Read The Wizards of Venus Book One: Magic Touch Online

Authors: Dakota Trace

Tags: #Romance, #Adult, #Fiction

The Wizards of Venus Book One: Magic Touch (4 page)

BOOK: The Wizards of Venus Book One: Magic Touch
4.46Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

* * * *

 

32

Rand was still in his library when he felt the first brushes of what he recognized as a dream merge. He was awake - so this surprised him. Curious, he opened his mind to see who was trying to merge with him. He was astonished when he realized it was Grace who initiated the merge. He sent himself out onto the plane to meet her.

“Gracie, I didn’t expect this.” Rand met her in the middle of the psychic plane.

“What unfinished business do we need to resolve, Rand? I’m tired, and I do need my rest.”

“So you figured you would make the first move and have the upper hand – the control of the dream merge, so to speak?”

“You know me too well, Your Highness.”

“Gracie, you know it really annoys me when you call me that.”

“The unfinished business?” At her reminder, he was tempted to bend her over his knee or kiss her senseless.

“Ah, yes, this unfinished business. It seems you think you’re going to find a way to make me call off the betrothal. I’m here to tell you, it isn’t going to happen.”

“We’ll see. I’ve changed a lot in the past ten years but my stubbornness hasn’t.”

“And I’ve wanted you just as long. Go ahead pit your stubbornness against my desire to make you mine and we’ll see who wins.” Rand pulled her into his arms and captured her mouth with his. Sparks flew on the physic plane as their lips mated. With a deep groan ringing in his chest, he pulled her tighter against him; and she answered with a soft, low moan. When her lips parted, he aggressively thrust his tongue into her mouth to meet hers, claiming everything she had to offer. He was about to bring his 33

hand up to caress her breast when she suddenly disappeared from his mind. She had broken the dream merge and fled!

* * * *

 

“Dammit! She ran again!” Rand slapped his hand against his desk, ignoring the tented front of his pants. Reaching for the communications console, he pressed the button. As it rang, he vowed her running days were over. She’d started this battle but damned if he wasn’t going to finish it.

* * * *

 

Gracie lay back against her pillows, breathing raggedly; it’d been the most intense experience she’d ever had. It was so good – so passionate - that she had lost her focus and had slipped out of the dream merge.
Not that I’ll ever admit it.
The communications console rang by her bedside once again; only this time she knew it would be him. Picking up the remote receiver, she held it to her ear.

“Why did you run, Gracie?” Rand ‘s voice was tight.

“I didn’t.”

“Do you really want to do this, Gracie?”

“Do what?”

“Challenge me like this. You want me just as much as I want you.”

“Attraction or not, I'm still not going to marry you. I'll find a loophole in the royal marriage laws somewhere.”

“Keep looking -- when you realize there is no way out, I’ll be waiting for you and be more than happy to accept your surrender.”

* * * *

 

34

The man in the communications room smiled at the exchange he’d just heard between Rand and Gracie. The woman was very resistant to Rand’s advances; perhaps he could use this to his advantage. But the question was; what would lure the staid, calm beauty away from the prince. She’d sounded quite sincere about not wanting to marry Rand. He’d just have to be patient and a solution would eventually present itself.

35

 

Chapter Two

Gracie woke feeling refreshed and ready to take on the world, despite the erotic dreams which had plagued her though the night. Rolling over, she came face to face with a single orchid lying on the pillow next to her head. Pleasure filled her as she lifted the bloom off the pillow. Examining it, she briefly wondered where it came from.

“Dare I hope that smile is for me?”

Shooting straight up in bed, Gracie saw Rand leaning against the open French doors.

“How did you get in here?” Shoving the covers off her, she scrambled for her robe, very aware of the fact she was only wearing a thin tunic. Before she reached her goal she found herself pinned across her bed with a very satisfied betrothed on top of her.

“It was easy, Wildcat. I simply walked along the balcony and slipped into your room while you slept. You really ought to lock your doors unless you want me to consider it an open invitation to join you.”

“It isn’t. I wasn’t aware I shared a balcony with you or I’d have locked the blessed doors.”

He leaned in and nuzzled her neck.

“What are you doing?”

“Saying good morning to my chosen.” His mouth slid up her throat to tug on her earlobe. His eyes closed with pleasure when he heard the purr which escaped her.

She’s every inch the wildcat I’ve named her.

36

“I
am not
your Wildcat!” Pushing against his chest, Gracie’s ire once more had been pricked. With ease, he used his natural strength to pin her hands next to her head.

