A Witch's Love

A WITCH’S LOVE

ERIN BLUETT

SOUL MATE PUBLISHING

New York

A WITCH’S LOVE

Copyright©2013

ERIN BLUETT

Cover Design by Rae Monet, Inc.

This book is a work of fiction.  The names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.  Any resemblance to actual events, business establishments, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

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Published in the United States of America by

Soul Mate Publishing

P.O. Box 24

Macedon, New York, 14502

ISBN: 978-1-61935-
135-6

www.SoulMatePublishing.com

The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party Web sites or their content.

To my family.

Without all your support and encouragement,

none of this would have been possible.

For this, I thank you.

Acknowledgements

I’d like to thank, Deborah Gilbert at Soul Mate Publishing for believing in my work, inspiring me to enter the publishing world, and for showing me how. Also many thanks to Dawn Ireland, my wonderful editor. The book, and I, are better because of you. I’d like to give a special shout out to Central New York Romance Writers; you have my gratitude for constantly supporting and inspiring me.

Chapter 1

Electricity filled the air, raising the hair on Ava Worthington’s arms. Lightning flashed through the windowpane as another roar of thunder caused the walls of the inn to vibrate. She studied the rafters, then started when the front desk phone rang. She took a deep breath before answering. “Adirondack Inn, Ava speaking, how may I help you? Yes, I can transfer your call. You have a good evening.” She placed the phone back on the hook, sending the call to Room Two Ten.

She yawned and shook her head, trying to focus on the task ahead. Her reoccurring nightmare had visited again, waking her in the middle of the night. Add that to having already dealt with an unruly customer, computer problems, and her regular list of things to do, she was exhausted. Plus, it looked like they might need their back-up generator tonight if this weather kept up.

She left the counter to find the janitor and ask him to check the utility room, but her boss, Mark, intercepted her. Mark stood a bit taller than Ava with light blond hair and a sleazy car salesman grin. He might have actually been handsome, if it weren’t for his volatile personality.

“Yes, Mark, what can I do for you?” She smiled as she gritted her teeth.

Mark glanced at her breasts, making her bite her tongue. “Just wanted to make sure you weren’t working your pretty little head too hard tonight.”

She shook her head. “No, Mark, I’m fine, thanks for asking.”

Before she could move, he grabbed her arm and pressed himself against her, whispering in her ear. “If the storm is scaring you, I could provide you comfort.” Without thinking, she kneed him in the groin. He shrieked with pain as she twisted out of his reach and ran into the utility room looking for the janitor. She dodged around piping and heavy equipment, frantically searching, yet finding no one. To her shock, she heard the door open, then lock. She whirled around as fear tightened her chest.

Mark stood against the door, glaring at her.

Lucas hurried to grab his bag from the trunk, then made a run for the door. Just his luck, he’d never make Lake Placid in this storm. He looked around. No trees close. If even one branch hit his new Chevy Camaro, someone would pay. He walked through the entrance of the inn with dripping hair, a damp shirt, and a sour mood—

He froze, suspended in time as the world stopped around him.

He sensed
her.

For a second, he lost himself in her scent, in the energy throbbing through his core. As he stood there filling his nose with her sweet lavender fragrance, his claws and fangs lengthened, his eyes dilated. Danger surrounded her.

He could sense her fear.

Before he knew what was happening his feet were moving; he was racing, searching for
her
.

Her scent was strongest at the opposite end of the wood-paneled lobby. He followed it to a locked door on the other side of the check-in counter. The barrier gave with one shove of his shoulder and he strode into the room.

A man had a woman,
his woman,
pressed up against the wall, pinning her with his legs. With his hand over her mouth, the attacker twisted his head to look at Lucas. His eyes narrowed, and if a human could growl, this one did. Lucas met the challenge, releasing a growl from deep in his throat as he approached.

The woman cast Lucas a look that seemed to waver between fear and anger. Her golden blond locks danced over her ivory-colored skin as she struggled to get out of the man’s grasp.

Rage pulsed through him as he turned his attention to the man holding her.

The
man
dared to glare at him. If the situation weren’t so abhorrent, Lucas would have laughed. “Let her go.”

“This is none of your business. I suggest you leave—now.”

“No.” Lucas moved further into the room.

