Constant Cravings (7 page)

My tub doubles as my shower, but Liam had both. In the middle of the floor was a large tub. When I looked at it more closely I saw the tiles that made up the basin were actually quartz stones of every color imaginable.

Liam began to fill the tub as he explained, “In order for you to get the maximum effect of the potion, you’ll need to do a ritual cleansing first.”

“What does that consist of exactly?”

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Tracey H. Kitts

He was crouched beside the tub and when I asked this he looked up, causing white hair to fall across his face. His eyes flashed bright for an instant before he said, “You can’t get a better ritual cleansing than having a shaman bathe you.” My heart fluttered and already I felt the stirrings of desire low in my stomach. To say Liam gave me butterflies is such an understatement, but as close as I can come to describing the sensation.

“Well, good thing I didn’t get dressed, huh?”

He smiled. “I don’t mean to rush you, but we’ve only got about an hour and a half.”

“How long will this take?”

“That depends on how much negative energy I’ll have to wash off you.” He poured something in the bathwater and when he set aside the bottle I read aloud, “Potions, lotions, and other wicked notions.” Beneath that was, “Wash away your sins, ritual bath wash.”

“I order it from some witches in South Carolina. Good stuff.”

“It smells great.” I took a deep breath and let my robe fall to the floor. “Since we’ve already had an entire conversation butt-naked in my shower, guess there’s no point in hesitating.”

He laughed. “You have a beautiful body.”

“Thank you,” I said. I unclasped my bra and dropped it beside the robe.

He picked up a bowl beside the tub and began scattering dried herbs over the water. Liam watched me as he used his hand to stir the ingredients. “I’m sure you already know that fairies have quite a lifespan.” That was putting it mildly and even though he was hinting at a subject of great interest to me, I felt like now was not the time to get into it. “Yes, I’ve heard.”

“I can’t tell you how many naked women I’ve seen. Not to imply that I slept with them all.” He added the last quickly. “My point is, this is an important part of the ritual, one I’ve performed many times, and all I can seem to do is look at you.” I had received compliments before, but never one that moved me quite like his.

There was a longing in his voice that touched my heart. Maybe he
was
sent to me as an answer to my spell. Then again, Liam said he was already coming for me. Perhaps my spell hadn’t worked at all. Regardless of the reason for him being in my life, his words were touching. I felt my eyes mist over with tears.

“That’s probably the nicest thing anyone’s ever said about my body.” As I slid out of my panties he replied, “Your body is not the only reason I stare.” Liam stood and let his robe fall to the floor. I took a moment to admire his form. He stood there, naked and looking more proud than any warrior. He was magnificent, like a work of art. His pale skin only enhanced the graceful curves of his muscles, particularly his long legs.

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Constant Cravings

He stepped down into the tub and reached for me. I took his hands to steady myself as I joined him. We stood there for a moment before he brushed back my hair and, to my surprise, placed a soft kiss against my face.

“There is something in your eyes that calls to me,” he said.

I smiled weakly. “They’re just plain old brown, nothing magical.”

“They are soulful,” he said, moving closer. “Everything you feel is in your eyes.

There is much more to you than what most people see.” His words conveyed
his
emotions, so much so that I could feel his sadness when he spoke.

“I’m lonely,” I confessed. “Rachel was the closest relationship in my life. We were like sisters. I’m an only child. My father passed away and my mother and I don’t speak.”

“She doesn’t understand your ability?”

“To say the least. I don’t make many friends because I don’t trust people easily.”

“I believe Nym and Aurora are quite taken with you.” I smiled. “I haven’t had a date in three months. Shit. Why can’t I stop myself from telling you all this?”

“Because you’re standing in cleansing bath wash.”

“And it makes me spill my guts?”

He laughed. “It helps to get things off your chest. It is for this reason most practitioners who use a cleansing wash choose to bathe alone.” I moved closer and ran my hand over his chest. “Are you here because you wanted to know my secrets?” I teased.

