Elemental Enchantment (2 page)

Chapter Two

Eli Jones watched as Kevin, one of the day shift cops, peered in Meaghan’s open window and chatted with her for a few minutes before taking her license and registration. Eli wondered if she recognized him, but he doubted it. Hell, and why would she? He’d moved from Spring Grove before he’d even graduated, and it wasn’t as if they’d been friends while they were in high school. She’d been a theater kid; he’d been a math geek. Sure, he’d been her Algebra tutor for a semester, but she’d been decidedly uninterested in math. And he’d never managed to work up the nerve to talk to her about anything other than equations. Back then, he’d always thought she was the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen. The last ten years hadn’t done a thing to change that. If anything, he found her more attractive than ever.

At first, he’d been so annoyed by the accident that he hadn’t recognized her, but as soon as she’d snapped at him, he’d known exactly who she was. Her glossy dark hair had been pulled into a loose ponytail and her dark eyes had flashed in irritation as she’d glared at him. He’d stared at her waiting for her to recognize him, but he was fairly certain she hadn’t. It had been impossible to keep his gaze from running over her body, though he’d tried. He didn’t want to be a complete letch or make her feel threatened while they were on a deserted stretch of road.

As Kevin walked back to his cruiser to run Meaghan’s information, he smirked at Eli, and Eli discreetly flipped off his friend then slumped back in his seat. He was ninety-nine percent sure Kevin would give him the ticket. Hell, it’s what he’d do if the situation was reversed. And by the time Eli got to work tonight, the chief would already know about it, and he’d be pissed—one of the joys of working for a small-town police department. Eli had already gotten a speeding ticket last month. Too many more points and he’d be stuck on desk detail instead of out on patrol.

As expected, Kevin reappeared at his window with a ticket pad. “Sorry, man,” he said as he passed the slip to Eli. “I’d like to let it slide, but I can’t.”

Eli shrugged. “No worries.”

As soon as Kevin had returned Meaghan’s information and walked back to his cruiser, she was out of her vehicle and headed in Eli’s direction. She stopped and stared up at him. For a moment, her teeth worried her full lower lip, and she watched him somewhat warily. Her large, deep brown eyes slightly narrowed as she shifted her weight and cocked her generously curved hip to the side. He dragged his gaze back to her face. She stared at him, one eyebrow arched and the wariness gone from her expression.

She cleared her throat. “I just wanted to suggest that we split the ticket since technically we’re both at fault.”

Of all the things he might have thought she was about to say, that hadn’t even occurred to him. “What?”

“I think we should split the ticket. Halvesies. You and me. Sharing and stuff.”

“I have a better idea,” he heard himself say. “How about if instead, you let me take you out to dinner?” He’d surprised himself as it was coming out of his mouth, but once the words were hanging in the air between them, he was glad he’d spoken. There was something about her. Something that intrigued him, and he couldn’t help but want to spend a little more time with her.

Her brow furrowed as she stared at him. Her mouth opened then closed again. He suspected she was as startled by the invitation as he’d been at first. Her gaze darted from his eyes to the door to the steering wheel before settling back on his face. It was as if she wasn’t sure where to look.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Her voice seemed less sure than it had a moment ago.

He leaned toward the open window. Toward her. “Why not?”

“I just don’t think it is.”

Her hesitation vanished as if it had never been there, and a smile curved her soft, pink lips—lips he found himself desperately wanting to kiss.

“Look, you seem like a really nice guy.”

“I am.” He stared at her, waiting for the rest. “But…” he prompted.

“But I’m not looking for a nice guy,” she finished breezily.

There were a million things he wanted to say, but he managed to stifle all of them. Suggesting that what she needed was a good spanking was probably not the best way to convince her to go out with him. “What are you looking for?”

She opened her mouth but closed it just as quickly. “Last chance to split the ticket, Boy Scout.”

“Nope. But thanks.”

A slight scowl creased her brow.

“Sure you won’t reconsider dinner?” he asked.

Uncertainty flashed in her dark eyes then vanished as her scowl deepened. “Nope. But thanks,” she echoed. Her frown faded, and she stared at him for a moment more before shaking her head. “See you around, Boy Scout.”

