going to help me?” he asked.

  “Yes.” I leaned closer, poking the center of his chest. “But know this. If you fuck this up and hurt my friend in any way, I’ll castrate you and make you eat your own testicles.” Then I let a little surge of power flow down my arm and out my fingertip, giving him a nice little shock. “Understood?”

  With a new light of respect in his eyes, Calder nodded. “I understand.”

  “Good, let’s go eat. I’m starving.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Lunch was awkward. Ricki looked close to tears and Calder resembled a kicked puppy. He kept staring at her with a hang dog expression on his face. Everyone else looked as though they were trying not to laugh.

  While I didn’t think that Ricki’s obvious upset was funny, it was entertaining to see Calder at a loss for how to charm his way through problems with the opposite sex. Most of the females of the wolf pack might not want to mate him, but they rarely turned away a romp between the sheets. Also, they would never go out of their way to avoid him as Ricki was doing.

  Finally, after an hour of strained silence interrupted with small talk, Conner arrived to collect Ricki. He and Calder conversed briefly and I saw the werewolf smile and nod before Conner left with his wayward mate.

  Coming up behind him, I asked, “So what did Conner say?”

  Calder grinned. “He told me to bring by Ricki’s bags tonight and that my usual room was available should I need it. He also mentioned that her room was next to mine.”

  It seemed that all of us were playing matchmaker when it came to Ricki and Calder.

  “Well, I guess we’ll know where to find you,” I teased.

  He shrugged. “It depends on what Lach says.”

  “For fuck’s sake, go. You’re pitiful. Worse than any lovesick pup I’ve ever seen,” Lachlan yelled from the next room. “In your condition, you’re worthless anyway.”

  Completely unfazed, Calder sauntered back into the kitchen where Finn, Lach, Chloe, and Belinda waited. “Well, I’ll hang out here for a bit. Gotta give her time to miss me before I show up again.”

  Shaking my head, I followed him. A little levity was a relief after the stressful events of the last few days. It seemed the hits were coming hard and fast and it felt nice to take a break and remind ourselves exactly what we were fighting for.

  Unfortunately, my semi-relaxed state was short-lived. Belinda stood when she saw me.

  “Kerry, I think we need to discuss a few things.”

  I stifled a sigh. Just when I thought I would have a moment’s peace. “Okay. Why don’t we go out into the solarium? I have all my books and notes out there and I need to discuss the research with you.”

  She nodded and followed me through the house to the sunroom. Her eyes widened when she saw the large, bright area. “This is beautiful.”

  “Yes, it is. Finn brought my things out here because he thought it would remind me of my study at home.”

  The High Priestess smiled serenely. “You have a good match there.”

  I fiddled with some of the papers on my desk, my hands restless. “Do you think so?”

  “Of course.”

  Our eyes met. “But I don’t think the coven will,” I murmured.

  “I’m sure there will be some in our community who will think that consorting with vampires is a bad idea, but most of them are the elders. The younger generation, your generation, doesn’t seem to take the antiquated attitudes towards vampires and werewolves as seriously as the older witches. I think you’ll be able to bring them around, eventually.” She paused and said something totally unexpected. “And if not, well, they’re getting up there in years, so they’ll die of old age soon anyway.”

  I snorted, my laugh taking me by surprise. Belinda rarely said anything even remotely sarcastic or snarky. “I guess you’re right.”

  She walked back to the table and leaned a hip against it. “Don’t worry about it, Kerry. Even if they don’t approve now, they’ll soften to the idea once it’s revealed that the vampires can be trusted.”

  “Do you think they can be?” I asked.

  Belinda arched her eyebrows. “You don’t?”

  I groaned. “I know several that I would trust with my life and the lives of my friends, but my experience has been limited to them or the ones that want to kill me or kidnap and use me. I don’t know what I believe.”

  “The world is rarely black or white, Kerry. You know this already. Just as there are good humans and bad humans, there are good and evil witches, vampires, and shape shifters. You can’t judge the entire species on the actions of a few. Just as you can’t be judged by the actions of your parents.”

  She was absolutely right. If I was to be judged by the actions of my family, well, I would be the darkest of dark. My father saw to that before he died. Refusing to dwell on the bad memories, I shook my head. “You’re right.”

  Belinda patted my hands. “Don’t let past sorrow dictate your future happiness, my dear. And don’t let those old bitches in the coven decide it for you either.”

  I snorted, once again taken aback by my High Priestess’ words. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Now, let’s get to work on this prophecy and see if we can’t figure out what it means and if there is anything we can do to keep the supernatural apocalypse at bay.”

  * * *

  “Oh my, what time is it?”

  Belinda’s question interrupted my concentration. “I’m sorry, what?”

  “What time is it?” she asked again.

  I looked at my phone. “It’s after seven.”

  Now that I was no longer wholly focused on the texts in front of me, I realized my back was screaming at me to stretch. Moving stiffly, I straightened my back and felt the vertebra in my spine pop as I lifted my arms over my head.

