Descension (31 page)

They returned home to find dinner being served by Morrigan, who beamed and added two plates to the table. “Will you join us?”

They agreed by taking their seats, so Morrigan smiled and filled their plates. “How was your afternoon?”

“Great,” Rhosewen answered. “I took him to Cannon Beach.”

Morrigan sat, and Caitrin tossed his paperwork aside, leaning over to kiss her cheek. “Thank you, my sweet peach,” he whispered. Then he took a bite and looked at Aedan. “What did you think of Cannon Beach?”

“Beautiful,” Aedan answered. “It might be the perfect place to launch my business.”

“A few of our coven members own shops there,” Caitrin noted. “Our gallery is north of there, in Seaside. What will you do tomorrow while Rhosewen’s at work?”

“I’d like to go with her,” Aedan answered, “join one of her tours around Mount Hood. If she doesn’t mind.”

“I’d love to take you to work with me,” Rhosewen agreed.

“Then it’s a date,” Aedan approved.

~ * * * ~

Still tired from their long journey, Caitrin and Morrigan went to bed early, but Aedan and Rhosewen stayed downstairs, cuddling on the couch as they flipped through commercial property listings in Cannon Beach. When Aedan caught Rhosewen yawning, he ignored her protests and carried her upstairs, setting her down outside her bedroom door.

“Are you really going to leave?” she asked, puckering up at him.

“I’ll never leave you,” he assured, touching her pout. “But yes, I’m going to the guestroom.”

“Why?” she asked, fidgeting with his shirt buttons.

“Because I don’t want things to be awkward with your parents.”

“Hmm…” she hummed, cuddling closer. “That’s noble of you.”

He laughed and kissed her head. “You’re making fun of me.”

“Because you’re holding out on me,” she countered, rubbing her lips over his heart.

Aedan tilted his head back and closed his eyes, taking a relaxing breath. “Not for long,” he assured, pulling her from his chest. Then he softly kissed her lips. “Goodnight, Rose.”

“Night,” she conceded, taking a step back.

Aedan smiled at the ornery twinkle in her eyes. Then he turned and walked away, thinking he
really
needed to get to work on that house.

When he reached his room, he called his parents, only to find they hadn’t located Medea. Every magician in Virginia had been alerted to the situation, but no one had seen her since Saturday morning.

After hanging up the phone, Aedan replaced his worry about Medea with a crystal clear image of Rhosewen then took a shower—a cold one.

He’d only been lying in bed for a few seconds when there was a soft knock on the door. “Yeah?” he quietly called.

The door opened, and Rhosewen slipped inside, flashing a smile as she clicked the latch into place. Aedan smirked at her stubbornness. Then his breath caught in his chest as she stepped into the moonlight.

She wore a wispy, white nightgown with thin straps and a deep neckline, displaying her slender collarbones and firm cleavage.

Aedan swallowed a lump then slid his gaze down her curvy waist, his lips parting with a reverent sigh. The hem of her gown wafted around her upper thighs, giving him his first full view of her legs, which were even better than he’d imagined, and he’d imagined them perfect.

She walked toward him, her ivory skin glittering with every fluid step. “Were you sleeping?” she whispered, climbing into bed.

Aedan rolled onto his side and propped his head on his hand, scanning her from head to toe. “Nuh-uh.”

She wiggled closer. “I was missing you.”

“What a coincidence,” he whispered, drifting his thumb over her cheek. “I was missing you.”

He wanted to see the rest of her body, the parts hidden beneath the thin nightgown. They called his name, testing his self-control. “You have a fantastic body, Rose. If you’re here to tempt me, mission accomplished.”

His fingertips slid into the V of her gown then flitted to her side, trailing over her hip to her thigh. Goosebumps followed, and she giggled, cuddling closer to his warm body.

“How tempted are you?” she asked.

He returned his fingers to her cheek, tilting her head back to find her eyes. “Very, but I don’t want to push my luck.”

