Excerpt of Bad Potions
Michelle Fox
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Sometimes love is a bad potion that won't be denied.
Marion is a witch on a death list and Aidan is a sexy but cursed elf on the wrong side of the Fairy Queen's favor. Their attraction could be fatal, but it also won't be denied.
In this excerpt, Marion is on the run with Aidan, looking for safety. Her life is on the line, and unbeknownst to her, time is running out to break Aidan's curse. Once they have a minute to breathe, the sparks really begin to fly...even though Marion's not sure she can trust Aidan. What if he's working for the mage who wants her dead?
***
Aidan pulled up to a quaint log cabin nestled under the gentle arches of an oak grove. The trees loomed tall with broad trunks, a size that spoke of immense age. Marion stared up at them, her mouth an ‘O’ of awe as Aidan popped the trunk and grabbed their bags.
Opening the front door, he said, “We should be safe enough here. No one knows about this place except for my family.”
Cold fingers of foreboding ran up her spine at his words. No one knew how to find her and she had no idea if she could trust Aidan. A horrible thought had struck on their getaway drive to the cabin: What if Aidan was really her evil ex Eric? Which meant she'd just been kidnapped with no hope of rescue.
She'd been so panicked when Eric had called and said he was coming for her, she hadn't questioned Aidan's offer of help. Now it was too late.
Aidan nodded toward two oversized arm chairs, a leather sofa, and a brick fireplace. “That's the living room. Back here is the kitchen slash dining room.” He pointed through an archway where Marion caught a glimpse of dark granite kitchen counters and maple cupboards. “There should be food. I called the Brownies last night. They should’ve stocked the fridge and the pantry.”
“You have Brownies?” Marion asked, curious. She’d never seen one before, but their housekeeping skills were legendary. More importantly, Eric wasn't Fey and wouldn't have Brownies. Then again, Eric would say anything to get what he wanted, and if that didn't work, he wasn't shy about using his magic.
“Yes. My mother’s cousins.” Heading down a dark hallway opposite the kitchen, he said, “The bedrooms and bathroom are over here.” He opened a rough pine door and dropped her bag inside. “This will be your room.”
Marion peered around Aidan to see a single bed with a plain blue comforter. A table, also made of pine, stood next to the bed and held a lamp and alarm clock.
“I’ll be over here.” Aidan turned to open the door across the hall. She followed him into a much larger room with a much bigger bed. A forest green comforter covered his bed and dark cherry tables flanked each side. The window on the back wall let in sunlight and showcased the beauty of the woods around the cabin.
“Nice.” She eyed the bed, which looked to be a king in size. “That’s an awfully big bed for one person.”
He grinned at her. “Well, maybe I won’t be alone.”
Marion swallowed. They way he looked at her sent a flush of heat through her body, but she didn't trust it. She had no idea if Aidan was who he said he was. It would be just like Eric to worm his way into her life and lull her into a false sense of security before locking his hands around her throat. Marion looked at Aidan and wracked her brain, trying to figure out a way to be safe. If only she knew the spells that would break an illusion, but those classes came after Potions. Everything she needed came after Potions.
It was as if Eric had set up the curriculum for her degree.
She had no magical knowledge to defend herself with except a few healing potions and a love potion that was a good stand-in for a grenade. At that, Marion brightened for a moment. She could always mix up a batch of exploding love potions and use that as a weapon. Except she hadn’t brought any of the ingredients with her.
Drat.
Then she remembered the mole. Eric had a large one on the side of his right cheek. It rose up from his skin just enough that she should be able to feel it. She didn't need a spell to break an illusion, she just had to get close enough to touch him and she would know if Aidan was real or not. Illusions didn't hold up to contact.
Simple, right? Unless it was Eric in disguise, in which case she'd be awfully close to someone who wanted to kill her.
With a deep sigh, she squared her shoulders and shored up her courage. She had to know, one way or the other. If she waited and it was Eric, that just gave him more time to make sure she never got away again.
"Are you okay?" Aidan shot her a questioning look.
“Yes, I was just," Marion nodded to the bed, "thinking that there's more than enough room for both of us." She gave him what she hoped would pass as a coy smile. Her heart pounded in her chest and her hands shook with a mixture of fear and anticipation. She so wanted Aidan to be real. If he was, that meant there was life after Eric, and she wanted that life.
