A Touch of Magic, page 17
part #8 of True Mates Generations Series
The child giggled as he lifted a hand and opened and closed his fingers. Like his mother, he too had mismatched eyes.
“He’s beautiful,” Sabrina proclaimed. “They both are.”
“Do you know when you’re due yet?” Sofia asked.
The question caught her off-guard. “D-d-due?”
“Your baby.” When Sabrina didn’t answer, she clasped a hand to her mouth. “Oh, my God, I’m sorry! I just assumed, being True Mates and all …”
Why would she assume she was pregnant? “No … um, Cross and I haven’t … uh, we haven’t, you know …”
Both women looked at her, jaws dropped. “You haven’t?” Sofia shook her head. “I’m sorry, of course that’s none of our business. I mean, it’s been three years since you’ve seen each other, and you’ve only just regained your memory. Now that you know you’re True Mates and it’s not a surprise, you might want to wait until—” A sharp ringing sound cut her off, and she fished a phone from her pocket. “Sorry, this is important—I need to take this. Would you mind?” She handed Alessandro over.
Dumbfounded, Sabrina accepted the boy.
“Thanks!” Sofia said with a wave and then strode out of the nursery.
“Uh …” Alessandro looked at her curiously, then little by little, his tiny chin began to quiver. Before she knew it, he was all-out bawling, and tears flowed down his rosy cheeks. Panic crept into her brain, and she scrambled to think of what to do with a crying child.
“Tsk, tsk, Alessandro,” Isabelle said with a shake of her head. “Here, let’s switch.” She handed Sabrina her son as she took Alessandro. “He’s at that age where he only wants to be held by people he knows. There, there, now, Aunty Isabelle is here.” That seemed to quiet the child down as his cries slowed to hiccups.
Evan, on the other hand, didn’t seem to mind being handed off to a virtual stranger. In fact, his mismatched eyes lit up with curiosity, and his little fingers reached out to grab a strand of Sabrina’s hair. As she stared at the baby’s face, she couldn’t help but think that Evan looked eerily familiar. As an artist, she tended to study people’s features closely, and there was something about his that told her she’d seen it before.
However, glancing over at Isabelle, it was obvious that except for the eyes, he had gotten none of his mother’s features. Isabelle had an exotic feminine prettiness, with her dark hair, olive skin, and slightly upturned eyes. Though Evan’s features were still developing, he would not be taking after his mother. She wondered if any of the Lycans she had met earlier was his father, but they all seemed like matched pairs, and none of the men looked remotely like Evan.
Sofia re-entered the nursery just as she was tucking her phone back into her pocket. “Sorry about that. Ugh, so it looks like I need to head into the station. A beat cop hauled in one of the suspects from a current investigation, and they need me to question him.”
“Suspects?” Sabrina asked.
Sofia pushed her jacket aside, flashing her a shiny police badge strapped to her waist. “Yeah. I’m a detective with the NYPD.”
“Really?” Sabrina couldn’t believe it. From what she could tell, based on the luxurious apartments and the chauffeur and bodyguards, Lucas Anderson was a wealthy man. Sofia obviously did not need to work.
“Yeah,” she chuckled. “Lucas isn’t crazy about it, but he knows my career means a lot to me.” She turned to Isabelle. “Do you mind keeping watch? I’ll try to wrap up by six.”
“No worries, Sofia, take as long as you need,” Isabelle said as she struggled with a wiggling Alessandro, who clamored for his mother now that she was in the room. “I can stay until you come back.”
“Thanks, sis,” Sofia took the squirming child out of her arms. “Also, if you wouldn’t mind, could you help Sabrina get settled in? She can stay in whichever room she wants. And she could use an extra set of clothes.”
“Gotcha,” Isabelle said.
“This is the hardest part,” Sofia said sadly. “I know it’s only a couple of hours, but I do miss him so much whenever I’m away.”
