Bewitched, Bothered, and Bitten Read online

  I wrapped a leg around his hip and used my body to turn us. When Finn realized what I wanted, he rolled over onto his back and I knelt over him. I wrapped my fingers around his cock, stroking him from root to tip slowly and firmly. Keeping my eyes on his, I leaned down and used my tongue to trace the same path as my hand. His hands twined into my hair, lifting the long curly strands out of the way so he could see what I was doing.

  I took him into my mouth, tightening my lips around him and sucking strongly. I let my mouth slide down his length, using my tongue on the underside. I fell into a rhythm, sucking and stroking, and gloried in the harsh sound that seemed to be torn from Finn’s throat.

  “Kerry, I’m going to come,” he groaned.

  I intensified my movements, wanting to feel and taste his orgasm. His abdomen went rigid just before his release filled my mouth. I swallowed it down, humming in the back of my throat at the taste of spice and salt.

  When his body relaxed beneath me, I gave the tip of his cock one last teasing lick before I slowly released him.

  Suddenly, he lunged and flipped us so that I was lying beneath him. “That was incredible,” he rumbled. “But now it’s my turn.”

  I watched as he moved down my body until his shoulders rested between my legs and anticipation flooded my body. Finn ran a fingertip over my clit and down to my entrance, sliding inside and causing me to gasp. Bringing him pleasure and making him come had aroused me so much that I knew I was wet.

  My IQ shrank to the single digits at the first pass of his tongue. My toes curled and my back arched as he clamped his lips around my clit and sucked. He added another finger to the first and thrust them inside of me smoothly, pressing up and rubbing a spot inside me that made all my internal muscles spasm. As he suckled my clit, he flicked it with his tongue firmly, and I felt the climax unfurling rapidly inside my pelvis.

  If it hadn’t been a dream, I would have been embarrassed at how quickly he brought me to orgasm. I cried out as wave after wave of intense pleasure crashed through me.

  I looked down my body at him and his amethyst eyes burned brightly. He gave my clit one more teasing lick and tremors rippled from my center. Finn smiled, revealing that his fangs were fully extended. Then he sank them into my inner thigh and I screamed as his bite showed me the true meaning of ecstasy.

  Gasping, I sat up in bed, my thighs still trembling and the echo of my climax resonating throughout my body. I looked down, realized I was still dressed in my pajamas and alone. Though it seemed incredibly real, it truly was just a dream.

  Flopping back on the pillows, I threw my arm over my eyes to block out the harsh morning light and the aftershocks of a mind-bending orgasm. It was official. Sexual frustration was going to drive me insane. I could be the first documented case.

  My cell phone rang and I abandoned my plans to submit myself to scientific study.

  “Woman, why aren’t you at home? I’ve been calling your landline for an hour.”

  I had to laugh. Leave it to Ricki to get right to the point. “I am at home. Just not my home in the city.”

  “Oh.” She paused. “So, does that mean you’re not coming to Donna and Conner’s engagement party tonight?” She sounded a little off.

  “No, I’ll be there. Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, yeah. I’m fine.”

  I started counting down from five, knowing she wouldn’t be able to keep it in long. Five, four, three….

  “It’s just….well, have you met Conner’s friend, Calder?”

  I had. As the beta of MacIntire clan, Calder wasn’t exactly my best buddy, but I did know the handsome wolf. “Yes, I’ve met Calder a few times.” Ricki was silent for so long, that I thought she’d hung up. “Ricki?”

  She sighed deeply. “Well…shit, I slept with him at Donna’s Halloween party a couple of weeks ago.”

  “What?” My voice was louder than I intended. I cleared my throat before I continued, trying to keep my tone neutral. “Seriously?”

  “Yes. And, Kerry, it was the best sex of my life.”

  “Okaaay. Then what’s the problem?”

