Chapter Seven #2
“It’s like your magic,” Archer says, leaning forward. “When you suppress it, don’t you notice it will find a way to be released?”
“Yes. I pushed it away for years. After a while, it would leak out in moments that I didn’t want it to,” she says.
“It’s the same, except Lace’s has been building without anywhere to go. She doesn’t believe she has the ability to control it.” My new sister is conflicted, just as Mara has been, but in a different way.
“Lace believes she will get her powers when she meets her soul bond,” Mara says.
“It will help, but she needs to believe in herself,” I say, twining my fingers with hers. “She has always had it inside her.”
“I’ve worried about her,” she whispers.
“Did something traumatic happen to her?” Archer asks softly. “Something that damaged her belief?” Mara looks down at our hands.
“We don’t want you to betray her confidence,” I say.
“We just want to help,” Archer adds.
She looks up. “She wouldn’t want me to share that. Maybe when she’s more comfortable.”
“We understand.” I sense the human before they enter the store.
“I’ll clean this up,” Archer mutters, standing and gathering the containers.
The customer smiles at Mara as she walks to the shelves. Mara nods and gets up. Her hand leaves mine, and I miss her touch. I love connecting with her in any way I can. Even though my touch stabilizes her, that’s only a small part of my need.
“Will you help me?” she asks, and I look up.
“Anything you need, my Mara.” I grin and join her.
“Can you bring all of your mom’s and aunt’s choices to the front?” she asks.
“It might take days,” I tease, and she laughs.
“You're strong. I think you can handle it.” She runs her hand across my chest as she passes me. “When the customer is ready, will you assist me up front?”
“Yes.” I’m sure she finds it odd to be without her gloves.
I sense more energy as I walk to the back, weaving through the shelves.
Two more people entered, and I breathe deeply.
They are human and are annoyed with each other.
My magic eagerly soaks up the emotions. Mara doesn’t realize how powerful I am.
The world is filled with feelings, and every bit adds to my gift.
Each person has worries, and the more severe the emotions, the more I get from them.
I don’t feel their emotions as Mara does.
With her magic, it’s as if she is living their life, whereas mine are only fuel for my spells, and I don’t experience them.
They would never guess a warlock is pulling from them.
It doesn’t eliminate their issues, but it can ease them.
I shake my head when I see the neatly stacked books.
Mom and Adeline set aside twenty books each.
Gathering one pile, I turn, and the woman who came in first is watching me.
Smiling politely, I easily carry them to the front.
I suppose she was surprised that I held them so easily.
My spells make me strong like a shifter, perhaps not as much, but a human would find it odd. I’m usually cautious in my actions.
“They did find a lot,” Mara laughs as I set them down on the end of the counter.
“This is one stack,” I say dryly.
“Really?” She giggles, and the sound flows through me. I stare at her face, loving the joy she doesn’t hide. “What?”
“Nothing.” I trail my fingers down her cheek and return for the rest of the books.
The woman is standing closer to the books on the floor. If I bent down, I would be inches from her leg. I narrow my eyes when she smiles at me. Shit, I know that smile.
“I’ve never seen you here,” she says.
“You wouldn’t have,” I say tersely.
“Do you work here?” She asks, tilting her head.
“No.” I point toward her feet. “I need to get those.” She doesn’t move, and I drop my hand.
“I come here a lot,” she says, tucking her hair behind her ear. “Do you know the owner?” I sigh. Maybe before I met Mara, I would have engaged in conversation.
“Yes.” I take a step closer, hoping she gets the hint.
“Sister?”
“What?” I ask, frowning.
“Is she your sister?” she asks, and I crouch down, intent on getting the books quickly. I didn’t expect the woman to join me. She reaches out, touches my arm, and I jerk back. A second passes before Mara is next to us, grabbing the woman's arm and flinging it away. The woman stands, jumping away.
“Shit,” I mutter, but it’s too late. Her emotions have leaked into Mara. Her gaze fills with memories.
