A Bundle of Trouble (The Lynlee Lincoln Sets Book 1) Read online

  My hand to my forehead, I checked myself for fever. Something definitely wasn’t right with me.

  Just then my phone rang and my heart skipped when I saw Beck’s name. It was morning, much earlier than I normally heard from him, but it was a pleasant surprise. I pushed the answer button and wedged the phone between my ear and shoulder, “Hey there.”

  “Hey you. I’ve got bad news, baby.”

  Bad news or not, I loved the sound of his voice; it made me smile and gave me the urge to laugh aloud. “Listen, if the video store is out of copies of Reindeer Games I consider that good news. That means we move on to my choice so you’d better grab The Santa Clause and…”

  “There was a fire in my building, Lynlee.”

  I sucked in a breath, immediately contrite about the joke. “I’m sorry. Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, yeah. It was a small fire and wasn’t in my apartment, just my building, But the sprinkler systems went haywire and it took them forever to get them shut off so the whole place is flooded and the ceiling collapsed over my bedroom. All my stuff is ruined.”

  “Crap. That’s terrible. Where are you gonna stay?”

  He grumbled a few seconds and I heard him shuffling around, cursing under his breath. “They’re giving the residents a stipend to get hotels, but my neighbor says a lot of places are booked.”

  “You could come here.”

  The sudden pause and utter silence on the other end of the line terrified me. I had spoken without thinking and even though I didn’t regret the invite, I was afraid I’d made a terrible faux pas. Beck and I had shared a meal and then enjoyed lots of flirting and bantering over the last several days, but inviting him to stay in my home over Christmas was an altogether different animal.

  “Are you sure about that?”

  “Of course.” I tried to keep my voice light and unconcerned, but my heart was thudding in my chest. “I mean if you want to, that is.”

  “I want to, Lynlee. I totally want to. But it’s your new house and we haven’t known each other all that long. I just need to know you’re sure.”

  My lip twitched as I registered his concern. I was a single woman with big brand new place and I was inviting a man I had only known a week and a half at best to come stay with me. Most women would have the sense to be a little more careful.

  But I wasn’t just a woman, I was a witch.

  “Are you going to call and try to find a flight or are you going to waste time worrying?”

  His laughter set my nerves at ease and I finally let the smile teasing my lips come through. “I’ll call you back to let you know if I can get there.”

  By some miracle Beck found a cancellation and got a flight. His plane was scheduled to arrive at 3:45 that afternoon and even though I knew holiday travel would likely have some delays, I made sure I was there early to pick him up. My punctuality was rewarded when his flight landed right on time.

  The entire drive to the airport I’d wondered how I should greet him. When he made his way through the bustling gate and his eyes found mine, I didn’t have to wonder anymore. I rushed forward, pushing and shoving people out of my way and swallowed him up in a bear hug.

  Beck didn’t seem to mind and even let his bag drop at his feet so that he could put his arms fully around me. “Merry Christmas Eve, gorgeous.”

  I nuzzled his neck, inhaled his scent, then forced myself to step back and look at him again. “Merry Christmas Eve to you too.”

  He surprised me by smacking a kiss to my lips, then simultaneously picked up his bag with one hand and grabbed my hand with the other. “Let’s get out of this place.”

  I’m really horrible with directions and it wasn’t often that I drove the thirty or so miles to the airport, so the entire drive to my home I had to really concentrate on my driving. Beck carried the conversation for the both of us, telling me about the apartment flood, his flight and the warm Texas weather.

  I was just about to tell him there was a cold front arriving that night, but I missed my exit and decided it was better to focus on where I was going. Lucky for me, Beck didn’t seem to notice my U-turn and just kept on talking.

  “Wow. You said it was big, but this is huge.” Beck’s jaw dropped when we pulled up to the house.

  My chest puffed out in pride. I loved my house and naturally I wanted everyone else to admire it too. “See, I told you there was nothing for you to worry about. Plenty of room in my new digs for you to have your space.”

