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Daniel, High Wizard of Earth, was not an insensitive employer. All his servants had midwinter festivities on their home worlds or dimensions. As would happen every few centuries, this year all the different festivities occurred at the same time. This meant Daniel would be on his own for the first time since ascending to his lofty position.
Yardley, his First Assistant, tried to refuse to leave. “Really, Daniel, someone should stay here with you. You can’t send us all away. What if there is an emergency?” Yardley’s jowls wobbled as he shook his head, but Daniel insisted.
“You don’t want to miss your nieces and nephews, Yardley. Think how disappointed they would be if you weren’t there. I’ll be fine. The dimensions will all be busy with holiday festivities. It will be a quiet time.”
“He can always get a hold of you if there is trouble and whisk you back.” Mrs. Garvey, his housekeeper, was all for a holiday. She dumped several bags and suitcases by the kitchen door. “I’ve left many frozen meals, and there is a label with instructions on each one.”
She stuck something on the fridge with a magnet. “These are take out restaurants. They will bring the food right to the door. Don’t forget to tip. Twenty percent. And don’t give them gold coins or jewels. Just the paper money in the drawer market ‘money’.”
* * * *
MRS. GARVEY DID LEAVE many meals to be put in the microwaver box, with small written instructions on each plastic container. It was lonely, though, eating partially frozen foods by himself. Daniel decided to go out to a restaurant. There were piles of money. He took plenty and a few jewels, in case he needed them. He found the car keys and was well aware the kitchen door led to the garage. Years ago, as boy, he had learned to drive and he was pleased when the car engine purred to life.
The garage door was a problem, nothing seemed to open it. Finally he banished it away. Once outside he had to conjure it back. Quite a time waster. He would learn how to open the door when Yardley returned.
The street was just as he remembered it, lovely older homes, with tall trees in every yard. His Dark Tower fit right into the neighborhood. No humans were able to see the magical heights to which it rose, of course. The houses were bright with colored lights and he paused to enjoy the displays. A memory of his father tacking lights up on their little house came to him and he felt warm. Christmas, that was the holiday he celebrated as a child. He remembered the excitement of presents under the tree.
A tree. He could buy one and get decorations. It would be fun, and fill the lonely hours until his staff returned. He thought briefly about inviting Maog, the Serpent Queen, to a Christmas dinner, but he suspected she wanted him to fertilize her eggs. He wanted no part in a serpent god infestation throughout his dimensions, so he dismissed the idea. She was quite lovely though, pity she always had an agenda.
After much driving he found a tree lot, and the attendant roped a tall tree onto the top of his car. Daniel also got directions to a store that sold Christmas decorations. The store was crowded and garishly decorated, but he was able to pick out a whole shopping cart of decorations. He also bought cookies and a book, written for adults, about cowboys. Christmas always reminded him of cowboys because of the toys he received as a boy—cap guns, a stick horse, felt cowboy hats and plastic chaps...
Feeling quite jolly, Daniel headed to the parking lot, only to find a horrock demon chasing a young woman. She wore a most revealing green dress, very short, with her pretty legs covered with green stockings and ending in odd shoes with the pointed tips curved up, ending in dangling bells. The horrock demon got closer and she smacked it with what looked like a book bag.
Well, that was only going to anger the demon. Daniel stepped up. “If I may be of assistance?”
He conjured some melt powder and blew it on the horrock, reducing it to a pile of goo in a moment. The girl looked at him, squealed, and tore off.
Daniel was smitten. She had hair the color of cinnamon and eyes the color of milk chocolate. Her figure was trim but curvy and as she ran off he got a glimpse of a firm, round bottom when her short dress blew up in the December wind.
He wanted to taste her. How long since he’d had a lover...well, there was that swamp witch three years ago...clammy, though quite lovely...
While he was thinking, she moved several cars away.
“You’re not safe,” he called to her.
Her face went white and she squeaked. He moved toward her and her eyes got huge in her heart-shaped face.
“Oh! You are safe from me. But the horrock demons...hive mind.” He tapped his head. “Now they all know what you smell like and will be after you. Though why they would be chasing you is a mystery.”
“What?”
Her voice had a husky quality that sent a little thrill down Daniel’s spine. “You should come with me to my tower. I can find the breech they are squeezing through and close it off. They rarely make it to earth.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you! You’re a guy in a bathrobe!”
Daniel looked down at his robe, a basic black velvet one he wore for normal work hours. “Hmm. I guess I should have changed into regular earth attire.”
