No Broomsticks Allowed, page 10
She felt Lance draw close. Like before, he ran a finger across her lips and tugged them open, but to her surprise, he slid between her thighs and knelt. The heat from his body was nothing compared to the fire coursing through her veins. Her stomach did a cartwheel when the rough pad of his thumb caressed the tender flesh of her bottom lip. The spoon slipped past her lips.
Something rich hit her taste buds along with it a small bit of al dente pasta. She didn’t bother to try and unravel the flavors. The only thing she wanted to taste was him. Lance slid a hand behind her neck and leaned in. She could feel his warm breath on her neck.
“Concentrate,” he whispered, a note of humor in his tone.
It was too late. Azrael swallowed the bite without thinking about it, barely keeping herself from wrapping her thighs around Lance to see if he could damn well concentrate.
Payback’s hell, she thought, ready to take her turn.
“Did you swallow already?” he asked, pulling away from her.
“Yes.” She tugged the blindfold down. “Pasta and some sort of sauce.”
Lance grinned at her. “And that’s all? Don’t you want your second taste?”
“No, I’m pretty sure I can beat you.”
Lance cocked his head to the side. “You’re only two ahead.”
Azrael didn’t argue, just pointed to the other chair. Lance gave her a sheepish smile but sat down. She grabbed his blindfold, and he held his hand out to take it.
“I’ve got this.”
He bit his lip, suppressing a grin as she walked behind him to tie his blindfold.
He knows I’m irritated with him, but I bet he won’t be expecting my payback, Azrael thought, tying the blindfold a little too tight and causing him to flinch.
She loosened it and put her lips against his ear, whispering, “I’m sorry.”
Azrael let her lips linger against his lobe longer than necessary before standing, making sure the back of her hand grazed his neck. She noticed chill bumps rise on the nape of his neck and smiled. Two could play at this game.
When Azrael lifted the silver lid on his tray, she smiled, another idea forming in her mind. She pushed the cart right next to him and set a spoon in the bowl of greenish brown liquid.
“Hmmm…this might get a little messy. Guess I’m going to have to take special care. Don’t want to ruin that nice shirt of yours.”
Lance appeared amused by her playfulness but not concerned. Without giving time for doubt to set in, she slid into his lap, straddling him. Her skirt pooled up around her thighs, her silk panties rubbing against his warm slacks. He took a sharp intake of breath, then threw back his head, laughing.
She took the opportunity to settle herself deeper on his lap until his zipper rubbed the apex of her thighs. “Are you ready?”
He chuckled, “And I thought I played unfair.”
“I warned you I was competitive,” she said. “Now, stay still.”
Azrael leaned over and put the spoon in the soupy dish, trying to ignore the sensation building between her legs. She brought the spoon to his mouth and ran her fingers over his lips. “Open up.”
He did, and she slipped the spoon between them.
“Now, concentrate.” She set the spoon down, making sure to shift across his lap before settling back in and running a hand over his hard chest. She watched him swallow, the Adam’s apple in his throat bobbing. “Well?”
“One more taste,” he said, his voice deeper than normal.
“As you wish,” she teased, grabbing the spoon.
Azrael followed the same steps as before, but as she sat back down the second time, she wiggled her hips. She felt the bulge in his slacks. A moan slipped past her lips, and he slid one hand around her hips. With the other, he removed his mask.
“I think this game is over,” he said, his voice thick and needy.
He didn’t seem irritated like she expected him to be. Instead, he looked conflicted. She waited, frozen in place, heart pounding, while he fought whatever internal battle he possessed.
There was a noise from the left, and they both turned to look. One of the waiters had stepped in. He glanced at them, and his eyes widened. He cut them to the floor and bowed, turning on his heel and exiting.
Azrael and Lance looked at each other. The situation, her in his lap, skirt damn near around her waist in a public restaurant, suddenly struck her as funny, and she burst out laughing. Lance joined her.
