Surge Of Magic (23 page)

“Very true.” Teagan sipped her wine and enjoyed the flickering flames. “This is so perfect. I needed this.”

He picked up his sandwich and bit into it. “Mmm.”

Other than the fire crackling and sounds of them eating, the world seemed to have disappeared. This cabin was perfect.

Kip finished his sandwich and leaned back on the sofa. “You up for a rowboat ride on the lake?”

“Are you kidding? I’d love that, but where are you going to get a boat?”

He winked. “I have connections.”

Of course he did. Kip worked with three shifters who lived nearby. “Let me put the food in the fridge and then I’m ready.”

Once she had cleaned up, they piled into the truck and headed back toward the lake. Kip slowed, looking for a spot to park. “Jackson said he’d put a stake with a red flag on it on this road, so I’d know where to go.”

“There it is,” Teagan said, excited at this adventure. Kip parked then came around to her side and opened her door.

“I hope you know how to swim.”

She studied his features, but he remained unreadable. “You will not tip over the rowboat.”

“Never. You’re safe with me.”

As promised, the rowboat was there, albeit a rather worn looking one. Jackson had tied the boat to a boulder. Once they unhooked it, Kip told her to get in so she didn’t have to get her feet wet. He was the nicest man. If she weren’t already in love with him, she’d fall for him all over again.

Kip pushed off and jumped in, nearly tipping it over. Teagan held on, not wanting to land in the lake. It wasn’t that she couldn’t swim; it was because the water was so cold. He rowed them out to the middle and then rested the oars along the side.

The sun beat down on them, keeping her warm. “Do you think you’ll stay at McKinnon and Associates?” she asked.

His brows rose. “As opposed to what?”

She shrugged. “Starting your own firm maybe?”

“Why would I do that? Connor and Jackson are incredibly talented, not to mention their ability to shift is invaluable. They let me do what I want, so I have no desire to leave. I finally get to fight for the good guys for a change.”

“You were a prosecuting attorney. That’s also fighting for the good guys.”

He grabbed the oars again and started rowing them around the lake. “I wish that had always been true. I couldn’t say who exactly, but I’m betting I unintentionally put some innocent people in jail.”

She stretched out her legs. “I’m sorry.”

“Are you disappointed that I’m not a lawyer? Is that why you asked? I did make a lot more money.” The pain in his tone cut her deeply.

“No, it’s not about the money. It’s about your safety. Being a lawyer somehow seems safer than going after Changelings. Believe me, I’m very proud of what you’re doing and am happy you enjoy it. Hell, could I be doing something more mainstream, something that might bring in more money? Sure, but I like giving massages and teaching people about aromatherapy.”

Kip smiled. “Then that’s what you should be doing. If you couldn’t do that, what would you do?”

That was a tough question. “I’d probably go back to school and study psychology. I’m not saying I want to be a therapist, but I’d like to learn more about the human mind and why some people are evil.”

“I know all about evil people, and I’m not referring to the Changelings.”

While she didn’t know much about them, she wanted to. Knowledge was power. “What do you know about those wicked werewolves?”

“About as much as you do. They’re willing to steal, put spells on people without their consent, and they are sociopaths who don’t care who they hurt or kill.”

Goose bumps appeared on her arms, and it wasn’t from the wind. “Sorry, I asked. Perhaps the topic of Changelings should be off limits while we’re here.”

Kip’s strokes slowed. “I like that idea. We’ll just enjoy each other and pretend no one else in the world exists.”

“I couldn’t ask for a better day.”

As if they both needed time to relax, Kip finished making his way around the lake. While the water was clear, she wasn’t able to see to the bottom. If it was lined with quartz, she wondered how anyone had found it out.

When he made the full circuit, he rowed them up to the shore then stuck an oar in the sand to stabilize them. “Can you jump out or do you need my help?”

“I got this.” Teagan stood on the seat and jumped to shore. She sunk into the soft sand, but her feet stayed dry. “Toss me the rope and I’ll pull you in.”

“I’m liking this.” Kip tossed her the rope, and she actually caught it. With a few hard tugs, she pulled the boat onto the shore, nearly toppling Kip.

He stood then jumped out. “I think I need to take over.”

She handed him the rope. “I didn’t mean to jerk so hard.”
And nearly send you into the lake.

“Sure you didn’t.” Kip secured the boat with ease. “Let’s head back. I’m curious how big the loft is.”

“From below, it doesn’t look like we’ll have a lot of head room.”

“Maybe we’ll have to try it out. If it isn’t comfortable, we can put the mattress in front of the fire and sleep there.”

“I like that idea.”

A short walk through the forest took them back to the truck. Five minutes later, they were bouncing their way to the cabin. Teagan could actually see the two of them growing old together there, sitting on the rocking chairs discussing their day while the grandkids ran around the property.

“What are you smiling about?” Kip asked.

“Just what I’m going to do with you once we get inside.” Their relationship was too fresh to be talking about kids.

He sped up. When they arrived, no one was there to greet them, thank goodness. He pulled to a stop in front of the cabin, and she jumped out. Together, they went inside.

“The logs are still glowing, and it’s nice and toasty in here,” he said.

“You want me to show you the loft?” she asked.

When she looked up at him, blue sparks flew off his face. She guessed that was a yes. Teagan climbed up the ladder first. As he followed, he kept pawing at her butt, and she kept swatting his hands away and laughing. When she reached the top, she crawled onto what looked like a king-sized mattress that took up almost the entire space. As for headroom? She estimated about three or four feet, just enough to sit up. “I’m not sure you’re going to like this, but it is adorable.”

“Let me see,” Kip said. His head peered over the ledge. “I would have preferred
spacious,
but I see it isn’t.”

