Broomstick Breakdown

Chapter Three

Aidan paid the bill for their meal still quite pleased with himself. The look on Sophia’s face when he’d bitten off her fry? Priceless. Of course, he hadn’t meant for her to choke, but, all in all, he enjoyed knowing he seemed to have the same stimulating effect on her as she did him.

He walked to the main door to wait for her, but a nagging sense of something wrong made him do a U-turn and instead head toward the ladies washroom. The closer her got, the more his wolf paced agitatedly in his mind.

Danger. Sophia needs us.

Not questioning an instinct that rarely proved wrong, Aidan barreled into the women’s bathroom and stopped dead. The first thing he saw was Sophia’s terrified eyes just visible above the meaty hand that muffled her. The second thing he saw was the sneer on her attacker’s face, one he’d take pleasure in wiping off.

“Get out of here, boy. This doesn’t concern you.”

“I disagree. Unhand my woman now.” Aidan’s tone was low and deadly. He flexed his hands and barely managed to restrain his inner snarling beast. Seeing Sophia in danger and scared was doing crazy things to his usual iron control.

“Or what?” The burly fellow laughed.

Aidan didn’t reply. He showed him. In a lightning-quick motion, he stood in front of the asshole who dared to touch his woman and punched him hard in the face. As soon as the hands holding Sophia loosened, he grabbed her and tucked her behind him, then moved them backward to the door, his body in front of hers shielding it.

While keeping his eye on the soon-to-be very sorry jerk, Aidan gave her instructions. “Wait for me in the hall while I explain to this piece of shit why he’s never going to accost women again.” And assuage my bubbling rage over his nerve in touching what is mine.

“But-”

“Go. I’ll just be a minute.”

The sound of the door swinging shut brought a feral grin to his face, a lethal one that made the miscreant back up with his hands out.

“Sorry, man. It won’t happen again. I swear.” The man pled, but Aidan was deaf to his words. He kept seeing Sophia’s terrified face.

“You’re damned right it won’t happen again.” Then he hit him-over and over again.

Sophia stood shaking in the hall, listening to the meaty thuds coming from inside the women’s washroom. Her terror was slow in fading. Since she’d gotten her magic, she’d grown cocky and sure she could handle any situation. The attack proved she still had much to learn, such as making sure no one caught her by surprise again. If Aidan hadn’t charged in like some type of medieval hero, she dreaded to think what might have happened. She gave a grim smile at the continued violence she could still hear. Some women might have argued against the violent retribution she could hear coming through the flimsy door, but Sophia wasn’t one of them. The jerk deserved every smack Aidan gave him and then some.

Now that she was safe, Sophia could remember with admiration the ways Aidan’s eyes flashed in fury and his possessive words my woman. If only she were his woman. She truly regretted having spelled him now, thus making any dalliance with him impossible. Such a shame because the man just keeps getting hotter and hotter.

The washroom door swung open, and the object of her thoughts stepped out. He said not a word to her, just drew her into his arms for a hug.

“I’m sorry that happened. I’ll do better protecting you from now on.”

What? She wanted to ask him what he meant, but with an arm tucked tightly around her-which totally distracted her-he led them back out to the parking lot and into his truck. As he lifted her to place her in the cab, he snuck a quick kiss, a brief brush of lips that made all her nerve endings sizzle in pleasure.

He clambered into the other side. She touched her tingling lips. “Why did you kiss me?”

“Are you going to tell me you didn’t want me to?

The problem was she did, and much more, but she was becoming more and more afraid that her spell of persuasion had gone awry. He seemed to be picking up on her feelings and fantasies and acting on them.

“You mustn’t do it anymore. I can’t get involved with you.” She sensed he wanted to ask her why, but she forestalled his questions by turning to the side and pillowing her head against the window, pretending to go to sleep. Not likely given his proximity, but at least she didn’t have to lie to him about why he should stop kissing her when all she wanted was for him to do that and more. Much, much-nakedly-more.

She gave up quickly on her sleep act, too wired to sit still. To her relief, he vocally engaged her in a variety of topics-none of them the kiss they’d shared. Aidan turned out to be knowledgeable and witty, and she found herself laughing often. The miles flew by, as did the hours. Their conversation dwindled, and she found herself nodding off and startling awake. As the first pink rays of dawn lightened the sky, she snapped up as the truck slowed down and pulled into a roadside motel.

