The Beltane Witch (Cloudburst Colorado) (7 page)

“I’ll get my coat!”

“Me too!” The girls took off to find their outer garments and Darius hoped to find his composure as Sabrina gathered up the ribbons
.

“Can you grab the stepladder, Darius? It’s just inside the garage.”

He’d never been so grateful to be sent on a mundane errand in his life.
Get a hold of yourself, man.
Between the odd yearning and the sexual attraction he experienced around Sabrina, he swore he’d lost his mind. The last time he’d been this out of control, he’d been a boy of twenty years. At two hundred and eight, he expected more decorum from himself.

The bracing cold and manual labor should do the trick.
He gathered the stepladder and his cloak before they all trouped outside, the girls running through the patchy snow with exuberance. Darius took a deep breath, hoping to cool his arousal as they set to work, the girls shouting instructions in between gathering little sticks for the fire.

Sabrina’s cheeks turned rosy in the frigid air
as she worked and the weak sunlight peeking through the clouds sparkled off her hair. Instead of dousing his ardor, his mind filled with images of warming her up beside the fire and teasing her with hot tea or chocolate. His cock saluted to the idea and strained the seams of his pants.

Dammit, she’s just a human witch.
Whom he liked, admired, and respected. He thought again of Tansy’s explanation of Tommy and his fury rose to engulf his arousal.
At least my cockstand has retreated.
But the idea of someone leaving a woman like Sabrina prompted an old anger. A rage he kept burning for the man who’d left his mother with three sons.

And what makes me any different?

Darius had never committed to a woman and promised to stay. He’d only had one night liaisons with the lasses to avoid such entanglements. He wanted the pleasure without the concern of breaking a promise like his father had broken to his mother. Darius didn’t believe in celibacy, but he did believe in commitment, and he’d never give his until he found the one woman he couldn’t live without.

And
it’s not bloody likely
. The only commitment he needed from Sabrina concerned the rituals. Afterwards, they’d be free of each other.

He resolutely ignored the
hollow feeling following his thoughts.

Chapter Six

Sabrina finished the supper time dishes and hung her apron on the hook in the pantry as she thought over the day. It had been productive with the Beltane preparations. The girls had been delighted to have Darius’s help, and Sabrina had to admit she enjoyed it as well.
He’d helped tie the ribbons to the May Pole, chop vegetables for the crock pot stew, and decorate the house with pine boughs filled with dried flowers.

But the best part had been when he chopped the wood for the fire.

Sabrina gripped the edge of the sink as she closed her eyes in remembered pleasure. Darius had removed his shirt as the day warmed and the pale sunlight glistened on his shoulders. Sabrina had forgotten what she’d been doing when he swung the axe. Each motion made the muscles of his back, shoulders, and arms ripple in the light and she damn near swallowed her tongue.

No man should be
so beautiful.

The grace and power in his body as he chopped the wood sent juices flooding to her pussy and she’d wished for a moment to see him naked, proudly erect, and hot for her. She had to shove her hands into the snow to keep herself from overheating or reaching out to stroke his back.

You’re just overreacting to being celibate for so long
. Still, the rumble of his voice filtering through the house as he spoke to her daughters before bed sent pleasure skipping through her. She dried her hands and followed his voice to Holly’s bedroom where he read her a story.

Sabrina paused on the threshold, reluctant to interrupt the tableau before her. Darius read
a llama rhyming book and Holly giggled in delight at the funny pictures. Sabrina’s heart melted, aching with the wish for his presence to be reality instead of temporary.

What’s wrong with me? I’ve never needed a man before and I won’t start now.

But when he kissed Holly goodnight on her forehead and tucked the blankets up to her chin, Sabrina’s throat closed and she had to look away before she cried.

“Mom
my, Darius read me the Mama Llama book and he did funny voices.”

“Funny voices?” Darius jammed his hands on his hips and gave her a mock glare. “I’ll have you know
mah accent doesna change jest ta please ya.” Each new iteration of his voice sent Holly into fits of giggles and Sabrina chuckled along with her.

“See? He’s funny, Mommy.”

“Yes, he is, but looks aren’t everything.”

Darius gasped in
dramatic horror, setting Holly off again.

“Fine. Perhaps I shall just go chop more wood for the fire.” He raised his chin and stomped toward the doorway, winking at Sabrina as he passed.

Her face heated and she wondered how he knew what she’d been thinking of earlier. She sat down on the bed and kissed her daughter goodnight, tucking the blankets around her shoulders.

“Mommy?”

“Yes, Holly.”