Though it took a while to say goodbye, as Alessandro started crying when Sofia was trying to leave, eventually, Isabelle was able to calm the boy with a toy, then put both children down for a nap in the nursery. Afterward, Isabelle showed her to a luxurious guest bedroom, which she immediately took a liking to.
“This will be great. Thanks Isabelle.”
“I’ll run down to my apartment and grab you some sweats and a shirt while you shower,” Isabelle said. “My top should fit, but I think the sweats might be a little short.”
“Thank you, I’m sure it’ll be better than what I’m wearing now,” she said with a self-deprecating laugh.
The bathroom was just as luxurious as the rest of the apartment, and Sabrina took her time washing up and getting clean with all the fancy toiletries.
When she was done, she felt a whole lot better. Walking out to the bedroom as she toweled off, she spotted the folded clothes at the foot of the bed. She put them on, though as Isabelle had warned, the pants came down mid-calf. She blew out a breath. The first thing she was going to do when this was all over was to wear her own clothes again.
“Hey,” Isabelle greeted as she walked out into the living room. The two boys were now playing on the plush carpet while Isabelle sat on the couch, magazine in her hand. “I made you a sandwich,” she said, nodding at the tray on the coffee table. “Nothing fancy, but if there’s anything else you want or if you have any allergies, you can help yourself to whatever’s in the kitchen.”
“No allergies, and I’m sure it’s fine.” She sat down on the couch and grabbed the plate, taking a bite of the sandwich, then swallowed it down. “Thank you so much, Isabelle. This is delicious. And thanks for everything as well.”
“I’m happy to help. I can’t believe that after all you’ve been through …” There was a wistful look on her face. “I mean, three years ….”
“I’m still unclear on the whole True Mates thing, but I think I’m starting to understand a little.” It was still processing in her mind, but she was beginning to realize a few things, especially now that her head was clearer after that long, hot shower.
“You do?”
“I don’t remember him, but I do,” Sabrina continued. “About a year ago, I started painting Cross, even though the potion made me forget I ever met him.” Isabelle looked stunned at her revelation. “I mean, unconsciously, I was drawing and painting him. And it’s like … though I don’t remember we were True Mates, I knew there was something not complete. It’s not like I feel empty or unfulfilled or anything. But … it’s as if there was something not there and when he came back, it was there again. Though I still can’t explain what it is.”
Isabelle didn’t say anything, though her lips tightened and pursed together.
A cry made them both look toward the carpet. Evan looked unhappy, as Alessandro held up a teddy bear in triumph, giggling naughtily.
“Oh, Alessandro,” Isabelle tsked. “Give that back.”
Sabrina couldn’t help but get that gnawing feeling again that Evan’s face was so familiar, especially now that he was frowning. It was something about that furrow between his brows and his lips turning down in a pout …
“That’s not yours, Alessandro.”
Evan let out an indignant sound and snatched the toy back, making Alessandro cry.
“C’mon now, you two,” Isabelle warned. “Evan, you can share Teddy for a bit, can’t you?” After a second or two, Evan gave the stuffed bear to Alessandro, mollifying him. “Kids,” she shrugged. “So, Sabrina, you said you paint? You’re an artist?”
She nodded. “I’ve always loved painting. I did my BA at the Rhode Island School of Design and then came back here.”
“I wish I had some kind of talent,” she said. “I mean, I used to like fashion a lot. Thought about becoming a social media model of some kind. But when Evan was born, I kind of gave all that up.”
“When all this is over, maybe I can paint Evan,” Sabrina offered. “It could be a family portrait. You, Evan, and his dad?”
Isabelle visibly paled. “He doesn’t …” She swallowed hard. “Evan’s dad isn’t in the picture.”
Sabrina winced. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to bring it up if it’s a tough subject.”
“It’s not. I mean, it is.” Isabelle worried her lower lip. “But I don’t like to talk about it.”
She reached over and covered the other woman’s hand. “Then we won’t.”