Deliberately, he spoke telepathically again.

“Now, isn’t this an interesting development, Wildcat?”

“What are you talking about? Get off of me you arrogant…”


Now, don’t be calling him names, sweetheart.”

“What the hell is he talking about, Zara?”

“Since you’re touching, you can receive his thoughts.”

Wonderful!

“Zara, huh? When did you name your sentient power, Gracie? About the same time I named mine?”

“What? You want to talk about naming our sentient powers? Get off of me, you lug!”

The clearing of a throat let Rand and Gracie know they were no longer alone.

Turning his head, he greeted Emma, one of his family’s personal assistants.

“Good morning, Emma. I see Mom decided to only send the best to take care of my Wildcat.” Turning his attention back to Gracie, he slid a hand deep into her tangled hair to hold her in place. She didn’t even have time to protest when he sealed his mouth over hers.

Gracie could feel Zara’s pleasure and it only increased her own.
Am I being a fool
with my resistance? Or should I simply give in?

“Not a fool, Wildcat, just be yourself and eventually you’ll give in. I’ll accept nothing
less.”

37

 

“Like hell!”
Goaded beyond her control at his smug arrogance in her eventual surrender she nipped at his lower lip.

He pulled back with a snarl. “You’ll pay for that, Wildcat.” Rolling off the bed, he stormed out of the room.

“I dare say, Lady Gracie, his royal highness left here in a mood.”

Gracie shook her head at the girl’s obvious understatement. “Why not speak the truth, Emma? He was pissed off. But not nearly as pissed as he will be.”

“Mistress?” The question was more than evident.

“Never mind. I suppose Queen Aria has a full schedule for me today?”

“Of course, Lady Gracie.”

“Well then lazing around in bed isn’t going to get it accomplished. Give me thirty minutes to shower and we’ll go join Mr. Pissy downstairs for breakfast.”

Emma had to cover her mouth to stifle her laugh.

Batting her eyes at the girl, Gracie couldn’t help but add, “After all, since he’s the one who’s insisting on this farce of marriage, I think he’s going to have to hold the hand of his “helpless” new bride. I’m sure we’ve got tons of invitations that need to be licked.”

Unable to control her laughter any longer, Emma let loose.

* * * *

 

Rand was sitting at the breakfast table when Gracie joined him. Rising from his seat, he waited for her to be seated. As the servant poured her a cup of coffee, he watched her spread her napkin across her lap. He waited for her to speak to him. After her earlier response it was odd but she seemed content to sip her coffee and nibble on her toast in silence. 38

Sipping at his own coffee, he winced at the sting of the hot brew against the swollen area where she’d nipped him.

“Do something, Rand. I like it not.”

“And you’re not the one with the sore mouth. The last time I listened to you, I ended
up in the fountain.”

“Which my Zara will answer for once we’re completely bonded.”

Finally he could handle the silence no longer. “Nothing to say, Wildcat? Or are you afraid I’m going to retaliate for earlier?”

“Retaliate? No, I know you’d never hurt me. Jonathan always did say you were like a big pussycat when it came to me. All roar but no bite.” Blotting her mouth with her napkin, she continued as if she hadn’t just insulted him. “Now, I do believe Emma said something about invitations that needed my attention. So if you’ll excuse me, unless you plan on licking the envelopes, I’ve got a meeting with your mother.” Pushing back from the table, she turned to leave the room. As she reached the door it swung shut in front of her with a thud.

“You know I would’ve thought you’d outgrown such childish behavior, Prince Randall.” She could feel him moving across the room towards her.
As always I can tell
when he’s near and damned if it doesn’t piss me off.

“Gracie, I’ll take quite a bit of guff from you, but there are some things I simply won’t tolerate. The next time you imply I’m all bark and no bite, you’re going to find yourself draped over my knee.”

“Kinky, aren’t we? Now let me out of here. I don’t want to keep your mother waiting.”

39

"We can stay like this as long as you like. My father might wonder what’s keeping me, but he once was a young man, although I doubt my mother gave him even a tenth of the trouble I just know you’re going to give me. I’m sure he’ll understand.”

“This is your choice, Rand. Don’t place the blame on me. It’s not my intention to keep you.”

“We’re not leaving this room until you apologize and you give me the kiss I wanted earlier. I won’t accept less. I warned you last night the time for running time is over. I’ve waited a long time for you. You’re mine.”

