One Night With a Witch (Keepers of the Veil #5)

Chapter 2

2

K issing Eli was about the illusion of hooking up in order to save him. Nothing more.

She could keep telling herself that, but she wanted this, even if it was magic-induced insanity.

Eli s mouth moved down her neck to her shoulder, lowering the spaghetti strap to her arm, out of the way. You re so beautiful.

A lie? Didn t sound like a lie. Avery didn t want it to be.

She sifted her fingers through his short hair, raking her nails over his scalp. His mouth moved closer to the top of her breast, and her head dropped back. She rolled her hips against his, rubbing the hard length of him pressed tight to his dress pants fly.

She caught his face in both hands, pulling him away from his descent toward exposing her breast. With a gentle pull, she redirected his face to hers, closing her lips over his, and kissed him deeply.

I want you, she whispered loud enough to be sure their watcher overheard.

At the ding of the elevator s arrival, he unlatched his mouth from hers. She blinked up at him, startled to find her ass rested on the bar that wrapped the wall of the elevator and her legs were around his waist.

He lifted her down to the floor and supported her elbow when she stumbled to find her footing in the heels. She hadn t experienced a mind-blowing moment like that since, well, ever.

Honestly, she would ve believed something like this belonged in a teenager-ish fantasy, except proof of reality lay in her reflection in the mirrored walls-red, puffy lips, and the frustrating, wild mass of auburn hair now out of control. She resisted the urge to twirl her hair into a bun.

You re twenty-eight, not sixteen. You ve been targeted with an attraction spell. Get a grip.

The walk down the red-and-gold carpeted hallway seemed to take forever with a hole burning in her back where the muscled giant stared.

She whispered, What s up with this guy following? Good guy team or not?

Not on my team. He s following one of us. Hope it s me and not you. Eli s hand remained around hers, light and reassuring, which helped settle the flock of hummingbirds in her stomach.

He waved a key card over the lock until it green-lighted and clicked. As he grabbed the handle he flashed their follower a cocky guy-guy smile when he strolled by as if going to a room up the hall.

The moment the door shut behind them, Eli pulled her into the bathroom, slamming the door shut. The bathroom was larger than most in standard hotel rooms. Colorful mosaic tiles decorated the bathroom walls. Gold gilded fixtures broadcast a luxurious lifestyle far above her means. This suite probably rented for several thousand a night. Her gaze snagged on a discarded towel; something so normal in contrast to the poshness of the decor.

Why re you here? he snapped. What the hell happened in the elevator?

I m here to rescue you.

You re here to rescue me? Skepticism rang from each word. His entire body quieted. From what?

She bit her lip and averted her gaze. Nicole had a vision about you in danger.

He rolled his eyes. Nicole? The girl who predicted her brother would die of a medical crisis a year and a half ago, called me in to be healer-on-call, and when the moment arrived it turned out to be lactose intolerance shits from accidental cheese on his burrito? That Nicole?

Her brother might ve died. We don t know that you didn t save his life. She struggled to repress a giggle. Her vision this time was about you in danger of dying. Would ve happened a few minutes ago. Sounded far more serious than a bad cheese incident. I m worried we thwarted the assassin and now he ll go to some sort of backup plan. I don t know how to save you from whatever else may be coming your way.

Matt allowed you to come alone? His eyebrows rose. His brother, the druid leader, was notorious for his obsession over Pleiades safety.

She interpreted his skepticism to question why someone without combat training had been sent to rescue him. Her spine stiffened. I did a great job getting you out of there.

I m not implying you didn t. I m questioning why they sent you without protection into a situation that guaranteed I d have to step up and resume old duties to guard you until you re out of here. I can t believe you re here because of one of Nicole s fantastical visions.

She marched forward and poked his chest with her index finger. I don t need you to babysit me. This was about you. I deserve a thank-you for saving your life.

I could ve handled whatever it was. This is a dangerous crowd. My brother probably knows this. His gaze filled with suspicion. What the hell s really going on?

I saved you. End of story. This is a well-publicized climate conference. Someone must ve sent an assassin to take you out.

There s a lot more going on here than global warming discussions. This is the who s who of terrorism financial backers. You shouldn t be here. He slouched against the door. Matt forced me to take this time off of bodyguard duty. If he wanted me back, he could ve asked, not done this kind of stunt to prove I m good at protecting you ladies.

Matt didn t tell me about another agenda. He s been cranky since you went on extended leave, though. Who was the guy downstairs with the creepy eyes?

Eli crossed his arms. Henrik Kemerling. Someone I would ve preferred you never meet.

You do know he s got abilities, like us. Only, I m pretty sure he tends toward the dark side of magic.

He s worse. Eli removed his tuxedo jacket and tossed it toward the sink counter. It landed half on and started to slide.

She caught the jacket before it hit the floor. Something metal spilled out of a pocket and clinked against the tile. She retrieved the diamond-shaped black mirror on a chain, allowing it to spin on the end of its antique gold chain. A hexenspiegel?

Give me that. His cheeks flushed as he snatched it and stuffed it into his trouser pocket.

