Arcane (Halfblood Club Book 1) Page 3

  “Fine. But what was she doing? I don’t remember anything...” She trailed off and then remembered the dragon and being launched into the wall. But that would not explain the sore pulse in her shoulder. “What happened to my shoulder? It didn’t hurt before.”

  “Ah, that.” He sat next to her on the bed, and his large hand lightly drew an intricate design on her shoulder. She shivered under his touch. “You are now wearing a tattoo of the Sterling family. It is a glyph for protection and to keep you from harm.”

  She reached over her shoulder, trying to touch the sore and delicately throbbing skin that he had just been rubbing his fingers against. “You marked me? Like a brand? Like an animal?” She found the slightly raised flesh and winced at the soreness. She could also feel magic within but still out of her reach, dammit.

  “No, no. Nothing like that. The marks are for your own protection. Some members of my clan were not exactly thrilled to have a half-breed join us. This will provide shielding for you and an alarm system should one of them attack.” His large, warm hand was slowly caressing circles on her back. She shivered again then looked down.

  “Hey! I’m naked, you jerk!” She immediately scrambled out of his reach and was frantically tugging at the blanket on top of the bed. It wouldn’t budge. Well, at least not with his weight on it. She finally gave up and scrambled under the covers, tucking them up to her chin.

  * * * *

  He had been watching the motion of her breasts as she tugged on the bedding, and the pressure behind his zipper was threatening to burst it wide open.

  “Your clothing had to be removed to ascertain the seriousness of your injuries. And because we are now handfasted for one year. According to Realm tradition, you have until the waning of the full moon to come to me to consummate the union. After that, I will come to you.”

  She had a suspicious look on her face, “How long until the waning of the moon?”

  His eyes lighting with anticipation, and the smile on his face confirmed her suspicions. “About four hours. Then you’re mine.”

  “Like hell.” She scooted up in the bed and kept the covers to her chin. “This isn’t your company, and you can’t just do something like that. It’s unethical.”

  The shadow of anger flew across his features as her words struck him. “It may be unethical, but for mages, it is quite natural. Either you come to me, or I will come to you. And you will welcome me.”

  “I don’t think so.” She crossed her arms over her breasts and hugged herself.

  Suddenly, he leaned toward her and caught her mouth with his own. Without warning, his tongue swept inside to take possession. She moaned as heat flared within her, and her eyes widened as she felt the stirring of magic within her. His magic was pouring into her through his mouth, and her body was coming alive.

  She moaned and was clutching at his shoulders when he pulled back, smiled again, and left the room.

  In stunned horror at the violent response of her body and the slick wetness she could feel at the top of her thighs, only one thing came to mind. “Oh, shit.”

  Chapter Four

  Izzy paced for hours, waiting for the simmering in her blood to stop. But with every passing minute, it seemed to grow worse. Her thighs slid against each other with every step, and the sheet that she had wrapped around her was chafing her breasts with every step. Every minute passed with her pulse pounding harder in her veins. She finally sat with her thighs pressed tightly together, and her hands wound into her hair.

  This was ridiculous. She wanted him, and by the feel of his erection against her thigh when they kissed, he wanted her.

  Taking a deep, shuddering breath, she padded out of the room on silent, bare feet. The hall was dim, she could hear no noise in the house, but still, she could feel him.

  The only noise of her passage was the dragging of the sheets across the floor. It was a light whisper and one that he shouldn’t have been able to hear over the crackle of the fire. But, she saw his head tilt toward her as she walked into the den.

  The furnishings were black leather. Goose bumps raised on her skin at the thought of being taken on the smooth finish of the couch. She quickly blanked her mind and slowly entered his field of vision.

  Silence.

  Then, he broke it with, “So, you decided to come to me. Wise choice. So what are you waiting for?”

  James was ensconced within the embrace of a black leather recliner and showed no interest in getting up to assist her.