Because of the lack of headroom, he crawled on his hands and knees to the mattress that was only about three feet from the edge and joined her.

The loft thankfully had a railing. If she forgot where she was in the middle of the night, she might have fallen without one. She wondered if the Murdoch kids ever stayed up here. If so, where did the parents sleep? Given the lack of space, it was no wonder Mr. Murdoch didn’t come here anymore.

“Well, this is cozy,” he said.

“Told you.” Teagan rolled onto her back and opened her arms. “I need a hug.”

“You got it, but I’d rather have some skin-to-skin contact.”

She still had on her jacket. Sitting up, her head nearly brushed the ceiling. After she took it off, she tossed it toward the end of the bed. He slipped off his sweater then slid his hands up her legs. Sparks popped off his body. Her own hormones went into overdrive. What this man did to her.

“How about ditching your shoes too?” she asked. They didn’t need dirt on the sheets.

“Shit. I was so focused on you that I wasn’t thinking.”

Focusing on her was a good thing. After he removed his boots and socks, he unbuttoned his jeans and eased them off. Her plan was working.

With his gaze on her face, he crawled up her body like an animal in search of its prey. When he was within reach, she snagged the hem of his long sleeve shirt and lifted it upward. The material was halfway over his head when it became stuck. His biceps were too thick.

“Let me do that before you suffocate me,” Kip said with a chuckle. He sat up and banged his head. “Shit.”

Teagan laughed. The shirt disappeared, and he pounced. “It wasn’t funny. There are consequences for laughing at me.”

She pressed her lips together. “No. Not funny.”

“Then why are you trying not to smile?” He rolled her onto her side and tickled her.

She was so sensitive that she curled up into a ball. “No, don’t. Stop,” she called out, unable to keep from laughing. He’d pinned her arms to the side, preventing her from reciprocating.

When she cried out again, Kip stopped. “That’ll teach you not to sass me.”

Teagan rolled over to face him. “Is that how our relationship is going to be? You’re going to boss me around all the time?” She thought she had used the right amount of glee in her voice, but apparently not because Kip sobered.

“What do you mean? I don’t boss you around.” Her comment really seemed to concern him.

“I’m only teasing you. I love everything about the way we are together.”

As if she’d plugged him in with her comment, his body glowed even more. “Ditto. Now let’s see about getting you naked.”

‡

T
eagan, with Kip’s
help, finally managed to remove her jeans without them bumping their heads any more, which she considered a small victory.

“Mmm. Panties or top?” he said as he slid his gaze up and down her body.

“Since it’s a bit chilly, how about taking off the lower half first? And try not to rip them this time. I only brought one extra pair.”

He grinned. “Careful panty removal it is.”

“Smart ass.”

Not only did he not rip them, he used his teeth and went slowly, which only made her need that much greater. Teagan inhaled to steady her yearnings. Her glow pulsed. Pressing her feet into the mattress, she lifted her hips to allow him to drag her panties lower. The whole time she imagined what his skilled tongue would do to her. As much as she wanted to help him, she understood that Kip enjoyed the foreplay as much as she did.

“Fuck it,” he said with a grunt. “Your scent is driving me crazy.”

She chuckled. “Your shifter envy is showing.” Wendayans didn’t find their mate by their scent. Or did they?

“Perhaps I should have said that your arousal is in the air, which is making me want you.”

“If you want to put it that way, okay. Hurry up and lick me.”

Once he discarded her panties, he opened her lower lips and dragged a finger slowly and easily across her wet slit. Why did he like to torment her so much? The light touch had her squirming for more.

Teagan hadn’t been thinking. She should have insisted on sucking his cock first. That way, he’d be more desperate for her. Even though he had exploded prematurely that one time, she was willing to chance it now.

Kip slowly worked a finger inside her that was just enough to remind her of what it would be like to have his big cock. “It’s too small. I need something bigger.”

“Oh, I got something big all right.”

She thought he’d climb on top, but instead, he rolled to the side and dragged her back to his chest. As comfortable as this position was, it didn’t afford her any chance to really touch him, so she did the next best thing. She wiggled her hips against his groin.

“Don’t do that.”

“Can’t handle the heat?”

Kip reached around and pinched her nipple with just the right amount of pressure to send her nerve endings soaring. Not to be left out, she reached behind her and grabbed his ass.

“I can handle anything you can dish out,” he said.

That was a challenge she wouldn’t turn down. Teagan rolled over and grabbed his dick. Sparks literally jumped off his skin. “I just want one little lick.”

“
Lick
… my ass. You want to suck on it hard and drive me over the edge.”

She slid down until her feet were off the bed. At eye level to her target, she reached around him and pulled him closer. Slowly dragging her tongue up his length, she cupped his balls the best she could.

“Careful.”

Wanting his dick inside her, she drew him deep into her mouth, swirled her tongue around his shaft a few times, and then lifted her mouth off him. Seconds later, she was curled up in front of him once more.

“You are in trouble now,” he said, clearly trying to go all Alpha on her.

“Let’s see what you got, electric boy.”

He laughed. “Watch out or I’ll send a charge through you.”

She groaned at his bad pun. Kip lifted her top leg and planted her foot in front of her knee, exposing her opening. He’d never mounted her from behind quite like this before, probably because they hadn’t been in such a confining place. Even the pup tent had more space.

His fingers found their way to her source. As soon as he slipped them into her opening and wiggled them around, she sucked in a breath as sparks charged up her. Damn man. She wouldn’t be surprised if he was adding some extra power with each wiggle.

While his fingers were a third the size of his cock, he sure knew how to use them effectively to turn her on.

“I need something… bigger.” He’d hit her G-spot halfway through her sentence.

“You got it.”