“I like Darius. He’s fun.” Holly smiled and wiggled deeper into her covers. “I wish he could stay.”

Me, too.
“I like Darius, too. Get some sleep. I love you.”

“Love you, too, Mommy.”

Sabrina switched off the lights and closed the door most of the way, her mind churning over her houseguest.
Wishing him to stay is ridiculous. He’s a player, a charmer, and temporary.
Reality stuck its barbs firmly into her happy bubble and she retreated to the kitchen to brew some tea.
Maybe an electric tea
.

Darius sat at the table, his hands wrapped around a steaming mug and his expression far away.
Sabrina thought she saw sorrow in his eyes, but his face smoothed into a smile when he caught sight of her.

“Are they abed?”

“Yes, finally.” Sabrina pointed at the second mug on the table. “Is that for me?”

“Yes, I thought you’d like it.” Darius gestured to the chair beside him at the table. “Come sit for awhile, Sabrina.”

“Thank you.” She took the chair and ran her hands through her hair as she inhaled the sweet scent of peppermint tea. “Peppermint. Perfect for a trying-to-be spring night. And my favorite.”

“Is it?” He
offered his charming smile. “I’ve always liked its soothing qualities. I’m glad to know I chose well.”

“You’ve been a great help today. Thanks.”

“My pleasure.”

“Yeah, right.” Sabrina snorted.

“No, truly, Sabrina. I enjoyed decorating with your children and you. It’s been a long time since I’ve prepared for Beltane in such a simple way.” When she raised an eyebrow, he added hastily, “I mean not for the Court. Like we used to at my home, with my mother and brothers.”

“You have family?”
Sabrina sipped her tea and let the mint soothe her.

Sadness
briefly flashed across his face. “I no longer see them very much, but my brother still holds our estates outside of the Fae city of Na’ersindel.” He shrugged. “We have drifted apart with the death of my mother several decades ago.”

“I’m sorry, Darius.”

He dismissed it with a wave. “No matter. It’s in the past. Today has been a good day. Thank you for including me.”

Sabrina chuckled. “Well, I couldn’t exactly exclude you when I
didn’t feel very well this morning. And there’s no way I could’ve chopped the wood with my head pounding.”

“Speaking of which, how are you feeling now?”

“I’m fine. I think the swelling’s gone down, too.”

“Let me see.”

He rose and stepped behind her, his hands sliding over her scalp as he searched for the lump. She hissed when he hit a tender spot and he murmured an apology, tucking her hair behind her ears. She allowed herself to enjoy the tender gesture.

“It is
much reduced,” he agreed, but remained behind her with his warm hands on her shoulders. “I’m relieved you’re all right.”

“Me, too.” Sabrina closed her eyes as his fingers caressed her shoulder muscles. “Ooohhhh,
that feels great.”

“Why are your shoulders so stiff, Sabrina?”

“Maybe it’s because I’m a single mom in a dead-end job trying to make ends meet and periodically accosted by determined men with conflicting beliefs.” She shrugged. “Just a theory, of course.”

His seductive chuckle
rumbled behind her. “Oh, is that all?”

His understanding of her sarcasm startled a laugh out of her. “Yes,
that’s all.”

Darius gave her one last rub then trailed his fingers over her neck and shoulder as he moved to the counter to grab the teapot. Sabrina suppressed a shiver of pleasure and tried to concentrate on the heat of her mug rather than his hands.
Your focus needs focus.

“And if you could do anything, Sabrina, what would you do in your dead-end job’s stead?” He returned to the table and refilled his mug before sitting down.

“I don’t know.”

“What?” He
raised his eyebrows. “Surely you have dreams and aspirations.”

“You mean in a perfect world where dreams come true and happily-ever-after exists?” Sabrina laughed
derisively. “There’s no such place.”

“Come now, don’t allow bleak reality to steal your hopes.” Darius grasped one hand and stroked the back of it with his thumb. “If you could do anything, what it would be?”

Sabrina sighed and closed her eyes, trying to remember a time when she believed in dreams.
Long before Tommy Two-Faces and Merrilee Fuckstwice.

“I’ve always wanted to have an herb garden where I grow my own herbs and brew my own oi
ls, creams, and poultices.” She pictured the whole set up in her mind. “I’d set up a shop where I could offer Cloudburst some homeopathic remedies for health and beauty using home-grown ingredients.” She bit her lip and opened her eyes. “I know it sounds hokey, but I’ve always wanted to do it on a larger scale than just for my kids.”

Darius grunted with thoughtful appreciation.

“Where would you choose to have this shop? In town?” He sipped his tea, hiding his expression.

