Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night

mind, know that mine's already decided. There isn't any place for you in my life.'

'Even after this?'

She rolled her eyes. 'Oh, please, after all the 'wenches' you've nailed and bailed, you of all people should know that one hookup means nothing.'

'Nailed and bailed? What in the hell are you talking about?'

'Cade told me about the female you two fought over.'

'Damn it, she crawled into bed with me!'

'And now your cruel comment to him last night makes perfect sense. Of course, you couldn't kick her out of your bed for your friend?'

'I'd had some mead, and dinna even recognize her as the one he wanted.'

She quirked a brow. 'One wench among many, huh?' she asked, turning from him.

Mariketa was prickly, no doubt uncomfortable at the speed this thing between them was moving. But her coolness didn't daunt him in the least, because he now knew that he could win her. She had just cried out his name. His. He'd been prepared to fight for her; after this, he would only redouble his efforts.

Bowe had feared this witch could make all his sexual dreams come true—and he'd dreamed constantly.

Now he knew she could.

31

If the others hadn't already figured out that she and MacRieve had been intimate, they would have guessed by his behavior.

When the two of them had silently dressed and rejoined everyone, he'd had his shoulders back, sporting a victorious expression. His eyes kept straying to her, his gaze heated, and proprietary.

His obvious sense of satisfaction was a one hundred and eighty degree contrast from the glower he'd sported all morning. Now he was the epitome of masculine satisfaction.

She sighed. And damn, it was a good look for him.

Rydstrom and Tera cast her quizzical glances. Cade—with one of his eyes swollen nearly closed and his jaw already mottled with bruises—again focused on her neck. When she flushed under his scrutiny and glanced away, she heard him mutter to MacRieve, 'Still don't see your mark.'

His tone so smug, MacRieve said, 'Day's no' over, demon.'

At that, Cade flashed a look at her, then said, 'I'll take point again,' seeming to want to get away from them.

The group began following the riverside up the mountain, and again the terrain made for single-file going. Which was good. She needed to process everything that had just happened. Again, all she knew was that too much had.

From behind her, MacRieve said, 'Doona worry about what they think.'

'Of course, you can say that. They're not going to think you're weak. Or easy.'

'No way they could consider you weak. They've seen too many demonstrations of your power. And no' easy either—all they'll believe is that such a young lass as you was no match for the seduction skills of a twelve- hundred-year-old Lykae.'

Under her voice, she said, 'Whatever—I jumped you! I started it.'

'Aye,' he began solemnly, 'and that was a highlight of my long life.'

'Riiight.' Flustered, she stepped over an ant line, studiously regarding the leaves they carried.

'It's true, Mariketa. Though it is a shame I dinna get a chance to pay more attention to your pretty arse.'

'Shh!' she hissed in a whisper. 'They'll hear you!'

'Hear me? You worry about that now when you were just moaning so lustily? Do you always make so much noise?'

Her face flamed when Tierney, the next in line to her, glanced over his shoulder with raised brows. She slowed to let the others take more of a lead.

'Do you, then?' MacRieve asked again.

Fine, she could play. She turned to him, and in a monotone voice, she said, 'Oh, baby. Oh, Bowen. It was you. Only you.'

He grinned, and the sight made her want to grin, too. They were following the cascading river, and the sun was shining, and she'd just had two orgasms—her mood had definitely improved.

No! She couldn't get caught up in his palpable excitement, because she knew it wasn't due only to what they'd just done, but what he expected them to do.

Yet every time she tried to call up her previous anger toward him, she kept picturing him frowning as he asked Rydstrom what jangle pop was. Somehow, she knew MacRieve hadn't asked out of mere curiosity but because he was trying to learn, for her.

And the simple fact was that, Hekate help her, she liked being around him. Even when she'd despised him, she'd somehow been buoyed by his presence. Now that she didn't despise him, he excited her, gladdened her...

From mere inches behind her, he said, 'Was wondering, do you always come so quickly?'

'I don't know—do you?'

He gave a half laugh. 'Demanding witch. You forget how long I went without. But I'm a swift rebounder.' He furtively grabbed her hand and made her cup his growing erection.

If he was trying to embarrass her, he'd have to do better than that. Not missing a beat, she said, 'Why, Bowen, I do believe you're flirting with me.' Without glancing back, she rubbed with curiosity. After giving it a heft that made him rock his hips to her hand, she released him, blithely continuing on.

His voice rough, he said, 'I must no' be any good at flirting if you doona know for certain.' In a dry tone, he added, 'Maybe I should be more direct?'

She couldn't help it—she chuckled, but covered it with a cough. She was supposed to be the one who could charm, but he was doing a damn commendable job, making her grin against her will.

Was she so easy that a mere two earth-shattering orgasms and her unwavering attraction to him could make her forgive their past? As she inwardly answered herself, she thought, Then why fight it? Mari had never been one to fight battles, much less losing ones.

He leaned over her and murmured at her ear, 'Show me those bonny breasts.'

'You just saw them!' she cried in exasperation, though she was secretly pleased by how much he seemed to appreciate her body.

'If I had my way, witchling, you'd never wear a top again.'

She was biting the inside of her cheek to keep from smiling but didn't want him to see, so she quickened her pace. 'Shouldn't you be concerned with getting me safely out of the jungle?'

'Come, then, remind me what I'm so happy to die for.'

He was so... wolfy. So teasing. And Mari realized this was kind of fun. She half-expected him to play-trip her and start nipping at her ears. And she suspected she'd love it.

She waited, giving him enough time to drop back and assume she was ignoring him, then turned with her brows—and her top and bra—raised, flashing him. He took a stutter step, tripping over his feet. With his hands over his heart, he fell to his knees; she yanked her clothes down and whirled around, continuing on with a goofy smile.

But he was right behind her in an instant. 'You good girl,' he rasped. 'Give us a feel, then.' She swatted at him. 'Tease.'