To Wrangle A Witch (Southern Sanctuary Book 3) (17 page)

Serena
made a soft whimpering sound as he moved them away from the grass; it would
have made the softest of beds.  Emitting a grateful sigh a few seconds later
as Locke set her butt down on the waist height sturdy shelf in the outdoor
shower alcove, uncaring that they sent a number of beauty products tumbling to
the ground. 

His
hands ran hot and feverish over her velvet soft skin; every tremor, every shiver
telling him just as surely as his truth magic what she liked, what she needed
from him.
 
He parted the hooks of her bra
with knowledgeable ease just as she was reaching for the buckle of his
belt.  Distracted, she arched into him as his hands cupped her breasts,
bending to latch onto first one nipple and then the other.  All around
them the garden sang and swayed in ecstasy, feeding off their union, revelling
in their coming together.  Locke suckled, nibbled and used the edge of his
teeth to tease and torment her perfect rose tipped flesh.

“Locke…” 

Just
the sound of his name on her lips sent a tremor of desire piercing through his
gut.  Goddess, she looked glorious, her hair tumbling down now over her
back and shoulders, her lips swollen, her eyes heavy lidded with passion and
need.

“Locke…
please.”  Serena wasn’t sure exactly what she wanted, what he was already
doing to her senses was too much but she wanted more, she wanted all of
him. 

Straightening
he reclaimed her lips, tugging open his belt and shedding his trousers and
boxers in careless disregard, kicking them away, so they weren’t hampering his
movements. 

“Soon…
Witch.”  He promised, his hands sliding down her back, biting back a moan
as her inquisitive hands slid down over his hips to his stomach before she
palmed his cock with one strong petite hand, milking him ever so excruciatingly
slowly from the tip all the way to the base.  “Oh Goddess… Serena.”

“Now
Locke.”  She insisted with a throaty demand.

Locke
laughed and moaned at the same time.  He dug the fingers of one hand into
her soft thigh as she tightened her grip ever so slightly on his cock, sending
the lightest of electrical impulses through his rock hard flesh.  Goddess
yes she was a wanton little witch.  He’d teach her to tease him. 
Moving his hand up along the inside of her thigh he pulled away the lacy edge
of her soaking wet knickers and zeroed in on her aching core.  She gasped
his name and practically fell off the shelf as he teased her pulsating clit
with a dexterous finger.  Only Locke’s muscular thighs wedged between her
legs kept her in place.

“Fair’s
fair witch.”

“Damn
you Valhalla.”  She arched her back as first one finger, then two slipped
inside her, stretching and filling her.  “Oh…”  She had any number of
things she wanted to say but the ability to form words escaped her. 

“Surrender?” 
He gasped through a groan as she began to pump his cock faster.

“Surrender?”
She managed to echo his question back at him through shallow breaths as his
long fingers slid in and out of her slick heated core.

“On
three?”  He bit down on the side of her neck. 

“I…
don’t think I can hold out that long.” 

Her
admission stopped him in his tracks.  Goddess, she was like liquid fire
under his touch, all he could think about was being immersed cock deep in her
core.  Though if she didn’t stop what she was doing to him immediately
that was not going to happen soon enough for his liking.  Abruptly he
withdrew his fingers from her, likewise she let go of him. 

Reaching
up Serena gripped his tight biceps, her fingers digging into his flesh hard
with want and need.
 
“Locke.”

“Lift
up.”  He dragged her knickers down and threw them away over his shoulder,
hateful things for getting in his way. 

Cupping
her gorgeous ass he bought her flush against him.  For a moment he paused,
sanity… the truth, something caused him to hesitate.  It was like he was
standing on a precipice, he knew if he took this leap there’d be no going back,
no take backs… no escape?  He tried to clear his head, maybe he should
think more about this… under him Serena moaned, squirming, trying to get
closer.  That small needy sound undid him.  Pulling on her hair he
tilted her face up, claiming her lips at the same time surging forward, sinking
into her tight molten core.  Against his lips she moaned his name and it
was all he could do to lock his knees and thrust deeper still. 

Serena
gasped as the sensations rocketed through her, bringing her legs up even higher
to give Locke better leverage… oh yes that was the spot.  Her eyes almost
rolled back in her head as he thrust even deeper, filling her completely yet at
the same time her body craved more. 

“Harder…” 
She gripped his hips urging him deeper still.  Earth and Moon it had never
felt like this before.  She wanted to devour him.  Be devoured by
him. 