  “So, you just want me to jump you? To get it over with?” She was nervous. Seduction was not her element. She had been willing to make her move on him earlier, but that was before he had found out that she was his equal. Now that the Half-Blood Club was out in the open, it was all too real. Seducing your boss was so much easier in theory.

  “Whatever you wish. But I will have my turn later.”

  “Okay, how should I start?”

  “Dropping that sheet might be helpful.”

  “Oh, right.” She tugged at the smooth cotton fabric, and in a moment, it had whispered into a puddle at her feet.

  “What now?” She was nervous but starting to relax. He was not going to jump her and force her. But she would let him direct her.

  “Now, come closer.” The recliner was still upright, and his knees were apart. She had an idea where this was going.

  She stood between his spread knees and noted the swelling behind his zipper. “What next?”

  “Can’t you guess? I want you to take my cock out and put it in your mouth and suck on it until I’m ready to come. Then stop and wait for further directions.” His eyes closed, and he leaned back in the chair.

  Not having him looking at her was the release she needed. One trembling hand darted out to open his trousers, undoing the button, and carefully lowering the zipper. Izzy slipped one hand into his pants and gently drew out the warm, pulsing flesh.

  He scooted his body forward, to put his cock in line with her mouth if she were on her knees. So down she went. She dipped her head toward his pulsing cock and licked gently at the salty precum that was beginning to appear at the flared tip.

  At the contact of her tongue, she heard him groan and smiled in response. She continued by dragging her tongue up and down the length of his penis, swirling and dampening every inch that she could reach. Her hand gripped the shaft, and her mouth moved to take him into her damp heat. Slowly, swirling her tongue around him as she went, she pushed him into her then dragged him out, keeping suction as she drew back.

  At his groan of approval, she continued. Drawing back and forth until the moist sounds of suction were the only counterpoint to his groans and the crackling of the fire. As she felt his body tense, ready to climax, she withdrew. One of her hands remained on him, stroking gently and keeping at the precipice.

  Lunging upward, James dragged her down onto him, her breasts crushed against his chest, and his mouth locking on hers. A wave of amusement flowed through her, rippling through her lust as his fingers delved between her thighs to part them and spread the moisture within.

  She let out a grunt as he thrust two fingers into her then a third. Her hips flexed against his hand as it plunged between her thighs with rough insistence. With a gasp, she pulled her mouth from his and shuddered as her release broke over her.

  “That’s cheating, Izzy,” was all that he whispered against her neck as his fingers continued to drive within her, feeling the subtle tug of her inner chamber against his invading digits. “Now I have to start over.”

  His thumb began to rotate around her clit with the rough pad rasping against the delicate tissue. Swiftly, the fire built within her again, and soon, she was bucking against him once more.

  His fingers withdrew and drew a line up to her breasts, leaving a trail of her own juices shining on her flesh. “Now, take me inside you, and fuck me.” Both of his hands were on her breasts, learning the textures of her body, as she fumbled with his cock and finally got him lodged in her slick and open flesh.
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  Whimpering gently, she slid down upon him, only now realizing the exact dimensions that she had been caressing earlier. Her hands braced against his chest as Izzy slowly worked her hips against the shaft impaling her, driving him deeper into her body.

  As her hips slid up and down on his cock, the image of James, with his head thrown back and the corded muscles of his neck standing out in relief, was burned into her mind. His hands left her breasts and gripped her hips firmly. With a shuddering groan, he slammed her down onto him, her moist flesh pulsing around him as his seed spewed from him. She held onto him firmly as her own release followed hard on the heels of his.

  James grunted as she pulsed around him, milking him dry. His body arching in a bow as a second wave of cum erupted from his cock, his balls tight against his body.

  With sweat dripping from her, she slumped down onto his chest, both of their bodies supported by the chair. Izzy felt her heartbeat slow, and with her head on his chest was soothed by the slowing pace of his as well.

