The Beltane Witch (Cloudburst Colorado) (11 page)

Darius tucked the girls in, but Holly sat up and held his hand for a moment before he could leave her room.

“Are you gonna take care of my mommy?”

“Yes, I am, Miss Holly.”

“I mean more than just ton
ight. She likes you.”

Warmth mixed with sadness in his chest. “I like her, too.”

“So are you gonna stay for a long time?”

The
earnestness in her eyes damn near unmanned him. How could he tell this courageous little girl he’d only stay long enough to convince her mother to protect the world?
Correction: to convince her mother to perform sexual rituals to restore the wards.
Even the description curdled his stomach.

“I’ll stay for as long as I can.”

She frowned. “That’s not very long, is it?”

What could he tell her? “Probably not. I’m sorry.”

Holly shook her head. “Don’t be sorry, just don’t hurt my mommy. I don’t like it when she’s sad.”

“I don’t, either.” His words rang with so much truth, Holly
patted his hand and settled back into her pillow.

“Good. G’night, Darius.”

“Good night, sleep tight, Miss Holly.”

He returned to the living room where Sabrina diligently sipped her tea, but he saw her head nod as exhaustion stole her energy.

“How are you feeling?” He sat before her and she opened her eyes. Lines of fatigue creased her face and he wished he could take some of it away.

“My head hurts and I’m sleepy.
”

“Shall we try to take away the pain?” He grasped her hands around her mug and let the
heat of them seep into him.

“You mean the whole
merging magics
thing?” He smirked at her dry tone. “Yes, please. I really don’t need to feel like I’ve been hit by a bus tonight.”

“Very well. No ‘bus-impact’ sensations.”

Sabrina laughed and some of the sorrow from the conversation with Holly dissipated. “Close your eyes and reach out for me.”

The first time they’d tried this, he’d damn near shot straight to orgasm with the power and pleasure of her energy. This time he knew what to expect, but he still moaned when the surge flowed over him. Her magic felt like hot velvet wrapping around him and pushing away any weakness he’d ever experienced. Strength pulsed through him
, banishing any aches or pains, and setting his cock on fire. It felt as if someone had wrapped their hand around his dick and stroked softly.

Focus! You’re supposed to help her with the pain.

Her discomfort appeared like hole punched in a masonry wall, broken bits of brick and mortar littering the space around it. His skill pertained to removing the shattered bricks, replacing them with whole stones, and filling in the mortar around them. Each time he repaired her wall he found himself drawn deeper into her magic and spirit. He hadn’t meant to connect so profoundly, but sharing the magic tightened her grip on his heart.

When the wall appeared whole once more, he “swept” up the broken pieces
and “pasted” the excess energy into the “mortar”, then withdrew from her energy signature. Part of him didn’t want to let such glorious energy go, but he reminded himself he could only borrow it for a time, not keep it.

A soft sigh from Sabrina made his eyes jerk open and he scanned her face for any signs of discomfort. Her expression remained soft and relaxed, and relief poured through him.
Thank the Goddess her pain is gone.

“Feeling better?”

“Very much, thank you.” Sabrina gazed up at him and his cock rose with the heat in her gaze.

Don’t be ridiculous.
That’s your own lust talking.

It didn’t stop him from leaning forward and sweeping his lips across hers, nor did it abate the cockstand straining his fly.
Even as his mind screamed a warning, Sabrina tilted her head and opened her mouth. If Darius’s eyes hadn’t been closed they would have rolled back in his head from the pleasure blooming inside him.

She tasted of tea and sweet woman
, and he couldn’t get enough of her. The warning faded into the background and he gave in to the arousal swamping his mind. Sabrina’s answering moan only fueled his desire and he deepened the kiss, stroking her tongue with his.

Darius pushed her down against the flat cushions and covered her body with his. The hard ridge of his cock pressed against her hip and pulses of exquisite pleasure spurred him on. Her woman’s scent filled his nose and he couldn’t stop tasting her smooth skin and lips. He caressed her breast through her shirt, the
taut nipple thrusting up against the cloth.

She tasted better than his fantasies of her
suggested and he wanted more. More touch, more kisses, more time.

Please, Goddess, give me more time with her.

But reality crashed through the arousal as a small voice called from the bedrooms and they both froze. Darius reluctantly let Sabrina up when she pushed against his chest, and the moment disappeared.

Darius rolled onto his back
and watched Sabrina attend her daughter, trying to calm his cockstand. How could he let it go so far? He had a job to do and then he’d return to the Court. He shouldn’t lead her on or even entertain ideas of permanence. He’d be leaving in a few days.

But what if I don’t want to return to Court?

The question both thrilled and scared the hell out of him.

****

Sabrina mentally smacked herself as she tucked Holly back into bed.
Get a grip. He’s only here for a few days. Don’t get attached!
But the sensation of Darius’s lips on hers still fluttered through her head.

You don’t want another man in your life. Men leave.

Somehow, her heart remained unconvinced. She returned to the living room where Darius sprawled on the couch and tried to analyze her feelings. Unfortunately, her mind kept replaying the kiss she’d shared with him and like a delicious cookie, she wanted more of it. He lay on his back with his eyes closed and his head supported with one burly arm. She wanted those arms around her, holding her tight.

Stop wishing for things you can’t have.

“Thank you for helping me tonight. I really appreciate it.”

Darius turned his head and ope
ned his eyes. “You’re welcome, Lady Foxglove.”

