Page 53 of Deadly Little Games

I owed it to him to try.

Not knowing what I was doing, I pushed away the vines trying to crawl up my body. I leaned over Gabriel, pressing my lips against his.

He didn’t move. He didn’t breathe.

I opened myself further, letting every drop of wild magic flow through me. The vines snaked up my body faster. I kissed Gabriel, and I pushed all of that magic into him.

My mind became nothing but the pounding rhythm of the earth. To control such things, there was a price. There was always a price.

Then I felt Mistral’s hands on my back, his touch returning me to myself, at least enough for me to think again. Enough for me to realize Gabriel’s hands had lifted to my waist. He pulled me against him, deepening our kiss.

I was so relieved, more tears streamed from my closed eyes, but the magic was still there, wrapping around us. It had given us the gift of healing, and now we had to pay the price.

And I didn’t know if it was the magic wrapped tightly around us, or just too many near death experiences in one day.

But it was a price I was willing to pay.

19

My shirtand bra were gone in an instant, and I pressed my bare chest against Gabriel for the very first time, feeling all that hard muscle beneath me, warm and real andalive. His fingertips skimmed up my sides, then his arms wrapped around me, holding me against him.

“Eva.” His muttered words sent a thrill straight to my core, his tone so different from what I usually experienced.

I sensed another presence at my back, then Mistral leaned over me, placing a gentle kiss on my neck. “I can try leaving you two alone, but if the magic becomes too difficult to control, I will have to intervene.”

Gabriel’s hands kneaded my lower back and I groaned, grinding my hips against him. I appreciated being given the option, but it didn’t feel right sending Mistral away. He was a part of this. Part of all we had conjured up.

I lifted myself, hugging my knees around Gabriel’s sides as I straddled him. I met his darkened gaze, a question on the tip of my tongue.

He nodded, saving me from speaking. “It’s okay.”

The vines had started snaking around us again, but this time I didn’t care as Mistral moved close, kissing the pulse near mythroat. Gabriel’s large hands moved up my sides, then gripped my breasts.

My breath caught in my throat at the physical sensations coupled with the thrum of wild magic around us—withinus. Gabriel sat up, his height putting us eye to eye. I lifted my hands from the tugging vines, cradling his jaw as I kissed him. His tongue slid over mine just as Mistral kissed my neck again, making my entire body pulse with heat. Just this—just their mouths on me as wild magic flowed through us—was almost too much.

Gabriel gripped my back, then spun me beneath him, placing me gently on the grass. The vines behaved themselves, cushioning me rather than restraining me. Gabriel kissed down my chest, then sucked my breast into his mouth, teasing my nipple with his tongue.

I tossed my head back, my senses overwhelmed with the scent of earth and grass, and beyond that the scents of the men I had come to know.

Gabriel’s kisses moved further down my body. As he unbuttoned my jeans, Mistral moved toward us. He leaned on one elbow, stroking the hair out of my face with his free hand. “You’re glowing, Eva.”

And so I was. Around my hands pressed against the earth, tiny stars glittered. I stared at them, transfixed, then Gabriel tugged off my pants and underwear and found me with his mouth.

I threw my head back again, my eyes fluttering closed.

Mistral’s lips skimmed my cheek. “When the time comes, we must be sure to send the magic back below.”

I inhaled sharply as Gabriel found just the right spot with his tongue. “I don’t know how,” I panted.

“I will be here to help you.” Mistral’s hand found mine, our fingers twining. “Just like last time.”

I squeezed his hand, the only answer I could give as the orgasm hit me. I could feel the heartbeat of the earth beneath us, pleased because I had relinquished my last shred of control. Sex was magic too. Energy. And the land thrived on it.

Gabriel’s tongue slid across me a final time, then he lifted his head enough to lay his cheek on my abdomen. I moved my free hand to stroke my fingers through his dark hair. “Don’t think you’re getting off that easy,” I panted.

He lifted his head enough to look at me, then seeing my expression, he smiled. “What exactly do you have in mind?”

Dropping Mistral’s hand, I pushed Gabriel back until I could climb onto his lap, straddling him. I could feel the hard length of him through his pants, pressing against me. Just the small brush stole a gasp from my lips. The feel of magic around us had quieted, as if it was waiting to see what would happen. Tiny stars floated around us, casting hints of light on the night-darkened greenery.