  We hadn’t made much headway in the stack of books and notes on the table, largely because many of the texts contradicted one another in some way. We were slowly making our way through the similarities and differences, trying to figure out what the prophecy meant. Divination of this sort was always told in some form of riddle or puzzle that must be solved. The purpose of prophecy was enlightenment.

  Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to achieve enlightenment. There was too much at risk.

  “It’s time to stop for the night, Kerry.” Belinda’s quiet voice broke through my rapidly swirling thoughts.

  “I just feel like I’m missing something important,” I responded.

  “We’ll figure it out. Now, I’ve already spoken to Finn. He will bring you to the coven meeting tomorrow at eleven. I need to announce you as my successor before we discuss the meeting that we attended with the Council and the pack.”

  “Can’t you just stab me with something? Maybe in the eye? I think it would be less painful.”

  Belinda shook her head. “I’m sure it won’t be that bad.”

  I gave her a look.

  “Okay, so it won’t be the best meeting in the history of our coven, but we’ll get through it.”

  “You better bring a whip,” I quipped. “You’ll need it.”

  “Kerry.”

  “What? You know I’m right. The elders in the coven are going to have a shit fit when they realize that you’ve chosen me as the next High Priestess. Between my black warlock father and my progressive, free-thinking mother, I’m lucky I’m still even allowed in the coven. Then, you announce our alliance with the vam
pires and shape shifters? They’re going to think you’ve lost your fucking mind.”

  “Enough with the swearing, Kerry.” Belinda’s voice whipped through the solarium, sharp and clear. “I know this won’t be easy and I’m sure that there will be some things said tomorrow that will hurt, not only you, but me as well. We have to weather it. This isn’t about me and it isn’t about you or your lineage. This is about the future of the entire supernatural community and we need to make them realize it. Holding the position of High Priestess isn’t the easiest job in the world. You have to put the welfare of the coven before your own. And you have to be impartial and open-minded. Honestly, I think you are the only witch strong enough to hold the position and wise enough to do a good job. When things get heated or uncomfortable tomorrow, show the other witches of the coven why I chose you. Handle it with dignity, grace, and a firm but gentle hand.”

  “I will, Belinda.”

  She nodded. “Good. Now, I’m sure Lachlan is climbing the walls by now. He hates being away from the compound with the situation being what it is.”

  I followed her out of the solarium and into the den where Lachlan, Calder, Finn, and Chloe were all watching a movie.

  Lachlan was on his feet as soon as he saw Belinda. “Ready to go?”

  She smiled. “Yes, please. I’m hungry, tired, and in desperate need of a hot bath.”

  He ushered her out of the den and into the foyer. The rest of us followed. As Lach helped Belinda with her coat, Chloe and Calder shrugged into their jackets as well.

  Just as they were getting ready to leave, I called out to Belinda. “Are you sure you can’t just stab me with something pointy and painful instead of making me go tomorrow?”

  “Eleven, Kerry.” Belinda looked at Finn over her shoulder before she started down the steps of the front porch. “Make sure she’s there.”

  “I will.”

  As the werewolves and my High Priestess climbed into the car, I elbowed Finn lightly. “Traitor.”

  He didn’t respond, merely wrapped an arm around my shoulders and guided me out of the cool night air back into the house.

  Then he asked me a question guaranteed to put me in a better mood.

  “How about a long, hot bath and a massage?”

  Belinda was right. Vampire or not, he was a keeper.

  Chapter Seventeen

  An hour later, I emerged from Finn’s luxurious bathroom, damp and red all over. I’d taken a very hot bath, with scented oils, and drunk a glass of wine. Now, I was staring at the master bedroom, which was only lit by the flames in the fireplace and a few candles set about the room.

  Several ornate glass bottles sat on the side table next to the bed and Finn was standing in front of the fireplace in nothing but a thin pair of pajama pants that clung to his ass quite nicely. The fit also led me to believe he wasn’t wearing any underwear.

  My blood suddenly felt like syrup moving through my veins, thick, sensuous, and slow.

  He turned, smiling slightly when he saw me wearing nothing but a huge robe and my hair in a haphazard pile on top of my head. “You look a lot more relaxed.” He gestured to the bed. “Let’s see if we can make that even better.”

  I walked to the bed and hesitated, my hands clasping the belt of the robe. Finn didn’t speak. Instead he came up behind me and untied my robe, sliding it off my shoulders and down my arms.

  “Lie down,” he commanded softly. “I just want to help you relax.”

  I sucked in a deep breath and climbed into the center of the bed, lying face down on the mattress with my hands stacked beneath my cheek.

  I heard the soft clink of glass and knew he was pouring oil into his palm. The light floral scent of lavender candles surrounded me. I gasped lightly when his incredibly hot palms cupped my shoulder blades, slowly spreading oil on my skin. The oil smelled of jasmine and vanilla, warm and sensual.

