A Pinch of Kitchen Magic (10 page)

After donating her edible cooking
projects to every soup kitchen in the area, she was still running
out of room to store leftovers. She needed to get over Matteus and
move on with her life. If her aunt could go through life alone, so
could she. It would kill her but it might break her heart beyond
repair.

She had achieved her dream, but the
reality was bittersweet. She had no one to share her joy. With an
effort, she stifled a sob. Spooning a soft puddle of polenta into
the middle of a plate, she arranged two pieces of pork on top with
a few carrots on the side for color. Just like a cookbook. Yet her
appetite for gourmet food had fled for the moment.

Maybe she should get a dog. At least
then, the leftovers wouldn’t go to waste.

“
If anyone could pull off
a five-star dinner, it would be you. I never doubted your
ability.”

Aidan dropped the plate, but instead
of the crash she expected, it hovered above the floor like a
bizarre flying saucer. The air before her shimmered then Matteus
appeared. The plate balanced easily on his upturned hand. “What do
you want?” Even to her own ears, her voice held a dull, bland note.
She was too exhausted to cry or fight him, but she greedily
devoured him with her gaze, memorizing every plane and nuance of
his sculpted body, each line and freckle on his face. She would
carry the image of him with her to remember in the empty years
ahead.

“
There are many things I
want, but only one has the power to bring me to my knees.” Setting
the plate down on the butcher block, Matteus took two steps in her
direction then stopped. His mouth opened and closed, but in the
end, he just stared at her. “For the first time in my life, I know
what I want beyond every doubt and rule.”

The storminess of his eyes washed over
her and threatened to sweep her away. Aidan shivered. Two days ago,
she would have gladly jumped into the torrent, but he had made his
choice. If he wanted to capitulate, he’d have to work for it. “Why
are you here?” She slipped around the island, glad for the solid
piece of furniture between them. “I warned you to keep away. You
can’t keep popping in every time you feel like it. I’m not strong
enough.”

He rubbed a hand over his
stubble-covered cheek, his sigh a sound of exhaustion. “I wanted to
drop this off.” From the breast pocket of his black silk shirt, he
pulled a credit card-sized square.

As she took the card from him, she was
careful to avoid touching his fingers. “My license?” Her heart
pounded, as flattery warred with irritation in her stomach. “That’s
it? You came back to bring me this?” Maybe there was no hope for
him after all.

He nodded, his eyes hooded as he
turned to leave.

Frustrated, she bit her bottom lip to
prevent the cry she knew would make him stay. She slipped the
license into the back pocket of her jeans. In the end, she couldn’t
fight the need. “Matteus.” The word was small and barely
audible.

“
Damn it, Aidan.” He swung
around to face her, his eyes clouded with cloudy emotion. “I
haven’t been entirely truthful with you.”

She tamped down the hope that wanted
to burst from her chest. She couldn’t give in to it. She couldn’t
forget his hurtful words. “Big surprise.” She licked her lips. “I
suppose now you’re gonna tell me you’re married, or you’re the
crown prince of some obscure European country and you’re travelling
incognito.” Tremors of desire danced low in her abdomen while he
prowled around the corner of the island. He stood two steps away.
Her breath stalled. Her stomach clenched. “That’s it, isn’t
it?”

“
No.” A shadow darkened
his face for a moment. “I had no choice. I wanted to protect
you.”

“
From what? A disgruntled
magic teacher?” Incredulity painted her voice. “A rogue skills
instructor competing for pupils?” Hysterical laughter built in her
throat at the thought.

“
Just listen to me. Let me
explain.”

Aidan refused to be taken
in by his charm, even as the breath whooshed from her chest when he
caught her up in his arms. “Don’t…” When he pressed his lips to
hers in a quick kiss, she sagged against him.
I such a sucker for a good kisser.

He pulled away. “Will you hush and let
me explain?”

“
Yes.” She was as limp as
cooked pasta. If he zapped her clothes off she wouldn’t fight
him.