The girl squeaked again. Three horrock demons surrounded her, swinging their long arms in agitation, their greasy hair bristling as they reached for her. Daniel efficiently melted them, then hustled the girl into his car while she was in a convenient state of shock.
“I hate the smell of those demons. Think I’m allergic,” he said as he roared out of the parking lot. “I’m Daniel, High Wizard of Earth.”
“Alrighty then. If you’ll just turn left here, I’ll be able to get to my place in just a few minutes.”
He turned and looked at her in disbelief. “You can’t go home! Weren’t you listening? Hive mind. Until the breach is closed, they’ll keep pouring in, looking for you. Though, like I said, I can’t conceive of why they’d be after you. Those greasy, hairy things? Those are noses. They can track you through the whole city.”
“Well, what if I leave town? Take a bus or something?”
He waggled his head. “They’d still find you. You must come to my place.”
“Oh. What about your place? Won’t they bust in there, too?”
“No. I live in the Dark Tower of Power.”
* * * *
IF SHE COULD GET INTO her car Merri would never have accepted the help of the handsome but cracked stranger. But her car was covered with horrock demons at the moment. Her cell phone was dead, worse luck.
Demons. Maybe she was cracked. But they stopped for a light and the car was swarmed by the ugly, drippy things with the round vacant eyes.
“Why don’t others see them?”
“Not sure. Something to do with their mission, I think.”
“What’s your name?” he asked.
“Merri.” No way was she telling him her last name. “And I’d appreciate it if you just took me home to my apartment.”
“You know when I said they have a hive mind and great sense of smell? They’ll probably find your place by the time we get there.”
“Can we drive by and see?” Merri was mentally balancing her checking account. Not much money for a motel room in there.
They arrived at her place. The stairs that led to her efficiency apartment above a garage in the college area were covered with horrock demons.
“That’s what I thought. You’ll need to come with me to the Dark Tower of Power until I can get this mess cleaned up.”
She felt weak. What else was there to do? Daniel seemed okay. He sure knew about those greasy demons. He was really nice looking when she looked past the black velveteen. Chin-length blond hair, wavy and shiny, was brushed off his forehead and tucked behind his ears. Nice, sculptured cheekbones and chin, even if he was a little on the thin side. Dark blue eyes. Long dark lashes. She was such a sucker for those. She hoped she wasn’t making her decision based on a pretty face.
“Well, I’ve weighed my options and your place seems like the safest. Though I really don’t like going home with someone I don’t know. But if I go to a friend’s house or stay at a motel, those gross things will find me, right?”
“Yeah. You’ll be safe with me. I don’t ravish young maidens or anything. Well, unless they want me too.” He made a face. “And since I became the High Wizard there hasn’t been much time for things like that.”
A while later he parked the car in the driveway of a well kept, older two-story home with a wide front porch.
“This is the Dark Tower of Power?” As far as she could tell the house was light gray with... “Mauve trim?”
“Yes. But parts of it can’t be seen. We don’t want to stick out in the neighborhood.”
“Of course.” She’d humor him long enough to call a friend and get away. She’d paid attention as they drove here, she knew the address.
“Yeah. Just a minute. I have trouble opening this door—”
She pushed a button and the door swooped open.
“Thanks! What a time saver!”
There was a thud at the garage door as they pulled in, and a horrock demon tried to squish itself underneath it as it closed.
Daniel rolled his eyes and turned it to goo. “Come on in. There are lots of drinks in the fridge. Help yourself. Let me run upstairs and fix this horrock thing.”
He nonchalantly waved a hand, causing the Christmas tree to whiz past them to another room, followed by bags that looked to be full of Christmas decorations.
Merri ducked as the tree flew overhead, then the bags. Shaking, she slumped into a chair at the kitchen table while Daniel vanished down a hall. Maybe I didn’t just see what I thought I saw.
She got up, feeling weak, and peeked into the living room. The Christmas tree was already in its stand in front of a lovely bay window, waiting to be trimmed. She found the telephone, called her best friend and left a voicemail about her whereabouts.
Alrighty then. Demons and wizards. Maybe caffeine would help. She took an ordinary looking soda from the fridge and popped the top, then went to sit on the couch. The very ordinary cola did seem to help. Her fear and shock abated, to be replaced by curiosity.
Daniel came into the living room a few minutes later, wearing regular clothes. A long-sleeved pale blue knit shirt clung to square broad shoulders and what looked like very tight abs and carved arms. She could see muscle definition when he moved. His long legs were encased in straight-legged jeans and she couldn’t help but notice the very nice package front and center.
