Page 40 of Magic and Muffins

“Focus on me,” Shepard said softly before his lips met mine.

He kissed me hungrily, his mouth hard and demanding as his hand drifted from my waist to my hip. Gripping me, he pulled me closer, settling me over his blatantly urgent need. I whimpered into his mouth, moving against him as another wave of magic hit me. His hand moved upward, cupping my breast, kneading it until the nipple pebbled, then pinching it until I cried out in his mouth.

My release, with only that, shocked the hell out of me and left me breathless. While I panted for air, he trailed kisses down my neck. I held onto his head as he nuzzled me and kept my eyes closed. I didn’t want to know what Effora was doing. Based on the sounds, though, she was taking care of herself.

Once her low moan filled the room, Shepard cupped my face and kissed the tip of my nose.

“It’s time to go, sweetheart.”

I opened my eyes and gazed into his golden ones.

“Can you walk?” he asked.

When I nodded, he stood and set me on my feet. Once he knew I was steady, he kissed my cheek and led me out of the private room without either of us looking directly at Effora, who was once again on the table.

The guards outside the room were missing, and I wondered if they’d joined the ones outside to avoid Effora’s allure. Instead of heading in that direction, Shepard tugged me into another private room. He held me close and rested his head against my forehead.

“I need a moment before we leave,” he said.

I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him through his steady breaths. He suddenly stilled.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

He placed a finger to my lips and looked at the door. He hadn’t closed it tightly behind us. Through the small gap, I heard the indistinct murmur of Effora’s voice. Although I couldn’t make out the words, I could hear the tone. She was annoyed or angry. Because of Shepard and me or something else?

I waited in silence as Shepard listened to whatever she was saying. Several minutes after her voice faded, he slipped from my hug and took my hand.

“Let’s go.”

I didn’t ask him what he had heard in case other people were around. It wasn’t until we were in his SUV and on the road that I asked.

“Effora got a call from Vivian,” Shepard explained. “It sounded like he was asking for help to avenge Adriel’s death. In return, he’ll give her what she needs.”

“What does she need?”

“I don’t know, but we need to find out. She made it sound like she didn’t have any direct contact with Vivian, yet he called her private number.”

Shepard made a good point.

“How are you going to find out?” I asked.

“I’ll need to follow her.”

“Do you think she knew we were in the room? She was pretty annoyed she couldn’t have her way with you. Maybe she wanted you to overhear so you would follow her.”

“Doubtful. She sounded and smelled angry, not deceitful.”

“Then be careful. You'll have to watch your back from not only vampires but the fae as well. Would she betray you to aid Vivian, though? She really wants to have sex with you.”

“She is loyal to no one but herself.”

“That makes me even more worried for you.”

Shepard pressed the phone button on his steering wheel and called Cross.

“How did it go with Effora?” Cross asked when he answered.

“Bad as usual. But she confirmed what we’d already guessed—Orphia is nearby. She also had a conversation with Vivian that I wasn’t meant to hear. Can you tail her? I think she’s going to meet up with him soon. I need to know why and what he’s promising her in return for her help.”

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