Magic and Mayhem Read online

  Deeply.

  Thoroughly.

  He’d naturally have to keep his identity a secret until she’d fallen in love with him. He couldn’t risk Brianna’s discovering he was Xander, for fear that she’d heard the horrid legend. Horrid, but true. No doubt she’d keep her distance and assume he was sweet-talking her between the sheets in a bid to get her to fall for him, to kiss him, so he could go back to his rebel ways. She’d be mistaken, of course. After living with her for the last year, he now knew no other woman would ever compare.

  Brianna James had changed his ways.

  His grin turned wicked. She had no idea that when she conjured that forbidden spell, it would change the fate of her future. And his.

  Forever.

  Brianna pushed open the heavy glass door and stepped out onto the curb in time to see the mysterious man round the corner and disappear from her line of sight. She felt such an odd, unexplainable pull toward him but resisted the urge to follow.

  The wind picked up and blew her short blond hair in front of her eyes. Brianna tucked it behind her ears and twisted around to make her way back inside.

  She took a moment to sort through everything that had just transpired. The incantation. Her missing cat. The mysterious man with gorgeous green eyes that resembled Max’s to perfection.

  O-kay.

  She couldn’t deny that over the past few centuries she’d seen stranger things. But it was a lover’s spell that she had cast, if she had indeed cast it, not one that changed a cat into a man. She had to be mistaken, she just had to be. Because the alternative was far too preposterous. Wasn’t it?

  Brianna stepped back into the store and noted the time. She spotted Kayla emptying the cash drawer and realized it was past closing time. She’d been so mesmerized by her mystery man that she hadn’t even noticed Abby leave.

  Kayla locked the safe and handed her the key. “Looks like you had a successful day. I do love Halloween for sales,” Kayla said, bright-eyed.

  Brianna smiled and tucked the key into her jeans. Striving for normalcy, she asked, “Have you seen Max?”

  “Nope.” Kayla nodded toward the stairs that led to Brianna’s upstairs apartment. “He’s probably already up there fast asleep. I swear that cat sleeps twenty-one hours a day. The other three he’s out prowling. What a life.”

  Brianna bit on her bottom lip and nodded. “Yeah, you’re probably right,” she agreed wholeheartedly. Kayla had Max’s routine down to a T.

  “He’ll show up eventually. He always does,” Kayla added, and grabbed her wind jacket. She made her way to the door. “Everything is secure, all you have to do is lock up. So I’ll see you tonight right?”

  “I don’t know—”

  “Come on, Brianna. There just might be a special Halloween treat waiting for you at the party. A treat so sweet it will give you cavities,” she added with a wink.

  Brianna chuckled. “Do you ever think of anything else besides getting laid.”

  Kayla puckered her lips in thought. “Does oral sex count?”

  Brianna rolled her eyes. “Good night, Kayla.”

  “I’ll see you at the party.” With a wave, Kayla disappeared, leaving Brianna alone to once again mull over the events. After locking the front door, Brianna made her way to the stairwell.

  “Max,” she called as she ascended. “Where the hell are you?”

  Worry gnawed at her insides after a thorough search of her apartment turned up nothing. Could he have gotten out again? She hated the thoughts of Max out prowling on Halloween.

  Suddenly she remembered that she’d left the spell tucked inside a pile of flyers. Brianna rushed down the stairs in record time and grabbed the stack, rooting through them.

  Oh. Shit.

  Her stomach lurched. The parchment paper was gone.

  Her mind raced. Abby! Kayla must have given her a flyer. Dear God, what if the spell actually worked. She couldn’t let that fall into the wrong hands. Although the incantation was specifically written with her desires in mind, such spells could mutate and evolve to satisfy the deepest, darkest desires of those who read it.

  Without haste, Brianna grabbed a sexy, black satin sorceress costume off the rack, pulled it on, and headed out the door, to the Halloween party.

  She had to find that incantation and destroy it before her magic caused a whole lot of mayhem.