I wonder if he has a nice, round—
He turned to go to the kitchen. “Are you hungry? I am, but I’m afraid the food I have isn’t very good.”
She got her answer. Oh my. Down, girl! Suddenly the lonely holidays looming ahead were filled with all types of delicious possibilities.
“I was planning a meal at a restaurant. Something very delicious.”
Delicious, yeah...
She gave herself a mental shake. “Um, we could order pizza, but the demons might stop the delivery guy.”
“Oh, I can keep the horrocks away. I didn’t see the breach, that will take a little longer, but I can ward the Tower. Could you do the ordering while I take care of that? We do have a phone.”
“Sure, but I’m short of funds. My checkbook is at home.”
Daniel pulled a wad of fifty and hundred dollar bills from his pocket and handed it to her. “Will this be enough?”
Merri fished two twenties and a ten out of the pile and nodded. “Are those jewels?”
“Yeah. I didn’t know how much I might need.”
“Alrighty then,” she said, handing him back the fifties, hundreds and jewels. “This ought to cover it.”
“Don’t forget the tip. Twenty percent. Mrs. Garvey was very insistent about that.”
“I won’t forget.”
The pizza arrived with no horrock incident and she called Daniel and carried it to the living room. The tree filled the room with the aroma of evergreen. With a wave of his hand, a fire crackled in the fireplace.
“So, what do you do, as the High Wizard?”
“I maintain the dimensional shield. It is my job to keep things like the horrocks from invading earth. And trust me, there are things far worse than horrocks.” He paused for a big bite. “I’m also a diplomat of sorts, responsible for overseeing the alliance of the Related Worlds. Worlds, where the inhabitants are basically human types, though there are differences, of course. You know about Fairies, with the wings. The Nodkin, they live in the clouds and stuff. The Mugworms...they go through a nonhuman larval stage, quite destructive if not contained. Later they’re human-like.”
“You do this all by yourself?”
“No, I have a staff of fifty-four, but they are all home for holidays. This year all the different winter festivals just happened to coincide.”
Was he looking at her breasts? The idea sent a little thrill through her. She was certainly looking at his...everything.
“So, do you have somewhere you need to be tonight? A family festivity?” Daniel asked.
“No, we already had our Christmas. Mom and Dad are in Hawaii on a second honeymoon. My roommate is in town, but she is staying at her boyfriend’s house. How about your family?”
“My parents have been gone since I was a boy. I usually celebrate with my staff.”
“Where do you fit fifty-four people in this house?” she asked later, as she tidied up their feast.
Daniel wrapped the leftovers and sent them to the fridge with a wave of his hand.
“I’ll show you.” He led her to the back of the house where there was a spiral staircase, made of something shiny and black. It spiraled up past the ceiling of the house, up so far she couldn’t see the end of it.
“Would you like to see my floor?”
“Sure,” she said, faintly.
They stepped onto the stairs, which worked like an escalator, to her relief. “I do have some bad news,” he said as they ascended.
“The breach is very well hidden, something the horrock demons would not be able to do by themselves. It might take me several days to find it. Obviously, someone else sent them. Maybe you are under a curse.”
“A curse? Me? Who would curse me? I work two part-time jobs and take college classes. When would I have time to annoy someone enough to get cursed?”
“Well, perhaps it is a mistake, a spell gone wrong. But I think you will need to stay here in the Dark Tower until the situation is resolved.”
“Oh.” Stay here, with the gorgeous wizard who kept looking at her body? This might prove...interesting.
“My only plan was to work through the holidays. I have this elf job, then after Christmas I’ll be stocking shelves for the after Christmas sales.”
“Well, I can compensate your lost wages,” Daniel said. “Since I’m the one who is responsible for keeping horrocks off the earth. I have a special fund for such things.”
“Oh.”
“It is quite puzzling,” he said, looking adorably confused. “Because horrock demons are not really much of a threat, as demons go. Rather like the mosquitoes of the demon world. Annoying but easy to kill. And they are only targeting you, no one else. So while you are in here, they hide and wait.”
The escalator stopped. “This is my private floor.”
It was huge. Like acreage. There was a bed, a sitting area and a meadow surrounding a pool. “I can make it reflect the season,” he said, and the meadow was immediately heaped with snow. Under the snow, colored Christmas lights glowed in the suddenly dim overhead light. A small stand of fir trees popped up, adding their scent to the air. Soft Christmas music, mostly pipes and harps, played in the background.
“Would you like to swim?”
The pool now wafted with heated steam.
She felt pretty steamy herself.
“I don’t have a suit.”
