Blood Wolf (Vintage Collection)

But this silly little stone castle in this bizarre little Highland village had somehow become home to her. She wanted to stay. And she needed electricity. This was the twenty-first century after all.

So she decided to do a money spell. Because she had decided to stay in Padraig, she would make it more of a “help me find gainful employment” spell. That eased her conscience a little.

But she didn’t have any green candles, which were essential for a money spell, and she hadn’t been able to find any in Merlina’s supplies. She decided to pay a visit to the Lunar Eclipse.

Whispers and low giggles behind Suzanne’s locked door kept Isabella from inviting her cousin along. Perhaps Suzanne and Damian had finally consummated their relationship. Isabella wasn’t sure how she felt about that. She prided herself on being a good judge of character. Damian was hiding something. Clearly, he cared for Suzanne, though, and that eased Isabella’s discomfort somewhat. She worried more about Suzanne. Getting serious with a man so soon after her breakup with Wade couldn’t lead to anything good.

Isabella left the castle, drove into Padraig and stopped at the Lunar Eclipse. Rex Donnelly busied himself behind the counter. Isabella cleared her throat.

Rex looked up. “Ah. Miss Knight. What can I be helping you with today?”

“Good afternoon, Mr. Donnelly. I need some green candles.”

He smirked. “A money spell.”

Isabella warmed under his gaze. “Sort of. I’m installing electricity in Merlina’s castle, and as you can no doubt imagine, it’s pricey.”

“Pricey?”

“Expensive.”

“I see.”

“I’ve actually decided to stay here in Padraig for a while, so I’ll be looking for work to help make ends meet. So it’s more of an employment spell. I don’t believe in getting something for nothing.”

“You’re a pure white witch, then.”

“Yes. I pride myself on it.”

Rex stepped out from behind the counter and led Isabella to the candle display. “Here we are, then.”

Isabella selected her candles. “These will do nicely. Thank you, Mr. Donnelly.”

“Please, lass, call me Rex. I like to be on a first name basis with my employees.”

“Your employees?” Isabella smiled and handed back the candles. “I guess I won’t be needing these.”

29

“I’m afraid I wasn’t thinking.” Damian kissed the fleshy mound of Suzanne’s breast.

“Hmmm?” Her eyes remained shut, and she looked delectable. Good enough to eat. Again.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t use a condom.” He couldn’t bring himself to care. He didn’t have any diseases, and he instinctively knew she didn’t either. He could tell from her scent. And pregnancy wasn’t a problem. He couldn’t get her pregnant. It wasn’t the right time. He wasn’t sure how he knew that, but he did, and he accepted it without question.

Although part of him wished he had gotten her pregnant. He wanted her soft belly to swell with his child. The image of it made him want to howl. But he couldn’t let it happen. He couldn’t risk creating another creature like himself. They would never have children. His eyes misted. He wanted Suzanne to bear his child. He wanted it so badly it hurt.

Fate was cruel.

“Mmm,” she murmured again. “S’okay. I’m on the pill.” She breathed in deeply and then jolted upward. “What? Oh my God.”

“What is it?”

“I hardly know you. You don’t have anything catching, do you?”

He chuckled. “Of course not. I’m hardly promiscuous, and I’ve always used protection in the past. And you’re fine, too.”

She sighed, her breath a sweet whisper against his chest. “Thank God. Yes, I’m fine, too.” Her chin jerked upward again. “How do you know I’m fine?”

“I know you, love. You wouldn’t have let me make love to you if you had any doubts.”

“Mmm. True enough.” She sighed again, and he felt her body loosen. “How do you know me so well?”

“Because you’re mine.”

The curve of her lips against his chest contented him. How had he lived for thirty-five years without her?

“Feel like a shower?” she asked.

“With you?”

“Of course with me.” She raised her gaze, and her foggy eyes met his. Her brows lifted and she smiled, dimples dancing on her cheeks. “And not a cold one, either.”

“Later.” He pushed her onto her back and trapped her beneath him. “I want to eat first.”

“Is there anything in the kitchen?”

“Not what I had in mind.”

He brushed her mouth with his, trailed kisses down her breasts, her belly, her thighs, and then he spread her legs. His pulse raced at the sight of her glistening folds. God, she was beautiful. So perfectly formed, so beautifully pink. Still swollen and wet for him. A feast.

He dived in, her creamy taste filling his senses. She arched into him and moaned his name.

He lifted his head and gazed at her perfect body, shiny with perspiration. “I love how you say my name, Suzanne. Say it again.”

“Damian,” she purred. “I love what you do to me. Damian. My Damian.”

His name had never sounded sweeter. He lowered his head and licked her in long, smooth strokes of his tongue. Oh yes, this was going to be a pleasant afternoon. He licked and tugged, slipped two fingers inside her as her walls clenched around him. He sucked and sucked, launching her into another climax, and then another. He drove her relentlessly, determined to prove to her what he already knew.