  Minutes after their orgasms, Izzy lifted her head and met his gaze. Their hearts were now beating in time.

  James lifted one hand and stroked her hair. She leaned into the caress and her lids drooped in exhaustion. Male satisfaction was stamped on his face, and she felt her cheeks grow hot as her body began to register all of the tiny aches, pains, and pulses that they had just generated.

  “What are you blushing for?” He trailed one hand down her heated cheek moving it across her neck and down to her breasts, where the blush had turned her pale flesh a rosy pink.

  “Umm... that isn’t a usual activity for me.”

  “Oh really, which part exactly?”

  “The part where I, um. The part where you... oh hell.” She ducked her head and began to squirm, seeking her freedom. Unfortunately, she was still impaled on his penis, which began to swell as her hips rocked around it.

  “No moving. The next time will be of my choosing.”

  “Wait, you mean to say that I had a choice here? I could have just stayed in my room?” She was astonished. She could have sworn that his magic had drawn her there. “I thought that you said that I only had a few hours to choose you and then you would come for me.”

  “I lied.” Then, something happened that she had never imagined.

  James began to laugh.

  In all her months of working at his company, being in meetings with him, and watching him as he dealt with his employees, she had never heard him laugh. The low rumble began as a growl then moved on to a short bark, and soon, his whole body was convulsing in laughter.

  The side effect that caught him by surprise was that his firming erection was moving within her in time to his amusement. Each chuckle echoed with a slide of his cock within her, and she was moaning and shivering in response. All too soon, he stopped, and she cried out in protest.

  “No. Please don’t stop.”

  Tears had formed in the corners of his eyes, evidence of his mirth. Those same eyes widened in surprise as he watched her trembling above him, once again close to the edge. “You are a hot little thing, aren’t you?”

  “Apparently. Now, would you please finish what your hysterics started? Please, James?” Her breasts were flushed and swollen, her hands cupping them gently. She would have raised and lowered her hips, but he had held them from the moment that he began to laugh, to keep him inside her.

  “Hysterics? That is hardly flattering, Isobel.” His hands let her move an inch then held her firm once again. Her eyes were wild as she read the evil intent in his. He was going to let her suffer, twisting for release on his shaft as he lay there, restricting her movement. “Perhaps, I should send you to your room now.”

  Horror dawned across her features. “You wouldn’t.”

  He laughed again. “Just watch me.”

  And, watch him she did. Magic swirled around them in an instant and transported them both to his bedroom. They arrived with him on his back, in his bed. She blinked in astonishment as she realized that they were still joined.

  Chapter Five

  Now, it was her turn to laugh. Giggles erupted from her, causing the firm flesh of her breasts to wobble gently as she struggled to contain her amusement.

  Then, she gave up the battle.

  Howls of amusement broke through her; he slipped out of her as she rocked back and forth in her paroxysm of laughter.

  “Hey, no fair! I stayed inside you while I was laughing.” James propped himself up on one elbow and watched her body struggle to cease its convulsion.

  “I... thought... you... were... going... to... leave... me... like... that.” Gasps interspersed her speech, and she began to wind down. Her body was limp on the coverlet, one hand thrown across her belly, rubbing gently at the stitch in her side.

  “Naw. A nice guy like me would never do something like that. But I might do something like this.” That was all the warning she got.

  In seconds, she was on her belly with a pillow tucked under her hips, his knees parting her thighs from behind. She felt the warm, rough texture of his hands on her ass, kneading the flesh. One hand slid up the graceful line of her spine to cover the tattoo that she still had not seen.

  She could feel the head of his cock pushing against the opening of her welcoming channel. With his body covering her like that, she was aware of his scent on the bedding beneath her and the earthy scent of their joining, seeping from her. His hand on her shoulder held her down as he began to enter her, and as he drove forward, she moaned in reaction to the pressure on her swollen tissues. He felt huge. Entering her from this angle, he could go as deep as he wanted, and he wanted to go in all the way.