“He’s mine,” Mara hisses, her voice filled with power.
“Damn, you didn’t have to hurt me,” she sneers, holding her arm to her chest. I see a red handprint on her skin.
“Freeze,” I growl my spell. Everyone except me and Mara becomes immobilized.
Unlike Mara’s spell with Jerry, I make sure they are frozen in time and aren’t aware of anything.
“Mara.” I step close and cup her face. “Look at me,” I order, and she blinks.
“Give everything to me.” I see the woman in bed with a man. It isn’t her boyfriend.
“Rome,” she gasps, her expression clearing.
“Good, fight off the visions,” I encourage, and she grasps my forearms. They begin to fade, getting fuzzy. The woman's name is Stacey, and she has a very active sexual life. Good for her, as long as she points her desire in a different direction.
“At least she’s not a murderer,” Mara says, glancing at Stacey.
“Are you alright?” I ask, and she looks at me.
“Yes, thanks. I lost it when I saw her touch you,” she says.
“I guess,” I smirk, absurdly pleased. “You left a mark.” I step back and study Stacey’s arm.
“That’s never happened before,” she whispers.
“I think it was the severity of your emotions.” I raise my hand, hovering over the mark.
“I can’t heal it, but I can erase the color.
She’ll feel it, but won’t be able to see it.
” I push my spell over her skin. Erase from all seeing.
“Where’s Archer?” I ask and look at Mara when she doesn’t answer.
Her cheeks are flushed, and I can see her pulse pounding. She’s staring at me. “Mara.”
“Huh?” She shakes her head.
“Archer, where is he?” I smile. My bond is turned on.
“He went outside,” she says, her hand cupping her throat.
“I need him. Lock the door after you get him.” She nods shakily, turning sharply.
“I can thank you for something,” I mutter to the blank face of Stacey. I complete the spell and step back just as Archer is jogging through the store.
“Do I want to know why everyone is suspended in time?” he asks. Mara is following behind him slowly, blushing.
“The woman touched me,” I explain.
“Okay,” he says, looking over his shoulder. “Mara didn’t like that.” He studies Stacey.
“I need you to convince her that none of it happened when I unfreeze her. The others won’t know anything changed when they move again.”
“Sure.” His lips twitch. “I think I need to worry about Mara killing someone, not you.”
“Probably,” Mara says softly.
“How far back should I go?” Archer asks, taking my place.
“Convince her she just came in, saw us on the couch, and wandered back here,” I say, walking toward Mara. Her eyes widen.
“What is going on?” Lace asks, coming out of the back and looking around. “Why aren’t the customers moving?”
“Are you done with Gavin?” I ask, sliding my arm around Mara.
“Yeah. He just left.” She looks at Stacey. “Mara?”
“I’ll tell you later,” Mara says, leaning against my side. “There is a container on the counter for you. The food should still be warm.”
“Can I use your room?” I ask Lace.
“Sure, I have an hour before my next one,” she says.
“You’ll have to unlock the door when he’s done,” I say and glance at Archer. “Ready?”
“Yes.” He grins.
“Don’t disturb us.” I remove the spell as I guide Mara past a confused Lace and into the back room. Locking the door, I push Mara to the back corner, between the chairs and the wall. Silence. Silence. “Have you never felt another's desire?” I ask, caging her.
“Yes, but not so severe.” She licks her lips while staring at mine.
“Try to be quiet. I spelled the room, but Archer can see through most of my magic. If you ever want me to stop, or if I scare you, tell me. I won’t ever ignore the word stop.
” I run my knuckle between her breasts. “Remove your sweater,” I demand, and I grin as she jerks it off. “Do you want my hands on you?”
“Please,” she whispers. I drag the fabric over one breast and then the other. Her chest rises rapidly. I stare at her lace bra, cupping her beautiful breasts as I reach for her skirt.