Were you wearing this all night? As a spell and curse protector it would ve deterred the attraction spell, which would make what happened in the elevator real. Hope bloomed in her chest.

Nah. Just had it in the pocket.

All hope deflated. Spell in full effect. You have to actually wear it for it to work. Is that thing a part of your mission?

He shifted as if uncomfortable.

She felt the pocket of his jacket and removed an amulet. The simple talisman on a chain was a remarkable piece of vintage metal work. It emitted a potent energy, good, but also felt protective. Amulets and hexenspiegels? You re around people who can communicate with ghosts. You are here on an MI6 mission, aren t you?

He didn t meet her gaze.

She put her hands on her hips. Then this reeks of Jason Merck. What exactly are you doing here?

Freelancing.

For Shannon s fianc who hunts people with magical powers that kill humans? This sort of freelancing was far more dangerous than anything MI6 might send him to do. It also changed her perspective on saving his life. Evil, magical people didn t send assassins with guns. They could, but it d demean their gifts.

I didn t confirm that s what I m doing.

Oh, my God. You are. She jiggled the amulet in her hand. You should ve been wearing this. Who knows if I saved you? Something might ve been cast on you and you have no idea what.

Nobody cast anything.

Somebody did . But we re not discussing that What does Henrik do that involves the supernatural?

I m not answering any more questions. I didn t need your help. I can handle threats.

She almost threw the amulet at him but caught herself. No need to damage the antique piece. You shouldn t be here, Eli, and if you plan to stay then put on the freaking protective pieces. Get over wearing jewelry. This is about your life.

His gazed dropped. Nailed his reason for not using the items.

Henrik sees ghosts, like me. Did you know that? She put the amulet back in his jacket pocket. The ghosts were scared of him. That got a bit of a reaction from him, even if it was only a marginal widening of his eyes.

Did he pick up you saw the ghosts, too?

Now you re worried he might be a threat to one of us? No, I m pretty sure he didn t realize I saw them. I m not sure what kind of magic he practices, but with those soulless eyes he s someone you should avoid.

He s a threat to the world.

So you think you alone can go up against him? Uh, I don t think so. Whatever he does is something that ends up with you or someone else dead. Tell Merck no. Go home. This butt stubborn man would end up in an almost dead situation before he accepted help.

Eli rested his head against the door. I would ve been fine with whatever came my way tonight. It s you who needs to go home. You don t belong here, Avery.

She wanted to shake him, hit him, and cry all at the same time. You re alive because I showed up.

He emitted a sarcastic snort. Right. Someone s messing with you, or maybe me. A few bullets coming my way, or torture, isn t anything new. I wasn t going to die. Someone played you to get you here. He compressed his lips and squinted at her for a moment. I wonder why.

They went against security protocol to send one of us-me-without druid protection. I volunteered because Nicole s right a lot of the time.

Go home. He moved toward her.

She refused to back up as he stalked closer.

Matt could ve said no when you volunteered. His judgment would ve held over the council. He s Head Druid. He wanted you to be here for some reason. Why do you think that is? His eyes swirled with fiery emotion before he plastered a stoic mask on his face.

She scratched her nails against the inside of her palm, agonizing if she should admit to him about the attraction spell. I think you re right. I got used, but I don t know why. Does anyone else know you re working with Merck? I m pretty sure your brother doesn t.

He cocked his head and scanned her from head to chest and back up. Tell me about the elevator. How d you make it work between us? He snagged an arm around her waist, pulling her tight to him. With a single finger, he touched her jaw, tracing its edge. He was close enough that he filled every single one of her senses, overwhelmed her brain, and heated her blood.

He ran his thumb along her lower lip. This mouth was mine first. It never belonged to anyone else.

Her breath caught. Blood pounded between her ears as she remembered her first kiss. With him. It d been okay, not earth-shattering, but also not nauseating.

You want me. His finger trekked down her neck over her pounding pulse.

No, I don t.

Your body says you do. Your breaths are hitched. You re practically screaming for me to take you, and I ve barely touched you. How s this possible?

It s She couldn t say it. Eli despised having them do magic on him, whether it be a spell, a potion, or even read cards about him.

He pushed her away, muttering, Magic. Disgust twisted his lips. What is it? A potion, an aromatic scent or Oh, hell no. Tell me it s not a spell.

She chewed on her lower lip. The girls thought they were being helpful to cast something that enabled it to work between us. Shannon called me a few minutes before I found you and admitted it. I swear I had nothing to do with it. Hopefully, it ll wear off soon.

His eyes dropped sensually over her body. He muttered, Should ve worn the goddamned hexenspiegel. Louder, he said, How soon? Before or after we lose the war against this and fuck each other silly?

She glanced around at the few toiletries spread across the counter, the attributes of a stayed-in room. Why re we in here? It s a nice bathroom, but why can t we go out there?

The suite is bugged.

Cameras? she asked.

Just listening devices.

Who s watching you? Henrik? The magnetism pulling her toward Eli propelled her to take a few steps his way.

