Half Past the Witching Hour (Paranormal Personnel Saga #3) (14 page)

‘Hey, baby, come back to bed,’ Quentin growled. He wasn’t quite awake yet. I felt a little lightheaded as I slid inside the covers, bringing my body closer to his. He kissed me, while I pushed the rolling waves of heat away.

Then his phone started vibrating next to the dresser. For some reason I felt relief when he turned to the other side to answer it. My breaths were short and rasped. It was like someone tricked my magic, deliberately hoping for me to pass out, as if I was going to go through another blackout.

I swear to God, I’m going to lose it, right now.

‘Van Rooyen speaking,’ Quentin snapped into the phone. He was probably annoyed that someone dared to interrupt our dreamy morning.

I felt my energy racing up and down through my body and hurried to the bathroom. Quentin was talking loudly to someone, so I splashed some cold water over my face. I held my breath, afraid to move. Cold water on my face didn’t make any difference in the floods of power that were swirling over me like a galaxy.

When I glanced at my reflection in the mirror I saw a pale face and tired blue eyes. My fingertips were sparkling with flames, yellow and sun orange colours. I kept seeing small white dots in front of my eyes. Sweat rolled over my back as I tried to figure out what was going on. My magic became so alive all of the sudden. I kept splashing more water on my face and even considered a cold shower, when Quentin walked into the bathroom. I guessed that he was still on the phone, as he was pressing his palm over the speaker. He looked pissed.

‘My partner is on the phone. There has been an accident around twenty miles from here. He was on his way to the auction when some imbecile drove into him.’

‘Is he okay?’ I asked through gritted teeth, trying not to move, feeling the enchantment of magical energy blazing over my back.

‘Sounded fine to me, but the ambulance is taking him to hospital, so it’s probably more serious than he tries to make it out. Some of my most priceless pieces are shattered on the road. Police are insisting on moving it and I can’t let them touch the art. I need to leave to deal with it. I’m so sorry, Julia. I’ll be back as soon as I can.’

‘Fine, fine go. It’s not that far anyway, right?’ I asked.

‘Probably forty minutes drive. I promise I’ll make it up to you.’

‘It’s fine. I can have breakfast and then use the pool. Just drive safely.’

Quentin kissed me quickly and he was gone within a few minutes. I held on to the sink, breathing in and out. I felt like someone used a stun gun on me, as electric shocks were spasming through me. My head was spinning. In the back of my mind I kept thinking another blackout was on its way, as my energy was raving. I had no idea what to expect, but I didn’t want to be stuck in my room for the rest of the day. People were in danger if I was alone, without any control.

I started putting on some clothes, thinking that if I could force some food into my empty stomach I’d feel better. Quentin was going to be out for couple of hours, so I had some time to figure if I should cast a spell. I had to get outside, away to the beach or somewhere where I could be alone to relieve my magic. Then there was a knock at my door.

Figuring Quentin probably ordered room service for me before he left, I quickly opened it, glad that my boyfriend thought about everything.

But it wasn’t a room service. It was someone else. For a brief moment I wondered if my brain was making me delusional, creating this unbelievable image in my head.

Nathaniel stood outside looking at me. Clouds of my magical power kept churning between the door and the space where he stood. My heart started pumping more blood into my veins than was necessary. I was so shocked that I couldn’t even react.

‘Its true, then, isn’t it? He is in love with you?’ he asked, walking inside the room and closing the door behind him without a blink or a shrug.

I was numb from head to toe, chained to the same spot without a way out. My fingers itched like something alive was crawling under my skin. The roaring in my ears was impossible to handle.

I found my voice after some time, breaking away from these unexpected agonising emotions. ‘I want to you leave right now,’ I ordered him, pushing my body backwards. Arcs of flame escaped from my shoulders, crackling around me.

He ignored me completely, his eyes averted to the rumpled sheets where Quentin and I made love last night. He exhaled sharply, probably recognising Quentin’s scent.

I swear to God, I’m going to lose it, right now.

Only one question occupied my mind: how did he know that I was here?

He looked good, wearing a white flannel shirt and black pants. His hair was a bit longer than necessary and it looked like he didn’t shave this morning. I was furious, gathering my magic, hoping that I could use it against him. Strike him away with it once and for all.