“Hold on, my Mara,” I rasp, and she grabs my waist. Gathering her skirt, my fingers crawl as I raise it. Once it’s at her waist, I slide my hand underneath, and it drapes over my arm. I cup her hip and groan at the touch of her silky skin. “Sexy witch,” I breathe, and she moans.
Gliding my hand to her stomach, I knead briefly before slipping beneath her panties. Her head hits the wall as I cup her. She’s drenched.
“Rome,” she cries, jerking.
“So hot, baby.” I press her clit with my palm and drag my finger through her lips.
“My hand is full. Unhook your bra.” She lets go with one hand and reaches for the front clasp.
I hiss when it slowly parts, sliding over her breasts.
She’s fucking stunning in her desire. Her nipples are hard and swollen.
The tattoos between her breasts glow, red sparkles around the black.
I dip my head as I thrust a finger inside her.
Licking her nipple, I’m pulled in by her pussy.
“Fuck, Mara,” I whisper against her breast.
“Rome,” she whimpers as she meets the motion of my hand. “More.” Her fingers dig into my side.
She is tight as fuck, but I add a finger.
I’m helpless to her needs. I drag my teeth across her, and she pushes her chest up, eager.
Our attraction has been growing steadily, burning inside us, waiting for the moment to burst. I could live off her desire and never need anyone else’s emotions to fuel me.
My body is filled with her pleasure. My other hand flexes against the wall above her head.
“Give me your mouth,” I growl, lifting my head. She meets me, offering her lips. I take as I move my hand faster. Her moans float through us, getting louder as she reaches for her orgasm. She bites my lip and jerks her mouth away.
“Rome, please,” she cries, and I lick the sting away.
“Come, baby,” I grit out and look down. Her hips roll as she tightens, her desire overwhelming her.
“Fuck, yes.” I suck her nipple as the waves crash over her, massive shocks of power coming off of her.
The light in the room bursts, raining onto the floor, and I lift my head.
I hear something crash to the floor, but I don’t take my eyes away.
She is beautiful in her release. Her mouth parts, and her breath caresses my face.
I gaze at the tousled hair, swollen mouth, and heavy breasts.
Pressing my cheek to hers, I glide my fingers in and out gently, enjoying her aftershocks. “My Mara, so beautiful,” I whisper.
“That was—” She sighs. “Unreal.” She runs her hand up my chest and grasps my collar. She licks her lips, and I feel her tongue brush my ear. “You’re hard.”
“Yes,” I chuckle, slowly removing my hand. “I’m hard just being in your presence. Feeling your warmth and watching you explode made me more so.” Her dress falls as I drop my arm. I flex my fingers, missing her warmth, and resist sucking her scent from them.
“I can help.” I pull back and see her eagerness.
“Not here. When that happens, I need more time, and preferably alone.” I grin as she blushes. I re-clip her bra and rearrange her clothing. “It was a pleasure to ease you.”
“The vision wasn’t the only reason I needed to come,” she says, smirking.
“Really?” I press my thumb to her bottom lip. “Perhaps you are beginning to like me,” I tease.
“A little,” she whispers and touches her tongue to my finger.
“Stop, or I’ll forget about the other people in the next room,” I warn, narrowing my eyes.
“Lace is probably mortified.” If I don’t step away, I’ll never be able to control my body's reaction.
“She's going to be mad, her light shattered,” I say, moving back.
Walking to the middle of the room, I survey the damage.
The bulb is in tiny pieces across the floor, and the rolling table is on its side.
“It could have been worse.” I look at Mara as she slowly straightens from the wall.
She looks a bit dazed and recently fucked as she yanks on her sweater.
“Do you think that will happen every time?” she asks, coming to my side.
“I think our magic collides as the energy of our bodies experiences the touch of our bond,” I say, tilting my head. “It might stabilize with time.”
“Do you want it to?” she asks, her eyes heavy.
“Fuck, I hope not.”
I plan to make Mara lose control every chance I get.