“I’m here to help you.” He paused and I noticed a smile tugging at the corners of his full mouth. “And to hear your secrets.”

“Why can I feel such sadness in your voice?” I asked.

“Because I’m lonely too.”

We looked at each other for a moment. I suppose both of us were afraid to open our mouths in case we spilled some other deeply personal information.

Finally, Liam took a deep breath and sat down in the tub. The water reached his chest.

“Everything that’s on your mind, all those distracting and perhaps painful thoughts are tainting your aura,” he said.

I sat down across from him and propped my arms on the rim of the tub.

“Tainting my aura?”

“They are clogging up your emotional energy flow. That is what this bath will cleanse from you. You’ll still think of these things, but you won’t dwell on them.” 39

Tracey H. Kitts

“You mean it won’t help me get more dates, it’ll just help me not be so sad about it?”

He laughed. “I don’t think you need to worry about that.”

“What
should
I worry about?”

His smile was smooth and sexy. “Nothing at all. That’s why you’ve got me.” I wasn’t sure how to respond to that, but I liked the sound of it.

“Come here,” he said softly, “and turn around.” I did as he asked and when Liam put his long legs on either side of me I thought I might have a heart attack.

“Relax,” he said. “Ravishing you is not part of the cleansing process.” When I sighed he added, “I’m saving that for later.”

I couldn’t help it, I actually giggled. I hadn’t laughed like that since high school.

“I’m sorry,” I said, still laughing softly. “You make me nervous, like I’m thirteen all over again.”

Liam put his hand on my shoulder and, using the empty bowl, he started to pour the water over my back.

“It’s all right. You may experience a range of emotions as the layers of your aura come clean.”

“Should I keep talking?”

“If you want to.”

I rambled on for several minutes about everything that was on my mind. I told him about my great-grandmother being a witch and how I suspected my granny was, but didn’t have proof. I shared my feelings of isolation from my mother and from most people in general. I told him how after all that had happened, I was considering practicing witchcraft in order to strengthen my abilities. It surprised me that I was able to hold back about the true love spell.

“That’s probably not a bad idea.”

“Really?”

“The craft often gives psychics some good grounding abilities. There are spells that should help to strengthen your shields.”

“Good. It’d be nice not to accidentally watch people having sex.” He dropped the bowl.

“Um, what?” Liam cleared his throat. “How did that happen?”

“Nym stopped by today. Wait, that was yesterday now. Anyway, he came by my apartment to share some information.”

“Already? He works fast, but this is a record even for him.”

“It sounded like things just fell into place.”

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Constant Cravings

Liam resumed pouring the water over my back and I told him what Nym passed along about the wolf king.

“He’s right about him being a nice guy. I didn’t realize Marco was in town.”

“You know each other?”

“We’ve met before. Come here,” he said, pulling me back against him. “I need to wash your hair too.”

I leaned back against his chest, enjoying the way his body felt next to mine. His cock was pressed against my lower back, but he wasn’t aroused. Still, I could hear his heart beating fast as I turned to put my face against his chest. Liam bent forward, propping his cheek on my forehead. When he wrapped his arms around me, I couldn’t believe how natural it felt.

“When did you see Nym’s thoughts?” he asked.

“When he went to leave. He mentioned something about my hair and when he touched my face I saw everything he’d done the night before.” The memories came flooding back to me in graphic detail and I tried to keep my body from reacting so strongly. “Maybe it’s because I’ve been lonely, but it’s been driving me crazy ever since.

I mean I saw
everything.”

For whatever reason, Liam chose not to comment on this. Instead he picked up the bowl again and using one hand to keep the water from my eyes, started to wash my hair. This was incredibly relaxing. Having the warm water running over my scalp while his hand was pressed against my forehead nearly put me to sleep. Being next to him was definitely a thrill. However, there was something in his touch that soothed me as well.

“I feel so safe with you,” I sighed.

“You are.”

“Good, because I can’t believe I met you a few days ago and we’re already naked.” His laugher rumbled beneath my ear.

“I feel better now,” I said.

