Scornful Sadie (Dark Sorceress Trilogy Book 1) (15 page)

He stood, wrapping his strong arms around me. “Oh, Sade. I can’t imagine how painful all of this was for you.”

Refusing to cry, I pulled back. “Anyway, I came here. Reunited with everyone. And they told me we could coax your memories back since you were part of the elite. You have magic in your blood, somewhere, somehow, and that meant you couldn’t fully be wiped of memories of your time with us.”

“What happened to Amy?” he suddenly asked.

I practically growled. “She left after I kissed you.”

He chuckled. “I didn’t really like her, Sade. Not like I care about you.”

My heart soared. “I shouldn’t have been mean to her, but I couldn’t help it.”

He took both hands and swung them in his own. “You were jealous.”

Dropping them, I stepped back. “I was not jealous.”

He groaned and smiled, shaking his head. “You are so damned stubborn, Sadie. You haven’t changed in that sense, but you’re different.”

“I am?” I asked.

He looked me over, his eyes searing my skin with desire. “Oh, yeah. It’s good, though.”

Blushing, I looked at my feet. “How so?”

“You aren’t as shy about stuff.”

“I was never shy,” I laughed.

“You were with me,” he countered. “But you came up and kissed me in front of everyone.”

I bit my lip and picked at my thumbnail. “Oh, yeah.”

“And you’re more powerful. More confident in who you are. And you’re even more beautiful, something I didn’t think was possible,” he said softly. He moved closer, his body heat warming me in ways I’d forgotten.

The effect Aiden Rivers had on me was astounding. I’d met many men in the years I was gone. They’d flirted, they’d tried to win me over, but no one created the chaos in my body like Aiden.

“I like the scruffy look,” I whispered. Raising my hand to his cheek, I caressed the prickly hairs and smiled. “You look older and more handsome.”

He lowered his head, placed his lips on mine and kissed me senseless. How one man’s lips could make my brain stop working, I didn’t know, but I loved it. As I kissed him back, I locked my hands around his waist and dug my fingers into his back. He pulled away all too quickly, leaving me breathless and panting.

“You…” he started, breathing heavily. “No one kisses like you, Sade.”

I giggled. “I don’t want to hear about you kissing other girls, but thanks.”

He dragged me over to the bed, holding my hand securely in his. “Tell me why we’re going to the council.”

“There’s a bad guy after me, duh,” I joked.

He looked concerned, his brow furrowing in worry. “What bad guy?”

“One of the original sorcerers, from a long time ago, was resurrected.”

“Oh, all that stuff your grandma was talking about.”

I nodded. “Apparently I’m the dark sorceress.”

“You could never be dark, Sadie,” he said. Confident and sure, his voice held recognition in his statement.

“I don’t think I have a choice,” I said sadly. “We can’t let a bunch of dead guys keep coming back. They’ll wipe us all out.”

“What’s going to happen at the council?”

“Meetings, research, and probably training. I don’t know what I have to do to defeat this guy. I have no idea how this is even possible.”

“You’re amazing, Sade. Of course you’re one of the most powerful sorceresses in the world,” he said, pride in his tone. “I know you can do this. You’ll be fine. You may have to tap into something dark, but that’s not you. That doesn’t mean you are dark, you just have to use it to save all the good in the world.”

He was making sense, surprisingly. The prophecy had troubled me so since learning of it, the words haunting my every waking and non-waking hour. Could Aiden be right? Would it all really be ok?

“What’s going on?” he asked. “There’s more. I hear it in your voice.”

“I don’t want my family to be in any danger. Liv and Scott’s wedding was ruined!”

“That did suck,” he agreed. “They can take care of themselves, though. You’ve all proved that time and again.”

His confidence in me was heartwarming. Staring at him, my heart swelled and fluttered in happiness.
Aiden was back.
And after all this time, things were the same. He still believed in me, still seemed attracted to me, wanted me. Time had changed us both, matured our bodies as well as our personalities, but deep down, we were still the same young Sade and Aiden. The two teens falling for one another in the midst of a crisis none of us could see coming.

He squeezed my palm, sending a flurry of butterflies to my stomach. “Don’t overthink things, Sade. I know how you are, and you can’t do it this time. You are part of a prophecy! I mean, come on! You’re going to need help, and who better to assist than your kickass grandmother? Your friends seem nice, too. We’re all here for you. Let us. Don’t push us away.”

I nodded. “I’ll try to stop being so…headstrong. I like to do things my way.”

“We know,” he laughed. “And you can, but let us help.”

Smiling, I nodded again. “I’m really glad you’re back. I want to know everything about the past five years.”

“Not much to tell. That Harlow bitch did a number on me and the family, though. It was like I was never gone. We had memories of the time I was the vessel of us living a normal life. I graduated high school right after I returned and started college in the fall. I majored in business and actually graduated a week before Olivia did,” he grinned, “I just need to find a job now.”

“Are you going to do that when you go home?”

