The Warlock's Enchanted Kiss (Witch Island Brides Book 2) Read online

  “I’m sure,” she said with a faint chuckle. “Just relax, Austin. Because you’re about to find out what we could’ve been doing these last five years.”

  His brain felt scrambled, and he knew that whatever arguments he’d conjured up to stay away from her were history. He couldn’t walk away from her now if his life depended on it. She was far too confident and far too sexy. The exact kind of woman who got under his skin and stayed there.

  Carrie reached for his belt buckle, and as much as he wanted to feel her hands on him, he knew that once they went there, he wouldn’t be able to hold himself back. He’d be too impatient to get inside her. And he wasn’t the type of man to only think of himself. Austin wanted to luxuriate in the feel of her first, make sure she was just as turned on as he was before they went there. He placed his hand over hers and said, “Wait.”

  Chapter 6

  “Austin,” she said, irritation curling in her belly. “I thought we’d already settled this. I want you, and nothing you say is going to change my mind.”

  A slow, lazy smile broke out on his handsome face. “You’re right. We did settle it. I’m just slowing things down a notch so that I can enjoy you the same way you’re enjoying me.”

  “Oh.” Her entire body started to tingle with anticipation, and she wondered if she’d seem too eager if she ripped her clothes off right there in front of him. How many nights had she imagined the two of them together like this? Far too many to count.

  He chuckled. “I want you just as turned-on as I am when I finally make love to you.”

  “Right.” Though he had nothing to worry about in that department. She wanted him so bad, her thighs were already quivering. But whatever he had planned, she certainly wasn’t going to complain.

  His hands settled on her waist as he leaned in and said, “If I could kiss you, right about now I’d be working my way up your neck, nipping at your pulse while you arch your perfect breasts into me.”

  Her breath caught as she imagined his mouth on her.

  He slid his hands under her silky shirt, gently caressing her skin until his fingers were skimming her just below her bra. He reached one hand up, and with a flick of his fingers, the front clasp sprang open. His big hand cupped one of her breasts, and he thumbed her nipple. “Then I’d clamp my teeth around you right here, biting down just enough that pain would turn to pleasure.”

  “Oh god,” she moaned. “Yes. Definitely yes.”

  “Like this.” He pressed his two fingers together, sending a bolt of pleasure and pain straight to her center.

  She dug her fingernails into his arm as she began to throb with pure need. “Austin, I think we better move it along a little. I’m finding it… um, hard to keep standing.”

  He let out a soft laugh, his warm breath tickling her skin. “Yes. Now we’re on an even playing field.”

  She shook her head. “I think you’re at pro level and I’m still playing in the minors.”

  “Not anymore, gorgeous. You’re about to be called up.” He wasted no time stripping her shirt and bra off. Then he stood back, gazing at her. “Christ, you’re fucking gorgeous.”

  “You’ve only seen half of the package,” she said and kicked her heels off as he undid her jeans.

  He laughed and followed suit, discarding his jeans in a pile with hers. Still in his boxer briefs, he slipped around behind her and slowly started to lower her red silk panties. His touch was so soft, like velvet. She had the feeling he could touch her forever and she’d never get tired of him. Once her panties fell silently to the ground, he placed both hands on her hips and guided her over to a marble bench that was right between the white and silver roses.

  “Wait,” she said, stopping him before he sat on the bench. “You have me at a disadvantage here.” She tugged on the waistband of his boxer briefs. “I want to see all of you.”

  Austin smiled and yanked his shorts off, his huge erection springing free.

  Carrie stared down at him, her eyes wide. “Wow. That’s impressive.”

  “Just wait until I’m inside of you,” he said, then turned her around and sat, pulling her down onto his lap. “But first, I’m going to make you come.”

  She suddenly found herself speechless as his arms came around her, one hand cupping her breast and the other sliding down her belly and between her thighs. She leaned her head against his shoulder and spread her legs, giving him full access.

  “That’s it, baby. Just let me touch you,” he murmured.