  Chapter 3

  XANDER SMOOTHED DOWN THE COLLAR ON HIS PIRATE COSTUME and mingled with the other guests at Abby’s Halloween bash. Bottle of beer in hand, he roamed the room, weaving his way in and out of partygoers, waiting for Brianna.

  His sweet Brianna.

  A sexy, temperamental woman who longed to indulge in a few sex games with her very own pirate, not to mention a few other bad boy characters that she’d love to have a little playtime with.

  While waiting for Brianna to arrive, Xander took a long pull from his drink and perused the room. He spotted Abby making her way through the crowd. A man in the corner dressed in a black-and-silver genie costume couldn’t seem to take his eyes off her. Not that he could blame him, really. Dressed in a very sexy, very revealing purple gypsy costume, she looked stunning. But the truth was Xander only had eyes for Brianna. So he continued his wait.

  Fortunately, his wait was short-lived.

  He knew the minute Brianna walked through the door. His entire body felt her long before he saw her. Xander twisted around, willing her to look in his direction, for when she did, the night no longer belonged to her. It belonged to him.

  Brianna frantically searched the room, as though looking for someone, or something. When she caught his gaze he could hear her breath catch on a gasp and see her eyes open wide with instant recognition.

  “Brianna.” He mouthed the words and crooked his finger. “Come to me.”

  She complied. Time seemed suspended as she sailed across the wide expanse of floor, closing the gap between them. Xander swept his gaze down the length of her sexy sorceress costume, then inhaled, pulling her warm natural scent into his lungs. Her feminine aroma nearly drove him to his knees. When she stepped into his personal space, the air around them charged with sexual electricity. Everything in him reached out to her.

  Fueled by his need to taste her, to touch her, he ran the pad of his thumb over her plump lips, then circled his arm around her tiny waist, anchoring her to him. At that precise moment he decided that he’d like nothing more than to spend the rest of his life pleasuring her the way she deserved to be pleasured.

  Dark lashes fluttered over come-hither brown eyes. Color bloomed high on her cheeks. Her sensuous voice was low, hesitant, but underneath the waver he heard the desire, the need. “Who are you?”

  He brought his lips to within a hairbreadth of hers and breathed a kiss over her mouth. Her nipples pressed into his chest and tightened. His desire mounted when he felt the way her body reacted to his close proximity. “My sweet Brianna. All you need to know is that tonight I am the man, or rather the pirate,” he said with a grin, “who is going to make all your fantasies come true.” He fingered the soft material of her costume, his mind visualizing the path his tongue would take while ridding her of her clothes.

  Her mouth fell open, her eyes widened. Clearly, understanding had dawned.

  “The spell,” she whispered.

  “Yes, the spell.”

  “She opened her mouth to speak but he cut her off.

  No more questions. Just know that tonight you are mine.” He slid his hand down to the small of her back, then traced the curve of her lush ass. “Say you’ll be mine, Brianna.”

  She nibbled her lip, as though undecided. But her hesitation lasted only seconds. Xander knew she wanted this as much as he did, so much so that she’d gone against her own best interests and written a forbidden love spell.

  She sucked in a breath, then whispered, “Unbelievable.”

  He chuckled and pulled her impossibly closer, until she could feel his arousal pressing insistently against her hip, clamoring for a
ttention.

  She gulped air and glanced around as though realizing where they were.

  Wanting to ensure their privacy while he did delectable things to her body, he lowered his lips to her ear, and whispered, “Say it, Brianna. Say you’ll be mine.” Jesus, her nearness made his whole body quake in heated anticipation.

  Her breath came in a low rush. “I’ll be yours,” she murmured.

  A flurry of emotions passed through him and filled him with longing. “Good, then come with me.”

  Her hand slipped inside his. “Where to?” Desire clouded the depths of her chocolate eyes.

  “To your place, where I’ll have all night to make your dreams come true.”

  All night to make your dreams come true.

  Those eight simple words rang in her head. Well not all night, Brianna thought sadly. Just until midnight. She stole a glance at her watch. Four hours away. Oh my, what she could do with her very own pirate in four hours.