  Ricki groaned. “Donna warned me it would happen, but I didn’t listen. She told me that werewolves hook up with two, three, sometimes even four different people at these parties. I thought she was exaggerating. Well, after we, ya know, he had a problem and had to leave. He asked me to stay in his room and wait for him. When I woke up, he wasn’t back, so I got up to see if he was still even around. I, uh, I saw him with another woman.”

  Outraged on Ricki’s behalf, my voice was harsh when I asked, “You found him screwing another woman?”

  “Well, they weren’t doing anything when I saw them, but she was in her underwear and he was shirtless and there were these huge scratches on his back.”

  With a human male and female, I would agree that the evidence was damning, but werewolves were nothing like humans. It wasn’t unusual for them to walk around naked in front of each other and even snuggle with no sexual intent. It also wasn’t unheard of for wolves to change forms to fight out an issue of dominance, then change back and go have a beer, buck naked. Unfortunately, Ricki didn’t have the same understanding of werewolf culture that I did. Though she knew that supernaturals existed, she hadn’t spent a great deal of time around them, probably because of how overprotective Donna, Ivie, and I were.

  “What did he say when you talked to him?” I asked. Surely, Calder would have explained what happened. Werewolves were not big on lying. Actually, they were disconcertingly blunt and aggressive about what they wanted.

  “I didn’t. I just got the hell out of there. I felt dirty just by association. I mean, you know how my dad was and my ex. No way am I getting involved with a man who can’t keep his dick in his pants, especially if he screws two or three women in one night!”

  I loved Ricki dearly, but she did tend to leap before she looked, which was probably why Donna warned her about shifters in the first place. “Okay, I can understand why you were upset, sweetie, but werewolves aren’t like humans. What we consider inappropriate is completely normal for them. They walk around naked in front of each other and it’s no big deal and it’s also not sexual.”

  “Kerry!”

  “Ricki, I am your friend and I love you. Do you want me to tell you the truth or what I think you want to hear?”

  She sighed, obviously put out with me. “Okay, okay. You’re right. Maybe I should have talked to him. It’s just that I thought we had this amazing connection and it….well, it hurt that he could screw me six ways to Sunday, then go chasing after another piece of ass as though it meant nothing.”

  “Honey, you don’t know if that’s what happened. And, if it is, would you rather know or torture yourself with whatever scenarios you can concoct in that brain of yours?”

  I could practically hear Ricki thinking before she conceded with a frustrated sigh, “Yes.”

  “I’m always right,” I answered, laughing when she snorted. “Okay, I have stuff to do before I drive back to Dallas, so I need to get up and get moving. I’ll see you tonight.”

  We said our goodbyes and I lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling. I hadn’t thought about this last night, but Finn would probably be at the party. After the insanity on my porch and the exquisitely pleasurable dream I’d had, I wasn’t sure I could manage to stand in the same room with him, much less look him in the eye and talk. Finn wasn’t just a vampire, he was an extremely powerful practitioner of magic. I wasn’t certain, but I believed he may have been a Druid before he was turned. He’d never outright stated it during our nocturnal conversations, but certain things that he said and did hinted at his origins. If that was the case, it would be child’s play for him to see into my thoughts and exploit my weakness for him to his advantage.

  Feeling tension returning to my body, I threw off the blankets and shivered when the cold air hit me. I didn’t hesitate, though. I rolled out of bed and headed straight for the fireplace downstairs. Once I had a fire burning, I w
ould shower before putting together an amulet for the party tonight. Something that would strengthen my mental barriers. I would need every defense I could muster to keep Finn out of my head and likely my panties as well.

  * * *

  At seven that evening, I pulled up in front of Conner’s palatial home, feeling the shimmer of nerves in my belly. I was always on edge around other supernaturals. Witches and vampires had a long, bitter history of mutual loathing and shifters considered us little better than humans. Despite the fact that both species were susceptible to a witch’s magic, neither was willing to acknowledge the elemental strength of witchcraft. Probably due to the fact that most witches sought to prevent harm and to heal. All practitioners knew that magic carried a price. Evil begets evil and black witches usually died an early, excruciating death, which is why they were rare among our kind. I had only witnessed it once when I was still a child and the taint of that followed me throughout my life.

