“I don’t give a rat’s ass about other men.” I begin to unbutton his shirt, grateful that he already shed his jacket an hour ago. My fingers aren’t fumbling now, and there’s no more nervousness in my body as I undress this incredible man. Our movements are slow but sure as we take our time uncovering each other as if unwrapping a precious gift.
In the flickering candlelight, Lucien guides me back onto the bed, and spends the next long moments worshipping every inch of my flesh from my lips to my toes. His touch is light and seductive, his words pure magic, and when neither of us can stand the foreplay any longer, and we finally come together, it’s an explosion of emotion I’ve never experienced before.
The flames around us grow in intensity as Lucien takes us higher and higher, and when I reach for my climax and gasp in rapturous pleasure, the flames extinguish from the wind I’ve conjured.
Lucien growls and snaps his fingers, igniting the candles once more, and watches my face as he climbs closer to his own release.
Flashes of memory run through my mind. Different moments in different lifetimes, each one of us together, just like this, with the candles and the intense love we share. Both of us murmuring in languages I don’t recognize, but then some I do.
He calls me a stór mo chroí.
And I call him a mhuirnín.
The flames seem to explode around us when he falls over the edge.
The candles calm to a normal, low glow, but I know I’m forever changed. I’m Lucien’s, and he’s mine.
“We could have set the house on fire,” I murmur, still catching my breath.
“I don’t think I would have cared,” he says and kisses the ball of my shoulder. “I love you, a stór mo chroí.”
I drag my fingers down his handsome cheek. “And I love you, a mhuirnín.”
His eyes find mine in surprise.
“I’m remembering more,” I say and brush my fingers through his hair. “Just a little bit.”
And not all of it terrifies me.
Chapter Eleven Lucien
I’ve always loved to watch her sleep, and it seems now is no different than before. Having Millicent in my bed is a milestone and one I’ve waited almost a decade for. Being patient was necessary, and I don’t regret that I kept my distance and didn’t push her.
But goddess above, I’m relieved that the wait is over.
I missed her more than I can say. It was an ache in my heart that never subsided.
And now she’s here.
Her breaths are even, and she’s safe from dreams—a little spell before she drifted off helped with that.
The sun is just rising, and the first rays of light make their way into my bedroom to chase any shadows away. I lean in to kiss her cheek and smile when she stirs and turns toward me.
“Good morning,” she whispers.
“Good morning, love,” I whisper in return. I pull her against me for a little cuddle and enjoy the way her long, slim body fits next to mine. “Did you sleep well?”
“Better than I have in years,” she says and stretches like a lazy cat. “How about you?”
“A little.” I brush her hair off her cheek. “I was in and out a bit.”
“Hmm.” She glances around the room and frowns. “If the sun is up, I slept longer than usual.”
“It’s about six,” I say.
“Wow, that’s late for me. Luckily, Esme’s taking the morning crowd today. I don’t have to go in until about noon.”
“Lucky for both of us, then.” I kiss her, long and slow, and let my hand drift down to cup her firm breast, teasing the already firm nipple. I’d like to stay here all morning, making love to her, but we have somewhere to be. “I should make you some coffee.”
“Wow, someone making me coffee for a change,” she says with a smile. “That’s fun. But why don’t we finish what you started first?”
I groan and lean in to kiss her once more but then pull away. “I would love nothing more, but I think we should meet with your sisters this morning.”
She frowns. “Why?”
I don’t want to say anything. Not yet. I’m not completely sure that my hunch is correct.
“It’s just a feeling,” I say and kiss her nose before leaving the warm bed and stepping into a pair of lounge pants. “I’ll go get that coffee.”
“I’ll wake up and be down in a minute.”
“No hurry. I can bring the coffee here.”
I leave the bedroom and shiver in the cool morning air. Autumn has firmly settled in, and the chilly mornings that come with her have arrived. I point to the fireplace in the living room as I pass, and a fire erupts in the hearth.
That’ll help warm the house.
I set the first cup under the single-serve coffee maker, press brew, and turn to the back door just off the kitchen. My back yard is my oasis. I have herbs planted, along with some vegetables and flowers that have special medicinal purposes. I am not a hedgewitch, but many in our coven are, and they often ask to come and snip here and there in my garden.
It’s my pleasure to share with them. I planted it all from memory, knowing that Millie would eventually need it for her practices and as a serene place to come. Perhaps one day soon, Sanguine would join her in the garden. I can picture them both, the cat lying in the grass, batting at a butterfly, and Millicent, round with child, snipping herbs for her potions.
It’s real in my mind because it’s as much a memory as it is a wish for what’s to come.
I open the door to get some fresh air for a moment while the coffee brews, but the second I turn the knob, I
