Necromancist, p.37
Necromancist, page 37
“I need you,” she whispered.
“You’ve got me.” He kissed her again and again. He explored her mouth with leisurely strokes of his tongue while his body matched the rhythm.
Her orgasm built long and slow.
“I’m going—”
“Me, too.”
Their eyes remained locked while they both came, her release leaving her weak and shaky but satisfied like never before.
Lowering his head to her neck with a sigh, he showered her with soft kisses.
“Can I stay?” he finally asked. “I don’t want to intimidate Bob.”
She grinned. “You’re not going anywhere. I’m keeping you.”
“Are you, now?” He lifted up on his elbows. “Are you asking me to move in with you, Miss Jones?”
She wiped the hair from his forehead. “Only if you’ll be nice to Bob.”
“I was going to get you a cat.”
“You were?”
“Only if you were to reject me.”
“You thought I was going to reject you?”
“For a moment, I had my doubts. I wasn’t sure how much crazy you could handle.”
“A lot more than this.” She cupped his face and pulled him back down for another kiss.
From the door, Bob meowed his approval, his eyes taking on a coppery color.
Epilogue
It was still early when Alice woke in the room she shared with Ivan in the Josselin Castle. The Brittany sky was grey with clouds and a promise of fresh rain. In the garden below, the fairy lights on the fir tree they’d decorated for Christmas twinkled in the frosty air.
Next to her, Ivan’s place in the bed was empty. Strange. Since they’d arrived at Clelia and Joss’s home, Ivan hadn’t left her side. Usually, his heavy body was draped over hers in the morning, anchoring her to the bed with a solid, very real weight. She stretched and sat up, letting the sheet fall from her body. Thanks to the central heating system, the room was warm, even if the fire had burned out in the night.
She got dressed quickly and went down the hallway, passing Lann and Kat and Sean and Asia’s bedrooms. The castle was quiet. Clelia normally woke early to take her wolf dogs for a walk, and Joss took advantage of chopping wood in the backyard when it wasn’t raining. In the lounge, Maya and Tim sat on the carpet next to the Christmas tree, each with a toddler on their lap.
“Merry Christmas,” Alice said from the door.
Maya looked up with a glowing smile. “Merry Christmas, Alice.”
She padded over to them and held her arms out for Deon, who was on Maya’s lap. “Hey, little man. Do I get a hug?”
He gave an excited shriek when she lifted him and twirled him through the air.
When she’d put him back in Maya’s lap, she ruffled Zola’s hair. “How about you, young lady?”
Tim regarded his daughter with doting eyes. “She’s a lazy one, or maybe it’s just nicer in Daddy’s arms.” He got to his feet with Zola in his arms and kissed Alice’s cheek. “Merry Christmas, honey.”
The rattling of crockery made her look up. Cain entered through the door, a tray loaded with steaming bowls in his hands.
“Hot chocolate with cinnamon,” he announced as he left the tray on the high table, out of reach of the little ones. “Morning, darling.” He hugged Alice and kissed her forehead. “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas, Dad.” Leading him to the corner, she asked, “What did you get the twins?”
“Smart watches.”
“You didn’t.”
“What?” Cain shrugged. “They’re never too young to learn.”
She waved a finger at him. “If Ivan and I have kids one day, you’re forbidden to buy them any electronic games until they’re at least ten.”
A smile tugged at Cain’s lips. “We’ll see. What did you get them?”
“Storybooks.”
He lifted an eyebrow. “Othello?”
“Nothing as tragic as that. Pinocchio.”
“Oh, dear. Nothing is more tragic than Pinocchio.”
“Only in the beginning, until he repents and becomes a human boy.”
His expression shifted. “Alice… are you sure you’re fine with Ivan joining the team? If it’s not what you want—”
“We’re both happy that he’ll tour less.” Working with Cain was something Ivan seemed to need, too. It gave his life new purpose and meaning. “I don’t mind him working with you, as long as you make sure he’s always protected.”
“You know what they say about necromancists.”
“No, what?”
“They’re like cats. They have nine lives.”
“I thought you said that about quantumancists.”
“Quantumancists are the masters of energy and time. They have no physical boundaries or limits. They can have a hundred lives if they wish, all at the same time.” He scratched his chin. “Up to now, before Ivan came back, I thought their existence was a myth.”
“Are you still trying to trace that quantumancist?”
“There’s really no point. They’ll only make themselves known if they want, and there’s nothing we can do to force it.” He gave her hand a squeeze. “Are you happy?”
“Very.”
“A bit sad?”
“Not at all.”
“Good. That’s all I ever wanted.”
“I know.” She hugged him tightly. “I’m looking for Ivan. Have you seen him?”
“Ask Clelia. She’s in the kitchen.”
Alice excused herself and made her way to the kitchen. Clelia was stuffing a turkey while Joss sat at the table with Laudrain in his lap, Laudrain lifting spoons of porridge to his dad’s mouth. Joss’s chin was covered with the grub.
He grinned and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand when he saw Alice. “Merry Christmas.”
Clelia bustled over and pressed her cheek to Alice’s for the customary morning greeting. “We’re having a Christmas breakfast in the dining room so the little ones can open their presents.”