  “I’m all yours,” she said and let out a soft moan when his fingers dipped inside of her.

  His thumb brushed her nipple again just before he pinched the sensitive peak while he pressed two fingers into her.

  Carrie’s hips jerked with uncontrollable need.

  “That’s right, Carrie. Let go, baby,” he whispered. He circled his thumb over that sensitive bundle of nerves between her legs while still pinching her nipple. And even though he wasn’t kissing her neck, she could still feel his warm breath, and the combination created a trio of erotic sensations that rippled through her entire body.

  “Oh, god,” she said, concentrating on his thumb that was doing amazing things to her clit. She bit down on her bottom lip as she rocked her hips, intensifying the glorious friction.

  “You feel so damned good, Carrie,” Austin said. “I don’t think I’m ever going to stop touching you.”

  His rough voice in her ear only intensified her need, and she covered his hand with hers, pushing his fingers deeper inside of her. “Yes,” she said, lost in his touch and the pleasure that was crashing over her. “More, Austin, more.”

  “Anything you want, love,” he said and pinched her nipple harder.

  A cry ripped from her lips as pleasure shot straight to her core. Her muscles suddenly tightened around his fingers, the orgasm hitting her so fast and hard she nearly blacked out. His stroking only intensified, and she gasped for air as she rocked against him, riding the intense wave of pleasure.

  Finally, when she stilled, he held on tight and whispered, “You’re incredible.”

  She only chuckled. “You did all the work.”

  “Hardly.” Then he was silent for a moment before he said, “I want to kiss you so badly right now, I might explode from it.”

  “I know,” she said and cupped his hand that was still holding her breast. “But I can kiss you.” She twisted and brushed her lips over his cheek.

  He leaned into her kiss, and in the process, ended up pressing his erection against her back.

  She wiggled against him and said, “Looks like we still have business to take care of.”

  “We definitely aren’t finished,” he said, his voice rough and full of lust.

  Carrie let out a quiet laugh and slid down onto the soft earth. She turned so she was facing him and positioned herself between his knees. She glanced up at him with a wicked smile. “Your turn.”

  He nearly stopped breathing as she slid her hands up his thighs and wrapped one hand around his throbbing cock.

  “Do you want my lips here?” she asked, gently caressing the tip of his penis.

  “God, yes,” he breathed.

  “Tell me you want me to suck your cock, Austin.” She couldn’t believe those words were coming out of her mouth, but after listening to him tell her exactly what he wanted to do to her, she couldn’t help it. His words had nearly driven her out of her mind, and she wanted to return the favor.

  He responded by burying one hand in her long blond hair. After clearing his throat, he forced out, “Suck my cock, love. I want to feel the heat of your mouth on me.”

  The crack in his voice when he said cock was almost more than she could bear. If she wasn’t determined to drive him insane with need, she’d have climbed on top of him right then and there and rode him until both of them screamed. Instead, she gave him a wicked smile and bent her head, intending to tease his tip with her tongue. Only just when she was about to taste him for the first time, she caught a glimpse of movem
ent in the window behind him. She let go of him and jerked her head up. “What the hell is that?”

  “What?” He jumped up, already on full alert.

  “That!” A pair of bright yellow eyes startled her, and she let out a little scream while trying to get to her feet. She reached out to use the bench as support, but Austin moved at just the same time and she ended up clocking him right in the groin.

  “Fuck!” he said, bending over to try to control the pain. But then he somehow lost his balance and ended up falling backward right into one of his priceless rose bushes.

  “Oh my god, Austin!” Carrie finally managed to get to her feet and peered down at him. He was lying perfectly still among the thorny roses, small streaks of blood from the thorn scratches covering both his arms and legs. And yet, even though she’d just punched him in the junk and he’d been attacked by a rose bush, his erection was still at full mast. “Um, Austin, how is that even possible?” she asked, waving a hand at his family jewels. “I mean, aren’t you in pain?”

  “Yes,” he ground out, still not moving. “But apparently my dick is still waiting for the blow job you promised. It’s been a long, long time.”

