Later that evening, as Nash lay sleeping, Ryanne studied his face, half hidden in the shadows of the night. She memorized every pore, every soft whisker, but more importantly, all the planes and angles that made up his handsome visage. She could no longer deny how deeply her feelings for him ran. In the time she’d known him, he’d become vital to her happiness. Seeing him sit across the desk from her, engrossed in his books, or witnessing him finagle a deal over the phone as he shot her a wink and a wicked grin, had become the highlight of her day.
Liz had been correct. Ryanne had been casting covert glances his way. She only hoped she hadn’t given him full-blown cow eyes.
“What has you thinking so hard?”
The deep rumble of his voice in the silence startled her.
“Good grief, you nearly gave me a heart attack! I thought you were sleeping.”
His sleepy chuckle warmed her. “Come snuggle with me. My arms feel empty without you.”
“Who knew you were so poetic?” she murmured as she snuggled close.
“You inspire me.”
“Pfft.”
Nash raised his head and squinted down at her. “You don’t believe me?”
“I believe you’re full of crap. How ‘bout that?”
“You’ve wounded me,” he moaned as he flopped back against the pillows. “A barb straight to the heart.”
“Fine. I’ll say I believe you if you stop being a drama-llama.”
“You didn’t just go there.”
“I believe I did.”
“Be prepared to pay the price, woman.”
With an alligator roll, he managed to touch every part of her naked form. Her arousal followed fast on the heels of their playfulness. How was it possible that everything he did excited her? From teasing to serious discussions, he was electric. Was their combined magic responsible for the attraction? Had she been this overwhelmed before Alastair unleashed her power?
Nash lifted his head from where he’d been paying marked attention to her left breast. “What has you troubled, babe?”
“How do you know I’m troubled?”
He cast one last regretful look at her dampened nipple and sighed. “Mainly because you aren’t producing the moans of pleasure I’d hoped to elicit. What gives?”
“I’ve been attracted to you from the moment we met. But now… now, I’m overwhelmed and a bit stunned. I feel like I’ve been smacked in the head with a frying pan. Is it all because of magic, Nash?”
“Thornes seem to know our soul mates straight away. You were that for me, Ryanne. When I walked into that conference room and saw you for the first time, I was gobsmacked. Liz saw it and teased me unmercifully after you’d left that day.” He traced one finger along her brow line and cheekbone before he tapped her on the nose. “You’re it for me. But know that I would never use magic to attract or bind you. I want you to be with me of your own free will.”
“No, I don’t mean that. I know you would never do something so underhanded. What I’m wondering is if the magic attracts other magic? Does it amplify our feelings?”
“No, not based on any of the texts I’ve ever read, and believe me, I’ve read plenty. What we feel for each other has been building since the instant we met. I think this moment was always inevitable for us.”
“Okay. Then take me.”
“Excellent!”
His delighted grin brought an answering smile to her lips. When Nash latched on to her breast, Ryanne gave over to the pleasure.
Morning came all too soon, and Ryanne found it difficult to crawl out of bed. Nash had made love to her two more times throughout the night, and as energized as the sex made her, she was currently worn out. As the sun’s rays beamed through the curtains, she pulled the covers higher to block out the light.
She felt the mattress sink on her side of the bed, and she scooted a little to the right to allow Nash more room. The distinct whiff of roses tickled her nose seconds before the petal-soft touch of the flower caressed her forehead and moved to her cheek.
“Wake up, sleepyhead,” Nash cajoled. “We have a lot to accomplish today, my love.”
She cracked open a lid and squinted in his direction. “Go away. I need sleep. My new lover wore me out last night.”
The rose left her face, and within seconds, a single petal teased her lips. “New lover, hmm? I’d prefer new boyfriend, but I get it if you are a little reticent to label our relationship.”
“I’m not sure how you can call it a relationship when nothing’s been defined,” she retorted as she rolled onto her back and tucked the bedspread under her arms.
“I thought we made things pretty clear last night.” Nash transferred the rose and the petals in his hand to the nightstand, then placed a fist on the pillow on either side of her head. “How about we define it now? Ryanne Caldwell, will you go steady with me?”
She fought a happy grin and lost. “Steady? As in I get to wear your letterman sweater and class ring?”
“I’ll conjure them both this instant if that’s what you want.”
“No need. It’s good enough that you’re mine. Now I can tell all those letter-opener-wielding bitches to cool their jets.”
“What am I missing here?”
“Never you mind, boyfriend.”
“So that’s a yes?”
“That’s definitely a yes,” she growled as she wound her fingers into his thick blond hair and dragged his face to hers.