When the laughter died down, she wiped tears from the corners of her eyes. Lance picked her up off his lap and placed her in her own chair. “How about we eat the rest of the meal before it gets cold? I’ll serve us since I don’t foresee the waiter coming back any time soon.”
The rest of the meal went well, both sticking to small talk, but occasionally, she would catch Lance looking at her like a man drowning in an immense ocean.
~*~
They grabbed a taxi outside the restaurant.
When the driver took them north, instead of back toward their car and Smellicious, Azrael stared out the window in confusion. When she opened her mouth to question it, Lance shook his head and said, “One more stop.”
She settled back in the seat and shut her eyes, trying to clear her mind. Not only did she have to worry about a serial killer after her, but Lance was doing a serious number on her emotions. On one hand, there was this morning’s revelation where he pretty much told her he only wanted her because she reminded him of the woman he used to love. Afterward, in the car, he admitted there was something between them. Then came the session in the restaurant. There was no denying the desire there. Hell, if the waiter had come any later, he might have honestly caught them in the act.
Don’t forget the whole love thing. No, I take that back. Do forget it.
Azrael grimaced. Attraction she could deal with. Even if he was imagining his dead girlfriend. Hell, at this point, she didn’t care what he was thinking about. All she knew was that her hormones were likely to spontaneously combust if she didn’t do something about them, and soon. It wasn’t like Lance was going to take care of the problem. She squirmed in her seat. God, what she’d do for someone to just rip her clothes off and make her scream.
“What are you thinking?”
“Hmmm?” she asked, opening her eyes.
“I was curious what you were thinking. You looked like you were about to punch someone. Since I am assuming that someone is me, I’d like to know what it is over,” he said, his mouth turned up in a slight grin.
Her emotions were all over the place, and he didn’t look like it bothered him the least bit. Him or his stupid ass sexy grin. “You really want to know what I was thinking about? Sex. I was thinking about sex. Hot, dirty, sweaty sex. The kind where you rip each other’s clothes off on the beach and screw right there in public. That’s what I was thinking about.”
His mouth popped open, the grin successfully wiped off his face.
“Don’t worry about commenting. It won’t do either of us any good.” The car slowed, and she straightened up. “Where are we going, anyway?”
“To the beach,” he replied, casting his eyes to the floorboard.
“Well, we just hit the irony jackpot,” Azrael muttered.
The car came to a stop, and she opened the door. Before she could exit, Lance put a hand on her shoulder, stopping her. “Azrael, I brought you here because you mentioned how much you enjoyed the lava pools. I don’t want you to think….”
He let the sentence drop. Regardless, she knew what he was trying to say.
He doesn’t want me to think he brought me here to seduce me.
“Oh, trust me, I know you didn’t,” she replied, sliding out of the car and slamming the door.
~*~
Azrael slipped off her shoes and dug her heels into the black sand. Cliffs of glass caught the orange sun, reflecting shades of pink and amber. She stared out at the water, watching as it took on the magenta hue of the sky, capping in shades of pink. In the distance, small feathered creatures dipped their heads into the lava pools which were left centuries after the last eruption. A breeze blew by, and Azrael took a deep breath, enjoying the dampness on her throat. The cool air seemed to calm her.
She knew she was treating Lance unfairly, at least with the comment she made in the car. Yes, he was being hot and cold, but he was trying to help her. It wasn’t directly his fault she was in this situation. He didn’t have to take her to eat or take her to the beach.
I’m being a bitch. Caleb was right. I do get pissy when I haven’t had sex in a while.
Lance strolled up beside her, hands in his pockets. “I told the cab to meet us back here in thirty minutes. I hope that’s okay with you.”
“That’s fine.” She took a deep breath. “Look, I’m really sorry. There’s no excuse for the way I’ve been acting. I appreciate all you are doing for me, including bringing me here. I promise to be on my best behavior from here on out.”