  She covered her mouth with one hand and giggled. “I’m so sorry.”

  “It’s not your fault,” he said and shifted his gaze from side to side as if he was figuring out how he was going to get out of his current predicament without further damage.

  “You’re being too generous. It is my fault. I saw—” she stopped midsentence and tried to peer out the window. The yellow eyes were gone, but that didn’t mean they wouldn’t be back. “I saw something staring at us.”

  “Well, help me out of here and I’ll go investigate.” He reached a hand up and grimaced in fresh pain.

  She clasped her hand in his. “On three?”

  “Yes. Pull as hard as you can. I don’t want to fall back down into this mess.”

  “You got it. One, two, three!” Digging her feet into the earth, she used both hands to yank him up out of the bushes.

  “Son of a bitch!” he growled as more thorns attacked him on his way up. But together, they’d done it. He was on his feet and out of the roses. Too bad he was a bloody mess.

  “We need to get you inside where I can clean up those cuts,” she said.

  He glanced down at his still-erect dick then shook his head. “You’re right, but first I need to see who’s spying on us.”

  Carrie quickly slipped back into her clothes while Austin only gathered his into a bundle. Then without a word, he grabbed a flashlight and strode out into the night completely naked.

  “Austin,” she said in a loud whisper. “What are you doing?”

  “Looking for our peeping Tom.”

  “But you don’t have any clothes on,” she said. “Don’t you want to, you know, get dressed or something?”

  “And get blood all over my clothes?” He shook his head. “The peeper has already gotten an eyeful anyway. Too late for modesty now.” Barefoot and apparently oblivious to the cold wind blowing in off the ocean, he walked around his greenhouse, shining light on the perimeter of the structure. When he got to the window that looked in on the bench they’d been utilizing, he let out a huff of irritation. “It’s just a—ahh!”

  A feline the size of a bobcat jumped out at him, claws extended.

  Austin twisted just in time for the cat to fly right on by and directly at Carrie. “Fuck!” Austin shouted, and just as Carrie spun toward him, he reached out for her. They collided, and both went down, landing with a grunt in the dirt.

  “Son of a… goddammit!” Austin cried, his face scrunched up in pain.

  “Oh, no. I’m so sorry. Did I hurt you?” Carrie scrambled off of him, and he instantly turned to his side.

  “What the hell is that?” Carrie asked as the moonlight illuminated something silver that was stuck to his ass.

  He glanced over his shoulder and grimaced. “It’s a small hand rake.”

  “You impaled yourself with a gardening tool?” she asked, horrified.

  “No, you did that.” He gritted his teeth and glanced around. “Is that cat still here?”

  “Crap. I forgot all about that.” She glanced around, looking for those intense yellow eyes, but all she spotted was a fresh set of tracks that disappeared into the woods. “It’s gone.”

  “It’s a she, and she was looking for food for her kittens,” he said. “She lives in a den down by the river about a mile away.”

  “Why was she here? Do you usually leave food for her?”

  Austin gave her a strange look. “No. But wildlife does like to hang around here, especially in the vegetable garden. It’s a treasure trove. She comes here looking for easy prey, and I mostly leave her alone because she keeps the critters thinned out.”

  “Right. Except tonight she was watching us,” Carrie said, feeling weirdly violated.

  “Maybe she needed a porn fix,” Austin said with a hint of a smile. But then as he tried to stand up, he grunted with pain.

  “You need a healer,” Carrie said, already heading for the house.

  “Carrie,” Austin said. “Are you just going to leave me out here?”

  She turned around and bit her lower lip. “Can you stand?”

  “If I can get a little help.”

  She glanced down at him, noticing that this last injury had finally caused him to lose his erection. Poor guy. Not only did he not get the blow job she’d promised him, now he was out of commission due to puncture wounds in his ass. She walked over to him and held her hands out. “Of course. I just didn’t think you’d be able to walk while you had that rake lodged in your ass. Unless you’re into that kind of thing…”

  He waved her hands away while he snorted. “I have to admit, I’m not exactly into ass play.”

