Tricking Tara [Sisters of Silverwood book 5] Read online

  She drew in a shuddering breath. “I am sure it would be, good. But I am not going to jump into bed with the first elf I meet."

  He pulled back slightly. “I can respect that. I don't like it, but I can respect it. Just a moment.” He walked around the car and opened her door. With a deft hand, he helped her from the car.

  In silence they walked to her door. He took her key and opened the house. She refrained from telling him that she was able to open her door from a distance as the goodbye kiss that had her flatted up against the inside wall was a little distracting. She had her thighs wrapped around him as he rocked against her and as her body rode his. She gasped as she came. He groaned into her neck as he kept pressure against her and as they both gasped for air. She slowly let her legs assume a more natural position.

  "That was not what I would qualify as a goodnight kiss."

  "I think we just raised the bar for that one."

  The modern euphemism coming out of the mouth of the guy who predated Queen Elizabeth I had her laughing like a loon. “Goodnight, Alexi. I will see you tomorrow at our rehearsal. Don't forget to dress up as Prince Charming.” She telekinetically shoved him out of her door and, with a gentle smile, closed the door in his face.

  She smiled and leaned back against the door. It had been a good night. She was so relaxed that she didn't feel the hand on her ass through the door until it had gotten a firm grip. She yelped and moved away to the sound of laughter from her porch. Damn. That was right, he could walk through walls.

  This was going to be tricky.

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  Chapter Six

  "Thank you all for coming back. Today will be the first full dress rehearsal. Have you chosen who will run the tours and who will participate in the tableaus?"

  They separated into the two groups. Apparently they had made the decision when they were picking out their costumes. The rest of the training passed swiftly with her only concerns being the actors in the tableaus keeping their hands off her. She didn't just mean Alexi and Michael either. Richmond, one of the newbies, had made a grab so she gave him a phantom shove. He stumbled back, shocked, and muttered about real ghosts. She had to keep her smirk to herself.

  Alexi and Michael were harder to dissuade. She didn't know if he and Alexi had shared notes, but Michael made his way past her over a dozen times, each one a caress on her breast, hip, thigh or hand. He was getting her a little frisky by the time that the first of the tour guides was ready to practice.

  She went to her sanctum and settled in for the tours. Each guide went through precisely fifteen minutes apart. It gave her enough time to reset the tableaus and let her watch each tour on the hidden cameras she had stashed around her home.

  She could have managed it all standing up, but the lay-z-boy just made it more comfortable. The Dr. Pepper and Ding Dongs were chilled and she started on them while the tour guides took turns taking the other guides through the house. By the time seven o'clock rolled around, they were all quite good and used to the effects generated by herself and the actors.

  She came out of her tower and told them all that they were doing a fantastic job. They preened with her praise and went on their way. Well, all except for two. Michael and Alexi stayed around until she rounded on them. “Look, guys, you have been great today, but Michael and I have a date in an hour and we both need to get changed."

  "Alexi has asked if he may accompany us on our date. I refused, but decided that you should have the final vote.” Michael looked a little irritated, but it wasn't the worst expression that she had seen on an elf. That honour went to Ranal, the fuzzy.

  "Um, I would have to say no on this one. Alexi, you had your night last night and now it is Michael's turn to woo me. Be a good sport and I will see you tomorrow.” She crossed her arms and stood firm until he looked down on her from a very close proximity.

  "I will see you tomorrow then, my lady. I wish you a pleasant evening. He has quite the night planned.” He leaned down and gave her a kiss to scorch her toes. One thing about guys who measured their lifespan in centuries, they knew how to kiss.

  She staggered slightly when he released her and reached out to Michael for support. “Okay. See you tomorrow.” It was the only thing she could think of and she watched the sun swagger out the door while she clung to the moon. “Do they teach you guys how to kiss when you learn sword fighting?” She finally scraped her mind into a coherent mass. Michael was holding her gently, carefully, as if he were afraid to hold on to tightly.

