Everyone except Owen arrived, almost at the same moment. Cora immediately went into the kitchen with last-minute preparations for the meal. Kasey was busy getting dishes set up, and Rachel ordered the men around.
Leena had only looked at the clock once when Owen’s arms surrounded her waist from behind. She turned and looked up at him. “I’m sorry, who are you?”
Owen gripped her waist with anxious hands and smiled down at her. “I’m sorry for the long week.” He searched her eyes. “I’ve never had a story flow this well,” he kissed her mouth softly, “It must be you, baby. You’ve inspired me.”
She heard a woman’s sigh before Dade laughed.
“Leena, you’re not going to fall for that line, are you?” Dade rolled his eyes.
Leena looked up at the honesty in Owen’s eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck, then pulled his mouth down to hers.
When he felt the urgent heat in her kiss, Owen almost turned and carried her from the room.
Breaking the kiss, she nuzzled her face into his neck and hugged him tightly.
Owen glanced up to raise his eyebrows at Dade before lowering his face into her hair.
“Aw, man. You’re one smooth son of a bitch. I have never had a line that sappy work for me.”
Cora walked past Dade and gave him a look. “That would be because yours are sappy lines, and he’s being honest.”
Dade stuffed his hands in his pockets and tried to look chastised.
“And Golden boy wins again,” Steven joked as he took a tray Rachel handed him to the back door.
“I can’t believe how perfect the weather is today, Leena. Did you do a little magic something to get this?” Kasey inquired with a smile.
Leena pulled out of his arms and grinned at him. “No, just threatened to try it if the weather didn’t cooperate.”
“Threatened to do what?” Owen asked as they went out the door. Leena grinned and stepped out of his reach. A burst of wind pushed against him hard enough to make him step back. He shook his head a huge smile on his face.
“Baby, remind me to never upset you.”
Chris walked by. “Oh, I don’t know... it could be fun.”
Kasey spun toward him with her hands on her hips. He immediately went down on his knees in front of her then rested his hands on her hips and his face against her ribs. He whimpered. “Don’t hurt me. I’ll be good”
Bursting out laughing, Kasey hugged his head and gently ruffled his hair through her fingers for a few moments.
Owen stepped out and went over to the table and stood beside Dade. Leena had her own piece of paradise here. Full green trees surrounded the backyard.
The table Cora was placing things on was sheltered nicely under one of them. Flowerbeds of herbs and blossoms were scattered around the yard, giving it a planned but natural balance.
In the center of the yard were several small shrubs that formed a fairly large circle. Inside the circle, a fire bowl of copper sat with wide benches that almost rested against the shrubs.
Dade started to wander toward the fire bowl when Cora walked past him. “You could help carry the food out, Dade,” she hissed at him and kept walking.
Sighing, he turned and caught up to her. “I’m your servant, honey; just tell me what you want me to do.” She paused and turned to look at him then, smiled and walked in the door.
Steven, with a playful expression on his face, sat in the chair near the table. He rubbed his hands over his face. “This is going to be an interesting night.” He winked at Rachel when she smiled at his comment.
“So, what are they doing that is taking so long?” Dade reached for another beer and as he looked to Owen for an answer.
Owen met Chris’s knowing look then grinned at Dade.
“Well, I mentioned to Leena that the outfits she made the girls, you do remember those from Beltane, were unbelievable, so she’s now toying with the idea of starting an internet business making fantasy and specialty outfits.”
Dade paused in mid-drink to raise his eyebrows.
“Exactly. So, she’s been working the last few weeks to make some samples... and you can thank me later for this. I told her I would get your honest opinions of them.”
Dade grinned. “I’ll thank you now and later.”
Chris laughed and leaned down on his drum. “More importantly... am I to understand that you haven’t seen Leena in a week?”
All three men turned to gape at Owen. He got up and added some wood to the bowl. “It’s amazing, the story is going so great. I may even get a small series out of this. I’ve never been able to work at this pace before.”
