Page 39 of Enchanted Hero (The Secret Enchanters #1)

T he news alert flashed across Everleigh’s television screen, punctuated by neon yellow letters.

The mysterious man had surfaced again, and this time he’d saved a roomful of hostages.

The criminals were poised to shoot when the hero miraculously emerged from a closet, strolling out as if he’d stopped by to cash a check.

After that, the criminals’ weapons mysteriously ceased working.

It was unlikely, it was impossible. It was undeniably magical.

Before the police could question him, he returned to the closet and slammed the door. The police opened it a second later to find it empty. No one knew where he’d gone, but there were a million theories. Most of them involved the supernatural.

Unfortunately, not everyone had been spared. There had been a sixth robber in the bank’s vault that was unknown to the police and newscasters. He’d managed a single shot before being subdued by police, but it was enough. A hostage had been hit. They weren’t sure he was going to make it.

Still, the carnage would have been far worse without the masked man, and once again he was being hailed a hero. Of course, they couldn’t thank him since no one knew his identity.

Unless she did.

A promotion for tomorrow’s press conference appeared on the screen. How could the conspiracy theorist get his own event? Did he possess evidence that convinced the news to take him seriously? Did he actually know the hero’s identity?

Was it Alexander?

She turned off the television. It was impossible. Alexander might seem all powerful, but no way could he really be all powerful.

Yet even the enchanter made mistakes. Tonight must have been devastating for him, the first save in which he didn’t prevent all disaster. Did he have anyone to talk to? Anyone with whom to share his worries?

She wandered aimlessly around the apartment, tracing surfaces, pacing in the small space.

She gazed outside the window, at a sky that somehow seemed less brilliant without Alexander’s presence.

She should go to bed, yet instead she grabbed her car keys and walked into the balmy night.

She did not even contemplate her destination before entering her car.

What was she going to say when she reached Alexander’s home? In case you’re the hero who just thwarted a bank robbery, I’m sorry you had a rough night. Did you need someone to listen? Chances were she wouldn’t get past security.

But she did, just as he promised the first night they met. The guards didn’t even wait for her to speak before they opened the heavy gates and waved her through. She parked in front of the mansion and marched up to the massive doors. She lifted her hand to knock when the door opened.

Alexander Stone always seemed forceful, always powerful, yet he’d never been this intense.

Like an uncontrollable force of nature, the sophisticated businessman was gone, replaced by dominance, authority and primal power.

Raw emotion swirled, with too many facets to identify.

She took a step back, or at least made the attempt, but he reached out so quickly he was like a blur.

Suddenly she was moving forward, into his home.

The door slammed shut behind her.

“How…” She spun around. “Must’ve been the wind.”

“Are you all right?”

Everleigh turned to Alexander, instinctively crossing her arms over her chest. Not that it would be any protection from the powerful man. “Of course. I’m fine.”

“This isn’t a good time, Everleigh.”

“It’s not?” Her voice sounded breathless, even to her. She longed to ask why, even if the appropriate response was to turn and walk away. She couldn’t do either.

“Why did you come?”

She couldn’t tell him the real reason she was here. Either she was wrong and he’d think she was crazy, or she was right… and he’d take control. “I just wanted to see if you’re all right.”

He gazed at her, his eyes so bright they almost seemed lit from within. “Why wouldn’t I be all right?”

Because he was secretly a supernatural being who moonlighted as a hero? Because he saved a group of hostages, yet inadvertently missed one? Because even if he could do amazing things, he still possessed emotions, feelings, pain? “I don’t know.”

He stepped closer. Did he see the suspicions she couldn’t hide? If she revealed his secret, what would he do?

Suddenly, it became too much – the emotions, the uncertainties, him . She scooted back, but he followed. Sudden unease drove her back to the door. “I’m sure you’re okay. I shouldn’t have come.” She put her hand on the knob, turned it.

It didn’t budge.

“I’m glad you came.” For a second, his mask slipped, revealing pure pain through the shattered facade. Without conscious thought, she took his hands, yet he immediately maneuvered so he held her.

“Tell me,” she whispered.

He shook his head.

This time she moved closer. “Please.”