So they were back to being polite.
It’s for the best. He’s leaving after Beltane.
The reminder didn’t settle the yearning.

“How are you feeling? Has the pain abated?”

She ran a careful hand over her skull. “Yes, no lumps this time.” She bit her lip. “Darius?”

“Yes?” Those teal eyes stole her sanity, and her nerve.

“I’m going to clean up the kitchen and head to bed. Is there anything you need before I turn in?”

He remained silent so long she had to clench her hands into fists to keep from fidgeting. The expression on his face remained stoic, but his continued regard
suggested he sorted through various responses. At last he gave her a half-smile and shook his head.

“I don’t need anything, thank you. Let me take care of the mess in the kitchen. You’ve had a rough day and deserve to rest.”

A combination of disappointment and irritation flashed through her. “It’s okay. I can take care of my own house.”

“Yes, I’
m aware you can. But tonight you don’t need to. Come. Sit down at the table and I’ll bring you a cup of tea.” He rose with languid grace and reached for her hands to draw her into the kitchen, but she pulled back.

“Why are you being so helpful?”

Darius paused, frowning. “Why do you ask such a question? Can’t friends help friends?”

“Are we friends, Darius?” Sabrina preceded him into the kitchen. “Or am I just a witch you need to get a job done?
Is this just more manipulation?” She had to distance herself, no matter how much it hurt.

He sighed. “Sabrina.”

“No, just listen to me.” She turned on the tap for hot water and leaned over the sink as she gathered her thoughts. “I don’t understand your motivations here. You help me heal whenever I get into trouble, you spend time with my girls decorating for Beltane, and you stand up for me against Marty Robinson. Why? Why are you being so nice? What do you get out of it?”

“You think I’m only doing these things for
a reward?”

“It’s crossed my mind, yes.” She filled the basin with soap. “Darius, you’re from the Summer Court
, and you can’t tell me you don’t jockey for position to remain within the Queen’s good graces. You make calculated moves to get what you want from whomever you need it. What will I owe you at the end of all this?”

His jaw clenched. “Nothing, Sabrina. I’m not expecting you to ‘owe’ me come the onset of Beltane.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “I made no secret I would try to convince you to do the rituals, but I never intended to coerce you through kind actions. I’ve been happy to help you and your daughters.”

“You have helped, and I’m grateful.” Sabrina shut off the water and stared at the suds a moment. “But you can’t keep fighting my battles for me, or them.”

“What do you mean?”

“Marty Robinson is a bother and a prick, but you’ve now embarrassed him twice, and gotten him arrested once.”

“
He
got himself arrested, Sabrina.”

“But he won’t blame
himself or you, Darius. He’ll blame me, and I have to live in this town after Beltane.”

“He won’t be bothering you again.”

Sabrina narrowed her eyes. “Why not?” She tipped her head. “What did you do to him?”

“Nothing. He’s been arrested and the police are aware of his penchant for violence against you. Plus I informed him if he ever came after you again, I’d personally see to it he paid with more than a beating and incarceration.”

“You threatened him?”

“Merely a warning.”

“And how are you going to uphold your warning? You’re outta here come Thursday.”

“Sabrina
—”

“No. Look
, I appreciate everything you’ve done for me and the girls.” She took a deep breath against the pain arrowing through her heart from the words she needed to say. “But no more saving the day, no more heroics. Let’s just get through the week so you can get back to your life and I can get back to mine.”

Goddess, it hurt to push him away. It hurt more than when Tommy left with Merrilee. Sabrina turned her head toward the sudsy water and fought back her tears.

Why the hell am I crying? I barely know this man and he can’t mean so much to me.

She sniffed hard and wiped a hand across her eyes, leaving a streak of bubbles along one cheek. Before she could brush them away, Darius stood beside her, his hand cradling her face and his thumbs smoothing her skin.

Goddess, why does he have to be so handsome and kind? He used to be arrogant. What happened to that guy?

****

Darius swore someone had stabbed him in the chest with the pain radiating from his heart. Not only had her words struck him, but her tears buried the blade deep. Everything within him cried out to make her stop crying, to ease her pain, to soothe her hurt.

Even if he
was the source of it.

“Please,
acushla
, don’t cry.”

Sabrina sniffed mightily and closed her eyes. “What does
that mean?”

“What?”

“
Acushla
. You keep calling me that. What does it mean?”

Surprise hit him.
How long had he been using the endearment? “It means ‘dear heart’ in Gaelic.”

She sniffed again. “Ah. I suppose you use
it as part of your arsenal to seduce women to do your bidding.”

Anger replaced the surprise, but he beat it back. “No. Act
ually, I’ve never called anyone
acushla
before.” But her accusation didn’t stray far from the truth. “You’re the first.”

“Oh, come on.” She scanned his face. “Really?”

“Really.” He’d never let anyone as close as Sabrina had come. Close enough to question whether he really wanted to continue being the Chamberlain for the Summer Court.

She studied his expression for a long time, each breath brushing softly against his lips and enticing him to kiss away her doubt.
He wanted this woman, wanted her bad enough he waited for her to come to grips with what needed to be done rather than push her.

I’m a fool.

“I can’t do the rituals, Darius. I already told you why.”

He gritted his teeth and pushed his frustration down.
The Summer Queen had insisted on Sabrina and her little town, but she still refused to step up to her responsibilities.
Well, not entirely.
She did have two little girls from the last two times she’d done the rituals.
And no man to help her with them.
Goddess, he wished he could be her man.