“Unbelievable,” Steven added, “If I were with a woman like Leena, I’d set up a camp on her doorstep.”
Owen sighed. “I would much rather be here every night, trust me, but I have to work to get paid. And I don’t think I could work with her near me.” He smirked at them.
“Okay, now that I understand.” Dade motioned to the bench. “Park it, my friend, and let’s see if we can get a good rhythm out of you on that drum.”
Kasey giggled. “The outfits are amazing, Leena. I feel like I’ve just stepped into some fabulous fairy tale.” She studied the pleasing image in the mirror.
Leena had taken light pastels and deep, jewel toned material and combined them to make a short skirted, but flowing, outfit. The top appeared to just be fluffy material hugging Kasey, leaving her abdomen bare and her shiny rhinestone belly ring very visible. All that was missing was the wings, Kasey thought. She adjusted the small crown of silver on her blonde locks.
Rachel laughed. “You look like some sort of fairy princess, Kase. That outfit is awesome on you.” She stood beside Kasey and looked at their reflections. Rachel’s outfit made her look like a warrior. With the multiple shades of red on her short skirt, she decided she was the sexiest Trojan warrior ever. The skirt was short enough to show the tattoo on her left thigh. She rubbed her hand over the little witch flying on her broom in front of the moon. Rachel adjusted the red halter top and thin headband she wore. Awesome. “Lee, you really have to take pictures of us so you can show your work if you decide to start this seriously.”
Leena stepped over to them, and both women turned to her. “I’m way ahead of you.” She lifted the camera and took pictures from all angles and then turned to look at her own reflection in the mirror. She looked like a princess bent on seduction. The slits on either side of her deep purple shimmering skirt showed much of her legs; she liked her long legs. The top was cut low; and left her back completely open. She had put sparkles throughout her long hair.
“You glow, Leena,” Kasey whispered. “Although I’m not sure if it’s the outfit or Owen.”
Leena blushed, “He’s made me feel so good about myself. I couldn’t even begin to explain it.”
Cora stepped into the room and smiled. “This is amazing, Lee. The best you’ve ever made for me.” Cora was exotic. The skirt was a shimmering copper cut in strips that hung from her waist to her ankles, and the top fell loosely over her breasts leaving her tummy bare. Around it, Lee had fastened a copper chain, which against her dark skin showed off her tummy beautifully.
“Okay, final touch so we literally shine around that fire tonight.” She quickly sprayed a faint sparkling mist over their exposed skin then nodded in satisfaction.
“I’m going to be drunk before they ever come back. That should impress and seduce, falling on my face off the bench,” Steven mumbled.
Chris threw his head back and laughed. “Well, any attention is good, right?” His laughing stopped, “Fuck me.” He knew his jaw dropped, but he didn’t have the ability to prevent it.
They all turned toward Chris then followed to look to at the women slowly coming out the door.
“I think I just bit the end my tongue off,” Steven whispered.
“How the hell am I supposed to drum when they’re dressed like that?” Dade asked to no one in particular.
“So, Leena’s outfits have passed?” Owen asked with a smirk.
Chris gasped. “Passed? I’m going to pass out if I get any harder.”
“We need to drum, now. I don’t think I could speak sensibly right now if I tried,” Steven said quickly as he elbowed Chris.
Chris nodded but didn’t take his eyes from the women.
“Fuck,” Dade said under his breath and began a slow steady beat. The others followed.
Cora grinned and shot Rachel a knowing look as they stepped into view of the men.
“I’d say your outfits are going to be best-sellers if their reactions are any indication,” Rachel whispered.
Laughing softly, they slowly began dancing hypnotically to the drums around the small fire. As Kasey passed by the fire, she lifted her hands over it and made it flicker higher to increase the light. Leena passed in front of the men and lifted her hands, gracefully sending a gentle breeze blowing over each man before she turned to continue around the bowl. Rachel glanced at the fire and spoke a few words under her breath to make it change into a blue flame. Cora chuckled as she danced by, knowing from the looks on their faces no magic was needed to draw their attention to the dancers this night.
