A Touch of Magick (7 page)

Rhiannon blinked at the cold recital of facts. No doubt about it, he didn’t want to discuss his family. She couldn’t imagine not having a ton of family. She missed them, even though she’d needed to get away and spread her wings. She picked up her wineglass and took a sip of the crisp wine, letting it flow down her throat before setting the glass back on the table.

“Both my parents are still in California in the house where I was born. My sister, Gwen, lives about a ten-minute drive from them. Grammy and Grandpa are there too, along with a host of aunts, uncles and cousins.”

Ryland’s eyes narrowed as he studied her. “If you’re all so close, why did you leave?”

She shrugged, feeling uncomfortable. This wasn’t a topic she wanted to get into. Not now. “I needed to find my own way, step out on my own two feet and make something that was my own.”

He nodded and one corner of his mouth kicked up in a smile. “I can understand that.”

She was glad he accepted her easy answer. In truth, the decision had been a gut-wrenching one. She missed her family terribly and talked to them almost daily. But she wasn’t sorry she’d come to Burnt Cove. She’d found something special here. A sense of place, of belonging, that she’d never felt anywhere else.

Her nerves were jittery, her dinner churning around in her stomach. She wished she’d never asked him about his family. Up until then, everything had been going extremely well with none of the awkwardness of a first date, if you didn’t count the fact that they’d managed to set off a bunch of car alarms in the parking lot with the energy from a mere kiss.

Something brushed her leg and she startled, her gaze flying to Ryland. He picked up his beer and brought it to his mouth, taking a sip. She watched his lips part and brush the mouth of the bottle. His throat rippled as he swallowed. She knew what those lips felt like against hers.

She was suddenly too warm, her clothing too confining. She felt the brush against her leg again. It was his other hand. Ryland set his drink on the table, toying with the long-necked bottle even as he stroked his fingers up and down the outside of her thigh. For a brief moment, Rhiannon wished she’d worn a skirt.

Her breath caught in her throat. She could easily imagine his calloused fingers stroking her bare inner thigh. And higher. She swallowed and looked away. If she wasn’t careful, everyone in the room would know she was aroused.

Rhiannon was afraid her nipples were visible through her silk blouse. She was grateful the lighting was dim and for the fact she had a jacket to put on when they left. Otherwise, she could find herself in an embarrassing situation.

“Dessert?” Ryland’s low voice settled over her like a caress.

She bit her bottom lip as his hand drew closer to the top of her thigh. Her inner muscles quivered and her panties grew damp. He was inches away from touching her where she ached to be touched.

“Rhiannon?”

“Hmm.” She couldn’t remember what he’d asked her. Sexual need was gathering low in her belly, swirling upward, seeking release.

“Chocolate perhaps?”

“Chocolate?” she repeated. Yes, she’d love to have Ryland smeared in chocolate so she could lick it off. Better still, he could cover her in chocolate. Her nipples tightened, pressing against her bra as she imagined him trailing his hot tongue over her entire body.

A cart rolled into view and the waiter smiled. “Dessert?”

Reality returned with a thud. She was in a public restaurant. Her concentration fractured and the pent up sexual energy inside her quivered, searching for release. It surged outward before she could stop it, releasing a flash of power into the room.

The dessert cart jumped and rattled. The waiter reached for the handle to steady it just as the two wheels on the left lifted right off the floor. He yelled and made a grab for it, but it was too late.

As Rhiannon watched, the entire cart tipped to the side. Chocolate mousse, black forest cake, truffles, brownies and other delectable treats all crashed to the floor, like some great chocolate mudslide. Patrons yelled as plates, chocolate and cart shattered against the heavy oak floor.

Something stung her face, but she ignored it. This was all her fault. She wasn’t a witch. She was a menace. They had to get out of here before she did something that would bring the entire place down on top of them.

“Are you all right?” Ryland was suddenly leaning over her. He had his napkin in his hand and was pressing it against her cheek. She hadn’t even noticed him getting out of his chair.

“Yes.” She brushed his hand aside impatiently. “I think we should leave now.”