“What are you doing?” she asked as she straightened in her seat.

“I’m tired. I need to sleep for a few hours. Don’t worry, we’ll be on the road again by early afternoon and get to the Covenhouse in plenty of time.”

She debated ordering him to go on, but the yawn he cracked behind his hand decided for her. He was right, they’d made great time. Besides, a few hours’ straight sleep in a bed sounded great. She wanted to be at her best for tonight, her very first Halloween gathering as a real witch.

Aidan made her wait in the truck as he went into the motel office to secure them some rooms. When he strode back out, she opened the truck door and looked down at the ground far below dubiously. She was still wondering if she’d break an ankle if she jumped when he took the choice from her. His big hands grabbed her around the waist and pulled her out of the cab. For a moment, he held her against the rigidness of his body, setting off a trembling heat that made her sway toward him.

Maybe just one kiss…

She’d almost closed her eyes and puckered up when he set her away from him. Sophia resisted the urge to stamp her foot. She knew she shouldn’t kiss him or even want to, but, dammit, her libido kept going into overdrive every time he was near and a part of her wondered what harm a kiss-or two-would do. And therein lay the danger. Could she stop at just one kiss? The answer didn’t please her. Or her body.

Ignorant of the frown she blasted at his wide back-for of course her arousal and hence all her inner turmoil were all his fault-he opened a motel room door and half-turned to gesture her in.

Her brow creased. “We’re sharing a room?”

“Last one left. We lucked out.”

Sophia looked around at the vacant parking lot in front of the units and whirled back to eye him accusingly. He just smiled at her benignly.

“Are you telling me the truth?”

She could have sworn mirth twinkled in his eyes as he replied. “Of course I am sweetheart. Do you think I’d lie to you?”

She knew she still had him under the sway of her magical spell of persuasion that in turn prevented his ability to lie, but when she swept into the room, she stopped dead.

“There’s only one bed,” she exclaimed. A queen-sized bed, but still one bed only to share with six-foot something of male yumminess. Her pussy creamed in excitement. Down, kitty, remember the spell. I mustn’t take advantage of him. It wouldn’t be right.

Apparently, the prospect of sharing the bed with her didn’t seem to interest him one bit. Never mind the kisses back at the restaurant, for without even a look at her, Aidan stripped out of his shirt and kicked off his boots before stretching his body out on the bed, his eyes immediately closing.

Seeing the bare muscles of his chest exposed so temptingly, she fought an urge to take a flying leap on him just to grope him. No, she couldn’t allow herself to be distracted from her mental vow not to molest him. Deciding a shower was in order to cool her licentious thoughts and to give him time to fall asleep, she closeted herself in the small, but clean, bathroom.

The hot shower did nothing for her raging libido, not when her thoughts kept straying to the fact a hunk of male perfection lay just a few feet away, half-naked. And once her shower was done, if she wanted any sleep, she’d have to crawl into bed with him and somehow not ravish him.

Impossible given the state of arousal she currently found herself in.

Sophia leaned against the cool tile wall and took matters into her own hands, literally. She ran her hands over her rounded body, the water making her skin slick. She cupped her heavy breasts, squeezing them, and while her touch felt nice, she couldn’t help but think it would feel a hundred times better if Aidan’s calloused hands were the ones fondling her. Her nipples hardened instantly at that thought, their pointed peaks perfect for a mouth to suck on.

Sophia sighed and closed her eyes, allowing the fantasy of the stranger in the next room to take hold. She’d tease him, straddle his bare chest, and dangle her tits in his face, then smother him with them. His hand would find her cleft as his mouth pleasured her areolas, and he would let his fingers stroke her clit.

Sophia’s hand slid between her thighs to work her sensitive nub, and her breathing came faster. Oh, yes.

Aidan would be the impatient type, flipping her onto her back, his mouth capturing hers in a kiss as his cock found her sex and plunged in, stroking her deep and hard.

Sophia mewled as her fingers penetrated her channel and worked in and out. Her whole body quivered with excitement and arousal, her pussy slick with her juices. She tilted her hips, trying to give herself deeper access with her fingers, her orgasm hanging just out of reach.

She continued on in her fantasy of Aidan plowing her, his heavy body above hers pumping away. His hands would hold her legs up, allowing him to penetrate her deeply, his hard cock filling her up.