  “Oh good,” she said, relief rushing through her. “Me neither.”

  “But I’m not staying out here and waiting for that mama cat to come back. Do me a favor and pull the rake out of my flesh. Then I’ll be able to move.”

  Nausea rolled through her at the thought of performing field surgery on him. But she gritted her teeth and positioned herself behind him. Because he was right; he couldn’t stay out there like that if the cat might come back.

  He rolled over so that he was mostly on his stomach, then hung his head and said, “Just go for it. The faster the better. Then use my shirt to staunch the wound.”

  “You’re sure?” she asked, kneeling beside him. “I’m sure the healer can numb you or something.”

  He glanced back at her, his gaze drifting down to her cleavage. “I don’t want any part of me numbed. I still have plans.”

  Holy mother of the goddess. Was he serious? He was covered in tiny thorn wounds and still had a garden tool lodged in his ass, but here he was insinuating that their night wasn’t over. “Austin, we can do this another time. We don’t have to rush—”

  “Carrie, I’ve been celibate for seven years. As long as you’re still willing, I’m not waiting a minute longer than I have to.”

  She couldn’t help it. A giggle escaped her lips at the thought of him wanting her so badly he was willing to forgo a local anesthetic. “All right then.”

  “On three,” he said. “One, two—”

  She yanked the rake out of his buttock, causing him to let out a piercing howl. Then she grabbed his shirt and did her best to stop the bleeding. But the three holes were pretty deep, and she just couldn’t see how he was going to be up for anything more than a pain pill once the healer was done with him. She guided his hand to the wadded-up shirt and said, “You have to hold this if you want to get up.”

  He grunted but did as she asked, and when she held her hand out to him, he hauled himself to his feet. It was slow going getting back into the house, but they made it. Once they were in his kitchen, Carrie took one look at him and shook her head. Blood ran down his left leg, he was covered in dirt from head to toe, and more than half of his body was scraped up from the thorns.
“You look like you’ve been on a battlefield.”

  “And you look like an angel,” he said with a lopsided grin.

  “You’re delusional. Go find something to cover yourself with so you don’t shock the healer.”

  He blinked at her. “I don’t own a robe.”

  “How about an apron?” She reached for her phone and dialed Mystia, the town’s healer.

  He groaned. “Just the one my mother left here.”

  She raised one eyebrow. “Well, it’s either that or flash Mystia your pork and beans.”

  He glanced down at his goods, sighed, and walked over to his pantry.

  “Carrie, what’s up? Everything okay?” Mystia asked, bypassing any sort of greeting.

  “No, actually. We’ve got a situation. I know it’s late, but can you make a house call?”

  “Sure. Where to? And what kind of situation?”

  “Austin McKee’s place,” Carrie said. “He was stabbed in the butt with a hand rake.”

  “What? How in the world did that happen?” she asked.

  Carrie could hear Mystia moving around in the background as she replied, “Austin was inspecting the grounds outside his greenhouse when he sort of fell on it.”

  Silence greeted her on the other end of the phone.

  “Mystia?” Carrie asked. “Are you still there?”

  She cleared her throat. “And what was Mr. McKee wearing when this happened?”

  Crap. Carried closed her eyes and tried to pretend she wasn’t completely mortified. “Um, nothing?”

  “I see,” Mystia said then let out a small chuckle. “Interesting night you’re having.”

  “Stop,” Carrie said to her friend. “You’re supposed to be a professional.”

  “Oh, I will be. Don’t you worry about that. But as soon as I get you alone, I want all the details. All of them. Got it?”

  Carrie couldn’t help but laugh. Mystia was the straight-laced healer who didn’t put up with anyone’s shenanigans. As a result, most of the town saw her as the schoolmarm with no sense of humor. Carrie knew better. When she and Mystia were together, no topic was off-limits. Well, few of them, anyway. Some things were still private, after all. “I’ll get you up to speed.”