Her clothes vanished, replaced by a shiny green bikini tied with red satin ribbons. Daniel wore a red Speedo, nicely filled. He was just as well built as she thought, carved abs, muscular thighs, defined biceps, and a broad chest with a sprinkling of blond hair. Maybe wizards work out a lot.
“Come on.” He took her hand and a thrill ran through her.
“Are you trying to seduce me?”
He looked full in her face and grinned. “Maybe I am. You’re the nicest thing that has happened to me in...” he rolled his eyes upward in thought, “like forever.”
“I haven’t met anyone I liked in a long time either. Maybe I’ve been too busy.”
They reached the snow and she squealed when her foot hit the frozen cold. He pulled her up into his arms and they were flesh to warm, silky flesh.
“Oh.” She gulped.
“You have very soft skin,” he mumbled against her neck.
Pure lust rushed through her veins and she suspected the same was true about him because she felt a hard bulge pressing against her bottom. She gave into the urge to squirm, right against his rod.
His eyes widened and he staggered to the pool’s edge where they fell into the warm water. Somehow they came up for air with her arms still around his neck and her legs around his hips, just...so. All the right parts pressed together.
His head bent slowly to hers looking into her eyes until she felt the first gentle brush of his lips. Electric tingles flowed through her whole body, straight to her toes. She moaned into his mouth. Then she realized what she’d just done and pulled back.
He was looking at her, his lips soft and open. She wanted to lick them.
“Um.” She meant to say something wise and insightful, but all she could think about was how good his chest felt against her taut nipples.
He cleared his throat. “I really only brought you here to swim. I wasn’t planning...” His words trailed off as his eyes dipped downwards.
“I’m not a first date kind of girl,” she said, but even to herself she sounded regretful.
His eyes snapped back up to hers. “Well, we could count the demons in the parking lot as a first date—”
“—and the demons at my apartment as date number two.” She caught on quick.
“Then there’s the pizza dinner,” he said, grinning.
She returned the grin. “Swimming is date number four,” she breathed against his lips.
They landed on the pool’s edge, kissing. Each stroke of their tongues sent whirls of excitement to her belly and lower. He seemed to be having a similar reaction, because he kept pulling her tighter. One hand traced the edge of her bikini top, which made her shiver. On their next deep kiss a finger slipped inside. The flick over her nipple was electric pleasure and she drew in a fast breath.
“I think you liked that,” he whispered against her lips. He leaned back and looked at her, deliberately dropping his gaze toward her nipple, puckered under the wet bikini top. He slid his finger and thumb under the wet fabric and squeezed the very tip of her nipple. She gave a little moan at the pleasurable touch.
“This top has to come off now,” Daniel murmured, then he untied the red ribbons holding her top up.
“I’m n-not very big,” she whispered, afraid he wouldn’t like what he saw.
“Exquisite. Who needs big?” he said, just before his mouth engulfed a nipple. He sucked and licked with such fervency she knew he wasn’t pretending. She relaxed and felt the tugs and licks all the way to her pussy.
“You have dimples here,” his fingers circled around on her lower back. “Love that. Want to lick them.”
His voice was gruff, which thrilled her.
The bottom of her swim suit fell open as he untied the ribbon bows on each side.
She grabbed the fabric to keep the suit on. “I just thought of something.”
“Would you rather be in a comfortable bed?” He smiled and her heart revved. They were immediately in a comfortable bed and her bikini bottom was momentarily forgotten.
Not by Daniel, who cupped her bottom and pressed kisses along the curves of her belly.
“Ah. Wait. Safe sex,” she managed to gasp out.
He let go of her and leaned back on his knees. His swim-suit disappeared and her eyes widened at the thick length standing up toward his flat stomach.
He stroked a hand over his cock and it became covered in tiny sparkling lights. “Wizard condom. Nothing gets through that can make you sick or pregnant.”
Awed, Merri stroked his length with one finger. She could feel tiny bursts of energy. “It feels good. Odd, but good. Kind of like soft pop rocks.”
“It is made to enhance our pleasure,” Daniel said in a husky voice. He leaned forward and she found herself trapped under him, his tingling organ against her inner thigh. Then his mouth found her nipples with slow, deliberate licks. She sighed, her entire focus concentrated on his lips and tongue.
Her fingers found his hair, glided through it, enjoying the silky feel between her fingers. Her hips began to press upwards, in a rhythm, seeking more pleasure. He raised his eyes and half smiled. Sliding a hand down over her curls, he tugged gently, pulling the bikini panties across her wet core. He tossed it away.