That’s it, do me. Her visual fantasy made her pant, while her body thrummed in pleasure. Faster and faster, she pumped her fingers in and out of her channel. Still, her orgasm hung elusively out of reach.

She mewled with frustration. Why can’t I come?

Aidan feigned indifference when he noticed Sophia’s nervousness at the realization they’d not only be sharing a room, but a bed too. He’d lied to her. The motel had plenty of empty rooms. However, seducing the sexy witch would be a lot harder to accomplish if she were in another room, and he definitely wanted a taste of her. He wasn’t sure why he hadn’t just thrown her onto the bed and had his way with her, although he’d almost swept her into his arms when he’d smelt her sweet arousal as he’d stripped off his shirt. Only one thing stopped him from a full-tilt seduction: her. He wanted her to come to him, and with good reason, for he’d come to an amazing realization during the drive-the little witch was his mate.

Upon first meeting her, he’d found himself instantly attracted and in lust. Not an unusual reaction. He had a healthy sex drive and she was definitely hot, but the more time he spent in her proximity, the more overwhelming became the urge to touch her, taste her, mark her.

His wolf, not usually interested in the other sex beyond fucking, kept shaking his shaggy head inside of Aidan’s mind. Agitated and excited, he finally made the thoughts in his bestial mind known to Aidan. Claim her, mark her, make her ours.

The revelation stunned him, and he was thankful she’d been snoozing when it hit and the truck swerved on the road.

He couldn’t believe it. Apparently, the information his father had handed down about mates had been true. Not that his father and mother were true mates, but they’d both heard the stories. When you met the one, a shifter instantly knew. Not that it happened to everyone. True mates weren’t common, the theory being with thousands of wolf shifters scattered around the world, what were the chances a wolf’s mate lived within the pack or even nearby? Some actually left the pack, questing for years in the hopes of finding the one who would complete them. A few even succeeded, more just ended up settling for an attractive bitch and popping out a few pups if they were lucky.

However, the knowledge that Sophia was meant to be his mate came with a slew of problems-the first and foremost being the fact she wasn’t a werewolf and the pack really frowned on interspecies marriage. Banishment was a distinct possibility if he followed this through. Then, even if they overlooked the fact they came from different genomes, he also had to keep in mind just because he was ready based on a mystical reaction to commit forever didn’t mean she felt the same. Heck, would the true mate bond, a magic of sorts, affect a non-wolf? And lastly, she still didn’t have a clue as to his origins, and while she might not be a regular human, she might balk at having a husband who turned furry on full moons and, well, basically whenever he felt like it.

Itemizing the reasons a mating wouldn’t work, though, forced him to think of reasons why it might. Such as the clear evidence she desired him, her lust readily evident in her scent. He desired her as well, his arousal almost constant since the moment of their meeting. Apart from wanting to plow her, he also found her intriguing, cute, intelligent, and just about perfect so far. How did she view him, though? Despite her sexual interest in him as a man, he also couldn’t miss her trepidation. How should he approach the matter? Hi, just so you know, I’m a werewolf and you’re my true mate. Let’s fuck so I can bite you and make you mine forever. Hmm, the direct approach probably wouldn’t work. He didn’t want to scare her off, not that she’d ever be able to escape him. Now that he had her scent, he could track her to the ends of the Earth. However, how did one explain to a woman he’d just met that they were destined to live happily ever after? Oh, and how did she feel about having puppies?

The sound of the shower made his thoughts turn as he imagined her curvy body under the spray, naked. His erection sprang back to life, throbbingly so. Damn, he’d have to do something about this mate thing soon. His control was wearing thin already and he’d only met her last night. The easy solution? Fuck her. The problem? Could he keep enough control during the act to not mark her? Unlike others of his brethren, he wouldn’t force his bite on her. He’d give her the choice when the time was right and let fate decide. Surely they wouldn’t have chosen her if she wasn’t destined to feel the same way? However, it wouldn’t hurt if he played a little dirty in his quest to have her see him as more than just a ride to a witches’ convention.

He unbuttoned the top of his jeans to give his cock a bit of room to breathe. Once again, though, his mischievous side, which was determined to move things along, had him shucking his pants completely so he wore only his black briefs. Unlike his brothers, he couldn’t go commando. The zipper scared him.