  "No. We pick it up as we go. Different partners require different approaches."

  "Nice. Classy. So see you in an hour?"

  "I will pick you up at nine. We will be outdoors so you should dress accordingly.” He gave her a light kiss on the forehead and a more lingering kiss on both cheeks, then took her mouth until she was clinging to his shoulders for stability. His body was smooth and hard under the costume, like limbs carved of warm wood. She hung on for dear life as his kiss took her blood higher and higher in her veins. When he finally pulled away from her, she was up on her tiptoes trying to get closer to him.

  He waited until she was stable on her own feet and then smiled at her. “See you in an hour, my lady. I count the minutes."

  She closed the door from two rooms away. She wasn't going near the door again with an elf that could walk through walls on the other side. Well, not unless she wanted to be groped.

  She shook herself from her bemusement and ran to get ready for her date. It was a set of tights again, a light shirt and a wrap sweater to guard against the chill in the air.

  A nice set of boots completed her ensemble and she grabbed a jacket by the door as she waited for the bell to ring. Her hair was flowing free. She realized that despite the date with Alexi, she really wanted to be with Michael. When the doorbell finally rang, she almost jumped out of her skin. She gave herself a few deep breaths and then moved to the door. “Long time no see."

  "Indeed. I have this for you.” He extended his hand and in it was a jewellery box.

  She opened it with trembling fingers, then startled herself into a giggle. It was a charm bracelet, all in silver, with tiny charms hanging from it with all manner of Halloween themes. Pumpkins, spider webs, itty bitty brooms, miniature witches, all clustered around with tiny bells. It was adorable. She immediately wanted to put it on. Fumbling with the bracelet, she tried and failed to get the catch to stick.

  Finally Michael offered, “May I?” He had it latched onto her left wrist in seconds, but then he stroked her pulse point with his thumb. “Do you like it?"

  "I love it. It's gorgeous. Thank you.” She reached up to kiss him and only surfaced when he grabbed her shoulders and set her back.

  "It is time to leave or we will miss the party."

  He sounded smug and she couldn't blame him. If she thought that Alexi was a good kisser, Michael put him to shame. She had almost come just from a fully clothed kiss. Whew.

  "Okay. To your steed then?"

  "Indeed, Rybok awaits.” He wasn't kidding. The black horse with blue flames for eyes was waiting on her front lawn. Right next to the Haunted House sign. What would the neighbours think? Oh, wait. They would just think that it was promo for her opening weekend.

  Michael helped her up onto the steed's back and leaped up behind her. Then he turned their ride and they were off into the woods behind her house. She clung to the horse's mane with tense fingers before finally yielding to the pressure of Michael's hands. He wrapped his arms around her and held her securely as they travelled.

  Magic. She could feel it in the air. It called to her and she finally asked, “What kind of party is it?"

  "It is the fairy Faire. All manner of local creatures have gathered to hold an Olde-Tyme Faire in your honour."

  "Oh, wow.” She leaned forward and smacked herself for not dressing more like a lady. “For me? Really?"

  "Indeed. The creatures are honoured to have you with them. Your magic amongst them will be paym
ent enough.” He gave her a small hug and then they were in the thick of tents, fires and wooden dancing floors. A paddock had been set aside for steeds and that is where Rybok took them. They dismounted and Michael held Tara up until her legs would as his steed trotted off to be with other steeds of the Wild Hunt.

  "Tara!” The bright squeal could only belong to one being and that being was bearing down on her with amazing speed.

  "Caro!” The two ladies squealed in unison and then collided in a hug and a burst of magic that blew through the Faire and set torches alight. In that hug Caro told her all that she needed to know. She was happy, Axom was kind and she was enjoying Silverwood, though she did miss Tara, she was looking forward to seeing her soon.

  A normal human may not have picked up on all that just from a hug, but they were not ordinary, normal or even human anymore. They were women and best friends. Nothing else mattered.

