Free Spark of Magic by Trista Ann Michaels Page A

and screw the hell out of you.”
    45

    Her head came up with a jerk and tingles of desire skimmed along her flesh. She stared at him with a mixture of shock and anger—anger with herself for immediately coming to a state of burning need with his brash words. Heat flared in his eyes as he met her gaze and she swallowed, trying hard to think of a biting retort, but not a damn thing would come to mind. She was utterly speechless.
    “You’re nothing if not blunt,” she snapped, making him grin.
    He gently brushed the hair from her eyes, making her skin tingle. “I don’t see any sense in mincing words, not when I can sense your needs as clear as I can sense my own.”
    “Where’s Nicholas?” she asked, trying to change the subject from the dangerous path it headed down.
    Her whole body tingled with lust. Even her nipples were not immune as the material of her bra brushed against them, making them harden and ache for his touch.
    She did want him. More than anything right now she wanted him to do exactly as he’d said and it scared her to death. She’d never felt this kind of attraction and wondered just how real it was. Was it a spell? And if so, did she want a relationship based on that?
    “He’s in the lab with Vincent. They’re trying to formulate a spell that will draw out Sebastian as well as a protection spell for you. Prefer the two of us as opposed to just one?” he purred, reaching out to tug at one of the curls dangling around her earlobe.
    “Stop it,” she whispered.
    He only grinned, which fueled her aggravation even more. She needed some breathing room to better understand her jumbled emotions. Darien, in a word, was irresistible. Full, soft lips that could melt any arguments she might have, sultry eyes that could send her into a full state of lust with just a look and of course that amazing body and the confident way he carried it. Even just leaning against the wall he was delectable.
    “I need some answers, Darien, not teasing,” she pleaded, trying her best to keep her wits about her.
    “All right,” he conceded with a nod, moving his hand away from her and giving her a much needed reprieve from his overbearing sexuality. “What do you want to know?”
    “You’ve told me so much about my parents, I’m still trying to process everything.
    My father was very powerful, apparently so was my mother. I’m not by any stretch of the imagination as powerful. How can I fight Sebastian?”
    “You won’t have to fight him alone. Nicholas and I will be with you. If the three of us combine our powers we’ll be able to defeat him.”
    “Why doesn’t someone just kill him?” she asked in exasperation.
    “It’s not that simple. He’s woven several protection spells around himself. Killing him will be a challenge.”
    46

    Rebecca sighed and closed the book with a loud clap. Insecurities washed through her. Fear gripped her chest. She had trouble doing simple things. How the hell was she supposed to be the woman to save the council from an evil warlock?
    “I’m not ready for this,” she sighed. “I’m not.”
    “Hey,” Darien murmured as he gripped her chin and turned her to face him. “You won’t be alone. I promise.” Leaning forward, he placed a soft kiss on her cheek, making her stomach flip. His lips were warm and as he pulled away she caught the scents of mint and tea. “How about we go outside and practice a little? Get those powers of yours warmed up a bit?”
    Rebecca smiled slightly as she tried to recapture some of her composure. Just that one simple little kiss had sent her senses into a tailspin. For a fleeting second she could have sworn she felt his need for her, his desire to feel her beneath him, his tension-filled body coiled like a spring. Maybe magic practice was what they both needed to cool off.
    With a nod, she relented. “Sounds like a good idea.”
    * * * * *
    Nicholas stood back and watched Rebecca try to manipulate a boulder with magic.
    Twice she growled in