“No, there isn’t any space
for rent and I couldn’t afford it anyway.”

“Do you have another place in mind?”

She wished she could judge his thoughts, but he gave nothing away and she hoped he wouldn’t laugh at her outright. Sabrina rubbed the handle of her mug.

“There’s this old abandoned gold
mine on Oro Creek two miles up our road from here. It’s got an old mill with a working waterwheel right on the creek.” She squirmed in her chair and refused to meet his too discerning eyes. “The bones of the structure are still sound and clearing there has great energy. My girls and I go up there every summer to pick wildflowers and herbs.”

“What’s stopping you from doing this?”

Sabrina snorted. “You mean other than not having the money to renovate, much less purchase the property?”

He grunted again, but she couldn’t decipher the
sound. “Why have they called the town Cloudburst if their mine produced gold?”

“The first settlers who came here weren’t miners, but families just trying to find a safe place to live. When they
first settled, the rain storms here were fantastic, but short. So they called the town Cloudburst for the weather. Later they found gold in them thar hills and named the creek Oro. I don’t know what they named the mine.”

“Who owns the mill now?”

“I don’t know. I’d have to do some research in the town records.” A derisive laugh escaped her lips. “What am I talking about? I don’t even have the funds to consider buying the land. There’s no real point finding out how to purchase it.”

“There’s always a reason to find out
such information, just in case.”

“Just in case, what? I win the lottery?” Sabrina laughed
again and shook her head. “I can barely make ends meet by working at Mazie’s. I can’t afford to set money aside to buy land.”

“You know, if you do the rituals, you may ask a boon of the Summer Court. Perhaps you could ask for the funding for a land purchase.”

Cold horror filled Sabrina’s stomach and she swallowed hard. “No way. I’m not taking any favors from the Fae. I’ve heard the stories of what happens to people who receive the Fae’s ‘gifts’. You’ve heard of Rip Van Winkle, right?” She waved her hand over her mug. “No thanks.”

“Master Van Winkle irritated the Fae rather than received a boon.” Darius gave her a sardonic look.

“Still, I’m okay without any Fae favors.” She smothered a yawn with the back of her hand and her head throbbed with the remainder of her concussion. “I think I’m going to go to bed. I’m tired and there’s more to do tomorrow.”

Sabrina grasped her mug and carried it to the sink. She jumped a little as Darius brought the teapot to the counter beside her.

“How is your head feeling? Any pain?”

“A little, but I’m sure it will be better after I sleep.”

He frowned. “Go get ready for bed. I’ll turn out the lights and tuck you in.”

Sabrina
chuckled. “I’m a big girl, Darius. I can tuck myself in.”

“I’m sure you can. The Goddess knows you’ve had no one to offer you such comfort.”
His smile made her wonder how she’d ever done without someone tucking her in. “Go ready yourself for bed and I shall be there anon.”

“Darius…
”

“Please, Sabrina.” He grasped her shoulders and stared her down. “I just want to be sure your head is on the mend.”

She searched his eyes, looking for his motives. Had she heard real pleading in his voice?
Don’t be ridiculous. He’s just making sure his pet witch isn’t going to fall over dead before I do what he wants.
At least he’d been honest with his intentions.

“All right.” She almost added he should
n’t get any funny ideas about crawling into bed with her, but some traitorous portion of her suggested it wouldn’t be so bad.
Shut up.

“Go on. I’ll be there in a trice.”

Sabrina retreated into her thoughts and her bedroom, wondering when she’d started to like him. When he treated her children with respect? Or helped them prepare for Beltane? Or had he been more subtle, using a small spell to shift her regard?

Ha, fat chance
. I’d notice.

She threw her clothes in the laundry hamper and pulled her fleece pjs on just to discourage her traitorous voice. No way he’d b
e getting any nookie through those babies. By the time she’d settled into the bed, Darius appeared at her door and knocked softly.

“May I come in?”

“Yes, I’m ready for you.”
Geez, can I sound any more sexually interested?

His chuckle told her he’d thought the same thing. “Good. How is your head?”

“It’s not pounding, but the headache has settled into the background.” She shrugged. “It’ll be gone in the morning.”

“Let me take a look.”

He settled on the bed beside her and reached for her head, his spicy scent enveloping her. She closed her eyes and drank in the heat of his body along with the energy of his presence. Warmth from his fingers digging gently into her hair caressed her face and she fell into it with a sigh. Behind her eyelids he glowed with healthy energy, although the swirls of color moved somewhat sluggishly as if he hadn’t reached his full potential.