He looked upward, his expression torn by anguish. “I made a mistake,” he said simply, his voice still strong. “A tragic, horrible mistake.”

“No.” Everleigh brushed against pure steel. “It wasn’t your fault.”

“It was completely and utterly my fault. I didn’t know… I should have known…” He took a ragged breath, dragged his hand through his hair. “You should leave. I’m not good company tonight.”

She touched his chest, as actions and consequences ceased to matter. She couldn’t leave him now. Whether he was the hero or not, he needed her. She had to show him.

She pulled him to her.

The kiss was as intense as the tornado she’d barely escaped. There was no slow start, no testing, just an instant passion that couldn’t be denied. They parried back and forth, as she tasted him, as he plundered her. She gasped as he lifted her in pure hunger, surrendering to the delicious assault.

Suddenly he pulled back, a harbinger of coldness as she returned to the floor.

He placed a hand around her arm, as strong as an iron manacle.

“I’m sorry, Everleigh. I don’t have my usual…

control.” His intensity threatened her power, but she was not afraid.

“If you don’t leave now, I might never be able to let go. ”

Thoughts scattered. Possessiveness was his signature, but he had never stated it so succinctly. She should run, escape while she could, but would it truly matter?

It was only a matter of time before he caught her.

“I belong here.”

“Yes, you do.” His gaze burned with hidden fire. “I suppose leaving now would only delay the inevitable. You were mine the day we met.”

What?

Yet she had no time to protest as he lifted her off her feet, seizing her like a warrior’s prize. She reached up to kiss him, but he grasped her wrist. “Not yet. I can barely keep control as it is.”

She clutched him as he strode through the house, traversing room after room of pure luxury, to the bedroom where he’d captured her the first time.

The furnishings were the same, yet so much was different as they entered the scent of leather and wood, the luxurious and darkened surroundings.

She shivered as his destination became clear.

The bed was massive and one of a kind, with ornate wood posters and deep engravings of mysterious symbols. He placed her on it, yet never relinquished his hold. “Do you know how beautiful you are?” he murmured. “You are absolutely perfect. And you are mine .”

She arched up, brushing her breasts against him, craving the heat burning through her thin blouse. Desire ignited a firestorm, as the powerful man grasped the top button of her shirt. Moments later he removed the garment.

“How did you unfasten it so fast?” she breathed.

“I couldn’t wait any longer.” He leaned down, and she was lost.

The kiss stole her senses, untethered her grip on reality. James forged fire as he brushed her hips, smoothing the taut skin of her belly. Suddenly the skirt was gone, and the lacy bra followed soon thereafter.

She arched as he captured her breasts, kneading them in his large palms. He plucked her nipples, tightening them into pebbled buds. Suddenly the heat left, eliciting a mewled protest, yet he returned the next minute after her panties, the last item shielding her, disappeared.

He lifted a large hand, covering her eyes and stealing her sight. She moaned as he shifted above her, and then his clothes were gone, too, as somehow he undressed as well. She opened her eyes and gasped.

He’d seemed massive before, but nothing could prepare her for the true man. He was magnificent, powerful and potent, raw masculinity defined. He wore a predator’s gaze as he studied her in pure possession. “You will now become mine.”

Oh, yes.

If touches with clothing had been all-encompassing, skin-to-skin contact was almost too much to bear.

She sighed and moaned, squirmed and writhed, as he caressed her softness, as he branded every inch under his expert tutelage.

He gave her no freedom, as he touched everywhere , exploring every secret she dared hide.

In turn, she explored him, caressing smooth velvet over iron muscles. Finally, it was time.

He took her in one powerful motion.

They moved together in the dance of time, every moment love’s symphony.

He stole her control, as she soared higher and higher and then higher still.

It was unlike anything she’d ever felt, physical sensations of unbearable pleasure, and even greater emotions.

When she shattered into a million pieces, he was there, holding her, soothing her, promising so much with unspoken words.

But he wasn’t done. Again and again, he coaxed her to pleasure, shattering her countless times, before submitting to his own release. Finally, they lay replete, but even then he didn’t let go. He captured her in his embrace, surrounding her on all sides.