“
I really am a skills
assessor not a disguised prince.” He gave her a wobbly grin then
shoved a hand through his hair. “The trouble is I’m also a member
of the Magical Enforcement League. It’s my responsibility to
maintain order throughout the magical community.”

“
And what difference does
that make to me? I wouldn’t have cared if you told me you were the
tooth fairy’s second cousin, you still lied. I can’t trust you even
though I want to.” Her mouth went dry when he unbuttoned his cuffs
then rolled his sleeves up to his elbows.

“
On the contrary, I’m one
of the most trustworthy men you’ll meet.”

“
I don’t want to hear
anymore.” Summoning a bit of her discarded pride, she attempted to
dart away but he pinned her against the island, his hands on either
side of her waist. “Let me go.” She whispered since there was
barely any breath left in her. The sweet scent of basil wrapped
invisible fingers around her. When she met his turbulent gaze, she
tumbled in.

“
Not yet.” He dipped his
head to touch her lips with his and whispered, “I’ve put a lot of
bad people into prison. You wouldn’t believe the amount of people
who use magic for personal gain—world domination, political office,
English grammar teachers. The list goes on and on.”

Gossamer threads of desire spiraled
through her stomach as he brushed his knuckles over her cheek.
“What does that have to do with me?” She sighed. He was so close a
sheet of air separated them. Her fingers itched to touch his
five-o’clock shadow, to see if it would be as prickly as she
imagined.

“
Everything.”

“
Why?” No longer would she
just take his word for it.

“
You see, I’ve ticked off
some powerful people by taking their magic away. The human race
gets desperate when they begin to lose power. The list of death
threats against me is impressively long. I didn’t want to involve
you in any of that. I do want to give them the leverage.” He sighed
then looked at a spot over her left shoulder. “I’d go the infinite
length of the Universe and back to keep you safe.”

She drew in a shaky breath. “So you’re
not up for a promotion?”

“
I’m afraid not. It’ll be
years before I’m even eligible for one. I took the skills assessor
position for a change of pace. It’s nice to be able to interact
with people excited to use magic for magic’s sake.”

Aidan brushed the brown curl from his
forehead, smiling as her fingers tingled. “And if you had a chance,
you wouldn’t choose your job over a relationship?” She wanted him
to say the words. She didn’t want to do all the work for
him.

“
Not a chance. The job’s
great but I’d leave it in a heartbeat for the right woman.” He
reached up and pulled the clip from her hair.

Excitement skittered down her spine as
she wrenched her gaze from his lips. He was so close! Just a little
further… “Then you’ve found her?” But she knew. She felt it and the
knowledge made her tingle all over.

“
You tell me.”

Aidan squealed as Matteus crushed her
into his embrace then covered her mouth with his.

* * * *

Just like every other time he touched
her, euphoria coupled with desire to form a tidal wave he was
powerless to stop. He pulled away from her, his breath ragged. “I
take it from your response you’ve forgiven me?”

She moistened her lips and his blood
burned. “Yes.” She pulled his mouth to hers in a searing kiss that
made him forget his name then gently pushed him away. “And you
don’t need to worry about my safety. If someone threatens me, I’m
more than capable of dropping a punch bowl on their head or hitting
them with exploding dough.” She undid a button on his shirt. “Who
knows, with a little practice, I could be a real
threat.”

“
Unfortunately, you’re
correct on that score. You’re more powerful than you realize.”
Matteus knew his window for clear and lucid thought was shrinking.
“Your Aunt Hettie was definitely a witch. Do you take after her?
I’d love to see how much.” Desire slammed into him when she pulled
his shirt free of his waistband. “Aidan…”

“
After today, I suspect I
am, or maybe I’m just a woman who has a few… otherworldly skills in
the kitchen.”

He didn’t fight her lead. He wanted
the closer contact as much as she did. “Mmm, so kitchen magic is
the only thing you’re good at in this room?” His chest tightened
with desire. He ran his thumb over her bottom lip, supremely
pleased at her shiver. “No other talents?”