  At first, I felt myself melting beneath his touch, the tense muscles of my back and neck releasing under his ministrations. Then, as his hands traveled to my lower back and buttocks, the syrupy feeling returned to my blood. I was suddenly very aware of the rough glide of his callused fingertips on my skin, the cadence of our breathing, and the cinnamon and vanilla scent of Finn. With each stroke and press of his fingers, an ache began to grow between my thighs.

  I almost moaned in disbelief as his hands stopped touching my lower back and buttocks. He couldn’t stop now when it was beginning to feel so good. I jumped a little when his fingers closed around my ankles, more oil on his palms. Slowly and methodically, he began to massage my calves in long strokes, lightly at first, then more deeply. Then he moved to the backs of my thighs. With each pass of his hands, which cupped the backs of my legs, his thumbs drew perilously close to the place where I ached for his touch the most.

  Shifting restlessly, I parted my legs a little more, inviting him to touch me. I groaned softly as one of his thumbs brushed my labia. The steady movement of his massage paused for a moment before he resumed. On the next pass of his hands up my thighs, both of this thumbs met briefly over my center, causing my hips to flex and my nipples to tighten.

  Without speaking, Finn used his hands to spread my legs, pushing my knees up and out so that I was lying on the bed on my stomach with my knees bent even with my waist. He trailed a hand down my spine, pressing and stroking. As he reached the base, he reversed the direction of that hand while the other slid up my leg to cup the ache between my thighs.

  Firmly, he rubbed his entire palm against me, spreading oil from my clit down to my entrance. Then he removed his hand and I felt a stream of cool air as he blew lightly over my pussy. Suddenly, everywhere he’d spread the oil began to tingle and heat under his breath. The gentle throb between my thighs became a hot need that I’d never experienced before.

  “Ahhhh.” I couldn’t form words, only unintelligible sounds.

  The steady stream of air stopped just before two of Finn’s fingers circled my now swollen clit. My entire body jerked at the intensity created by that simple caress. He increased the pressure of his hand, stroking me with small, firm movements. Within a few minutes, I hovered on the edge of release, my lower body trembling with the need to come.

  “Finn,” I whispered, attempting to press myself more firmly into his hand.

  His other hand moved over my back in a soothing motion, sliding down over my spine and my ass until he reached my aching center. I held my breath as he traced a finger around my entrance, the oil on my skin warming under his touch. With excruciating slowness, he slipped first one finger inside me, then another. I felt my muscles clench around him and my orgasm shimmered, ready to explode, yet just out of reach.

  I moaned as he used his finger tips to press firmly on a spot inside of me that felt uncomfortable at first, then intensely pleasurable. Goddess, the g-spot wasn’t a myth after all. Under his dual assault, I began to pant, on the verge of one of the best orgasms of my life.

  “Finn, please,” I begged.

  As if he had been waiting for those very words, he increased the pressure on my clit and my g-spot and I detonated. There was no other way to describe it. I felt as though my skin was too fragile to hold the shockwaves of bliss that obliterated every thought or emotion I had. I was nothing but a mass of physical sensation, writhing in the throes of agony and ecstasy in equal measure.

  Just as slowly as he built my climax, Finn brought me down from the peak. My body shuddered and quivered as he drew out the orgasm until the final contraction of my muscles passed and left me a boneless mass on the bed.

  He leaned over me, kissing my shoulder and neck lightly. “Do you feel better?” he asked, his voice rough.

  My eyelids fluttered open and I arched my back, stretching like a cat. “Much.” My ass brushed his erection, still covered by his pajama pants. “But I think there’s one part of you that needs some attention.”

  He smiled slightly. “That was for you, sweetheart. You needed to relax.”

  I hummed in the back
of my throat. “Well, I’m not quite relaxed enough to go to sleep,” I teased. “I think I need at least one more orgasm before I’ll be too tired to keep my eyes open.”

  When he shook his head, I sighed. “I want you inside me, Finn.”

  His deep purple eyes flashed at my invitation and I saw the tips of his fangs extend to peek out from beneath his upper lip. “Very well.” When I began to roll over, he stopped me with his hands on my hips. “Don’t move. Stay exactly as you are.”

  I complied, resting my cheek on my hands. I heard the rustle of fabric then felt the mattress shift as Finn moved between my thighs. His thighs touched mine and I felt the hard flesh of his erection rest against my ass. His skin was fiery in its heat.

  I felt a drizzle of oil hit the skin of my lower back. I turned my head so that I could see what he was doing. I watched as Finn placed the bottle back on the nightstand and used his other hand to rub the oil into his cock. It was incredibly sexy.

  When he saw my eyes on him, he shook his head. “Lie back down and relax. If you move too much, I’ll stop.”

  I went back to my earlier position, with my cheek resting on the backs of my hands. I gasped when his fingers ran through the oil pooled at the base of my spine and slid them to my ass, grazing over the tight ring of muscle. He pressed lightly, coating the area with oil. When I lifted my hips toward his touch, he hummed in the back of his throat and moved his hand.