“What do you think you’re doing?” The attacker nodded toward the busted door. “You’re going to have to pay for that!”

Lucas curled his fists at his sides. Trying to suppress the beast within was no easy task. As he spoke, his deep voice cracked with rage. “Get. Off. Her.”

“Who the hell are you to come in here and tell me what to do? I’m the boss—”

Lucas’s clenched fist connected with the man’s arrogant jaw, lifting the S.O.B. up. The force sent him flying across the room into the generator. The equipment squealed, then died. Everything went dark. The power had gone out but Lucas’s enhanced vision allowed him to study the blond beauty.

Belting the bastard had felt good, but as he beheld the woman before him, he felt guilty. He had obviously frightened her, judging from the hand that clutched the blouse at her neck and the arch of her brow. He tried to think of something to say to break the silence. “Are you okay?”

“Ah, yeah, thank you. Mark has bothered me before but he has never gone his far . . . I have to get to a phone—call someone. Get the police,” she said, as she started to move. She bumped into pipes, softly swearing to herself. As a loud “shit” rang out of her mouth he realized she had hit her head on some piping hanging low from the ceiling. Having perfect eyesight in the dark, he grabbed her elbow.

“Here, let me help you.” He glanced over to make sure the attacker was still unconscious before he lifted her into his arms and started for the door. She protested that this was . . . “unnecessary. The back-up generator will kick on soon.”

Her words meant little. She needed help and he was going to give it to her.

With this close proximity, he sensed energy coming from her.

Magical energy?

Only witches and warlocks gave off that kind of energy. But hers was subtle, which meant if she was a witch, she wasn’t a practicing one. Did she even know she was a witch?

As he held her in his arms, he couldn’t help but notice she had the most vivid blue eyes he had ever seen. He felt a shiver sweep through her. Holding her close, he felt stirrings of his own. The beast called to him, wanting nothing more than to mark her as his own. He had to put some space between them.

“What happened?” a female voice called from the other room.

Lucas carried his compelling female into the lobby and set her down. She would not meet his eyes as she straightened her clothing, then crossed to a woman illuminated by a flashlight’s glow. She calmly told the clerk what had happened, then instructed her to call the police. She was so matter of fact . . .
amazing.
Most females would be hysterical after such an encounter.

She turned to him and gave him the most beautiful smile he had ever seen just as the lights turned back on. “I can’t thank you enough for what you did. I wish there was a way to repay you for your kindness.”

He could think of a great many ways she could thank him but instead he said, “That’s not necessary.”

She hesitated, then said, “Well, I feel indebted to you. My sister is having a twentieth birthday bash at the local hall. Practically the whole town is going to be there. You should come . . . have some food, drink, meet the locals. That is, if you’re still going to be here this Saturday?”

He hadn’t intended to stay until Saturday, but he found himself answering before he realized what he was saying. “Yes, I am. I’ll be there.”

She flashed him another brilliant smile. On instinct he went to grab for her hand. It felt so natural to touch her, but he thought better of it at the last second. “I hope you will allow me to see you home?”

Her facial expressions seemed to say no, then she nodded. “I get off work in an hour. If you still want to stay here, our clerk, Sarah, would be happy to check you in.”

Of course he was going to stay here. She worked here. What better way to keep an eye on her?

“Thanks, I think I will.” With everything else going on right now, he didn’t need a distraction, but he’d learned long ago to listen to his instincts. Fate had intervened and for whatever reason, he was meant to be here . . . now. There was just no way around it. He was staying.

What was she thinking, inviting him to her sister’s birthday party? Then she’d agreed to let him see her home! She did need a ride, though. Ella and Thea had taken her Honda Civic for some last-minute cake testing for her other sister, Cara’s, party. Maeve, their guardian, was supposed to pick her up but if tall, dark, and hero wanted to take her home, why not? Okay, maybe there were a lot of reasons why not. She didn’t even know his name. His voice held a subtle English accent, so he wasn’t even from the U.S.

On a positive note, he did save her from Mark. She could still feel the bastard’s clammy hands on her. If Mr. Heroic hadn’t showed up when he did . . .

Mark could sit in jail overnight for all she cared, and as far as she was concerned the owner should fire the jerk.

The next hour flew by. She spent most of her time spilling her guts to police, filling out reports, and thinking of little else but her mysterious hero. She tended to be an introvert but walking toward her savior, she wished she were one of those flirtations women who always knew the right thing to say.