  I yanked myself out of my thoughts. This was not the time to allow painful memories to overwhelm me. I needed to have all my mental and magical defenses in place. While I trusted Donna with my life and had slowly allowed myself to relax around her vampire fiancé, Conner, suspicion of the fanged had been too deeply ingrained in me since childhood, and, tonight, I would be surrounded by bloodsuckers.

  Still, I had to become accustomed to interacting with other supernatural beings. Conner and several other younger Council members were making an effort to establish a civil relationship with witches and shifters. It had been centuries since peace existed between the species. Distrust was still rampant among the coven and the MacIntire pack when it came to vampires, but things were improving.

  I flinched when I saw a flash of black next to the passenger side window. My suddenly coiled muscles relaxed when I realized it was just the valet that had been hired for the evening. Shaking my head at my skittishness, I opened my door and climbed out of the car, accepting the ticket stub from the young vampire. Before I had a chance to give him a tip, he jumped in my car and zoomed off.

  I climbed the steps to the front door, still feeling off balance. Before I pushed it open, I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and released it slowly, focusing on exhaling all the tension in my body. Feeling slightly less stressed, I lifted my eyelids to find the front door open and Conner’s friend, Lex, standing in front of me with a smirk on his handsome face.

  Alexander Dimitriades was another vampire I was gradually beginning to trust. He had fallen hard and fast for my friend, Ivie, so I saw him often. He did nothing to hide how much he doted on her and that alone softened my attitude toward him. Unfortunately, he read me like an open book and, like any typical male, decided to use my weakness against me and tease me relentlessly every chance he got. If I’d had siblings, I imagined an older brother would behave a great deal like Lex did toward me.

  “Communing with fairies, witch?” he asked, dark eyes sparkling with humor.

  “Actually, I was summoning a demon and here you are,” I quipped.

  Lex laughed and grabbed my hand, pulling me into the house and a tight hug. His affectionate behavior surprised me. Though he strove to be friendly to all of Ivie’s friends, he rarely touched us except for a handshake or a peck on the cheek.

  Awkwardly, I patted him on the back. “Down, boy. Don’t make me zap you.”

  He released me with another chuckle, looking more relaxed and happy than I’d ever seen him.

  I frowned at him. “Okay, this is just weird. Aren’t you supposed to be all dark and broody and sparkle in the sunlight?” When he merely grinned and shook his head, I sighed. “Fine. Tell me why you’re so happy.”

  His smile widened until I was afraid his face would split in two. “Ivie finally agreed to a Claiming ceremony.”

  I went still at the announcement. “Really?”

  Lex nodded.

  “How did you manage that?” When his grin became absolutely wicked, I shook my head. “Never mind. I think I know.”

  He laughed and threw an arm around my shoulders. “All’s fair in love and war, little witch. You’d do well to remember that.”

  Scowling up at his face, I allowed him to lead me toward the ballroom. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  His dark brown eyes were amused, but also gentle. “War and love are quite similar, Kerry. Both are full of battles and, sometimes, you have to fight dirty to win.” Lex looked up as we entered the ballroom, still smirking slightly.

  Before I could ask him what in the hell he was talking about, an arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me away from Lex. I stiffened, knowing exactly who had just grabbed me. The smell of vanilla and spice assaulted me and I felt a hot, muscled body against my side.

  I glanced up at Finn, fighting to keep my face neutral. “Why are you touching me?” I asked evenly.

  He merely hugged me closer, leaning over to whisper in my ear. “You liked it when I touched you last night.”

  Lex cupped my elbow, trying to tug me away. “Finn, leave the little witch alone.”

  Immediately, I decided that I would never give Lex shit again, since he was trying to save me from this awkward situation. Anxiety filled me when Finn growled low in his throat and tightened his grip on my waist.

  I elbowed Finn in the ribs sharply. “Knock it off!”