Lying back on the bed, he placed his hands behind his head and waited for her to finish her shower. A moment later, he sat bolt upright in bed.

No, she can’t be. She is! His witch was pleasuring herself in the shower-without him. It was only through a great exertion of self-control that he kept himself from barreling through the flimsy bathroom door to take what was his. The only thing that stopped him was the frustration that radiated from her over her mounting need. Apparently, his little witch needed more than the stimulation of her fingers, and he couldn’t wait for her to come to that conclusion and get her ass into the bed so he could pleasure her-and himself.

He’d just relieve their sexual tension. He could control himself long enough to do that. And if the urge to bite got too strong…well, he’d worry about that dangerous cliff when he came to the edge of it.

Sophia sagged in the shower and admitted defeat. Much as she wanted to and tried, she couldn’t come. But at least she’d been in the shower long enough for him to have fallen asleep.

She turned off the shower, stepped out, and toweled herself dry. She’d brought her purse into the bathroom with her. She opened it and scrounged around inside.

Bigger than it seemed, the purse came almost up to the shoulder as she reached in to find her sleep T-shirt and shorts. Dressing in them, she shoved her dirty clothes into her magical purse which doubled as a closet, medicine chest, and anything else she thought to shove in there.

She stalled for time. She brushed her teeth. She ran a brush through her hair. She rubbed moisturizer over every inch of her skin. This is stupid. I can’t stay in the bathroom forever. He’ll be asleep for sure by now, and it’s not like he’ll know I’m horny.

Taking a deep breath, she opened the door and exited the bathroom. The sinking feeling in her stomach when she saw him sleeping on top of the bed in his underwear definitely wasn’t disappointment.

Who could be disappointed when the most perfectly shaped man ever to grace the planet lay on the covers wearing only black briefs that did little to hide an impressive bulge, one that seemed to grow and twitch as she watched it with wide eyes?

Sophia swallowed the extra moisture in her mouth but could do little about the moisture that pooled in her sex.

He moved on the bed, rolling on his side to face her. He opened eyes that she could have sworn glowed and said in a low, husky tone that made her cleft quiver, “Come to bed, Sophia.”

She wanted to shake her head, say no, run away from the blatant sex appeal he oozed. But as if he had her under a spell of persuasion, she found herself taking one step after another toward the bed until her thighs brushed the mattress.

She still couldn’t speak. She could only watch him as he rolled onto his back, his eyes never leaving hers.

“Get into bed,” he said in a voice that was almost a growl.

When she didn’t comply, in a move quicker than she could follow, she found herself flat on her back on the mattress with him atop her, his heavy weight pressing down on her deliciously.

“I promised myself I would give you time, but,” he said as one of his fingers came up to trace her full bottom lip, “I find myself unable to resist you.”

Then he kissed her, and Sophia forgot all her good intentions.

Screw waiting ’til she knew and chose him. When Aidan sensed her coming out of the bathroom, and, even better, smelled her desire, he couldn’t feign sleep. And once he’d looked at her, so soft and alluring, her eyes clouded with longing and confusion, he couldn’t help himself. To his surprise she’d obeyed his order to approach even if trepidation had made her hesitate about joining him in bed.

He would make love to the witch who would be his mate. He’d enjoy it, and so would she. He just wouldn’t mark her as his mate-yet. He could control himself that much. He hoped.

The first taste of her lips set him afire. Hunger of the carnal kind raced through his body and imbued his kiss with some of his urgency, an urgency she returned as her lips clung to his.

“We really shouldn’t,” she murmured as her hands roamed over his back.

“Shh. We both need this,” he replied, settling himself firmly between her legs and grinding himself against her mound.

She gasped and arched beneath him, her nails digging into his back. Aidan almost bit her then and there.

Shit. He was in trouble already, his wolf awake and pacing, waiting to take over and mark their woman. Maybe if he made the pleasure all about her, he could hold off biting her.

His lips slid from hers and made their way down the smooth skin of her neck. He could feel her pulse under her skin, fluttering. With no control over it, he felt his canines descend, the urge to bite almost overcoming his will.