He dipped the corner of the napkin into his unused water glass and pressed it back against the side of her face. “You got hit with a small piece of flying glass.” He glanced down. “And I’m afraid your pants are ruined.”

Now that he’d mentioned the cut, it started to sting. She’d felt something hit her, but hadn’t realized what it was. “How bad is it?” She only hoped no one else had gotten hurt.

The waiter stood beside her, wringing his hands together, as the manager hustled over. “I have no idea what happened,” the waiter began.

“Are you injured?” The manager cut off the waiter in mid-explanation, his gaze narrowing as he stared at Rhiannon’s face.

“I’m fine.” Everyone in the room was staring at her and whispering behind their hands. It reminded her too vividly of her childhood, of being the center of attention while her classmates ridiculed her. She hated it. On the positive side, she’d taken the brunt of the disaster and no one else seemed hurt.

“It was no one’s fault,” she continued. “The cart just lurched over on its own. Maybe there’s a buckle in the floor or something.”
Or something
was right. It was all her fault.

She grabbed her purse and stood. Ryland didn’t move so she ended up practically plastered against him. He reached behind her and plucked her jacket off the back of her chair. “You should put your jacket on,” he said quietly so no one else could hear.

Totally mortified, she let him help her into her jacket and then quickly buttoned it to hide her still prominent nipples. Her cheeks felt hot and she knew she was blushing, but she couldn’t seem to stop it. She’d made a mess of this entire evening.

She glanced down as Ryland turned around to deal with the manager. Chocolate covered her legs. She had a sudden vivid memory of imagining herself covered in chocolate.
Be careful what you wish for, especially when you’re a witch
. She’d gotten what she’d asked for, just not quite the way she’d wanted it. She didn’t think Ryland would want to lick chocolate off her slacks. Somehow it wasn’t quite the same as licking if off her naked body.

Her sense of humor reasserted itself, bubbling up from inside her and she started to laugh. The three men turned to her and she waved off their concern. “I like chocolate as much as the next woman, but this is even a bit much for me.” She grinned and the waiter chuckled.

The manager covered his mouth with his hand to hide his smile as he cleared his throat. “Of course, there is no charge for your dinner. And we’d like to offer you dessert to take home.” As if he’d conjured it out of thin air, another waiter appeared with a white box and handed it to her.

“If you think I can be trusted with it.”

Ryland reached out and took the box. “Maybe you’d better let me take that.”

The manager continued to fuss about the small cut on her face and the state of her apparel, offering everything from Band-Aids to dry cleaning. She assured him everything was fine, thanked the waiter for his service and left the restaurant as quickly as she could.

When the door closed behind them, she let out a sigh of relief.

“Not quite what I imagined this night would be like,” Ryland said as he ushered her to the truck. “But it’s been interesting.” He unlocked her door and held it open.

“What about the mess?” She motioned to her chocolate covered pants.

He shrugged, seeming totally unconcerned about the upholstery of his truck. “It will wash off.”

Rhiannon laughed as she clambered gingerly into the truck, doing her best to keep the worst of the mess away from the seat. Ryland set the white bakery box in her lap, the back of his hand brushing her thigh as he pulled it away. Rhiannon caught her breath as he shut the door. The scent of chocolate permeated the cab as Ryland strode around to the driver’s side and climbed in.

Chapter Five

Rhiannon practically held her breath the entire drive home. Thankfully, nothing unexpected happened. No alarms went off, nothing malfunctioned or exploded. She released a sigh of relief when he pulled into her driveway and turned off the ignition.

“I’ll come around and get you.” Ryland was out of the truck before she could object. Of course, maybe he thought it was better to help her. After all, she was carrying chocolate and probably couldn’t be trusted.

She shook her head, shutting out her dour thoughts as her door opened. Ryland took the box from her and held out his free hand. She stared at his hand. So ordinary, yet so potent at the same time. His merest touch seemed to unleash something fiery and uncontrolled within her.

Rhiannon scolded herself for being so silly. It was sexual tension, nothing more. There might be no truth to her sister’s theory that she needed a man to release her magick. Sexual tension and coincidence were more than explanation enough for the bizarre events of this evening.