“
You tell me.” With the
slightest wrinkle of her nose, the refrigerator door opened. When
she crooked a forefinger, a crystal bowl floated toward them.
“Would you like some chocolate mousse?” The chilled vessel landed
smoothly on her upturned palm. “It’s the only thing I’m willing to
offer you.”

“
Are you sure that’s the
only thing?” Her actions suggested so much more—things he couldn’t
wait to share with her. Matteus decided he didn’t like the
mischievous glint in her eye.

“
At the moment, yes.” Her
cheeks turned a becoming shade of pink. “We’ll talk again after the
mousse.” She met his eyes over the rim of the fluted edge of the
bowl. “We’ll need spoons.” She quirked an eyebrow in
challenge.

He lifted his in acceptance. “Eating
utensils are not necessary.” Running a forefinger along the top of
the fluffy cloud of chocolate, he smiled. “In the times of the
Egyptian kings, eating was conducted almost entirely with the
fingers. Partaking of food often involves all of the senses.”
Ripples of electricity flowed down his finger as she guided it into
her mouth and licked the confection away.

“
Turnabout is fair play. I
would hate to deprive you of something as sensual as chocolate
mousse.”

Matteus stifled a groan. She brought a
dollop of the French pudding-like substance to his lips. When she
nodded, he obediently took her finger into his mouth. Rich, dark
chocolate exploded on his taste buds, followed closely by the sweet
coating of cream. “I’ve never tasted anything as wonderful,” he
said once she took back her hand.

A knowing smile touched Aidan’s lips.
“It’s said the Aztec people used chocolate as an aphrodisiac. We
know now that’s not entirely true. There’s no scientific proof
chocolate brings about lustful feelings. It simply promotes a sense
of euphoria, which in turn leads to romantic notions.”

“
Then your sinfully dark
dessert served its purpose.” He pried the bowl from her fingers and
encouraged it to float gently back into its refrigerated resting
place. “Because I intend to make love to you until you forget your
name.” With one sweep of his arm, he shoved everything from the
butcher block. His pulse thundered in his ears as dishes, serving
platters, and food crashed to the floor.

“
What’s stopping you?” Her
whispered question hung in the air, as a plate spun on its edge
like a dropped penny. She squealed when he lifted her by the waist
and settled her on the butcher block. “Or do I need to cast a spell
on you?”

He growled low in his throat and
leaned in to stand between her legs. “I think you already have. You
have no need for a skills assessor.” Thank everything good and
right in the Universe. He had no doubts she’d hold her own if the
worst happened.

Aidan’s laugh was rich and
throaty and it heated him to the temperature of molten lava. “Oh, I
have a
need
for
him all right.” She snapped her fingers and darkness swallowed the
kitchen. “One only
you
can fill.” With another snap, tiny golden twinkle lights
filled the air above their heads. “And from your previous bragging,
my expectations are high.”

“
Let’s get straight to it
then.” Matteus folded her into his embrace with great care.
Finally, he could have everything he wanted without guilt. In her,
he’d met his match and his greatest ally. As her vanilla scent
floated around him, he sighed in contentment. He had come home to
find magic and love waiting for him.

The End

About the
Author

Sandra is a writer of romantic fiction.
Her portfolio includes historical, contemporary, sci-fi, and
paranormal romances in full-length books as well as shorts and
novellas. No matter if the heat level is spicy or sweet, she loves
to blend genres and oftentimes will add humor to the
mix.

When not immersed in
creating new worlds and engaging characters, Sandra likes to read,
bake, taste new teas, watch
The Big Bang
Theory
, and travel. Her favorite place to
spend vacation hours is Walt Disney World: it’s where dreams come
true and the soul can play. When she’s not writing, she’s keeping
things interesting at her Believing is Seeing blog or spending time
with her husband, who patiently answers questions she has about
men, sci-fi-related subjects, and the odd “what if”.