Oh, fuck. He moved down lower, away from the temptation that beckoned. The fabric of her T-shirt impeded his view of her breasts. With an impatient growl, he tore the cloth apart only realizing at her cry that perhaps he’d been too hasty. A quick look revealed her to be more impassioned than ever, with her eyes heavy lidded with desire. He turned back to look at her breasts, heavy and round. Her big nipples puckered at his view and begged for his mouth. He obliged, tucking one taut peak in his mouth and sucking hard. Frantic hands clutched at his head, tugged at his hair, the pain heightening his desire.

He bit down lightly on her nub, and she let out a small scream. Once again, his canines tried to descend to the sweet flesh in his mouth that was tempting him.

No, he had to be stronger. Build her trust. Get her to accept him. Fuck her brains out ’til she’d do anything he wanted.

With a groan, he moved down her body again, his mouth moving like a heat-seeking missile to find her core. Perhaps if he relieved her of her lust, he’d be able to think more clearly and control himself. Her shorts covered her mound, and his hands tore them apart as well. Her thighs fell to the sides, and she exposed herself to him with a breathy sigh. He moved his face in closer for a taste.

Bad idea.

With his face between her thighs, the scent of her was overwhelming and his canines descended again, their sharp points almost nipping his lip. He took several shuddering breaths as he tried to regain control, but all that did was draw her scent deeper into him.

She noticed his lack of action and with a sound that was part-mewl, part-moan, she said “Please.”

What could he say? He didn’t have the willpower to refuse his mate. Screw his good intentions. He’d give her what she wanted and deal with the repercussions later. “Your wish is my command, sweetheart.”

Sophia froze at his words, her ardor dampened as if a cold bucket of water had doused it. Damned persuasion spell. This wasn’t right. She couldn’t do this to him. What if he had a wife or girlfriend? How could she know this was what he wanted and not the spell getting mixed-up signals from her desire forcing him to do something he possibly didn’t want?

“I can’t do this.” She scooted off the bed and streaked to the bathroom, grabbing her purse on the way. Only when she slammed the door shut did the shaking start.

A second later, a knock sounded. “Sophia? Are you okay? I’m sorry if I was moving too fast. Don’t hide, sweetheart.”

Sophia didn’t answer, she just shook harder. What was I thinking? Well, she knew what she was thinking: Ride him like a cowgirl ’til the cows come home. Bad witch. It didn’t matter if he seemed a willing participant. Her spell had skewed his normal responses, made him somehow think he also had to fulfill not only her verbal commands but her unspoken bodily ones. I almost took advantage of him. While she could excuse using him as a chauffeur, using his body-that crossed a moral line.

“Open the door.”

“No.”

“I’ll kick it down if you don’t come out here and explain what’s wrong.”

Sophia laughed hysterically even as tears streamed down her face. How do I explain? By the way I’m a witch and I’ve cast a spell on you, so while you think you’re horny right now, it’s probably actually my hormones you’re feeling. Sorry for messing with your brain.

She screamed when the door splintered open. Aidan looked huge and angry; his form filled the doorway. At the sight of her huddled on the floor, his face softened.

“Aw, sweetheart, don’t cry. I’m sorry if things moved so fast. Come back to bed. I promise I won’t touch you.”

She wanted to tell him he was wrong, that he wasn’t the one at fault. She was the one who couldn’t be trusted-no better than a bloody nymphomaniac. But she said nothing and didn’t protest when he scooped her up to carry her back into the room. He placed her gently on the bed and eased onto the bed behind her. A heavy warm arm came over her waist and spooned her back into the scorching warmth of his body, and she let out a whimper.

Oh, why does he have to feel so good?

He misinterpreted the sound and shushed her. “It’s okay, sweetheart. Go to sleep. I promise to behave.”

Sophia lay stiffly in his embrace and struggled to understand this enigmatic man. To her puzzlement, she still felt the evidence of his arousal against her bottom where she was snuggled into him, and this even without her pawing at him. Is it possible he actually wanted me and not because of the spell? Not that it mattered. She refused to take the chance.

Besides, it wasn’t just the spell that made her leery, it was her whole reaction to him from the moment she’d met him. While she’d found herself attracted to men in the past, desire had never completely overwhelmed her before. She was acting as if bespelled-or maybe I’m falling in love, she thought-and it scared her.

Witches aren’t supposed to fall for humans, no matter how sexy. And chanting that rule to herself over and over, she finally slipped into a restless sleep.