Doing her best impression of a sexy walk, she strutted toward him with all the false bravado she could muster and traced a finger down one cheek, across his chin, and up the other. Detecting no mole, she moved in closer. Here goes nothing. Forcing herself to be bold, she pressed her lips against his, cupping both his cheeks in her hands, searching with her thumbs. Still no mole.
Oh thank the goddess.
She went weak with relief as Aidan pulled her tight against him, taking control of the kiss. He teased her mouth with his tongue until she thought she would melt. Any doubts she had about Aidan’s identity disappeared. Eric had never kissed her like this, never made her feel like her clothes were a nuisance. Never made her think it was a perfectly grand idea to be tossed on the bed
But Aidan did.
He kissed his way down her neck to a sensitive spot at the hollow of her throat, one connected to her nipples, which hardened instantly. Still nibbling at her neck, he ran a lazy thumb over her nipples, alternating from side to side until she couldn’t help but writhe against him.
When he moved to lift her shirt over her head, she offered no protest other than to say, "If I'm naked you have to be naked, too." Clothes just got in the way and she didn't want anything between them. Not anymore. She was safe. Aidan stirred her heart in a way she'd never felt before and witches never let good energy go to waste.
Without a word, he tossed her shirt away and then yanked off his before scorching her lips with another kiss. His fingers tugged at her pants, undoing the button and zipper and sliding them off her hips, his fingers tickling her thighs. Marion held onto his shoulders and kicked of her pants while he fumbled with his.
Finally naked, they kissed, their bodies pressed together, skin-on-skin.
Aidan pushed her back onto the big bed, slipped his hands behind her back to her bra and unclasped it, tossing it on the floor with their clothes. ”I’ve wanted to do this to you since I first met you.” Cupping a breast in each hand he nuzzled the space between them and then took a nipple in his mouth.
Marion arched back and moaned, grateful for the support of the bed beneath her. His mouth may have been just on her nipple, but she felt the sensation throughout her body, particularly between her legs where a liquid heat burned. Aidan must’ve sensed the meltdown in her core because he peeled off her pants and plied her thighs apart with gentle caresses. Slipping a finger between the folds of her skin, he stroked her, rubbing in a regular, uninterrupted rhythm until she quivered.
He continued to tease, causing pleasure to arc through her body like an electric current. While she tried to catch her breath, he focused on her breasts again, flicking her nipples with his tongue.
Marion had never imagined that sex could feel so good. Her few forays into foreplay with Eric had been awkward and unpleasant. Sometimes they'd been painful as Eric’s touch often went from soft to hard. He had delighted in her pain and after the first few dates, Marion realized he wasn’t the partner for her. He had been furious at her rejection.
Ironically, this was why she was currently drowning in pleasure under Aidan’s knowledgeable touch. If she hadn’t met Eric, she wouldn’t be here with Aidan right now. And that is how things come full circle from good to bad, she thought, almost managing a wry smile between the gasps Aidan elicited.
“I don’t think I can take much more,” she finally panted. There was an emptiness inside that she desperately needed to fill. The time for teasing was past.
Aidan nodded and stripped off his pants as quickly as he could. Pulling a condom from the bedside table, he unrolled it slowly along the length of his shaft. Marion watched, eyes wide, wondering how something so long, so...hard was going to fit inside her.
Aidan must’ve noticed her concern because he said, “Are you sure you want to do this?”
Marion nodded.
“Because we can stop, if you’re not ready.”
“No, it’s just...”
“What?”
“I haven’t ...” She bit her lip and looked at him with wide eyes.
“I know it’s been a long time since Eric. Don’t worry, I’ll go slow.”
In answer, she fell back on the bed, cupping a breast with one hand, and opening herself for him with the other.
***
Aidan almost lost it right there when Marion offered herself to him. Knowing her history with Eric, he understood how much trust it took for her to take the next step with him, especially after knowing him for such a short time.
She was beautiful. That was the only word for it. Her round curves, the pink tips of her breasts and the sweet heat between her legs were more perfect than he could’ve imagined. She’d been hiding for far too long underneath those baggy clothes of hers and he couldn’t wait to explore every delicious inch.
He’d offered to stop. Gave her complete control over whether or not they would make love. He had held his breath until she answered, afraid she would say no. Afraid he hadn’t been enough for her.