“You have every excuse to act the way you do. I wouldn’t blame you if you wanted me dead at this point. I’m glad you don’t, but I won’t say no to you behaving,” he said, smiling at her. “How about we both agree to try to behave and be a little more understanding of one another’s feelings?”
“Deal,” she said, placing her arm through his. “Lead the way.”
Arm in arm, they walked in silence, stopping at one of the lava pits the size of a car. Azrael crouched down until she lay on her stomach and peered inside. On the molten shelves sat crabs. She reached down to pet one, and it ducked its tiny head inside its shell made of volcanic rock. Azrael considered asking Lance if she could bring one back to show Caleb but thought better of it. Between Smellicious and Bumpkins, her rock pet wouldn’t last a day. Inside the pool swam tiny translucent creatures that reminded her of cows. Bubbles rose from the center, popping with a hiss of steam.
She looked up at Lance. “I used to spend hours just watching the creatures in the pits. Those were some of my best memories as a kid.”
“I’m glad I brought you then.”
Azrael braced her hands under her and stood. Black sand coated her fingers, staining them slightly. She made her way to the shoreline to wash them off. Lance followed behind. When she reached the edge of the water, she grabbed her skirt and tied it up so it wouldn’t get wet. The air warbled around her as strands of heat came from the water, and in some places, it bubbled with steam. The first time she’d visited a beach in Demonium, she’d been terrified to get into the water, even after her grandmother described them as hot springs. It took her father throwing her in to make her believe.
She put a toe in, testing the temperature as a wave rushed over her bare feet. Although hot, it wasn’t hotter than a bath she would run at home. Azrael walked several more feet forward before turning to see Lance rolling up his pants.
“How’s the water?” he asked, standing at the edge of the shoreline.
“Perfect.” She walked in until the water reached mid-thigh. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply. The smell reminded her of ozone, the crackling of air right before a lightning strike.
She heard Lance come up beside her and opened her eyes.
“You don’t want to go for a swim?” he teased.
“I don’t think our cab driver would appreciate that.”
Lance smirked at her right before scooping her up in his arms and taking off into deeper water. “Don’t worry, I’ll tip him well.”
“Don’t you dare,” she threatened, her skin feverish from his touch.
Lance ignored her. When the water was up past his waist, he sat her down. Azrael glared at him, or at least, she hoped it was a glare. Inside she yearned for him, could still feel where his warm flesh had touched her bare skin.
“I hope you know this is not what I would call behaving,” she accused.
“Couldn’t say I took you to the beach and didn’t let you swim. I could tell you wanted to. Plus, I want to show you something, and the only way to get there is to swim. Come on.”
Lance ducked under the water and swam left. Azrael sighed and followed. After a few minutes, he swam around one of the glass cliffs and stood. She tentatively followed. When the water was shallow enough, they strolled up on shore, dripping wet. Lance grabbed her shoulder and led her to the cliff. She ran her hands across the thick weathered glass, its polished surface warm to the touch.
“It’s right over there,” he said, pointing to a spot a few feet away.
Azrael squinted. Lance tugged her forward, touching his hand to the cliff, feeling along the glass. That’s when she saw it.
“A cave,” she whispered.
Glass caves were hard to find since they were almost impossible to see unless you were right on one.
“A special one too. Not many people know about this, and those that do prefer to keep it to themselves.”
Lance pulled her in between an arch of glass, the ground beneath them slick but warm. The cave swam with light, but as they walked further, it darkened.
“It feels like we’re walking beneath the ocean,” she said.
“We are. Now, for the best part.” Lance crouched down. In front of him was a small opening. He put his legs out and slid through.
“Come on,” he yelled from inside. “Just make sure not to stand.”
Azrael shook her head. One day, her curiosity would get her killed. She lay down and slid into the gap.
As soon as she was on the other side, she gasped. Swirling light filled the cavern. It was only four feet high, the ceiling made of glass. Through the glass, she could see the ocean and all the creatures within.