He didn’t let her down and immediately captured her lips for a possessive kiss that curled her toes. Or maybe it was her kiss that was possessive. It didn’t matter; he was hers.
When he moved away, Ryanne released a frustrated sigh.
“I must not have satisfied you as well as I could have last night.”
She bit the pad of the thumb brushing her lower lip. “You satisfied me plenty. I’m simply a glutton. It’s been a bit of a dry spell.”
“For me, too,” he murmured as he bent to kiss her again.
Her hand flew up and stopped him on his downward descent. “Wait, what? Guys don’t have dry spells. Especially not guys who look like you.”
“I haven’t touched another woman since the day you walked into my life. I haven’t wanted to.”
“Fuck me, that’s sweet,” she whispered, awed and a little emotional that he’d abstained from a random hook up.
“You think so?” He frowned and gave a slight shake of his head. “I hadn’t thought about it.” He released a heavy sigh. “Regardless, babe, playtime is over for today. We have to decide what we are doing about Victor and your sister.”
“Way to spoil the mood,” she muttered as she allowed him to pull her into a sitting position. “I need coffee and a shower before I can even dream of dealing with those two.”
“Go get your shower. I’ll make your coffee. I need to check on Rylee anyway.”
“One cream, one—”
“Sugar. Yes, I know. I also know you treat yourself once a month to a caramel latte, with whipped cream and caramel drizzle. You’re strict about it being the first Friday of the month.”
“As a woman, I have to watch what I consume.”
His hot gaze swept her naked form, lingering on all her lady bits. “No need to calorie count for my benefit. I prefer a woman with curves, and you have the perfect amount.”
Her skin tightened with yearning, and she almost tackled him onto the mattress then and there. When Nash leaned in and licked the hollow of her throat, Ryanne whimpered.
“Want me to share a little secret?”
“Okay,” she breathed. She didn’t care what he shared as long as he continued those little love nips along her neck.
“With the return of your powers came an amped-up metabolism. You’ll have a hard time gaining weight, even if you try. Oh, and your aging has pretty much slowed to a crawl. You’ll look like this for the next fifty or sixty years of your life.”
It was like being doused in cold water. The shock of his words brought on a gasp, and she shoved him back. “Are you for real?”
Nash laughed. “You’ve seen my father. Tell me, did you think he had plastic surgery?”
“I admit to being curious, but I had no idea it was anything as fantastical as not aging at the rate of non-magical humans.” She shook her head in wonder. “I have so many questions.”
“And I have the answers, but first, you shower while I make your coffee. Or would you prefer that latte?” he asked with a wicked grin.
“Definitely the latte with a double shot of espresso. Oh, and extra whipped cream!”
He laughed on his way to the door. Right before placing his hand on the knob, he snapped his fingers, effectively clothing himself. It was the first time Ryanne had seen him dress casually, and she liked the look of a worn Henley and the faded jeans that outlined his butt, showing it off to perfection. Still, she sighed that he had to cover up that fine-ass body at all. If it were up to her, she’d keep him naked and in bed forever.
As if sensing her thoughts, he shot her a wink and pulled open the door. When it closed behind him, Ryanne waited five seconds then waved her hands in the air and wiggled her ass in a happy dance.
“Nice.”
His deep baritone from behind her evoked a bloodcurdling scream. As he doubled over in laughter, she smacked the top of his head.
“You’re a jerk! You scared me half to death.”
“Sorry.” He didn’t look sorry in the least. “I popped back in to see if you wanted any breakfast with that latte.”
She scoffed and shoved past him. “You couldn’t come back in the way you left?”
“Where’s the fun in that?”
Stopping in the doorway of the bathroom, she tossed her hair back over her shoulder and shot him a glare. It was impossible to stay angry when faced with his devilishly handsome smile. Her lips twitched in response. “Do witches face health issues like clogged arteries?”
“Nope.”
“Good. I’ll take biscuits and gravy with a side of scrambled eggs, but not runny.”
“It will be waiting for you when you are done.”
As Ryanne shampooed her hair, trepidation for what had to happen today crept in. Without a doubt, they couldn’t release Rylee, not before getting their hands on that cursed necklace. It was doubtful that Victor would take the extended disappearance of Rylee lightly. No, Ryanne would need to become her sister, sarcastic attitude and all.
Doubts assailed her. This was what Nash had suggested yesterday before Alastair arrived. Had last night and this morning been manipulation on his part? Seducing her into doing his bidding? She didn’t care for the direction her thoughts had taken. Regardless, she was in the game now.