“Where is home?” he questioned. “I don’t know what I’m doing now. I called my parents and let them know I was staying here for a while right after the wedding, so no one is expecting me.”

“You really want to go to the council with me?”

“If you can promise no one will wipe my memory this time,” he joked.

I laughed. “Grandma will not let that happen.”

“Then I’m in,” he whispered. Letting go of my hand, he leaned in and brushed his lips across mine. “Let’s sleep.”

“Stay with me?” I asked. Removing my boots and pants, I crawled under the covers, patting the spot beside me.

He pulled his shirt over his head, from the base of his neck like only guys do, and snuggled in beside me. “Always, Sade. I’ll always stay with you.”

He wrapped his arms around me, and I rested my head on his chest. Sleep came quickly, and for once, I wasn’t on edge and waking at all hours. His warmth enveloped me. His presence calmed me.

I needed it, knowing what tomorrow would bring.

The morning sun peeked through the curtains, streaking across the bed and warming my exposed skin. Stretching my legs as far as I could, I shifted until I could see Aiden. Sprawled out beside me, with one arm covering his forehead, he snored slightly and had small drops of drool dried to his cheek.

He was magnificent.

Propping on one elbow, I reached over and gently shook his chest. “Aiden, wake up.” He stirred, but didn’t wake. I tried again, a little harder this time, and said it again.

When he still didn’t budge, I sighed in frustration and lay back on the pillow. Moving fast as lightning, he was on top of me in seconds, grinning from ear to ear as I screamed. “Morning.”

Once the terror subsided in my heart, I smacked him off me playfully. “Oh my gosh, you scared the crap out of me!”

He laughed, deep and hearty, and wiggled his brows at me. “I like hearing you scream.”

Well, I walked right into that one, so I ignored it. “We have to get ready to go.” I started to swing my legs over the bed and get up, but he stopped me. I looked at him curiously.

His eyes lingered on my lips. He traced the bottom one with his thumb and sent a flash of excitement through me, heating me from within. Lazily bringing his gaze to my eyes, he licked his lips and huskily said, “I want a good morning kiss.”

I shook my head once in agreement, forgetting my awful morning breath and anxiously waiting for his lips to find mine. Moving slower than a snail, he built the anticipation to the point I was ready to knock him over and do it myself. When he finally touched our mouths together, the explosion of need was raging inside me. He kissed me tenderly, apparently not feeling the same desire I did, and pulled back shyly.

“I could do that all day,” he smiled.

Good Lord, I couldn’t!
I wanted to scream at him. Didn’t he see the way my chest was heaving and hear my heart pounding? Could he really not see what he was doing to me? “Me too,” I lied. Escaping before he could torture me further, I lifted my arms over my head and stretched my body. My bag was still packed from when I got here, so I stuffed in the rest of my belongings and laid out what I would wear for the day.

“Get out,” I demanded.

He lay propped on his elbow watching me. “I’m enjoying the view, though, Sade.”

“Now.” I pointed toward the door.

He groaned as he stood and laid his hand over his heart. “You hurt me.”

Rolling my eyes, I rushed to him and pushed him the rest of the way out the door. If he didn’t go now, I probably wouldn’t have the guts to make him. “Go pack your stuff,” I instructed.

He scrunched his nose and winked. “I like it when you’re bossy.”

“I’m always bossy,” I reminded him.

He leaned in, close enough to kiss me, and hissed, “I know. And I like it.”

Giggling, I pushed him again. “Go! We have to leave soon.”

He started to his room, waving his hand behind him. “Yeah, yeah.”

I watched him walk, too worked up to not, and didn’t hear when Mel snuck up behind me.
 

“Did you sleep with him?”

The way I snapped around, I knew I looked guilty. “We just slept. Nothing else.”

Her eyes widened and she shook my shoulders. “Why not? He’s so hot!” She practically screamed it.

Dragging her loud mouth into my room, I shut the door. “Quiet down.”

“Why? You two have something going on.”

Obviously, Mel.
“Maybe.”

“You know him. He’s why you never dated or anything.”

I shrugged.

She squealed. Mel was lovable and a great friend, but if she didn’t quiet down soon, I was going to put a silencing spell on her for the duration of this trip. She watched me with those pale green eyes as I flicked my hand to make the bed and grabbed my bag. Swinging her hair over her shoulder, she played with the ends. “So, you gonna tell me about him or not?”

She had no patience, this one. “What do you want to know?”

“Why didn’t you sex him up?” she squeaked at the highest pitch known to mankind.

“Oh my god, shut up,” I growled. “He’s going to hear you.”

“Good,” she nodded, twisting her hair tighter. “He’s probably wondering the same thing.”

With clenched teeth, I stepped past her and held my hand on the doorknob. “Listen, I’ll tell you when I’m ready, but not now. Please don’t embarrass me.”

She gasped behind me, and I turned. “You’re a virgin,” she hissed. “I get it now.”