But she had given herself to him with a wicked smile. One he returned as he advanced on her. Crawling over her, he positioned himself between her legs. He paused briefly to touch her breasts again, pleased at the way her eyes glazed and her breath quickened.
Gently he pressed himself against the edge of her center. She was wet, but unyielding, tighter than he would’ve expected. With teasing persistence, he won his way through, groaning as her heat gripped him. She lifted her hips, trying to help him go deeper, and gave a soft, satisfied cry as he penetrated her fully. Aidan began to rock them both in a slow steady rhythm, one hand stroking her core as they moved.
She cried out in release and the muscular spasms of her core milked him until he shouted his own climax. They sprawled on the bed, hands and legs intertwined.
“That was amazing,” Marion said with a satisfied smile.
“And only the beginning,” he said, scooping her into his arms. She molded herself to his body as if she’d been made for him; head resting on his shoulder, arm draped around his neck, and body curled against his chest like a cat about to purr. He’d never been this comfortable with The Lady in his arms.
“There’s more?”
“You have no idea. Wait here.” Aidan rolled out of bed and disappeared down the hallway. When he returned he held what looked to be an ancient clay jug covered with Fay glyphs and two glasses. Pouring the contents of the jug into a glass, he offered it to her. “Drink.”
Marion took a hesitant sip hoping the wine tasted better than its sour smell. Surprisingly it was smooth with an herbal aftertaste. “Interesting. What is it?”
“It’s an herb wine that works as an aphrodisiac.”
“Really?” She gave him a skeptical look.
“You’ll see.” He smiled. “Now, if you’ll follow me.” He took her by the hand and led her to the bathroom, which glowed with the light of dozens of candles.
While she sipped at her wine, he filled the tub with steaming water and a handful of herbs from a clay pot on the vanity. The hot water released the fragrant scent of the roses and rosemary. Marion inhaled deeply, enjoying the floral aroma.
When the bath was full, Aidan pulled her to him and kissed her. His hands wandered her body, stirring her senses with their light touch. She stood naked before him, rounded breasts tipped with puckered rosebuds, the curve of her hips drawing his eye to her center. He knew if he touched her pussy she would be wet already. The wine had given her cheeks a deep pink flush and her eyes gleamed with desire.
Marion leaned in to kiss Aidan, nibbling at his lower lip. She skimmed her hands across his chest, smiling when his stomach tensed at her touch. Kneeling, she curled her hand around his hard length and stroked the smooth skin, laughing softly when Aidan groaned. Holding his gaze with hers, Marion took him into her mouth. She ran her tongue along his shaft and circled the head, teasing.
Before he exploded, he pulled away from her.“Not so fast. We’ve got a lot to do tonight.” He held out a hand and pulled her to her feet.
Aidan stepped into the tub, which was easily large enough for them both, and extended a hand to Marion once again. She joined him and sat between his legs with her back to him.
Aidan grabbed some scented soap and a washcloth, squeezing it until a rich lather formed. He then scrubbed Marion’s back.
She gave a moan of delight. “That feels wonderful.”
Aidan moved the cloth across her nipples slowly, smiling at her gasp and the way she threw her head back. Marion squirmed, her bottom rubbing against him, reminding him of his own need.
Giving her breasts a reprieve, he dragged the rough fabric across her stomach and between her legs. When he’d thoroughly washed and aroused her, he abandoned the cloth in favor of his hand, caressing her core until she shuddered in climax.
Slipping a finger into her folds, he checked to make sure she was wet, and, satisfied that she was ready, he gently lifted her by the shoulders and turned her until she was facing him. He pulled her toward him, leaning down to take a nipple in his mouth.
Marion threw her arms out, bracing herself against the wall and the edge of the tub. “This is too much.”
He gave her a wicked grin. “No. It’s not even close to being enough.” He thrust into her as he spoke, sliding in with little resistance this time. Instantly her body gripped him and he groaned. Nothing had ever felt so good, so right, not even with the Lady herself. Who knew he could find such satisfaction with a human witch?
He didn’t have time to think much beyond that as Marion moaned another orgasm and his own release followed shortly thereafter.
Marion collapsed against him, laying her head on his shoulder. “Wow,” was all she said.
Aidan knew how she felt. He was in trouble. Big trouble. The Queen of Fairy was going to kill him for this.
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