When she finished, she found him in the precinct lobby leaning against the doorframe looking like a glorious male statue. His jet-black hair, vivid amber eyes, and golden skin sent waves of excitement coursing through her. When he’d carried her out of the utility room, she got very up-close and personal with his chest and arms. She could still feel the ripple and flex of his muscles as he moved with her. As she’d stared at him, butterflies began to form in her stomach.

Growing up, she’d had a few love interests, but nothing had tempted her as he did.
His name, get his name.
“I’m sorry, I, uh, never got your name.”

He held out his hand. “I’m Lucas Grant. And you would be?” His voice was deep and slightly raspy. The sound of it sent shivers echoing through her.
Snap out of it!

“I’m, uh, Ava Worthington. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She reached for his hand. As their skin met her heart began to race.

He grinned, showing a perfect set of white teeth. Good Lord, he was even more handsome when he smiled.

“Shall we go?”

At her nod, they moved toward the door. No doubt he drove some kind of sports vehicle, with his black leather jacket and low-slung Rider jeans.

As they stepped out the door, she realized the storm had passed. It was late April and storms like this were common here in the spring. She always loved the rain, especially after a storm, when everything smelled clean.

Approaching his car, she knew she had been right. A brand new black Chevy Camaro was parked in front of her. He unlocked the door and held it open for her.
How interesting, a man with manners.

As he settled in the driver’s seat, she asked, “so this thing got a V-eight?”

He smirked. “Sure. Listen.” He turned the key and revved the engine. “So, ah, you have to go straight home or would you like to go for a ride?”

She contemplated the question for only a second before she answered. “I’d love a ride.”

He nodded and the corner of his lip twitched upward.

Was he pleased with her answer? They eased out of the parking lot and onto the open road.

She glanced around his car. Some CDs, receipts, a cell phone and what looked like a laptop case were scattered everywhere. The vehicle even had that new car smell.

“Have you lived here all your life?” His voice broke the silence.

“No, we moved here when I was five.” She turned to look at him and met his gaze. “And you? Are you here for business or pleasure?”

He hesitated, then answered. “Pleasure.”

She directed her eyes back on the road as she rested her arm on the center console. Why didn’t he want to talk about why he was staying here?

“Do you like the Beatles?” He leaned forward to turn his stereo on. His arm brushed her leg, making her cheeks warm with heat.

“I have them on my iPod. I love their song ‘Can’t Buy Me Love.’” She laughed as that very song filled the car.

As the car rounded a bend she felt excitement pulse through her. Living in this isolated area of the world she’d always been sheltered, but lately, she’d felt the need for a change.

This man Lucas, was a stranger. Perhaps she shouldn’t trust him—but she did. Odd, somehow she suspected he wouldn’t hurt her or let anything else hurt her as well. Maybe it was because he had saved her once already that night.

As if reading her mind, he asked, “Are you injured?”

“I’m fine, nothing a little Tylenol won’t help.”

A deep rumbling noise came from his throat.

Did he just . . . growl?

His eyes narrowed and his top lip turned up, just a bit, making him look fierce.

“I’m fine . . . really.” Why was she trying to reassure
him
?

He stopped the car on the side of the road as he white-knuckled the steering wheel. “He shouldn’t have touched you. If I hadn’t come along when I did . . .”

She didn’t really want to talk about it. She glanced out her window. That’s when she saw the body of water. “I love this lake.”

“What lake is it?”

“Blue Moon Lake, it’s manmade. The kids in the area like to come here to swim. At night, it’s rumored lovers skinny-dip here, under the stars.”

The music on the stereo changed to the Beatles song “Imagine.” She turned from the lake and her eyes met his. God, he was gorgeous. She felt a strong urge to touch him. He must have wanted to touch her, too, because the next thing she knew he was caressing her arm, his eyes dark and hooded.

Why wasn’t she frightened of him? “I need to be getting home. I wouldn’t want anyone to worry.”

He nodded, then moved away from her.

As he started the Camaro, she tried to calm the blood rushing through her veins. “I just live up the road,” she said, trying to clear her head.

Minutes later, they arrived at her house. As the car stopped, she turned to him, prepared to say
hope to see you at the party,
but he spoke first.