  We had to maneuver our way past boxes when we entered the house through the kitchen. I had unpacked all of my things within no more than 24 hours of getting my house keys, but I realized almost too late that it would probably seem pretty unusual to most people. So in the hour before I left to pick Beck up, I’d managed to magically repack some of my things so that the place looked more normal.

  “I bet you’re worn out with the rigors of the move,” he commented, following me down the hallway. “I’m sorry you had to rush out to pick me up this afternoon.”

  “Hey, I invited you because I wanted you here. Don’t apologize.”

  I opened the door to the downstairs bedroom and motioned him inside. There was a bathroom attached and so I crossed over and flipped that light on to be sure there were towels and other necessities there.

  “Big room.”

  My head bobbed up and down in agreement. “The realtor called it the second master. If you’ll help we can get the bed set up,” I motioned to the mattress, box springs and frame, “and then you’ll be good to go.”

  When I looked back at him I was surprised to see him approaching me. In just a matter of seconds he was in front of me, his hand brushing a lock of hair away from my cheek, then trailing a finger from my temple along my jaw. “Does the first master bedroom have a bed too? One that’s already assembled?”

  A tremble rolled up my spine and I licked my lips, struggling to breathe. I didn’t mean to hesitate so long, but the close proximity to him always managed to undo me. Beck’s face blanched when I didn’t speak and he quickly took a huge step away from me. “Shit. I’m sorry, Lynlee. What an idiot. I mean, you invite me here to your home and I practically manhandle you the moment we’re in the door.”

  He ran an frustrated hand through his brown hair then marched off towards the kitchen. I stayed rooted to my spot for a moment, my mind swimming to the surface to find clarity. When I looked down the hallway Beck hand both hands splayed against the island, under his t-shirt the muscles of his back flexed and released over and over.

  I intended to walk to him calmly, but my legs were in a hurry and instead I rushed to stand behind him, cautiously placing my palms to his shoulders. “I’m not living like a nun or something, but I don’t date, I never brought guys to my house … I mean I never had a house until now, but still I brought you here because I want you here. I don’t just want you here, I want you, but you’re so damned sexy that all you have to do is get within a foot of me and I start acting all crazy. The only thing I can do when you get close is think about how bad I want to kiss you and then my brain just shuts down and I look stupid and I should probably just shut the hell up before I make an even bigger fool …”

  His hands reached back to grab my waist, hauling my front up against his back. I gasped, then moaned as I leaned my upper body forward and put my cheek into the curve of his spine. There wasn’t time to get used to that position because before I could react Beck turned around and combed his fingers into my hair to hold onto me even as he backed me up against a wall.

  “You’re right. You should just shut the hell up now, Lynlee. Shut up, stop thinking and just kiss me.”

  Beck didn’t have to tell me twice. When his lips dipped down I stood up on my tip-toes and met him half way. I rubbed my mouth against his, our breaths mingling in short rushes as he pecked and nibbled at my lips. My hand crawled up his back, taking hold of his neck so that I could force him closer and we opened our mouths together.

  When his tongue swept over mine I k
new I’d never tasted a sweeter kiss. A whimper rose up in my throat as if to beg for more. Beck gave me what I needed, plunging deeper and bruising my lips with frantic urgency.

  While his mouth plundered mine, his hands were busy too, working their way from my hair down my shoulders then my arms until they came to my hips. His fingers dug unto me, possessing me with their desperate grip. I had never felt so wanted in all my life.

  I whimpered when his lips left mine, then sighed as they trailed a path along my neck, sucking and nipping. Hands that felt so good at my hips, were exquisite when they plunged under my shirt.

  My breasts tingled in anticipation as he rolled his index fingers under the hem of my bra, then reached behind to unclasp the hooks. I shoved against his chest in impatience so that I would have room to grab my shirt and rip it over my head. When I dropped my hands the bra slipped to the floor even as Beck hands cupped a breast in each hand.

  I tugged Beck’s shirt out of the waist of his jeans and reached under to rub my hands up his back. His body radiated heat as I clawed and clutched, and enjoyed the movement of muscle under my fingers. Roaming around to the front of him, I thrummed my fingers across the solid wall of his chest and down his stomach.