Thank
the Earth when he picked her up, slamming her back hard up against the shower
wall.  Hooking her ankles around his hips she titled her lower body. 
Clinging to him she moaned as his thrusts became harder, deeper… oh
heaven.  She never wanted him to stop but at the same time the building
ache between her legs demanded to be fulfilled.  Clenching her inner
muscles tighter she smiled against Locke’s lips as he uttered a heartfelt moan
of appreciation. 

“You
little… witch.”  He gripped her ass even harder, thrusting at just the
right angle to run the length of his cock back and forth over her needy
clit. 

Oh
the Earth and all the Stars… yes there, right there.  She couldn’t help
but cry out as once, twice… she needed more and thank the Moon Locke delivered
as he thrust one last time, sending them both over the edge with a harsh
guttural triumphant shout. 

Her
cry of pleasure echoing loudly around the garden as she practically sobbed his
name out loud.  Oh the Earth what had she done?  How would she ever
be able to walk away from him now? 

Sweat
dripping down his back, the muscles in his legs spasming from the exertion
Locke managed to settle Serena’s butt safely back on the shower alcove
shelf.  Still inside her he dropped his forehead to rest on hers. 
Their mutual panting the only sound besides the rustle of leaves in the night
breeze.

Goddess
that had been… words failed him.  He shifted his stance slightly, his foot
brushing against something.  Glancing down he noted his trousers, crumpled
and smeared with dirt on the ground.  He knew he should care… but when
he’d shifted Serena had made the most distracting sexy little groaning sound at
the back of her throat.  He couldn’t help himself, he shifted again… and
yes he was rewarded with that little whimpering groan of hers.  Instantly
he was hard again.  This time causing Serena to give a breathless moan of
part delight, part disbelief.

“Locke…
oh Earth… we shouldn’t… umm.” 

“
When
I said all night… I meant all night
.”  The truth of his words settled
heavily over her like a mantle, a shiver of desire coursing through her,
causing all her inner muscles to clench. 

She
couldn’t care about tomorrow, or anything else right now.  All she could
think about was Locke hard inside her and how since she was already damned by
his masterful display of cocksmanship she might as well be twice… hopefully
thrice damned.

“Bring
it Lawyer man.”

Chapter
Twenty

Serena
was afraid to open her eyes.  She was perfectly safe, lying face down in
the middle of Locke Valhalla’s bed.  The man himself, naked and drowsy was
lying next to her, wedged up so close that she could feel the beat of his heart
against her shoulder blade.  One of his large warm hands was resting possessively
on her bare butt and in the grand scheme of things it should have been a
wonderful way to wake up.  Her problem was even behind her closed eyelids
she knew the sun was high in the sky, mid to late morning at least.  And
there in lay the rub, she and Locke had only agreed to one night together… and
several times after dawn and let’s not forget half an hour ago.  

The
two of them had managed to grab only a few minutes sleep here and there
throughout the night.  Even now the temptation to snuggle into Locke and
sink back into slumber beckoned.  But just how much longer could she put
it off?  No matter how tired an exhausted she felt after their all night
sexual marathon she couldn’t keep burying her head under the pillow and extend
the time frame any further… could she?  Plus they should talk, shouldn’t
they?  About last night?  Though what was there really to say? 
They were two consenting adults who’d agreed to keep their interaction short
and sweet.

And
it had been… sweet that is, and hot and sexy.  She’d never shower again
without blushing, the things they’d done when they’d showered together outside
under the stars… well it was enough to make her squirm, even now when she
should be sated the pulsing between her legs turned into a throbbing.  Earth,
how was it possible to still crave him, considering she barely had enough
energy left from their night of passion to lift her head.

Next
to her Locke muttered her name under his breath, squeezing her butt in a rough
caress even as his lips brushed soft nuzzling kisses along her shoulder to the
back of her neck.  Okay, so technically it was still night somewhere in
the world, they probably had some more time up their sleeves… that’s if either
one of them had been wearing clothes.  Smiling she was just about to turn
over to return his kisses when the insistent ringing of his mobile phone
shattered the moment.  She prayed to the Mother of all Goddesses that he’d
ignore it.

Except
he didn’t, rolling away from her to scramble for it on the bedside table. 
The loss of his warmth and touch was almost enough to make her whimper. 
Biting her lip she opened her eyes.  Watching Locke, all mussed hair, sexy
dark five o’clock shadow with heavy lidded eyes turn on the phone and mutter
Hadleigh’s name. 

Damn,
how dare his sister ring them at this perfectly respectable time and interrupt
their sex-athon.  From the tense tone of Locke’s voice as he spoke to
Hadleigh she was guessing their night together was officially over.  Well
fine, she was a big girl, savvy in the ways of the dating scene; once he got
off the phone they’d have their awkward stilted ‘thanks for the fun’
conversation and go their separate ways.  And why did that thought make
her want to cry? 