  Suddenly, I was crowded between Lex and Finn, in danger of being smashed by two hard chests. Over my head, Finn hissed, “Stop touching her.”

  Abruptly, I’d had enough. Taking a deep breath, I pressed one hand to each of their chests and gave each of them a nice little shock.

  They leapt away from me, Lex rubbing his pectoral and Finn his sternum.

  Finn grimaced. “What was that for?”

  “Just a reminder that you should keep your hands to yourself,” I stated. I hoped my voice didn’t sound as shaky as I felt. My fingers tingled painfully where the charge had escaped.

  “What about me?” Lex complained.

  “That was just a bonus,” I answered.

  With a little wave, I turned and headed toward the bar. It would be rude to get a drink before finding Donna to say hello, but I really needed one. I was sure she would understand.

  Chapter Three

  An hour later, I was feeling much more mellow. When I’d gone to the bar earlier, I’d ordered a shot of tequila and a glass of red wine. The bartender hadn’t even blinked, just smiled politely and gone about filling my strange request.

  After I tossed back the shot, I took my wine, sliding a ten dollar tip across the bar and earning a genuine smile from the stone-faced bartender. Then I went looking for Donna. I saw her across the ballroom, looking radiant in a dress that was both blue and gray. The color looked fantastic on her. I made my way across the room, nodding politely to people as I passed.

  Donna’s eyes lit up when she saw me. “Kerry!” She hugged me tightly. When she stepped away, she looked down at my dress. “You look great!”

  The bad mood brought on by Finn’s earlier antics disappeared. “Thanks. You look beautiful.”

  Donna smoothed her hand down the material of her gown. “Really? Conner picked this out.”

  I had to laugh. She loathed shopping and avoided it at all costs. Conner usually had to blackmail or trick her into it. Many times, he would just buy her clothes and have them hung in her closet. She hadn’t liked it at first until she realized that, by allowing him to purchase her clothes and have them delivered, she could avoid shopping altogether. Now, I think she also enjoyed wearing things that she knew Conner would like. Donna jokingly called him her style fairy.

  “He has excellent taste in clothing and women,” I answered, lifting my glass in a mock toast to her.

  “Thank you, Kerry.”

  The sound of Conner’s voice and that sexy Scottish brogue startled me. He kissed my cheek as he stepped past me to pull Donna against his side. I smiled a little at the picture they created. They fit.

  Donna rolled her eyes. “Kerry, don’t let him hea
r you saying things like that. His ego is big enough as it is. Too many compliments and he’ll become an unbearably arrogant jackass.” She squeaked when he playfully bit at her neck in retaliation.

  Conner lifted his head, raising a single brow. It was a sexy look. “For every compliment your friends give me, you usually have at least one complaint. I think I’m safe from the delusion that I’m perfect.”

  I shifted my weight, intending to excuse myself.

  “Kerry.” Conner’s face was suddenly serious. “Have you spoken to Belinda today?”

  I shook my head. As the High Priestess of the coven, Belinda rarely had time to call me for a simple chat.

  He frowned. “She’s here this evening and said it was important that she talk to you.”

  A small kernel of unease settled at the base of my spine. “Okay. I’ll be sure to find her.”

  Donna looked a little concerned, but Conner didn’t say more. They were distracted by another vampire, so I gave Donna a discreet wave and moved away.

  I looked around as I made my way through the throngs of vampires and werewolves. There were a few witches from the coven here, but most chose to politely decline their invitation to the party. I knew that Belinda would have a hard road ahead of her if she wanted to convince other coven members that witches should form alliances with vampires and shifters and I didn’t envy her the job.

  I was pleasantly surprised at how many vampires acknowledged my presence and spoke as I passed. After centuries of distrust and bad blood, it seemed a new generation of the fanged were willing to put all that aside.

  “Kerry!”

  My head turned when someone called my name. Shannon and Ricki were standing a few feet away. I changed direction and headed their way.