“You’re sweet,” she whispered, searching his gaze, “and I love that about you, but right now, there’s something else I want.”

“I’ll give you the world, Rose.”

“I don’t want the world. I want you to stop being so polite to my parents and start making love to me.”

“Here?” he laughed.

“Now,” she soberly confirmed, wrapping a hand around the back of his neck. Then she pulled him to her mouth, murmuring against his bottom lip. “Don’t you want me?”

He grinned, but then she nibbled and his lungs stuttered. “You’re a siren,” he mumbled, closing his eyes.

“You’re making me work for it,” she pouted.

He pulled away, finding her shiny gaze. “That’s not my intent, Rose. I’ve wanted you from day one.”

“Prove it,” she challenged, sliding one of his hands to her breasts.

He closed his eyes and lightly squeezed. Then he sighed and returned his hand to her face. “I’m not prepared for this.”

“Hmm…” she murmured, pressing her hips closer as she kissed his jaw.

Aedan’s heart jolted as his muscles tensed. She was obviously intent on getting her way, and he was lacking the desire to stop her. “Hey,” he whispered, jolting again.

Rhosewen halted her seduction and innocently looked at him. “What?”

“You know what,” he laughed. “You’re very good at this.”

“Not good enough,” she countered.

“Oh yes, my love, very good, better than I anticipated, which means I’m not protected against pregnancy.”

“Oh,” she breathed, shoulders sagging.

Aedan frowned, hating the way it felt to disappoint her. “I can fix it,” he whispered, gently tapping the tip of her nose. “Right now. If you’ll wait for me.”

She dropped her gaze, blushing for the first time since walking in. “Nuh-uh.”

Shocked by her refusal, Aedan tilted his head, eyebrows furrowed as he stroked her flushed cheek. “Have I ruined it?”

“Impossible,” she assured.

“Good,” he sighed, “but I’m still confused. Are we waiting?”

“No.”

Aedan’s lungs expanded as he tried to figure her out, unable to find answers in her aura. “What are you saying, my love?”

Rhosewen knew exactly what she wanted. She’d known the moment she met him. She’d been dreaming about a future with him for eight nights. And she was confident in their relationship, in his love for her. The proof was in his aura every minute of every day; in his eyes every time he looked at her; in his voice every time he spoke to her; and in the way he touched her, constantly and carefully. He gave her everything she needed, yet she yearned for more. She would never get enough of him.

“I’m saying having your baby would make me the most blessed woman in the world,” she confessed. “I’m not in a hurry to have a baby, but I would be thrilled to have your baby anytime. I love everything about the idea. However,” she added, running a forefinger over his lips, “I understand if you’re not ready, and if that’s how you feel, please tell me. I’ll wait as long as you need me to.”

Aedan’s heart was no longer his own, not even a little bit. She’d stolen it. His body rippled with emotion and throbbed with desire as he thought about her having his baby. And their child would be amazing, no less than extraordinary. They could create the perfect family and live the perfect life. They could have it all. Boundless bliss was within their grasp.

Aedan had no idea what he’d done to deserve such blessings, but he certainly wouldn’t toss them aside. “Close your eyes,” he instructed.

Rhosewen bit her lip. “I’ve scared you.”

“No,” he laughed. “I have something for you.”

“Oh,” she breathed, smiling as she closed her eyes.

A few seconds later, he spoke again. “Hold out your hand.”

She obeyed, her smile stretching, and Aedan kissed her grin as he placed her ring in her palm. “I love you,” he whispered. Then he licked her lips and pulled away, instructing her to open her eyes.

“Oh!” she gasped, glancing between his face and the most beautiful ring she’d ever seen. “It’s gorgeous.”

“I’m glad you think so, because you’re my muse.”

“It’s perfect,” she whispered, running a finger across the pale pink stone. “What is this?”

“Zultanite.”

She gasped again, slapping a hand over her mouth. “This is amazing,” she mumbled, shaking her head.