‘Julia, I’m here for you. I made a mistake last year. I’m in love with you and only you,’ he said, taking a step towards me, his eyes never leaving my face.

Ten months ago I’d imagined this moment. For so long I craved it, believing it would be the happiest moment of my life, the one I would celebrate, cherish, and remember forever. Right now those three words made me livid. Anger roared through my pores, coursing deep down to my core. Magic was burning holes in my body, oxidising the love that I’d once had for him.

I bared my teeth and swiped my hand, slapping him as hard as I could. It burned with pain, but I wanted to keep hurting him until he disappeared, until he was gone.

‘Fuck you!’ I screamed.

Nathaniel didn’t move and didn’t remove that arrogant smirk from his face. My hand left a red mark on his cheek. His eyes burned with heat, growing with love for me. I didn’t want to feel loved by him, but a sudden dose of desire began wreaking havoc on my body, increasing my pulse. Pouring the raving flames into my heart.

‘I love you and I’ll keep saying it until you let me back,’ he repeated in a softer voice, moving closer.

With another intake of breath, shaking with anger, I slapped him again. This time harder and my hand went completely numb with pain. ‘Fuck your love!’ I yelled. He caught my other hand as I tried to dodge away from him.

‘I love you!’ he yelled it again, pulling me close.

Then he grabbed my face and started kissing me hard and furious. I knew that my battle was over as soon as his lips found mine. My body continued resisting, but my heart gave up the struggle. Once I inhaled his scent of mint, lime zest and lemons, I was lost in a violent desire that came over me like a heavy storm.

His touch brought me back to life, his voice won me over, and his mouth sucked breath out of me. I kissed him back, slamming into his chest. The wind swept under my feet, caressing my skin, things started to circle around us. Savage turmoil swung through my whole body. Nathaniel pressed his lips down to mine and I moaned as his tongue teased mine. As his fingers wrapped tightly in my hair, his weight came down on me, pushing his hips forward hard, grabbing my arse.

We were like two lost souls that couldn’t find peace on earth, that searched for redemption in a different universe.

Nathaniel’s mouth went to the side of my neck, nibbling my skin roughly, like he wanted to bite me, but his fangs never pierced my skin.

The air around was filled with magic, so pure and white that it changed us, electrifying our bodies. He lifted me above the floor, kissing me until I was breathless and dizzy with surging lust. His hands found my bare skin when he placed me back on the bed. The sheets smelled of Quentin, but I pushed that thought away and started stripping down. Nathaniel got rid of his shirt and trousers, his fangs were out as his eyes lingered over my naked body. For a moment we stared at each other, as our thoughts from the past bonded us as one again. Then he was on me, touching my core, which was on fire, drenched, swollen and so ready for him. His finger moved over the soft spot, rolling it, tasting it over and over. I thought that I was going to come then, but he stopped, pulling his fingers away. Grinning like a schoolboy, he pushed my legs apart and began kissing me there. The heat inside of me was dangerously fast as I gasped for breath. Every swirl of his tongue made me wetter and more turned on.

He stopped again when I panted, waiting for release. He got up and he grabbed my ankles and pushed my legs up, placing them on top of his chest. Blackness obscured my vision, magic lashed through my bloodstream, igniting the inferno in my core.

He pulled down his boxers and with his gleaming eyes, silently asked if this was really what I wanted. The voices in my head screamed that if I went through with this, there was no way out, that there was still a chance to pull away, but my heart had never galloped so fast in my chest.

Nathaniel hesitated for a moment before he thrust his length into me. I got lost in his incredible pulsing sensation between my legs as he filled me. His body took over; his hips began to move as I shut my eyes, drifting away. He was grinding, pushing hard, making my head swim.

‘I missed you, my firecracker, I missed you so much,’ he growled, panting heavily.

My energy rocked through me faster, as the burning between my legs grew. His lips were on my ankles, kissing me softly while thrusting himself inside me fast.

Clouds of energy and surging waves of heat collided within me, while papers, glasses and my clothes were flying around the room.

I seized under him, released myself as the orgasm shot through me, nailing me down, taking my breath away. I felt a sharp pain that was gone within a second. Nathaniel bit into my ankle and sucked in, swallowing large gulps of blood. I came in shattering waves, screaming his name, losing myself forever. My whole body convulsed as he climaxed a moment later, before collapsing on top of me.