“Oh my.”
“Amazing, isn’t it?” Lance said. “I discovered this when I was a kid. If you lay down, it feels like you’re immersed in the ocean.”
He took her hand and pulled her down. Above them, creatures swam by. Schools of draconian fish and lightning crawbugs went about their day, unaware of their observers. Lance propped himself up on his arm, staring at her.
“Well, what do you think?”
“It’s amazing. Beautiful. Thank you for bringing me here,” she said, her voice coated with wonderment. “I guess I forgive you for not behaving.”
Lance ran his tongue across his bottom lip, eyes darkening. “I shouldn’t have made that promise. I don’t know if it’s possible for me to behave around you.”
The air in the room grew thick, her ability to focus dimmed. Lance shut his eyes and rubbed a hand over his face, giving an imperceptible shake of his head. Azrael knew he was trying to talk himself out of what they both wanted.
“Then don’t behave,” she whispered.
Before he had the chance to argue, she pressed her lips against his. He groaned, opening his mouth, and she rolled on top of him. His arms went around her as he deepened the kiss. She slid her hands across his chest, grabbed the bottom of his T-shirt, and tugged it up. Lance broke off the kiss long enough to help her remove it. His skin, warm and taut against her bare hands, had her trembling.
Lance ran a hand over her buttocks, holding tight, grinding against her. She became lost in a fog, emotions clouded by desire. The other hand skimmed her breasts before giving each one a gentle squeeze. She moaned as he gripped one of her nipples and rolled it between his thumb and finger. His breath hitched, and he slid his hand beneath her shirt and bra, grasping her exposed breasts. She ran her fingers underneath the waistline of his pants, the tip of her thumb caressing him. Lance growled in her ear and rolled, splaying his body over hers.
With his need pressed against her, he lightly bit her lip. He slid his hands between them, his deft fingers finding her sensitive nub through the satin panties. Slipping off to the side, he continued to rub himself against her upper leg as he plunged his hands between her thighs.
“You’re so wet,” he groaned against her lips.
His thumb swept across her delicate center. Pressure built deep within, extending down to her curled toes. She gripped his back tightly, her muscles tensing, begging for release. Her body stilled as an orgasm rolled through it. She arched her back and moaned, the pressure releasing in a wave of passion.
For a while, it felt like she was floating, then her vision cleared. Azrael’s hazel eyes met his blue ones. His chest heaved, and he took several shallow breaths. She waited for him to take her.
Lance leaned down and lightly kissed her lips. “We need to get back before the cab leaves us.”
She blinked. What?
Lance knelt and grabbed his shirt, sliding it over his muscular chest. He held out his hand and led a very confused Azrael out of the cave.
Chapter 17
They took the cab back to his car. Since they were still soaked, Lance was mindful enough to turn up the heat in the BMW. The warm air threatened to lull her to sleep, and she closed her eyes. Azrael must have drifted for a while because when she stirred again, they were nearly home.
“How was your nap?” Lance asked.
“I can’t believe I fell asleep. I’m sorry. Don’t know why I would feel so relaxed. You should try it sometime,” she said, hoping her comment would elicit an explanation about why he stopped.
He bit his lip. “You look like a woman who just woke from a long hibernation.”
“Considering it’s been nearly a year since I’ve had a roll in the hay, that’s pretty close to the truth,” she admitted, leaning her head against the headrest.
“A year? That’s all?” he asked, rolling his eyes.
“A year is a long time. I don’t imagine you would understand.”
He didn’t answer, but she saw his knuckles whiten as he gripped the steering wheel.
“Has it been longer than a year for you?” she asked, concerned by the sudden change in his attitude.
“It’s been a while,” he said, quietly.
A sudden thought occurred to her, but she hesitated to ask. Lance was staring out the window, jaws clenched. She let the silence stretch, hoping he would elaborate before her curiosity got the best of her. For once, he didn’t let her down.