“Confession is good for the soul.”

“Well, I’ve certainly confessed enough.”

“I think you’re ready for the potion.”

I pulled back to look at him. “Really?” I knew I had to take it, but I didn’t want the relaxing bath to end. Not to mention I was really enjoying being pressed against him.

“Unless there’s something else you want to confess?” he teased.

Oh, like using a true love spell to see if you would show up?
“Nope. Nothing else.” We got out of the tub and after drying off Liam said, “You don’t have to get dressed if you don’t want to.”

My expression must have told him how surprised I was.

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Tracey H. Kitts

“After you take the potion, you will sleep for several hours. I thought you might be more comfortable naked.”

“And where will I sleep?” Something told me I wouldn’t have time to get back to my place.

He shrugged. “In my bed, of course.”

“Of course.”

He laughed at my sarcasm.

“I don’t have to sleep with you.”

“I wouldn’t mind.” Why was it I couldn’t stop myself from telling him the truth so bluntly? Was it something to do with his magic?

“Great, because I have to be honest, I could use the rest.” I ran a hand through my short hair, feeling it slap against the back of my neck as I moved close to him.

“I do believe there was a promise of ravishment?” His smile was wicked. “I haven’t forgotten.”

I followed Liam into the bedroom, admiring the way the muscles of his long legs flexed with every step. He approached the magic circle and made a gesture as if opening a door.

“You can enter the circle now,” he said.

I stood beside him while Liam knelt down and stirred the potion. With a wooden ladle, he poured the silver mixture into a goblet.

When he was finished he rose and handed me the cup.

“You must drink it all,” he said.

The potion had no smell and no taste. When I handed the empty goblet back to Liam I felt fine. However, by the time he closed the circle and I stepped out, I felt like I might faint.

“Oh my goodness.”

He moved to steady me. “I told you so.”

Liam wrapped his arm more tightly around me. I took one step and my knees gave out.

“Good thing the bed is close by,” he said.

He swept me into his arms and even in my weakened state my heart fluttered.

“Don’t worry,” he said, “I’ll save the ravishment for after you’re rested.” Even though I couldn’t look up at him, I could hear the smile in his voice. He laid me back against the cool sheets and I sighed.

“This feels great. Are they satin?” I asked about the sheets.

“Yes.”

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Constant Cravings

He slid in beside me and pulled the comforter up to cover my breasts. I felt completely at ease as I used the last of my strength to roll toward him. Liam put his arm around me and I snuggled against his side.

“I think this goes above and beyond the call of duty,” I said.

“You mean you can tell I don’t welcome all my clients into my bed?” He laughed.

“Besides, who says everything is about work? I like you and I want to help.”

“Are you always so straightforward?”

“There are two kinds of beings who don’t beat around the bush, fairies and werewolves.”

“What about vampires?”

“They’ve got all the time in the world, so they like to play games. At least the ones I’ve met did. Even though fairies are immortal, they’d much rather get on with being happy than toying with people. Still, I pity anyone involved in fairy politics, but that’s off topic.”

I’d heard stories all my life about fairies playing tricks on unsuspecting individuals.

I got the impression that Liam wasn’t talking about having fun, but making a reference to relationships.

I was about to say how wonderful that sounded, but before I could open my mouth, I fell asleep.

43

Tracey H. Kitts

Chapter Five

I awoke to the feel of cool satin against my face and the smell of Liam’s cologne. I was lying face down with my limbs spread. I hadn’t slept so well in a long time. I rolled over as Liam crawled back in bed beside me. I thought he looked even better when he’d just woken up. His long, white hair was tousled, giving him a wild look that his unusual eyes only strengthened.

“I was considering making you breakfast, but I didn’t know how much longer you might sleep.”

I smiled. “That’s sweet of you. What time is it?”

“Noon. How do you feel?”

I thought about it for a minute or two. I could still remember everything that happened to Rachel, and our entire relationship. There was no pain, no heartbreaking sadness.

“Good,” I answered. “And surprisingly clear.”