  Anchored to his side, he effortlessly moved them through the crowd, ushering her outdoors. She went willingly, forgetting about everything and anything except this man and this moment.

  A cool evening breeze whipped around them, but the feel of her pirate’s strong hands moving over her body drove back the cold. Tuning out the trick-or-treaters bustling around them, they walked quickly down the sidewalk and hopped into her vehicle, both eager to reach their destination. A moment later she found herself unlocking her apartment door, inviting a mysterious stranger in for one night of passion.

  As she took in the handsome man before her, her stomach clenched. A barrage of emotions closed over her like a bed of fog and shook her to her core.

  At the stroke of midnight, he’ll be gone.

  A pang of regret hit her hard and nearly wobbled her knees. That reaction shocked her. She barely knew him, yet she felt so close to him, as though they belonged together.

  He locked the door behind them, gathered her in his arms, and carried her to the bedroom. How did he know where it was? She was about to ask, but his words cut her off.

  Her body slid down his as he set her on the floor. His green eyes darkened. His jaw clenched. His voice dropped an octave. “You have something of mine.”

  Her heart leapt. “I do?”

  “Yes, you do.” He drew his sword from its sheath and circled her, keeping his body close. “And I believe you know better than to keep a treasure from a pirate.”

  Oh. My. God. He was playing out her fantasy. Almost word for word.

  She lifted her chin in defiance. “I know of no such treasure that you speak of.”

  His grin turned wicked and did mysterious things to her nerve endings. “Is that so?”

  “Yes, that is so.”

  He got quiet as though mulling things over. “I’m afraid you leave me with only two choices, my sweet.”

  She met his glance unflinchingly even though it took effort, especially with the heat pooling between her thighs, moistening her panties. She arched one brow. “And my choices are?”

  “You either hand over the treasure, or I’ll be forced to search for it myself.”

  Her breasts tightened and tingled to the point of pain. She pursed her lips and held her ground. “I told you, I do not have your treasure.”

  He slipped his hand around her back and cut the knot with his sword, releasing the straps on her sorceress costume.

  In an automatic reaction she reached for the dress, pinning it to her chest.

  “Don’t.” The authority in his tone excited her beyond anything she’d ever known, but the traces of tenderness did weird things to her insides. “Remove your hand.”

  Pleasure raced through her when she saw the hunger in his gaze. Her skin came alive, and the tang of her arousal saturated the room. He inhaled, slowly, as though savoring the smell of her excitement.

  Holding his steely gaze, she let go of the fabric. It fell to her waist and bunched around her hips.

  Green eyes full of lust traveled to her swollen nipples. He licked his lips, and she nearly cried out in euphoria.

  She arched her back and lowered her tone. “Is this the treasure you seek, pirate?” God, she hardly recognized her voice.

  The heated look in his eyes excited and frightened her at once. “Perhaps,” he murmured, dipping his head. He cupped her breasts in his palms and lifted them higher, giving his mouth easier access. He pulled one breast into his mouth. Oh God, his lips felt like fire on her skin. His tongue made a slow pass over her nipples. Then he drew them in for a more thorough taste, sucking and kissing until she thought she’d died and gone to heaven. Beneath his expert ministrations her sex quaked, and her nipples throbbed in heavenly bliss.

  She angled her chin and worked to find her voice. “Well, pirate, have you found your treasure.”

  After his mouth had had its fill, he inched back and met her glance. His eyes flared with heat. “It is close but not the treasure you are still keeping from me.”

  She starched her spine. “As I said, I know of no such treasure.”

  He glanced the length of her, letting his gaze linger between the apex of her thighs. “Perhaps you are hiding it elsewhere.” His dark tone excited her.

  Brianna sucked in air. “Perhaps you are mistaken.”

  “Then let’s find out.” There was a challenge in his voice. He pressed his sword between her breasts and trailed it over her skin until it touched the silky costume at her hips. “Remove your clothes.”

  She angled her chin and thinned her lips. “I most certainly will not.”