  "Caro. Let's party!"

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  Chapter Seven

  The Faire was incredible—vendors hawking enchanted wares, dancing, food, love potions, potions for illness, luck and forgetfulness. The creatures themselves were vaguely humanoid. Goblins, elves, fairies, trolls and an ogre who was trying to line dance took up the majority of the dance floor.

  Tara longed to join them, but she was here on a date with Michael and she would not cheat him by joining her friend. “So, Michael, what did you want to do first? Walk through the vendors? The dancing? Get some food? You know the Faire better than I so take me on a tour."

  That was just the spur that he needed so he gave her a tour fit for an insurance adjuster. She was introduced to everyone that they came across and she marvelled that he knew them all. He was truly a man of the people. It was nice to see.

  "So why would Alexi want to be here this evening? Aside from being with us."

  "Ah, there has not been a Faire in Underhill the entire time that we have been there, waiting. So this is a very big first step for the lesser fey.” A pixie flew by them and then came back to land on her raised hand. It was so cute. The eyes were solid black, shining in the lamp and firelight. Its body was tiny and orange and the hair wild and black. A perfect Halloween fairy, right down to the cobweb wings.

  "It likes you."

  "How can you tell?"

  "It isn't chewing on you or trying to fly away. They generally are fussy about those whom they will associate with.” He was smiling at their little tableau. “People have died under pixie attack in the past when they tried to push the matter."

  "That is a tidbit that I could have done without.” Her pixie flittered away and she lost sight of it. “Where did she go?"

  "She's in your hair, like a giant ornament.” He chuckled and they continued their slow promenade through the Faire. She waved at several of the ladies who were now living in Silverwood, gratified when they waved back. It was a good night.

  She could save the socializing until another time. She was sure that she would be meeting them again in the future. Even now, she could foresee a future with her little ones and theirs mixing and playing together. The confusing part of her vision was that there was one child with bright gold hair, and one with dark. Neither child had her hair, nor resembled anyone in her family. She pondered it for a moment, then pushed the image aside. It was just plain old fantasy, nothing more.

  At that moment, Michael decided that they needed to try dancing. At first they laughed their way through the formal steps and then they gasped and tried to keep up as the other couples whipped around the dance floor in a frenzy. Midnight came and went as she was passed from partner to partner in a round and then suddenly she was caught up in Alexi's arms. That was a shocker. “I thought you wouldn't come tonight."

  "It is past midnight, it is tomorrow."

  "Sir, I believe you are cutting in. This calls for a challenge.” Michael stood aside and pried Alexi's hands off Tara. Laughter broke out at the word challenge, followed rapidly by applause. Two goblins and six trolls put together a battleground and a chair for the lady in dispute.

  As the giggling crowd sat her down, she looked for her friend and saw Axom instead. “Axom! What the hell is going on?"

  He was grinning like a fool. “First, Tara, this is all in good fun. No one will be permanently injured. It is more to show you that you are beloved and desired by both of them. A true honour. They are publicly declaring you to be worthy of their love and are fighting to be worthy of yours."

  "Oh. Okay.” That was a pretty complete explanation, and with everyone forming seats around the circle, it looked like it would be something to see.

  Her sun and moon squared off. They fought first with wooden swords until they were both drenched with sweat, then stripped to the waist and started wrestling. The two were so well matched it was ridiculous. Each move that was made was countered, and each new manoeuvre was blocked in seconds. It was truly something to behold.

  Finally they just lay and punched each other in exhaustion. “Enough! I declare this a tie. Knock it off."

  They flopped to the ground as the onlookers cheered. They had seen a good fight and loved a good tie. The object of the fight was a little bemused, “Okay, so how do I get home now?” More laughter. It was a really good party.

  A tap on her feet made her look down, “Tara, I brought you, and I will take you home.” Michael's face was swollen, his knuckles were in the same shape, but his dark eyes were sincere. She couldn't say no.