Alice kissed the top of Laudrain’s head. “I’m looking for Ivan.”
“He went outside a while ago,” Clelia said.
“I’ll be back in a sec to help with breakfast.” She couldn’t help but worry when Ivan wasn’t nearby. He’d only been given back to her for a short while. The novelty of knowing he was alive hadn’t worn off, yet. She had a feeling it wouldn’t wear off, ever.
In the entrance, she ran into Kat and Lann coming inside with a warmly wrapped Thomas in his stroller. After exchanging Christmas greetings and giving Thomas a quick cuddle, Alice excused herself to go look for Ivan.
“Put on a coat,” Lann said, “It’s cold outside.”
She donned her coat and stepped out onto the porch. The landscape was a contrast of glowing colors. The green of the grass had a luminous quality to it, like a first spring leaf in the morning sunshine, while the clouds were a smoky haze of purple bordering on blue. In the distance, the lake was a silver reflection of the darker gunmetal shore. Amidst the vivid emerald, violet, and charcoal, a splash of red stood out, pulling her gaze. Alice stared at the ruby red rose that lay on the granite step of the porch. The trail of red continued down the steps and onto the garden path with a scattering of petals.
She picked up the rose to inhale the bloom’s sweet perfume. Like Gretel with a trail of crumbs, she followed the floral clues down the lane, through the maze, and past the giant fir with the Christmas lights to the edge of the lawn. There, where the grass met the sand, Ivan stood inside the white gazebo with a single red rose in his hand.
Emotions almost got the better of her, forcing tears to her eyes, but she swallowed them back and took the last three steps onto the platform to join her lover.
His smile was slow and magnetic, simultaneously radiant and seductive. She stopped flush against him so their chests touched and stared up at his face. His eyes, always disconcerting with their difference in color, were filled with tenderness and something darker, a deep, beautiful secret only they shared. Taking his time, he lowered his head for a kiss. Sparks ran like static electricity over her skin as he brushed a kiss over her lips in an all too gentle and brief caress.
“Ivan,” she said in greeting, his name a gasp.
His gaze traveled over her face and fixed on her lips. “Princess.”
“What are you doing out here in the cold?”
“Giving you your Christmas present.”
“You already did.”
He lifted a brow. “I did?”
“When you told me you loved me.”
“Ah. That was something you wanted.” He slid his hand down her back to her ass, caressing each cheek before rewarding her with a firm smack. “I was thinking of giving you something you need.”
A delicious shiver raced from the sting on her bottom up the length of her spine. She went on tiptoes, aligning his erection with the aching spot between her thighs. Drawing in a sharp breath, he tightened his hold on her globes while lifting her slightly for more friction.
“Then we should go back to bed,” she whispered, burrowing her face in his neck.
“Will you wear your glasses for me?”
“I’m already wearing your sex toy for you.” She smiled against his skin. “It comes with the most unexpected and untimely orgasms.”
“Told you before, my need to make you come knows no manners.”
“Shall we go, then?” She kissed his chest. “My glasses are in the room.”
“Before we get to that I want my gift.”
Alice bit her lip. She’d been thinking long and hard about what to get Ivan for Christmas and finally decided on writing him a song. She’d recorded it only last week as a surprise. Live singing would never grow on her, but she could sing it to him here, seeing that he was her sole audience.
“You want it, now?”
His eyes darkened to a molten brown and midnight blue. “You bet. Right now.” He pulled her so tightly against him, the air was squashed from her lungs. “I love you. I need you. I’ll always want you. Will you say yes?”
Her heart stopped beating. She stopped breathing. She could only stare at him.
“Will you?” he asked gently.
“I don’t need marriage to know you love me or to feel secure.”
“That’s not why I’m asking.” He wiped a lock of hair away from her face, tucking it behind her ear. “Marriage won’t define how I feel about you. I’m asking because I want you to have my babies, and I want them to grow up with a mommy and a daddy, a legal mommy and daddy. I don’t want them to ever feel insecure.”
Tears of joy she couldn’t hold back any longer ran over her cheeks.
“No tears. I’ll make you happy, Princess. What do you say?”
She cupped his cheek and kissed his lips. “You know I will.”
“Say it. Say yes.”
“Yes.”
He cradled her face between his hands and plundered her mouth like a starving man, kissing her until she was surrounded with only him, his clean linen and soap smell, the minty taste of his breath, and the way his chest muscles bunched under her hands.
Slowing the kiss to a gentle halt, he reached for something in the back pocket of his jeans. She blinked when he handed her a piece of paper.
It looked like a gift certificate. She scanned the print and then her lips parted. “You’re getting me a tattoo?”
“We’re getting it together.” He rubbed a thumb over her ring finger, tracing the line where a wedding band would go. “The tattoo is your engagement ring. I don’t ever want you to take it off.” Bringing his lips to her ear, he whispered, “Just you and me, Princess. Forever.”