Eli watched the gentle sway of her hips as she walked away. He wasn’t a huge proponent of premonitions or even faith, but as sure as he knew that the chief was going would bitch him out, he knew he’d see Meaghan again. And next time she wouldn’t be walking away. Not if he could help it.

* * * *

Eli was still thinking about Meaghan while the chief was reprimanding him. He had no idea what had provoked him into acting so out of character, but he couldn’t say he regretted it. Yeah, he’d had a crush on her as a kid, but there was something about her he wanted more of. He briefly wondered where she lived. He could look it up easily enough; he had access to the accident report, after all. But he didn’t want to use his position on the police force to snoop through her personal information. He shook his head at himself. She was right. He practically was a fucking Boy Scout.

“Are you even listening to me?” the chief asked.

“Yeah. Sorry. I’ve got a lot on my mind.”

The other man frowned at him. “You’re going to have a fuck-ton of paperwork on your mind if you don’t pull your head out of your ass, Jones.”

“Got it.”

“Good. Now, get to work. I’ve got my own shit to do.”

Eli left his superior’s office and went to the locker room to change into his uniform and try to shove the thought of seeing Meaghan again from his mind. He had other things to focus on at the moment, like his shift and doing all the last minute crap associated with his best friend’s wedding.

His shift was uneventful, but that was fine. He’d had more than enough excitement working in a big city police department. The crime rate in Spring Grove, Michigan was a far cry from his time at the Lansing State Police Department, and he’d had enough of senseless deaths, drive-bys, dead hookers and domestic disputes that turned deadly. He’d seen enough dead kids to last a lifetime. Several lifetimes. He hadn’t deluded himself that he’d moved to Mayberry, but random, violent crimes were fewer and farther between in this small town than they had been in his previous home.

He’d only been back in Spring Grove for a little over six months. Not nearly long enough to dull the nightmares or to forget any of the shit he’d seen while working as a detective in the crime analysis unit. But doing road patrol in a small town was practically a holiday. One he desperately needed.

Taking a swallow of coffee, he glanced at the dashboard clock. Only five and a half more hours, and he’d have a few days of vacation for John’s wedding. Eli sighed. He hadn’t even started the speech yet, and tomorrow was all bachelor party all the time. He’d need a vacation from his vacation.

He made way through the town on nearly deserted streets. The bars wouldn’t close down for at least a half hour. He had time to finish his coffee before dealing with likely DUIs. His radio crackled to life with a noise disturbance call. Responding that he was en route, he headed through acres of farm country to one of the houses on the county line. Time to go bust up a party. At least, it would be more entertaining than driving around nearly empty streets while waiting to pull someone over.

Of course, he wouldn’t mind pulling Meaghan over… Preferably, pulling her over and bending her over the hood of his patrol car. Shoving the thought from his head, he focused on the call.

* * * *

Eli stood under the hot spray of the shower, letting the water roll over his stiff muscles. The noise disturbance had ended up being a house party involving about twenty teenagers and the livestock they’d herded into the house. Who knew goats could run so fast and kick so hard? He glanced at the bruises forming on his shin. Goats were kind of bastards. And here he’d thought being a cop in a rural area would be dull.

Closing his eyes, he tilted his head back under the nearly scalding water, and his mind went right back to the image of Meaghan bent over the hood of his car. In his imagination, she egged him on while he yanked her jeans down around her ankles, baring her sweetly rounded ass.

His cock hardened instantly at the thought of running his hand over her creamy skin, and he wrapped his fingers around his shaft. Thrusting through the circle of his fingers, he pictured plowing into her wet, willing pussy while she writhed beneath him and demanded that he fuck her harder. If his body hadn’t been aching with the need to come, he might have laughed at himself. Here he was fantasizing about the same girl—woman, he amended—that he’d fantasized about when he’d first discovered jacking off. Stifling a groan, he stroked until his release spilled over his hand, Meaghan’s image wavering behind his closed eyes.

Chapter Three

Meaghan woke to the sound of purring turned hissing at her sister’s ringtone. Blearily, she rubbed her eyes then reached for the phone. “Hey, sister mine. What’s up?”