Owen watched Leena’s every movement. With each flash of leg, he struggled to keep the very simple beat they taught him. He wanted those legs wrapped around him. He wanted to lick his way slowly up each leg. His mouth was so dry he couldn’t swallow.
“I need to wipe the drool off my drum,” Dade said quietly to anyone who was listening. He quickly ended the drumming with a loud beat.
Steven was already reaching for beer.
Chris just sat there with his hand sitting on his drum and grinning at Kasey.
Owen was smiling at Leena walking toward them. “Baby, you need to dress every woman, with the talent you have.” His voice wasn’t as steady as he hoped it would be.
Leena smiled a siren’s smile at him. “So, you like them?”
“Like doesn’t begin to cover it.” Owen held out a bottle of water to her.
Moving to stand beside him, Chris studied Kasey as she took a drink. His eyes constantly strayed back to the jewel in her belly button. “Kasey, will you be my fairy princess?” he finally said to her quietly. She paused from taking a drink and smiled shyly at him.
“We’re going to need more beer out here... or water or something,” Steven croaked as he noticed the small witch on Rachel’s thigh.
“I’ll go get some drinks,” Leena said as she took the last bottle of mead out of the ice and handed it to Rachel.
“I’ll help,” Owen was up so fast, she hadn’t taken a single step toward the house.
Owen stood and watched Leena start to walk towards the house. He grinned at Dade. “Those drinks might take a while.”
Dade nodded and smiled at Cora. “You are a vision I will never forget, honey.” He gave her a pleading look. “Dance for me, honey. Watching you makes my heart spin,” he whispered. He began to play a slow, erotic rhythm on his drum and thanked the ancestors, when she smiled and began to move in time to the sound.
Owen turned and nearly sprinted after Leena
Leena hadn’t even stepped inside the door when Owen caged her against the wall. “You have no idea the thoughts I’ve had watching you dance.” He ran his hands inside her skirt up the back of bare legs. His lips moved over her neck with an urgency he didn’t think he could control much longer. When his hands came in contact with the bare skin on her firm ass, he moaned against her throat and pulled her tight against his hard need. “I can’t wait until later,” he whispered against her mouth. Her hands were already under his shirt pushing it up just to touch him. While she fumbled with the button on his jeans, he devoured her mouth. His tongue brutally assaulted hers, and she moaned into his open mouth. “Upstairs...”
Leena pulled her head back and looked up at him. “No, need...went to the doctor this week,” She saw that he had understood her, but his response was to devour her throat and cup her breasts in his hands, kneading and stroking. She began to tug his pants down over his hips. When his hard flesh was free, she grasped him lightly in her hand and bit against his neck.
“Now,” Owen groaned and dragged his hands under her skirt to grip her hips and pick her up.
She wrapped her legs around his waist, grasped his shoulders, and lowered herself slowly to take him inside her. She could hear the drums outside and began to move in time with them as his mouth moved under her top and over her heated skin.
“So tight,” he groaned and leaned her back against the wall. The drumbeat outside became louder, and he thrust up hard to the sound. She gasped and bit her bottom lip, her muscles tightening around him. “Can’t wait, baby... now!” He growled against her throat and began to thrust faster. Gripping his neck, she pounded her body down on his, and her breathing came in shallow puffs. When he didn’t think he could wait a second more, she dropped her mouth to his shoulder, then groaned and convulsed violently around him. He exploded inside her without warning.
Panting and trying to keep his legs from shaking, he held her tightly as they leaned against the wall. “We’ll have to try again later when you haven’t been tormenting the hell out of me with your dancing.” He grinned against her lips and lowered her to the floor. Struggling, he pulled up his jeans then kissed her tenderly. “Go get cleaned up, and I’ll take the drinks out before someone comes looking.” She smiled back at him, a very satisfied gleam in her eyes.