Earth
Serena, remember you don’t get attached to people.  People weigh you
down.  They expect you to remain in one place.  More importantly this
was Locke Valhalla she was talking about; he’d made it very clear that he
didn’t do attachments.  Clinging to him would only turn what little
respect he had for her Earth Witch ways to cold contempt.  Instead better
to wrap the memories she had of last night around her and let them keep her
warm for the rest of her solitary existence.  Because let’s face it, any
man she ever took up with now would only rate a very poor second.  Damn
Locke Valhalla to the centre of the Earth.

She
watched as Locke turned off the phone and placed it back on the bedside
table.  Hmmm, looks like it was time for that awkward conversation. 
“So…”

“They
want us at Maat Towers right away.  Hadleigh’s come up with a plan but
from Vaughn’s shouting in the background I’m not sure we’re going to like it,
seems we get to be the tie-breaker.”  Locke was already pushing away the
tangled sheets and heading for the bathroom.

“Umm…” 
Serena clutched the sheet to her chest.  Okay scratch the morning after
conversation, how about just plain awkward.
 
Was he not even going to acknowledge her existence with eye
contact?
 
Wow, the man sure did move on
fast.

Locke
halted just before he entered the bathroom, Serena’s heart leapt, surely he’d
turn give her a smile at the very least.
 
But no, all he did was toss terse words back over his shoulder. “So we
need to get showered and dressed.” 

Serena
watched Locke’s bare back and tight buns disappear into his bathroom.  It
didn’t look like he would be issuing any invitations for her to join him in
there.  “Ah, okay.  Well I’ll head back to my room and get dressed
then…?”  She waited several heartbeats and for her trouble only the sound
of his shower being turned on was her reward.  Looks like the only thing
she’d be getting this morning was awkward silence, well that was just
great.  Flinging back the sheet she stomped off to her room.

Locke
ducked his head under the icy stream of water and contemplated of all the ways
he’d imagined the morning-after playing out, a call from his sister and a
demand for their immediate presence was not one of them.  He had been
contemplating asking Serena to open end their agreed timeframe, one night
wasn’t going to be enough.  He was pretty sure he would have convinced her
to agree, especially since he intended to ask her whilst he teased and
titillated every one of her erogenous zones he’d discovered throughout the
night.   Not exactly fair he knew but he was a lawyer, he used every
weapon he had in his arsenal.  And now thanks to Hadleigh and the
Chippendales, the opportunity was lost. 

He
was beyond pissed off, and despite the icy shower his body still craved
Serena’s touch.  Goddess he could barely stand to look at the woman and not
want to jump her.  Especially when she lay in his bed looking so damn
rumpled, sexy and downright doable.  And now that he’d missed the perfect
moment to convince her to extend their agreement, what did he have left
available to him?  If the little witch hadn’t been so damn distracting
last night he could have manoeuvred her into agreeing to a continuation
then.
 
But no, he’d been so caught up in
the moment, caught up in her… that he’d let the opportunity slip through his
fingers.
 
Goddess damn him, the only
conversation left for them now would be the one where she said goodbye.

His
gut tightened at the very idea.  Serena leaving?  It was what he’d
wanted from day one but now that the time was fast approaching he was
conflicted… fuck conflicted, he was infatuated with the woman.  Which
pissed him off even more. Last night’s giving into temptation was supposed to
satisfy his desire for Serena instead he was pretty sure he’d just thrown
gasoline on the flames.  Goddess double damn him, he was in so much trouble.

Shaving
in record time he’d slammed out of the shower, brushed his teeth, dried off and
dressed in the first suit that came to hand, a light grey bespoke single
breasted from Italy.  Goddess he couldn’t even dredge up interest in his
clothes, he was that darn tangled up over Serena Chastain and her wicked wanton
witchy ways.

The
witch in question met up with him at the linen closet door.  Wearing a
pale yellow dress she glared at him.  “Have you seen my shoes?”

“Not
lately… no.”  Locke replied as blandly as he could.

Serena
continued to stare at him hard for a few more seconds; there was an edge of
smugness to Locke’s response that was twitching her antenna.  There was
definitely something weird going on with Locke and her missing shoes, but now wasn’t
the time to delve into it.  Fine so she’d be barefoot, Maat’s warriors
were as good as family, they wouldn’t care.  Shrugging off her suspicions
she turned and entered the closet, she was eager to hear Hadleigh’s audacious
plan that had the normally easy going Vaughn upset.  Whatever it was it
sounded like it had the potential to distract her from her current obsession
with all things Locke Valhalla.  Oh Earth, she bit back a sigh as he
joined her in the closet, his wonderful scent encasing her, please bring on the
distraction.