Ryland certainly sparked her internal engine. And it had been a long time since that had happened. Come to think of it, it had never happened. She’d felt pleasure certainly, but never this kind of all-pervasive need.

“Rhiannon.” Ryland was waiting patiently, hand still extended. Giving in to the inevitable, she took his hand and climbed out of the truck. The moment they touched, the fine hairs on the back of her neck stood on end and her entire body began to tingle. Ignoring her physical response to his nearness, she led the way to the front door.

“Do you want to come in for coffee?” She wasn’t sure that was a good idea, but she wasn’t ready for their evening to come to an end.

“Do you think that’s wise?” he countered.

She paused and shrugged. “Probably not.”

His fingers squeezed hers. “There’s something between us. I know you can feel it as well as I can. If I go inside with you, we’re going to end up kissing. And if I start, I won’t stop until you’re naked. Until we’re both naked.”

It was getting much harder to breathe with each passing second. She could picture it in her mind’s eye. His mouth on hers, devouring her like she was dessert. His hands on her body, stripping her clothing one piece at a time until she was naked. Then he’d take off his clothing, with her help of course, leaving nothing between them.

His hard, hair-roughened legs would brush against her softer ones. The soft mounds of her breasts would press against his rock-hard chest. The friction would make her nipples pebble into taut buds. His erection would push against her belly, pulsing with need. Her inner muscles would clench in response and cream would slip from her core, readying her for what was to come.

“You’re killing me.” Ryland closed his eyes and sucked air into his lungs. When he opened them again, they were blazing with desire.

Her lips parted, but it was impossible for her to speak. Too many images were bombarding her. She could almost feel his naked body against hers. She licked her lips and tried to talk, but all that came out was a jagged moan.

Impossible. This had never happened to her before. She never had a problem being practical and levelheaded. It served her well in business. But Ryland made a mockery of her normal control, turning her into a sensual creature she didn’t recognize.

If she didn’t know better, she’d say he was the one that cast a spell, ensnaring her.

“Damn, woman,” he growled. The bakery box fell to the ground with a thud. Ryland wrapped his hands around her shoulders, pulling her toward him. His mouth slammed down on hers. The heat, the sheer power of him lured her, tempted her to take the plunge.

His hands soothed and aroused at the same time. He smoothed a palm down her spine, pressing against the small of her back to shift her lower body closer to his. His other hand gripped the back of her head, holding her steady for his kiss.

His tongue stroked hers before flitting away. She tasted the tang of beer mixed with the smoky heat of the man himself. She went up on her toes, desperate to get nearer, to take more of what he offered.

He explored her mouth, claiming it like some uncharted territory. And in a way it was. No man had ever made her feel so much. It was frightening when she could actually form a coherent thought to ponder it. It was that thought that had almost led her to cancel her date with him. It was the sheer carnality of his kiss, and the promise of more, that had made her keep the date.

She wanted Ryland Stone. Pure and simple.

Maybe it wouldn’t happen tonight. But it would. There was no way to deny the inevitable. It was as certain as the tide rising and falling. They would eventually sleep together.

His tongue plunged in and out of her mouth, mimicking the sex act. The hand low on her back urged her against him. His erection prodded against her belly. Even through all the layers of their clothing, it was hot and heavy.

An answer pulse began to throb low between her thighs. The crotch of her panties was wet. Her sex was hot and swollen with need, wet and ready for him. Her fingers clutched at his shoulders for balance as she strained toward him.

Ryland tore his mouth from hers, swearing beneath his breath. “Not here.”

She blinked, unable to fathom why he was stopping. She peppered his jaw with biting kisses that made his hands tighten around her.

“Damn it, Rhiannon. We have to stop.” His voice was harsh, but his hands were gentle as he pulled away from her.

She didn’t want to stop. Touching him, tasting him was delicious. Better than chocolate. Chocolate. She blinked as a sudden swirl of air danced around her. They were outside where anyone passing by could see them. Thankfully, she didn’t have many neighbors, but the few she had would certainly get an eyeful if they looked outside. The only saving grace was that it was dark out and the only illumination was her porch light.