  This time, she was completely at his mercy as he drove forward, his balls swinging against her clit with every deep thrust. Her hands gathered the sheets as she tried to brace herself against the rising pounding of her blood. Each stroke was rasping against her g-spot, and she was mewling with frustration as her arousal kept building, beyond where she would normally have climaxed.

  Izzy wasn’t sure why he had his hand on her shoulder until the power started to flow into her. Magic began to pour into her, every pore of her skin felt electric. She felt that she would fly apart long before he let her come.

  She heard her own voice, low and breathy, begging for release. She tried to push herself up on her arms to thrust back against him, but the hand on her shoulder kept her pinned to the bed. Spots of light sparked behind her eyes, and she listened to her own voice keening in desperation.

  James’ voice was growling, trying to soothe her with words she could no longer understand. The steady flow of power into her had to go somewhere. And finally, it broke free.

  Izzy opened her mouth to scream, but no sound escaped as her body froze, every muscle locked. James’ cock was clamped in a velvet vise as her body gripped him in its release. The magic in her body had to go somewhere, and into his shaft, it went.

  Dimly, she felt the rush of power leave her, a river of release exiting through James. Then, she heard his shout and felt him pump into her with violence that widened her eyes. Liquid fire was being spilled inside her. Magic in its purest form.

  That was the last thought she had for twelve hours.

  “Wake up, sleepyhead.” There was a voice. It was an annoying voice. She decided to ignore it. Izzy turned and snuggled back into the pillow that was under her head.

  “C’mon, Isobel. You can’t stay in bed all day.” The stupid voice was still there. Couldn’t it tell she was happy where she was?

  “Well, you can. But then, I would join you, and I don’t think you are up for another round yet.” The voice now had hands, and something was prodding at her backside. Another round? Of what?

  Memories came flooding back, and she shot out of bed and landed on the floor. Her shaking thighs were unable to support her. She looked up and saw James Sterling’s face. He was smiling—no, laughing—at her.

  “Do you need help, sweet?” He got off the bed and helped her to stand. Th
e big jerk looked like he was dressed for weekend casual. Jeans and a t-shirt.

  Izzy blinked in astonishment. She had never seen him dressed like that. The night before flooded back, but she had seen him naked, no wait. She had been naked. He had still been clothed. No fair.

  “No fair.” It came out of her mouth before she could stop it.

  “What isn’t fair, sweet?” His finger stroked her hair out of her eyes.

  “I haven’t seen you naked. You’ve seen me twice.”

  “Three times, including now, Izzy. But I think more sex can wait for later. We have a whole year together after all.” His nostrils flared. “Plus, you still smell of sex from last night. Let’s get you into a shower.”

  “And whose fault is that? I don’t give off male pheromones.” She pouted at the embarrassment of the musky odour that she had to admit was coming from her.

  “And very grateful for that I am, let me tell you.” His hands reached into the shower stall and set the temperature, and then, he unceremoniously shoved her inside. “Now take a shower. Your mother brought you some clothes. They’re on the bed.”

  After that moment of being a host, he left her. She stood bemused in the torrent of warm water. Mechanically, she reached for the soap and began to lather her shoulders, breasts, belly, and crotch. On automatic, she washed her hair then looked for a conditioner and came up empty. Damn. Her hair wasn’t going to like that.

  She rinsed herself off then soaped up her fingers and gently inserted them into her sore and swollen flesh. His enthusiasm from the night before had left her feeling slightly bruised inside, an ache more than a pain. The semen dried between her thighs had come off her skin relatively easily, and the prospect of pregnancy flitted through her mind.

  She would have to wait until her power returned to check. Thanks to her mother, it would return faster than anyone had imagined.

  The hot water pouring down on her had the effect of loosening the tense muscles, and soon, she found that she had no more excuses to stay in the shower. Regretfully, she turned off the water and stepped out of the shower stall.