  Rybok came to them and this time Michael got on first with Tara swinging up behind him. She wrapped her arms around him, supporting him as well as using his body warmth and then they went home. It was a far more sedate pace than their trip in and Michael was hailed as a hero when they passed the people of the impromptu village.

  She closed her eyes and hung on as they rode through the woods. The beat of the hooves on the mossy ground was soothing and she felt herself nodding off. She jerked herself awake as they stopped in her front yard yet again. “Well, I guess this is my stop.” She slid more easily than she had the first time and hung onto Michael's thigh as she waited to get the feeling back in her ass. She was a little surprised when he dismounted as well.

  "It is only proper that I escort you to your door.” When Tara finally looked him in the eye, she was amazed that only the tiniest smudge of bruising was left on his pale skin. He had healed during the ride.

  As Alexi had, Michael took her key and opened her door for her, but instead of pouncing on her, he knelt at her feet and wrapped his arms around her. They stayed that way for what felt like hours—she with her arms around his head, stroking his hair and he simply hugging her as close as a long lost love.

  When he finally moved to stand and kiss her, it was sweet, tender and oh-so arousing. Just his lips on hers had her hands trembling, her blood surging, her panties damp and her mind screaming that it wanted the sweet release of orgasm. And all he had done was to kiss her.

  If they ever got naked together, she might not survive it.

  "Enough. I will see you at rehearsal. Tonight was wonderful, but it is time for you to go.” She stayed where she was, huddling against the sideboard in the hall for strength.

  "You know that eventually, you will invite me in to stay."

  "But that is not tonight. So thank you for a lovely evening. And goodnight.” She did not move closer to him for this moment. Alexi had taught her the dangers of that. He bowed to her and left through the front door. Her mind threw the locks and she staggered up to her private rooms for a bath. Horseback riding was not a skill that she had ever gained.

  Her ass was killing her.

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  Chapter Eight

  Rehearsal ran smoothly once again. She was able to keep her thighs together and her crew was behaving themselves. Life was good.

  Alexi asked her if she would accompany him out that evening and she said yes. Then Michael asked for the following evening and she said yes.

  When Alexi arrived, h
is gift for the evening was a cloth-of-gold trick or treating bag. She giggled in appreciation and gave him a quick kiss with a psychic fondle. It rapidly turned into a heated grope session that soon had her sprawled on the floor, trying to get her carefully chosen clothing off.

  His clothing separated itself with far more cooperation and soon she was able to touch his silken skin with her hands and her mind. Bliss. His body was hotter and harder than she had imagined, and when she wrapped her fingers around his cock and stroked him from base to tip, they both groaned. She wanted that length inside her and she was going to do whatever it took to get it there.

  Her bra parted company with her torso with both a snap and a rip. Her panties followed suit. At last she was blissfully naked and his hands were on her. As she stroked him, he stroked her and soon the damp heat between her thighs had her writhing and twisting beneath his hands.

  "Please, Alexi, I want more. I want you inside me.” She begged and breathed a sigh when he moved to cover her. His cock rubbed her clit and parted her lower lips with his own moisture. Their bodies’ lubrication eased his entry until he was finally within her. One inch at a time he rocked and then withdrew, until finally he was fully seated. Her hands ran over him, giving her a river of sensation with every touch. She brought her mind in to play and he was soon groaning again with every thrust. She tickled his balls, stroked his ass and dug her hands into his shoulders as he moved inside her. The more she felt, the more she made him feel, until she groaned her release into his shoulder as he kept moving against her.

  While her body dropped to the floor, her mind continued her sensual assault on Alexi, and when she slipped a phantom finger into his ass while cupping his balls, he went over the edge. With several short jerks of his hips, he emptied his seed into her and then collapsed on her in exhaustion.

  She held him close, loathe to break the silence, but eventually she had to ask, “What are we going to do for dinner?” His deep chuckle in the crook between her neck and shoulder warmed her right to her soul.