“I’m just calling to see if you remember that you were going to take us to the airport today.”

“Shit!” Meaghan squinted at her alarm clock. “What time is it?”

Emma laughed. “Relax. There’s plenty of time. Ian’s not even done packing yet.”

The kitten batted at Meaghan’s nose, and she groaned remembering the night before. “Crap. Minor change of plans. I got in a little accident last night.”

“Oh my god, are you all right?”

“Yeah. I’m fine. I thought the car was, too, but something’s rubbing on the tire. I’m not sure I want to take it all the way out the airport like that. Can you guys come here and pick me up then I’ll take you to catch your flight?”

“I’ve got a better idea. Why don’t you drop your car off at Butch’s, and we’ll meet you there. You can use ours until yours is fixed.”

Meaghan smiled as she scratched the kitten behind the ears. Her sister would probably never stop looking out for her. It used to bug her, but not anymore. “That would be awesome. Thank you.”

“No problem. I’m going to make sure Ian’s actually packing. How about we meet you at eleven-thirty?”

“Perfect. I’ll go hop in the shower. See you in a bit.”

Meaghan hung up the phone and stretched, giggling at the kitten batting at her hair. It had been an impulsive move to bring the little beast home with her. Her cat had died a few months earlier, and she hadn’t thought she was ready for another one, but she couldn’t leave the little fur ball on the road. She couldn’t bear the thought of bringing him to the shelter, either. In retrospect, she was glad she’d kept him. She hadn’t realized just how empty her house had felt until she wasn’t alone in it anymore.

For a brief second, she considered Rowan’s offer of a love spell, but she dismissed it just as quickly. Loneliness was a stupid reason for using magic so frivolously. Not that she hadn’t used it frivolously—hell, even carelessly—in the past, but that was then. She wasn’t as immature as she used to be. That was a good thing, because she couldn’t get Eli out of her head. The last thing she needed was for a love spell to target him. Since she couldn’t stop thinking about him that would likely be how it would go down. To be fair, it was probably the last thing he needed, too.

She’d gone to bed with the memory of his intense gaze boring into hers, and that was the first thing she’d thought of this morning. She couldn’t quite remember what her dreams were about, but she was sure his long, tanned fingers had made an appearance. There was something about a guy with big, strong hands. What she wouldn’t give to have those hands on her body right now.

Meaghan closed her eyes, imagining his fingers spearing through her hair as he angled her head to kiss her. Her nipples tightened at the thought of his mouth on hers. Her pussy grew slick, and she squirmed beneath the covers as she imagined his hands on her breasts, plucking her nipples…pinching…twisting.

Her fingers trailed over her stomach, teasing the sensitive skin there before slipping toward her panties, but needle-sharp claws halted the downward motion. The kitten stood on top of her, biting at her hand beneath the sheet.

“Maybe your name is Fun-Hater,” she said to him. He ignored her, of course, and continued happily gnawing at her through the bedding.

With a sigh, Meaghan carefully extracted herself from the kitten’s claws and sat up. As much as she could use a little physical release, she really needed to get ready to meet Emma and Ian. It was probably a good thing she’d been interrupted by her furry roommate.

Forty-five minutes and a shower later, Meaghan had dropped off her car at Butch’s Auto Repair and waited for her sister and brother-in-law to arrive. As she flipped through a magazine, a woman came in with a stack of papers and spoke quietly to the man behind the desk. Before she left, she taped a piece of paper to the window next to the door. It was a missing child alert hung above another one that was yellowing with age, the edges curling up around the tape.

Meaghan’s throat thickened, and she swallowed hard as she read the flyer. The details were startlingly similar to the one already hanging there. Both girls were around the same age, both had dark hair and both appeared to be stranger abductions, with the suspect driving a tan or gold car. Unable to keep from staring at the girls’ pictures, she knew she’d be seeing them in her nightmares. The memory of another child’s body rose in her mind.

She still had bad dreams about the little girl her sister had found a few years ago. Well, Emma hadn’t found Marisol—just her body. Together with Meaghan and their friend Rowan, Emma had helped the little girl’s spirit cross over to the other side.