  “Then you leave me no choice.” With a quick swipe he sliced her dress down the center, all the way from her hips to her ankles. It fell from her body and landed in a puddle at her feet.

  Standing before him in nothing but her silky bikini panties, panties that were drenched in arousal, she gasped and shivered with pleasure.

  He slipped the sword under the thin elastic holding the slip of material together and tugged. Her panties joined her costume on the floor.

  “Ah, I believe I have found the treasure I seek.” He licked his lips, his breathing labored. “Spread your legs,” he commanded.

  She caught his torrid gaze, heard the raw hunger in his voice, and noted the way his body fairly shook.

  His deep, authoritative voice prompted her into action. Her pirate sank to his knees and insinuated himself between her legs. He inhaled.

  She heard him swallow. Hard. “You must be punished for withholding such a fine treasure.”

  The scent of her arousal swirled around them. Knees wobbling, Brianna gripped his shoulders to support herself. Her words came out broken. “Yes, pirate. I never should have withheld such a treasure. I now know it was wrong of me, and I must be punished.”

  He parted her folds with his tongue and groaned deep in his throat. “I believe a tongue-lashing is in order.” He spoke in whispered words.

  “Oh good God,” she murmured, when he licked her all the way from the back to the front. She’d never felt anything so fine.

  He climbed out from between her legs and backed her up until her knees hit the bed. “Lie down and spread your legs for me.”

  She did as he requested. He leaned over her and gathered her into his arms, creating an instant intimacy. His bewitching green eyes held her captive, and in that moment something powerful transpired between them.

  Warm lips connected with hers and kissed a path down her body. When his tongue pressed into her pussy, her thoughts fragmented. “Oh my,” she whispered and writhed restlessly on the bed. He spent a long time tasting her, circling her clit with his tongue, driving her into a frenzy of need.

  “Please,” she begged, desperate for release. She began panting, her fingers raking through his jet-black hair, urging him to take her to oblivion and beyond.

  He slipped one thick finger inside her and caressed her sensitive spot. As his tongue continued its gentle assault on her clit, her sex muscles began to clench. A second finger joined the first. He stroked h
er, deeply, moving his fingers in and out until her body went up in flames. Her pussy quaked as she released her liquid heat into her pirate’s mouth.

  “That’s a girl.” He moaned and lapped at her, drinking every last drop of her creamy essence. He held her for a long time until her breathing returned to normal.

  A moment later he climbed to his feet and tore off his costume. He stood over her, giving her time to peruse his bronzed nakedness. Her breath hitched, her hormones went into overdrive. He was even more beautiful than she had imagined. He climbed over her. The weight of his muscular body felt so good on top of her.

  He spoke in a hushed tone. “I want you Brianna, like I’ve never wanted another.” His voice was so tender, so gentle. He feathered his fingers over her naked flesh. His caress seeped under her skin and touched her on a deeper level. Warm lips brushed over hers with the utmost care. Green eyes full of lust and…love met hers. “Tonight I want to love you, and make love to you until you give yourself over to me, heart and soul.”

  When his words sank in, Brianna drew in air. Oh God, he wasn’t supposed to fall for her, and she definitely wasn’t supposed to fall for him. This was just supposed to be about sex, about deepest, darkest fantasies. Despite that, everything in her reached out to him. There was something about him. Something warm, familiar, and easy. The way he talked to her, and his touch, the way it felt more emotional and less physical, had her feeling all peculiar inside. This pirate, the man from her spell, the one who was to disappear at midnight, drew her into a place where her heart ruled and nothing else mattered.

  She wanted to keep him around longer. Tonight. Tomorrow. Forever.

  Oh boy!

  She glanced at the clock. Dear God, what had she gone and gotten herself into.

  Chapter 4

  XANDER GLANCED AT THE GORGEOUS WOMAN BENEATH

  HIM. HIS COCK THROBBED TO THE POINT OF PAIN. HE

  NEEDED TO ENTER HER, TO FEEL HER WARMTH, TO FEEL