Her body molded to the shape of his. She absorbed his heat and reveled in the safe feeling of his strong arms around her. Sometimes, she was terrified that Ivan was only an illusion. She was petrified she’d wake up to discover this moment had only been a dream, but when he pushed the rose into her hand and folded her fingers around the stem, the sharp prick of a thorn reminded her this was real.
* * *
THE END
Afterword
Dear Reader,
* * *
Thank you very much for joining me on Alice and Ivan’s adventure. If you enjoyed the story, please consider leaving a short review on your favorite review or vendor site to help other readers discover the book. Every review makes a huge difference.
Leave a review on your vendor site.
Leave a review on Goodreads.
Leave a review on BookBub.
* * *
For updates on my future books, special deals, and exclusive offers, please join my newsletter. You’ll find all my social media links in About the Author. I look forward to staying in touch. :-)
* * *
Before you go, turn the page for an excerpt from Scapulimancist, Book 7 of the 7 Forbidden Arts series.
* * *
Hugs,
* * *
Charmaine
Excerpt from Scapulimancist
7 Forbidden Arts (Book 7)
Scapulimancist SECOND EDITION (7 Forbidden Arts, Book 7)
* * *
A woman is on a mission to save the elephants and an ex-convict won’t part with his land. Who will win the fierce battle of wills and at what price?
* * *
Sahara Graham has no idea what she’s getting herself into when she uses her forbidden art to protect the near-extinct elephants and their habitat in the Knysna forest, South Africa. From the minute she sets foot in the woodcutters’ bar, her life is in danger. The wood smugglers will sooner murder her than let the National Parks Board ranger stand in their way. Woodcutter and ex-convict, Wayne West, holds the key to saving both her and the elephants. But can she trust a man convicted of the cruellest of murders?
* * *
Danger comes to town with a green SANParks vest and a tight body. Wayne knows Sahara is all kinds of trouble from the first time he lays eyes on her in the bar. Alone, she doesn't stand a chance. Helping her may cost him not only his job, but also the only thing he has left—his land. That’s to say if they make it out alive.
* * *
Excerpt
* * *
Wayne West looked up from his oxtail stew when the female walked into the bar. Her ponytail bounced as she crossed the floor. A few brown tendrils that had escaped the elastic band feathered over her cheeks. Eyes greener than the first spring leaves sparkled with life. The smile on her full lips wasn’t aimed at anyone in particular because she wasn’t looking at any of the four people in the bar. She seemed oblivious to the stares as she made her way to the counter.
Khaki pants stretched over a tight ass as she put her butt onto a barstool and propped a hiking boot on the foot bar. As enticing as the sight was, it was the green vest with the SANParks emblem on the breast and back that held his attention.
Dropping a day backpack at her feet, he said to the barman, Jack, “A Diet Coke, please.”
In the corner, Thinus nudged Nelis, motioning at the woman with a toothy grin.
Jack tore his eyes away from the rugby match playing off on the television screen and straightened his heavy frame. No doubt Jack had seen the logo, too, even though he said nothing. For a mammoth sloth, the barman was deceptively perceptive. He was already watching the game again before banging a can of Coke on the counter and sliding a glass her way.
“Thanks,” she said in a wry tone.
The husky voice was too old for her young body. She cracked open the Coke and took a long swig straight from the can. The arch of her neck and the way her throat rippled as she thirstily gulped down her drink were graceful.
She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and rested her arms on the counter. “What’s on the menu?”
“Oxtail,” Jack said, his eyes glued on the screen.
“Do you have anything vegetarian?”
Jack graced her with an incredulous glare and said, “Oxtail,” before turning back to the game.
“Sandwich? Salad?” She made a face. “Anything that hasn’t been killed?”
“This ain’t no fancy pansy roadhouse in the city, darlin,” Thinus called from the back.
Wisely, she ignored him. “What do you serve with the oxtail?”
Jack popped a matchstick in his mouth. “Rice.”
“Haven’t had that in a while,” she said with sarcasm but not without humor. “I guess I’ll have the rice.”
Jack turned his head an inch and called to Johannes in the kitchen, “One special, no meat.”
The woman either didn’t notice the hostility or decided to ignore it. Either way, she was a fool walking into the Quteniqua Woodcutters Bar with a South African National Parks Board jacket.
Wayne brought the fork to his mouth, watching Nelis and Thinus from hooded eyes. The two cousins giggled like girls.
“Where’s the bathroom?” she asked.
Jack threw a thumb over his shoulder.
She picked up her backpack and made her way to the washroom at the end of the short corridor.
Nelis and Thinus exchanged a look. After a second, Thinus got up and headed for the toilet.
Wayne wiped his mouth on a napkin. His chair scraped over the floor as he pushed to his feet. Before Thinus reached the corridor, he stepped into his path, blocking his way.
Thinus planted his feet wide and hooked his thumbs into his belt. “Whazup, West?”
“I don’t know, Thinus,” Wayne drawled. “Was just about to ask you the same thing.”
“Stand aside, man.”
Instead of moving, Wayne braced his shoulder on the wall. “Need the can so badly you’re going to piss in your pants?”
Thinus took a step forward. “I’m warning you, man.”
Thinus didn’t bully people when their fists were free. He only punched when they were tied up.