For the rest of the afternoon, Sabrina helped Isabelle watch over the two boys. Just as she promised, Sofia arrived before six, ecstatic because she was able to close the case she was working on. There was still no word from Lucas or Cross, so they all decided to stay at the penthouse, with Sofia cooking them some Greek food she had learned to make while working at her grandfather’s restaurant in Queens.
After dinner, Isabelle announced it was time to say goodnight and put Evan to bed. After their goodbyes, Sofia turned to Sabrina.
“I should get Alessandro ready for bed too, then I need to lie down after this long day,” she said. “I’m sorry, I’m not much of a host. But you can watch TV or borrow a book if you want.”
“I’m fine,” she said. “But … do you have any news about Cross and everyone else?”
“Lucas is keeping me updated, yes,” Sofia said. “But nothing significant. They’re still planning. They said it might last through the night, but he’ll let me know when they’re done.”
“Oh.”
Sofia squeezed her shoulder reassuringly. “Everything will be all right, you’ll see. I’ll knock on your door if I hear anything else. I’ll remind Lucas that you’re staying with us and to make sure he and Cross come back here as soon as they can.” She leaned closer. “And just so you know … all the rooms in here are soundproofed. His parents thought it was a prudent move since all their kids had sensitive hearing.”
A blush heated her cheeks. “I’ll, uh, keep that in mind.”
“I’ll see you in the morning then,” Sofia said with a wink before she took Alessandro with her to her room.
Not sure what to do with herself, Sabrina headed back to her room. Even though it was early for her, the weight of the entire day pressed on her, and so she lay down on the soft, comfortable bed. Fatigue crept up on her, and she let out a yawn. Maybe a few hours of sleep would help. Besides, there was nothing else to do.
Before sleep took over, though, the words Gunnar whispered in her ear came back to her.
“Sometimes the only way to change the future is to follow its path,” Gunnar had said cryptically.
Sabrina was having a dreamless sleep when she felt the sudden urge to wake up. As her eyes fluttered open, she saw the figure standing by the bathroom door. The light filtering from behind obscured the identity of the figure, but she didn’t need to see his face to know who it was.
“Cross,” she whispered.
“I didn’t want to wake you.” He stepped forward as she sat up and reached for the lamp on the bedside table. “Not that I could ever wake you. You were always a heavy sleeper. You never woke up, all the times I came to visit you.”
When the light came on, she realized that he was only wearing a towel around his waist. Her mouth went dry as light and shadow played over his magnificent torso, showing off the hard muscles and ink covering his bronzed skin. Droplets of water dripped from the ends of his hair and down his shoulders, tracing a tantalizing path down his broad chest. She licked her lips, a move that made his nostrils flare, and she cast her eyes downward in embarrassment.
He continued moving toward her, then sat on the edge of the bed. A finger tipped up her chin, urging her to look up and meet his ocean-colored gaze. “Did you mean it?” he asked in a low, velvety voice. “What you said before we went back to New York.”
Her cheeks burned as she was reminded of that impulsive confession. But it wasn’t impulsive, not the emotion anyway. She had always known it, even though he made her forget. “Y-yes.” Her breath caught in her throat, but she managed to speak. “I love you, Cross. I don’t care if it’s too soon or if you think that it’s the danger or because we’re True Mates. I think … I think I’ve loved you for a long time.”
His eyes shone with emotion as he cupped her cheek.
Shyly, she asked, “Do you feel the same way?”
“Are you asking me if I love you?”
She nodded.
“Sabrina …” He caressed her cheek with his thumb. “I never stopped loving you.”
“Cross.”
There were no more words to say after that as he lowered his lips to hers. Electricity awakened every nerve ending in her body, making her feel alive; like she’d been dormant her entire life and was now only existing.
He moved closer, his lips never leaving hers as he pushed her onto her back on the mattress. Her hands clasped at his shoulders, moving lower down his back, feeling the clean damp skin over the hard muscles. Her fingers tugged urgently at the towel around his waist, and he whipped it aside, spreading her knees apart so he could settle between her thighs.