Every hotel room is bugged. Something dark flashed through Eli s eyes. His hand encircled her waist again and moved low over her ass while the other slid through her hair, across her scalp. Sensation tingled through her. Her mouth dropped open as he pulled her close. Then his lips were on hers again.

He swept his tongue along hers, kissing her deep and slow. This was seduction and pleasure without rules. Screw scruples over the spell. This was incredible.

Heat radiated from Eli s skin, daring her to press closer and rediscover the true meaning of being singed. He tempted her with the opportunity to feel something other than the vastness of being alone.

Their tongues twisted together. She moaned again and rocked into his hips, working on the buttons of his shirt.

Then he wasn t kissing her. He caught her as she swayed.

Easy, he whispered.

She unlatched her hands from his shirt and stepped backward until the sink counter hit her butt. Her fingers wrapped its smooth marble edge behind her. That was good. Too good.

He scratched his scalp again. His wary gaze momentarily met hers before darting away. This isn t going to happen, especially not because of a spell.

Temptation pressed her to scoot forward and do it again. Nope. Why are you working for Merck?

Intel-only mission. Damn it, I shouldn t have told you that. It s the spell, isn t it? Makes me susceptible to your charm.

Perhaps, but I don t have any sort of coercion powers. Not like you. Her gaze dropped down his body. So you think this spell will make you tell me anything I ask of you because you find me sexy?

Don t do that, he ordered.

Do what? Ask you questions? She moistened her lips and cocked her head. Her gaze snagged on his chest where she d opened buttons to expose his undershirt. Are you wearing underwear?

He rubbed his hands over his face. You re killing me.

She raked Eli with her eyes, fixating on the chest hair teasing the edges of his undershirt. Longing edged into her brain and tempted her. She needed to get out of the bathroom for fresh oxygen and to put the temptation of him as far away as possible or she might lose it. But a part of her didn t care if she lost it. She wanted to lose it on him.

His eyes darted around the bathroom. Stop.

Stop what?

Looking at me like you d be happier to keep unbuttoning my shirt. Like you want me to put your ass on that counter and make you scream twice before I come.

That sounded so freaking good. She touched her lower lip, feeling its residual puffy soreness from his kisses. She willed her eyes to stop staring at him, but they kept going back to the new rumpled look of his shirt and the temptation of the buttons. The white-hot need for this man made her brain mush.

She wanted him surrounding her. Inside her. On the counter. On the bed. Hell, it didn t matter where just that it happen now.

No. He wiped a hand across his forehead as if removing sweat. His head dropped. Hoarsely, he said, You re everything to me. I have to keep you safe. There s danger here you can t even comprehend. Or maybe you can. Pop away to your other dimension. Please. I ll deal with whatever happens here.

Sure, she could travel to the other-world where the year was the same but people and politics were different. There, safety was guaranteed. Each of the seven alternate dimensions had been created long ago by Zeus in order for the original seven Pleiades goddesses to avoid the unwanted advances of Orion as he chased each of them unmercifully. Now each of the seven human Pleiades descendants, the chosen witch in her Pleiades lineage, could travel there in times of crisis.

Who s going to take care of you if I leave, given you won t even wear the protective items? She waved toward his coat.

This isn t about me. You will get to safety.

Did you just try to use the Voice on me? That s rude. His magical tone might convince almost anyone to do his bidding, but it d never worked on her.

He straightened, sliding his hands into the pockets of his slacks. Like it or not. You need to leave. I ll see you at Shannon and Merck s wedding in two weeks when we re not under the influence of a spell.

Fury set up a ringing in her skull. You don t get to order me around. I was charged to keep you safe tonight. I m going to do that.

His upper lip quirked. You re cute when you get feisty. You re also wrong. It s me who d be protecting you.

The anger zipped through her until she feared her head would explode. Don t you dare use that condescending tone with me.

How exactly do you plan to keep us safe with no weapons and no combat training? You going to get your ghosts to rattle a few chains? Scare the hostiles?

I have a plan, but I m not discussing it with you. Reality was her plan ended the moment she d stepped into the elevator. It appeared he had far more in the way of protective items than she if the evil they faced used black magic. Her leaving was the smart move.

Eli lifted an eyebrow, and a grin slid across his face. You wish to play games with me? I can get you to tell me in about two seconds.

Talk about intimidating and sexy all at the same time. Bring it on, druid.

Unwise. He smiled wider. Hello, dimple alert. Baby, you don t want to challenge me.

Oh, wouldn t she? The temptation to see where he d go with this excited her. The sense of danger ramped up her need to touch him and prove just who d end up winner in this battle.

Games? Like what? she asked. Strip poker? I m warning you, a few clothes off and I won t be held responsible for whatever happens while under the influence of a kicked-up attraction spell. God, I want to touch you. She put a hand over her mouth. Didn t mean to say that out loud.

We ve got to get out of this room. His eyes darted round the bathroom. Don t give me the patented Avery wicked look.

I m a witch who doesn t curl her hair and wear heels for just anyone. She moved close to lean into him. I can pop away in a bit. Why shouldn t we take this magic spell for a spin?