He leaned back and inspected her through his long eyelashes. “All edible...cinnamon hair,” he stroked her long mussed hair, “chocolate eyes,” gentle lips flicked over her lashes, “candy pink lips,” he pressed a soft kiss, then moved to her nipples and grinned. “These are hard candy.” He licked them, hard. He moved downward. “Skin like cream.” He reached her pubic curls. “More cinnamon.” His voice was a whisper, and she was holding her breath.
Gentle fingers separated her labia, gliding up and down, spreading her moisture up over her clit. “This is where the real feast is,” he whispered, as he slid down between her legs.
She quit holding her breath and let it out in a long sigh.
Daniel’s tongue, warm, smooth, caressed her in a rhythm, slow licks, then fast, while his fingers inside her prodded and swirled.She could barely breathe. Her hands clutched his hair, unmindful whether she was gentle or not.
“Oh,” she gasped on each shallow breath, her pussy clutched tight and released in a rush of ecstasy.
She cried out Daniel’s name as he reared up over her in a blur. Then his hard length slid into her filling her deeply. She could feel little tingles of his special condom and it did add to the pleasure. He kissed her and she rejoiced that their bodies meshed so well.
Then he began to pound into her, not gentle or subtle, but a teeth-clenching ride in which she clung to him with arms and legs. As he thrust into her he watched through half closed eyes, his mouth open, breath fast. His hands cupped her buttocks, firm and hard, his fingers digging in but just short of pain, holding her in place for his thrusts.
Her pussy, still contracting in pleasure from his tonguing, took up his rhythm. She strained against him and exploded again while he pulsed within her.
They were both too exhausted to move. He slumped on top of her.
“I’m very glad you don’t have a boyfriend,” he said. He slid to her side but rested his head between her breasts.
“Yeah, and you’re all nice and single too, right?”
“Oh, yes. Maog, Queen of the Mugworms, wants me to fertilize her eggs...” he yawned, hugely, “but I don’t want to be responsible for a serpent god infestation. They swarm, you know...” He snuggled his head into her breasts. “Thass goo...” His voice trailed off and he fell sound asleep.
Just like a guy. You’d think a High Wizard would be different. Merri giggled
Merri could not sleep. She decided to find the shower. Daniel had a thick velvety bathrobe hanging in the bathroom so she borrowed that. After blow drying her hair with Daniel’s dryer, she found the escalator. The idea of exploring the tower came to her but she decided against it. Who knew what kind of weird stuff could be there? Instead she went down to the kitchen for a snack. The freezer held a nice array of ice cream. While she ate a bowl she peeked out the window and saw horrock demons on the sidewalk, tossing themselves toward the lawn, and turning to goo. A car drove by and the driver didn’t seem to notice the demons. Well, that was good.
Merri felt odd. Not really regretful, but she felt like she was walking in the dark, not knowing where to go. Finally, she met a guy she really seemed to click with, but he was a wizard. And magic was real.
It was easier to find Daniel’s level than she thought. The escalator automatically stopped there and she could see the snow and pool, plus the screened area beyond, with the bed.
A fireplace blazed next to the bed, giving off inviting warmth. She climbed in next to the sleeping man and he rolled over. He looked adorable with rumpled hair and a slight whisker shadow on his jaw line.
“You all right?”
“Yes, I took a shower and had a snack in the kitchen. Ice cream.”
His lips curved into a smile and he pulled her against him.
“Here, you can’t sleep in that robe.” The robe changed into an exquisite peach lace and velveteen nightgown, sexy without being too bare. It was silky soft against her skin.
“Thanks. It is more comfortable than the robe.”
“You should always have pretty things,” he whispered against her hair.
“Daniel, I didn’t go snooping. I want you to know that.”
“It is all right if you look around, though if I’m with you I can explain things. But don’t worry. You can’t get into any rooms that might be a danger to you.”
“So you are not upset I was wandering around your house?”
He chuckled and she felt the rumble in his chest pressed to her back. “No, of course not. I want you to feel comfortable here.” He yawned hugely, and she caught the yawn. She snuggled under the covers, surprised at how content she felt to be there, spooned with Daniel.
I hope the morning won’t be horribly awkward. Her eyes snapped open at the thought. She’d heard about mornings after a one-night stand. Well, hopefully it would go smoothly. Daniel didn’t seem like a guy who would run hot, then switch to cold. He seemed caring. Decent. And he felt so warm against her back. Merri took a few deep breaths to calm down. A hand stroked down her hair, twice, soothing.
“Sleep, sweetheart.”
She slept.