“You deserve nothing less,” he replied, pulling her hand from her mouth. “I want you to have it now, but if you decide to marry me, I’d like it to be your wedding ring.”

She flipped her gaze to his face. “Are you asking?”

“Yes. I know it’s soon, so we can wait if you’d like, but I plan on sticking around as long as you’ll have me.”

“Then yes,” she beamed, “I would love to marry you.”

Aedan was pleasantly surprised by her quick agreement. “Then that’s what you’ll do. When?”

“How about tomorrow?” she suggested, only half-serious.

He laughed and kissed her hand. “How about we talk to our parents tomorrow and see what they think? As soon as we can get everyone together, I’ll give you the wedding of your dreams.”

“You give me too much.”

“I told you I’d give you the world,” he countered.

“You did,” she remembered, taking a closer looking at the ring. Then she gasped again, finding the rose engraved on the gold backing. The bottom of its long stem curved to the left then looped down into cursive letters reading
My Love
. “You engraved it,” she whispered, running a finger over the miniscule message.

“Of course I did,” he replied. “May I put it on you?”

“Yes,” she agreed, quivering with excitement.

Aedan took the ring from her palm, and she turned her hand over, letting him slip the band on her third finger. “Rhosewen Keely Conn, will you make me the luckiest husband on earth?”

Rhosewen tilted her hand left and right, watching the zultanite glimmer through emotional tears. “Yes,” she answered, smiling up at him. “I want you forever, Aedan.”

“You got me,” he assured, lowering his lips to hers. “Forever.”

They kissed, slow and sweet at first, but as their heartbeats quickened, passion and need took over. For nine days they’d been engulfed by emotions they didn’t understand, experiencing the strongest desire of their lives, struggling with constant temptation. Now they’d unleashed their appetites, and physical urges ran rampant, promising mind-blowing bliss.

Their lips broke apart, and they intently stared at each other, gasping for air as his thumb stroked her quivering lips. “I want you, Rose.”

“Then take me,” she insisted, pressing her body closer.

Incredibly, Aedan’s muscles tightened more than before, and he released her face, casting a spell to ensure no one, particularly the witch and wizard down the hall, would hear what went on in the guestroom.

Aedan’s blood ran hot, his arousal begging for release, but he wouldn’t rush what was sure to be the most amazing moment of his life. He would savor every sight, sound, feel and smell. And he’d do his part to make the experience perfect and memorable, to make every second count more than the one before.

At first, he just looked at her, intensifying their longing as he focused on each of his favorite features—the smoothness and coloring of her skin, her pouty lips and tiny nose, the long eyelashes fluttering around sparkling blue oceans, and the golden spirals framing her perfect face.

“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered, trailing his fingertips across her forehead. “I can’t believe how lucky I am.”

Mesmerized by his sincerity and tenderness, Rhosewen merely swallowed, unable to speak.

Aedan smiled and leaned closer, lifting the strap of her gown as he kissed her clavicle, and Rhosewen gripped his shoulder, uniquely aroused by the mere touch of his lips. Like most witches, she didn’t shy away from a little promiscuity, so she was no stranger to physical pleasure. But with Aedan, everything was brand new. Every touch seeped deeper, every kiss lingered longer, and every breath promised to take them higher. Hearts thundering, they were closer to heaven than ever before, and the beautiful journey had barely begun.

After tossing her silk gown to the floor, Aedan looked to Rhosewen’s face, searching her wide eyes. “I love you, Rose.”

Rhosewen raised a hand to his cheek, smiling like a temptress getting her way, but emotional tears moistened her lashes, exposing her sweet vulnerability—a gift Aedan was the first to receive, no matter how many flings came before him.

Aedan’s aura pulsed as he touched a thumb to her temple, catching a tear. Then he slid his fingers into her hair as he lowered his lips to hers. Spasms rocked their bodies, shaking the bed as well, and Aedan laughed, squeezing his eyes shut as he took a calming breath.