She rocked her hips up against him feeling his hardness press into her. He groaned against her mouth, then moved lower to kiss her jaw and neck before lifting her shirt over her head to bare her body to his sultry, heat-filled gaze. When he popped a nipple into his mouth, she groaned and dug her hands into his hair. His tongue lashed at the bud, biting gently and making her moan out loud. She could feel the dampness between her thighs and pushed up harder against him.
After giving the other nipple the same attention—and driving her insane in the process—he moved his head lower, kissing a path down to the waistband of her sweats. Disposing of the piece of clothing, he dove between her thighs, licking and sucking at her wet lips hungrily.
“Oh. God!”
Her body twisted as pleasure coursed through her. “Too … much …” But Cross didn’t hear her, or maybe he did and didn’t care. His mouth was relentless as it explored and feasted on her. When he moved to suck on her clit, she bucked her hips off the mattress. His tongue speared into her and his thumb replaced it, plucking and teasing the bud until she was shaking with an orgasm.
“Cross, please,” she sighed when feeling returned to her body. “I need you, now.”
He looked up at her. “Sabrina … before we go on, there’s something I need to explain to you.”
“Huh?”
Sitting up, he took her hands and tugged her so she was facing him. “There’s something you should know about being True Mates. About what it means.”
“What is it?”
“I know it’s been somewhat explained to you, about being fated to be together, but there’s more.” He paused and kissed each of her palms. “The first time True Mates make love without any protection, they always conceive.”
It took a second, but it dawned on her. Actually, it all made sense now, at least the part where Sofia asked her when she was due. “All the time?”
He nodded. “Yes. I can use protection, if—”
“No,” she said without hesitation. Oh God, a child with Cross? It seemed impulsive, but deep in her heart, she knew that was what she wanted. To hold a tiny little baby that was half him. To treasure and love and cherish. To be a family.
He sucked in a deep breath. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, I am,” she rasped.
A look of relief crossed his face. “I needed to make sure. Needed to ask you first. See, one of the side effects of carrying a True Mate baby is invulnerability.”
“I … what?”
“You won’t be hurt. From the moment the baby is conceived, nothing can hurt or kill the female carrying the child. It’s the magic of our child, shielding you from harm.”
The words sank into her. She wouldn’t be hurt. She wouldn’t die. And maybe his brother’s vision wouldn’t come true. “Why didn’t you tell me before? You said he saw me fall and die. We could have prevented it.”
“I … I wanted you to have that choice,” he said. “I wanted to make sure—”
“That I loved you before agreeing? But we could have changed everything.”
“That wasn’t a guarantee, even now we know the vision hasn’t completely changed,” he said. “And it wasn’t that I wanted to make sure you loved me. It was that I wanted to make sure this was what you really wanted.”
“Oh, Cross,” she cried, her heart soaring. “I’ve never wanted anything so much in my entire life.” She drew him closer for a soft, slow kiss. He responded by urging her mouth open and deepening the kiss. His delicious scent tickled her nose, and his mouth tasted so warm and masculine.
His knees nudged hers apart, and he pulled her to his lap. “I’ve been waiting for this forever,” he moaned against her mouth.
She rose up onto her knees, straddling him. “Me too.” Reaching down, she guided his cock to her entrance. When she felt the tip nudge at her, she sank down slowly, taking him inside her inch by inch until she sank down on his lap.
“God, you feel incredible,” he said through gritted teeth. His hands came down to her hips, guiding her as she moved experimentally back and forth.
Pleasure curled up in her core and she wanted more. She wanted all of it. Planting her hands on his broad shoulders, she moved faster, rising up and down on him, loving the feel of him sliding in and out of her.
A guttural growl escaped his lips, and his hand snaked into her hair, tugging her forward. His mouth slanted over hers in an urgent, consuming kiss. She opened up to him as his tongue snaked inside her mouth, devouring her. She ground her hips down harder, picking up the pace as her body tightened and coiled.
“Cross!” she cried when he suddenly lifted her up and planted her on her back. He hooked an arm under one leg, making her squeal in delight as he pushed deeper into her.