Dade took one glance at Owen’s easy gait when he walked out with a small cooler, and knew exactly what had the lucky bastard smiling. His eyes went back to Cora, who was driving him out of his mind moving in perfect time to his drum a few feet away from him. It would be so easy to use the drum to call her to him. He needed her to come to him...so easy. He slowed the rhythm and stared at her. He knew she felt it immediately as she moved a bit closer to him.
Then he slowed it and stopped. Cora would come to him on her own and not because of his drum’s beckon. She panted out a breath and sat on the bench beside him. He could see the beads of sweat rolling slowly down between her breasts. He lowered his eyes to the ground.
“Dade Jones,” she tried to catch her breath. “Were you about to use your talent and call me to you?” She smiled even though she should have been upset.
He looked at her for a moment. Then let out a deep breath. “I didn’t mean to, all logical thought melted from my brain watching you dance, Coralee. That outfit... you look...” he grinned, “Wow.”
Cora smiled and leaned over to gently brush her mouth over his. “Thank you.” She held her hand out towards Kasey, who was sipping mead straight from the bottle.
Motioning to where Doc and Rachel with their heads close talking. “They’re probably talking about kids,” she mused quietly.
Kasey giggled, then took the bottle back and took another long drink. “I forgot how hot dancing is.” She took another small sip, “although this outfit makes it much cooler.” She turned to see Owen nuzzling into Leena’s neck and holding her enclosed in his arms. “They’re so happy,” she whispered.
Cora nodded.
“I’m so jealous,” Kasey said.
Cora nodded again.
Dade agreed silently.
When Cora went to sit for a few minutes, Chris walked up behind Kasey and slipped an arm around her waist, placing his hand over her belly button. With his lips against her ear, he whispered. “You’re filling my head full of fantasies. Ones with my mouth and that sexy-as-hell ring in your belly button... I couldn’t keep my mind focused on drumming each time I saw it.”
Kasey leaned back against him and laughed. “Then I’d say Lee’s outfits are a grand success.”
Chris turned her and looked down at her. “I think it was more the woman in the outfit.” He grinned at her slowly.
“Then go drum, and I’ll show you more.”
He studied her face for a moment then kissed her cheek lightly. “I love to suffer for you.” He walked back over and sat with his drum.
Leena joined the others, hand in hand with Owen. “Look at them. What is it going to take to make them take that first step?”
Owen looked over and saw Chris and Kasey standing close watching each other. Dade was following Cora with his eyes, her glancing at him more often than anywhere else. Doc and Rach were head to head in deep discussion of something. “You could lock them in a room together, that would work.”
“It’s tempting.” She laughed and pushed him toward the drums. “I want to torment you some more, go drum with them.”
He kissed her hard and nodded.
“Play something primal. Urgent,” Cora said to the men as she walked toward the fire bowl.
“Give us something we’ll feel in our souls, gentlemen,” Rachel winked at them as she went to stand beside Cora.
“Something with a driving energy,” Kasey whispered as she sauntered slowly by them before flicking her hands over the flames turning them a dark red.
“I want to make your mouth water,” Leena said looking at Owen as she stood by her sisters.
The four men looked at each other, then back to the women for a long moment. The red flames cast erotic shadows over their glittering bodies. “I think we can manage it,” Dade said to them with a smile and began a complicated beat.
Chris nodded and found a place in the rhythm before adding his part of the sound. Steven took another drink and closed his eyes, waiting for the rhythm to repeat, and joined in.
Owen waited for a few more beats and then came in on the heaviest beat adding a depth to it so he could feel it deep inside his body.
Satisfied, the women began to circle the bowl, one after the other turning, hips grinding to the rhythm, heads down breathing in the beat that vibrated around them and through the earth under their feet.