They
stepped out of the closet to find Flynn waiting for them. 

Flynn’s
green edged hazel eyes filling with relief on sighting them, stress and tension
evident at the corners of his strained smile.
 
“Thank Maat you’re here.  I’m not sure how much more the rest of us
can stand.”  He stepped forward giving Serena a warm hug and a friendly
peck on the cheek. 

Locke
cleared his throat to remind the walking mountain that he was present and
hopefully distract him so he’d get his paws off of Serena.

“Lawyer
dude.”  Flynn nodded his head.  “Come on, we’d better get to the
conference room before things go nuclear.”

Serena
fell into step beside Flynn.  “The fighting is really that bad?”  She
couldn’t believe relaxed and easy going Vaughn would get out of control angry
enough to have a screaming match with his wife. 

“Oh
the yelling only lasted a minute or two, now it’s much much worse than that.”

“Worse
than yelling?”  Serena glanced up at Flynn confused as they stepped off
the elevator onto the conference level floor.

“Oh
Goddess they haven’t gone silent have they?”  Locke shuddered at the
thought.

“Yeah,
about twenty minutes ago, we thought you’d never get here.”

“I’m
missing something here, aren’t I?”  Serena looked between the two.

Flynn
opened his mouth, blushed and snapped it shut.  Okay it took an awful lot
to embarrass Flynn, now she was starting to get really worried.

Locke
just looked resigned. “Why don’t you go tell them we’re here, I’ll give Serena
a quick run-down of the salient details so she’s prepared.”

Flynn
gave him an abrupt nod of thanks, took a deep breath and headed towards the
conference room

“What
is going on?”  Serena was beyond curious.

“Okay
you know Hadleigh and Vaughn are melded right?”

Serena
nodded.

“And
you know about the Sanctuary grid.”

“Oh
yes, you have a 30 foot palm tree in your courtyard thanks to that grid.”

“With
a little help from you.”  Reminded Locke with a brief fleeting
smile.  “Okay so the grid is powered by melded couples.”

“Their
magics?”  Serena took his statement through to the logical conclusion.

Locke
shook his head.  “Try sex.”

“Excuse
me?”

“Sex,
there’s a whole ‘power – feedback’ arrangement that it doesn’t pay to think
about too much.  What it boils down to is that melded couples are like…
batteries, and gold meld matches like what Vaughn and Hadleigh have, well that
creates a lot of out-put and requires a lot of…”

“Input?” 
She finished for him.

“Yes,
sex and magic, it’s all intertwined at the Sanctuary.”

“So
what does that have to do with what’s going on in the conference room that has
Flynn looking so… stressed?”

“Okay
so when a meld couple fight it creates a lot of energy, in fact fights don’t
usually last very long because they create so much friction… heat, between the
couple.”

“I’m
still lost here.”

Locke
shifted uncomfortably.  This was so not the conversation he should be
having with Serena of all people.  “Okay, what it boils down to is my
people basically invented the concept of make-up sex.  The grid exerts a
lot of influence over meld couples.   A lot of the older generation
meld couples invent things to fight over with their spouses because they enjoy
a really good tiff, the energy, the tension, the friction, it all results
supposedly in ultra-hot make-up sex.”

Speaking
of ultra-hot Serena wanted to fan herself.  Swallowing hard she
desperately tried to recall why they’d started this incredibly uncomfortable
discussion.  “So the fact that Hadleigh and Vaughn… are fighting, and
haven’t made up yet is causing… tension?”

Locke
nodded abruptly.  “Lots of tension… and it spills over on to everyone
around them so when we go in there be prepared for well… anything.”

“Okay.” 
Serena squared her shoulders, forewarned was forearmed.  “Let’s do
this.”  She flung open the conference room door and came to an abrupt halt
as the thick atmosphere in the room settled like a heavy blanket over
her. 

Everyone
in the room except for Hadleigh and Vaughn turned to look at her with grateful
relief in their eyes.  Hadleigh and Vaughn were too busy glaring at each
other across the table to care about the interlopers.  That was until
Serena made to walk around the table to take the empty chair directly on
Vaughn’s right.  The warning growl issuing from deep within Hadleigh’s
throat had her freezing in place abruptly, Locke desperately grabbing at the
back of her dress helping her to retrace her steps slowly and carefully
backwards… away from Hadleigh’s mate.