***

Foams of vibrations filled my mind as we both lay naked in the bed. I stared at the celling, empty, stripped of my power. My breathing was irregular, but I felt relaxed, so much calmer than before. Better than in the past two months, because excess magic had been removed, sucked away by sex.

I didn’t dare look at him yet, but my heart was pumping fast like a car driving two hundred miles an hour.

Quentin left the hotel room at least half an hour ago. There was a possibility that he could come back at any second, but I couldn’t move. I was enjoying the emptiness of my magic, knowing that I didn’t kill anyone this time around.

Goose pimples appeared on my skin and there was no tingling or pulsing, like in the past when he and I made love. Our sex lasted no longer than ten minutes, maybe less than that, but the time that I spent with this man felt like I was flying.

Slowly bits of other emotions came crashing down. I felt betrayal, shame and grief. I was disgusted with myself, knowing that I just destroyed everything I ever believed in.

He turned to face me and I swallowed hard not moving, trying not to look at him. We were both naked and sweaty, still touching each other. My body was pulling me towards him, wanting more. Nothing had changed between us.

‘Julia, I always knew you that you were the one,’ he stated, nearly whispering.

My heart melted, and although this was the happiest moment in my life, I didn’t want to show him how I felt.

I turned around to face him.

‘This cannot happen again,’ I said.

Even though you’re the only man that makes me happy. Truly happy.

Nathaniel narrowed his eyes, piercing them into me. He reached for my face and brushed the wet hair away.

‘We are adults and you don’t have to feel guilty about this. I’m going to tell Meredith about us,’ he said, not taking his eyes off me.

I laughed. ‘No, you’re not going to tell anyone about this. We had sex and this is not going to happen again. I was happy until you came back. My life was finally getting back on track,’ I said, covering my face with my palms. This was my rational side talking, my heart bled because I didn’t want to think about what he did to me only a few minutes ago.

‘Julia, stop lying to yourself. Our sex was fucking amazing and I want more.’

‘How did you even know that I was here, in Brighton?’

Nathaniel exhaled and ran his hand through his hair. My pulse started racing faster.

‘My mate, he is a wizard. I asked him to track you down, so I followed you here in the morning. Then I took the room next to yours.’

I shook my head, trying to breathe normally. He followed me to my romantic weekend away. Then all of the sudden everything made sense. My sudden outburst of power on the balcony. The heat that I felt. Nathaniel hadn’t changed; he was still stuck in his controlling ways of getting me back.

‘I can’t believe that you followed me here. What was your plan? Did you cause that accident so Quentin would leave?’

He frowned. ‘What accident? I didn’t know what I was going to do. I was hoping that he would leave you for a moment.’

‘We were lucky then, oh my god, I can’t even imagine what would’ve happened if he’d come back,’ I cried.

‘Julia, stop feeling like this was a disaster. I was too blind to see that I could love again, too stubborn to realise what I’ve lost.’

‘Stop it. Stop talking. It’s over between us. This doesn’t mean anything,’ I argued.

‘You weren’t acting like it was over just a few minutes ago,’ he whispered, bringing chills down my spine. ‘But why him? Why are you even with this guy?’

‘It’s none of your business. Quentin is sweet and he doesn’t play games with me. And this,’ I said, pointing at myself and him. ‘That doesn’t mean anything. I was lost in a moment of weakness.’

‘We fucked and you loved it, firecracker. Stop pretending like you didn’t.’

I pressed my lips together, angry and frustrated that he wasn’t listening. I got out of the bed and said, ‘That’s not the point. It was a moment of bliss and it won’t happen again. Now leave before I throw you out!’

I tried to breathe, but what happened next seemed unexpected. Nathaniel used his vampire speed to pin me down to the wall. His naked body pressed down to mine, his thrilling erection was pressed into my thigh. I gasped again, eager to be closer.

’You are mine and you always will be. I’m still crazy about you,’ he whispered, sucking his mouth to my neck. Lust curled my toes and I was turned on again, ready to have him inside me.

But still I managed to say, ‘Go back to your fiancée. You only want me because you can’t have me.’

He stroked my chin and kissed me deeply, jolting my energy back. My heart leaped in my chest as I fought with all my crumbling emotions, because I knew that this was wrong. I became one of those other women, the kind that cheated on her boyfriend.