Page 44 of Magic Touch
In only a shift, I pad from the bed to the door. Holding a moment, I tell myself to get back in the bed. I even order myself to relieve my tension with my own hand. The idea is hollow with William so close.
Does he have me under a spell? I turn the doorknob and go downstairs.
Before I leave the house, I press my head against the wooden door and try to gain some composure. I cast to search for curses or dark magic but find only my own desire drives me across the drive and grass, toward the pond.
The half-moon is enough light to see him naked and swimming away.
I let any remnants of my block fall.
William stops and turns toward me. His head goes under, and he comes up sputtering.
I hold back my laugh. "Don't drown now. It took all my nerve to come out here."
He glides through the water toward me, each stroke easy and strong at the same time. "Do you want that swimming lesson now, Esme?"
"I could hear your thoughts and feelings. It was too hard to push you away," I admit, and ease one bare foot into the water, then the other.
The cool water feels divine, even just on my toes. It can't quell the burn of his nearness. If it were the dead of winter, we would melt this pond in an instant. I close my eyes as he rises from the water and steps toward me.
The first drip of water on my hand lets me know how close he is. "I heard you too, Esme. Is it magic that links us like this? Should we fight some darkness forging this bond?"
Opening my eyes, I look into his. "I don't know why I can't push you aside so we can remain friends."
"Am I evil?" Fear flushes his cheeks, and his shoulders tense.
I cup his cheek. "No, William. There is no evil in you. You have gifts that might tempt a man or woman to use them to gain power. Power can corrupt. Do you wish to manipulate people to rule the world?"
"You mean besides wanting to manipulate you for our mutual pleasure?" He drags me against his wet body.
My breath is shaky. "Yes. Besides that."
He shakes his head. "I have no use for world domination. I'll leave that to gods, goddesses, and kings."
"Will you use your talents to protect and serve the light?" I'm breathless from the warmth of his body and his hard shaft pressed between us.
"I will do what I can for what is right and in service to my king."
I clutch his shoulders to keep my knees from buckling. "Will you teach me to swim?"
His mouth covers mine in a kiss that I feel from my head to my toes. Low in my belly, my womb clenches, and juices slick my most private spot.
"William, I need you, and I don't need anyone." I wrap my arms around his neck and tip my pelvis.
Clutching my bottom, he lifts me, and I grip his hips with my legs as he lowers me to the cool grass.
Hand on the hem of my chemise, he tugs it over my hips to my waist, then breaks contact to drag the thin garment over my head. He sits back on his heels and stares at me. "You are so lovely, Esme. I fear this burning for you is witchery."
"Desire and magic are close companions, but we are under no spell." I tip my hips so his thigh, resting between my legs, rubs me in the most delicious way. My body quivers with sensation.
He covers me, pressing kisses along my collarbone, up my neck, and along my jaw. Breathless, he asks, "How can you be sure this isn't a spell?"
It's hard to make sense of his question, or anything besides his mouth and the caress of his hand on my hip, waist, and breast. "I...I...I divined for magic before I came outside."
He stills. "You also thought this thing between us might be unnatural?"
Leaning on his elbow, he keeps his other hand just below my breast. His thumb circles the skin in a gentle caress.
Rising to my elbows brings my chest against his, trapping his hand between us. "I wanted to be sure. I wanted this to be good and real, not something torrid or forced upon us. Finding no curse or hex, I came to you. You were in my head, thinking the naughtiest desires. How was I supposed to sleep?
