Free Sensual Magic by Lauren Dane Page B

slumped onto the bed.
    â€œI love you, too. It’s going to be fine. Call me tomorrow.”
    She hung up and threw herself onto her back for a moment, giving in to a miniwallow. She planned to throttle the hell out of these mages and the woman when she hunted them down the next day. Just to make herself feel better if for no other reason. Hmpf.
    * * *
    William stalked down the hall, annoyed with himself for even being there. He should be back at his apartment with a woman or two, fucking this one out of his head. Fuck it,he had to get her out of Vegas before he did or said something stupid.
    Agitated, he pounded on the door, softening as he remembered it was after one. He waited, hearing her approach on the other side.
    â€œWhat do you want?” Her voice came, muffled through the door.
    He leaned in close to the door. “Open up, Nell.”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œDamn it. Open the door.”
    â€œGo away, William. I can’t deal with you right now. I’m tired and I don’t have the energy to fight with you or take your insults.” Her voice caught. He heard it through the door and regret crashed through him.
    â€œI need to talk to you. It’s important. Open up. Please.” His hands fisted with the need to pull her close and make that catch in her voice go away.
    She opened it hard, stood there in a tiny pair of pink panties and nothing else. He pushed his way inside and closed the door, locking it. It was then he really saw her face. Her beautiful eyes sparked with temper, but they were swollen and red.
    She’d been crying? Tenderness unfurled through him, pushing aside his anger, his frustration. “What’s wrong?”
    She put a hand on her hip and try as hard as he could, there was no way her near total nakedness couldn’t attract his attention. He’d been inside her twice, thought of her in hundreds of sexual situations, but he’d never seen her totally nude. Her breasts were fucking amazing. The rest of her was long and lean, toned and creamy pale. She shone like the moon, nearly stopping his heart with her own unique beauty.Never in his life had he been so moved by a woman’s beauty. No one was like her.
    Still, tears. Focus on the tears.
    â€œI’m trying to sleep, in case you haven’t noticed. You got what you wanted back at Darkness. Why are you here?”
    That hit him like the slap it was. Landed true because he knew he’d run out and made her feel used. He’d done it to hide from what she made him feel and instead he’d damaged her. The wall he’d erected just two hours earlier continued to crumble.
    â€œDoesn’t look like you were sleeping. It looks like you’ve been crying. And I didn’t get enough of what I wanted at Darkness.” He paused and walked down the hall into the room. He’d meant to just tell her to get out of town immediately and instead found himself standing stock-still, breathing deep. Her scent hung in the air, wrapping around him and squeezing until he had no choice but to abandon his stupid plan. “Damn it. Damn it, Nell, I don’t feel like I can get enough of you. Ever.”
    She’d grabbed a robe and was attempting to put it on when he spun and caught her. Emotion clouded his gaze and something deep inside her squeezed.
    â€œWhat now? What did I do?” She left her robe open, daring him not to look.
    â€œFuck. Fuck. Why? What did you do to me? Why do I love you?” He reached out and pulled her to him and she growled in his face.
    â€œDo you think I need magic to be alluring? You’re such a prick!”
    â€œI am. I know I am. It’s served me well, kept me away from feeling deeply about other women like Leah! And youcome along, I barely even know you and I can’t stop thinking about you.”
    Anguish poured off him in a wave, catching her, tugging at her emotions, her need to soothe him.
    She pulled herself loose, needing some distance.