Library
An excerpt from Finding
The Magic by Cait Miller
She’s watching me…
Cam felt his whole body tense with the knowledge. He nursed a bottled
beer and fought to keep his eyes focused on his fingers as they peeled
the label off in strips. He had discovered her name was Jayne Davis
and she had been a constant presence in his mind since he had seen her
in the church this afternoon. He could feel her attraction to him but
she didn’t like him. He knew all he needed to do was look in the
mirror behind the bar and he would see her sitting in the shadows. Her
lips would be quirked in that annoying smile that seemed to say ‘I
know what you’re doing and I don’t care.’
He wanted her to care that he was ignoring her. It would only be fair.
Already he was aware of her on a level he wouldn’t acknowledge.
His skin tingled and the air crackled with the magical energy that wanted
to connect them. It was intense, like every cell of his body had suddenly
come alive and become sensitive to her presence. The urge to go to her
was so strong that he had to grit his teeth against it. He refused to
consider that it could be anything more than the usual demand of the
mating cycle. A demand that he had every intention of ignoring.
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An image
of her long slender body wrapped in her grey silk dress mocked him. The
material clung to her curves from her breasts to her ankles, concealing
the paw-shaped birthmark that he now knew had to be there. The light colour
made her upswept, red hair burn like fire. How long was it? Was it as
soft as it looked? He wanted to release it from the clip that secured
it and tangle his fingers in it. His cock hardened painfully and he shifted
his hips trying to relieve the pressure. “Shit.” His soft
exclamation drew the attention of the man standing next to him, and Cameron
glared at him until the man tossed his drink back and walked hastily away
from the bar.
Why hadn’t Jack warned him? Probably afraid you’d refuse
to come… He glanced over at his friend, he looked happy for
the first time in more than a year. Cam wanted no part of it. He’d
seen how bonded mates could destroy each other. Jack knew it too and yet,
here Cam was, under the scrutiny of a woman who could make him forget.
He had doubted that such a thing as a true bond even existed until he
had been in the same room as her. It didn’t change anything though,
even a Dearbh Ceangal doesn’t guarantee happiness. Only
torments you with the possibility of it.
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Really.
He tipped his bottle to his lips in an attempt to ease his dry throat and almost choked as she turned her attention to his backside. It couldn’t hurt to introduce himself, could it? Just to show her he wasn’t as worthless as she believed? Her intention flitted through his brain an instant before she moved and he watched her reflection weave its way toward the patio doors at the far side of the room. The gray silk of her dress dipped dangerously low at the back, revealing a small henna tattoo in a Celtic design at the base of her spine. Throwing a couple of notes beside his abandoned, drink, he followed her, suddenly glad that he was the only unmated shifter in the room.
Home
Beyond the lights of the patio the partial moon gilded the trees and shrubs with a white luminescence. The air was cold and Cam could smell snow on the light breeze along with the light, spicy scent of her perfume. Jayne stood in the middle of the neatly trimmed lawn, her shoes dangling from her fingertips. A slight smile curved her lips and her face was tilted toward the clear sky, her eyes closed as though she was being bathed by the sun instead of moonlight. She looked ethereal like a fey queen with her creamy skin and fiery red hair and for a moment he was frozen. Gradually the muted sounds of music and laughter from the ballroom intruded and he mentally shook himself, feeling ridiculous. When did he get so poetic? He cleared his throat, suddenly unsure how to approach her. The smile fled and she opened her eyes and looked at him, “What do you want?”
You, the thought rose instantly in his mind and he clamped his lips against the urge to say it. He crossed the wet grass until he stood in front of her, “To apologise, I shouldnae have ignored you…at the church.” Her light eyes shone with mocking amusement, “Just at the church?” she prodded.
“Aye.”
She laughed, “Not the most tactful of people, are you? Don’t worry, I’m sure I’ll get over it.” She turned her back on him and started to walk away and he caught her wrist. Her pulse fluttered under his fingertips like a trapped bird and he knew she wasn’t as calm as she pretended to be. A gentle tug brought her around to face him, her hand resting on his chest. The contact burned his skin through his shirt. Arousal rushed through him bringing his cock to full, painful attention and standing as close as she was, he knew she must feel it too. Her confidence had fled leaving behind uncertainty to battle with the desire in her eyes. Without conscious thought, he caressed her face with his fingertips, tracing the smooth, cool skin. She shivered and her lips parted on a shaky sigh.
“Ah told myself Ah wasn’t goin’ to touch you…” Cupping her head in his hand, he kissed her. Gently at first, just a sampling of her soft lips, then deeply, tasting the sweetness of the liqueur she had been drinking earlier. Dimly he heard the thud, thud of her shoes slipping from her hand. His pulse pounded in his ears and his groin throbbed when she moaned and clutched at his shirt. Faint echoes of her desire mingled with his swirled through his head. Cam knew that, with a little focus, he could join her mind with his. Instinct hammered at him, take her…take her…He felt electricity crackle through his body and his fingertips began to tingle where he still grasped her wrist. Suddenly the significance of what he was feeling pierced the fog of desire. He pushed himself away from her, gasping, “No!”
She stared at him, bewildered, fingers pressed to lips that were swollen and wet from their kiss. His hands clenched into fists against the need to pull her back and finish what they had started, but the energy that still pulsed though him told him how close he’d come to doing what he’d sworn never to do. “Jayne, I…”
She held up a hand, “No, not another word. I need to get back inside before I’m missed.” Cam watched as she scooped up the silver shoes and walked quickly back towards the patio, this time he made no move to stop her