Gooseflesh ran over her body at his claim.
He’s nearer than I thought.
She jumped when she felt the warmth of his breath on the side of her neck.

"No.” Her denial was automatic but inside her she could feel Zara rising to the surface.

“No? We’ll see about that.” His lips, warm and parted brushed the side of her neck before traveling upwards to find her ear. A whimper built inside her when his lips teased the outer edge of her ear before his tongue dipped inside to explore its inner whorls.

She shivered when she felt his rumble of pleasure against her ear. His arms crept around her waist to pull her back against him.

“Ready to give in?”

“No.”

Groaning at her denial, he spun her around and fastened his mouth to hers. His tongue shot out to intertwine with hers. Pulling her closer, he didn’t bother to stop the instinctive need to grind his hips against hers. When he finally lifted his head, both of them were breathing raggedly.12:3

40

“And now?” Even to his own ears, his voice sounded raspy.

“What?” Her eyes were dazed.

When he heard the clearing of a throat for the second time, he finally realized Emma had interrupted them once again.

“Damn, Wildcat. You make me forget where I’m at.” Laying his cheek against the top of her head, he could feel the slight tremors coursing through her. “You’re more potent than
janja.”

Wonderful, now he’s comparing me to the main ingredient in raz-ice, she thought.

“I heard that, Wildcat.”

"Let me go, Rand."

Slowly, he released her from his arms, but caught her arm before she could move away from him.

“Damn, if you don’t tempt me to throw responsibility into the wind. I wish I didn’t have to attend the Tribunal with Dad. I’d love to spend the next hour convincing you how good we’ll be together.”

Touching her as he was, he could feel the anger building in her. “
Any moment now,
Ruzac, she’s going to try to rip off my head.”

“You’ve got that right! What makes you think I can be swayed by passion? I’ve done
an admirable job for the past ten years.”

He smiled as she used their bond for the first time. “During that time I’ve kept my distance, Gracie. No longer. We’ll see how long you resist in the face of my desire to have you.”

41

 

“If you’re horny, find another, Your Highness, because I’m not going to sleep with you.”

Brushing his thumb across her lip, he smiled slowly. “Who said anything about sleeping, Wildcat? Try this again when we’re married and I’ll have you bent over the table and be buried so deep and hard you’ll forget why you were fighting with me.”

“You’ve a lot of nerve!” Poking his chest with her finger, she continued. “One, I’m not married to you, nor will I ever be.” When he stepped further back she followed. “Two, even if we did for some unforeseen reason end up married, you’re delusional to think I’d allow you to place something as intimate as making love on public display. It’s cheap and tawdry.”

“But hotter than hell.” Yanking her against him, he bent to speak directly in her ear, mindful of Emma, who was still standing just inside the door, waiting on Gracie.

“Can’t you imagine it, Wildcat?” Flicking his tongue over the rim of her ear, he continued to whisper to her. “You’re pissed at me for something, giving me hell until I decide to tame my wildcat the only way I know how. Tempers flare until I use all that excess energy to make you forget why you’re pissed at me.”

Jerking free of his arms, she smacked him across his face. "You sexist pig! You can take a long trip to Earth and never come back as far as I’m concerned. As my momma would say, ‘it’ll be a cold day in hell’ before I ever let you have that kind of control over me.” She stormed out of the room, only to be followed by Emma, who gave him a haughty stare as she left.

Rand couldn’t help but grin as he rubbed the handprint his Wildcat had left.


Well that was great, Genius. How the hell are you going to fix this?”

42

 

“Relax Ruzac. As long as she fighting me she isn’t running. Damn what a woman
and she all mine.”

“I thank the stars, my Zara isn’t like that.”

“You know, it’d be a perfect irony if she picked up a bit of Gracie’s temper, Ruzac.

You’ve become too complacent about the fact Zara is yours. It’d do you good to have to
woo her.”

He could feel Ruzac’s scoff of disbelief.

“It’ll never happen. Zara knows her place.”

Rand couldn’t help but laugh at his power’s assumption that Gracie’s power was going to submissive to his.

 

BOOK: The Wizards of Venus Book One: Magic Touch
4.46Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

Other books

Nights with Uncle Remus by Joel Chandler Harris
Not by Sight by Kate Breslin
The First Cut by John Kenyon
A Bewitching Bride by Thornton, Elizabeth
Damage Done by Virginia Duke
Rebel Souls by D.L. Jackson
The Fiend Queen by Barbara Ann Wright