  With a thump, my head dropped back to hit the wall behind me and I arched my back as he palmed both breasts fully. Waves of pleasure rolled straight from my tightening nipples down between my legs; liquid heat burned my insides up for him.

  “Beck …” I murmured, a desperate need sounding thick in the tone of my voice. In answer, his mouth crushed mine again, his hips grinding against my own as he pinched both my nipples between his thumbs and index fingers. I squirmed in delight.

  Before I realized what he was about, he had his shirt off, breaking contact with my mouth just long enough to pull it over his head, then crushing my lips again even as he pressed his chest against mine. I ground my hips to his, realizing in my sex-drugged state that even if our upper bodies were bare, our lower bodies were not. That was entirely too much clothing.

  Later I could chide myself for getting so carried away, but in that moment I needed Beck—had to have him— and couldn’t wait any longer than was absolutely necessary. So I shook my right hand to summon my wand. He was still kissing me, oblivious to my magical machinations as I tapped my wand to my thigh. In an instant my jeans were discarded in a pile with my other clothing on the floor.

  I briefly considered doing the same with his pants, but before I could make a move, he stepped back and had his hands on his button, removing the last bit of clothing separating us. He must have been reading my mind.

  Finally! my mind screamed. Before coming back to me he rummaged through his back pocket, emerging with a condom. I bit my lip in anticipation, rubbing my left hand on my opposite shoulder, yearning and throbbing in every single pore of my body.

  As soon as my hands touched his skin again, we both came alive with desperation, his arms grabbing me up and slamming me hard into the wall. I took hold of his shoulders as Beck looped his hands under my knees to lift my legs and I wrapped them around his waist.

  When he entered me in one swift motion I growled with pleasure. Our movements were fast and rough and I wanted nothing less. In that moment this man was as essential to as the air gasping into my lungs. The more I got, the more I needed and the tauter my muscles became in anticipation of the explosion just on the edge of my senses.

  I answered each of his thrusts with frenzied abandon until tremors of rapture blinded me. My entire body shuddered with release and I clung to Beck, riding with him while he worked his way to climax. When he finally groaned into my neck, pressing me against the wall so hard I couldn’t breathe, contentment settled over me.

  My legs felt like they were made of rubber and I was glad Beck somehow had the strength to hold both of us up because I knew I would have melted to the floor without him to cling to. He nuzzled my sweaty neck, kissed my ear and dropped his head back to look down at me with a pleased smile.

  “Well, the kitchen is officially christened.” I murmured, gazing up at him with love-drunk eyes.

  “Why, Lynlee Lincoln, are you saying that’s the only reason you invited me here to your new house? I’m shocked.”

  I laughed, then rolled my bottom lip between my teeth. “So you’re shocked… but are you sorry you came?”

  “Hell no!”

  Beck had a steaming bag of popcorn in one hand and a box of crackers in the other. My arms were laden with two cans of soda, a package of sliced cheddar and a tray. I led the way up the stairs towards the upstairs bedroom that I called my own, acutely aware of the fact that my new lover was following me and probably watching the movement of my backside. As if to prove my very thoughts, he issued a suggestive whistle and I tossed him a stern look over my shoulder.

  “Hey, not my fault you’ve got great curves,” he excused with a wink.

  Just about the time I led him into my bedroom, the phone on my nightstand rang and I jumped. With a wave of my hand I motioned him into my bed and took a moment to watch him casually prop some pillows up against the headboard before making himself comfortable.

  He was wearing only a pair of sweats, retrieved from his duffel bag after our second round of lovemaking. I glanced down at the oversized t-shirt I had on— his— which he insisted on helping me slip into just before we raided my cupboards for snack to feed our grumbling stomachs.

  “Gonna answer it?” He cut his eyes at me.

  I reached for the phone, then issued a childish whine, “Oh no…it’s my parents.”

  Instead of picking up the receiver, I grabbed my television remote, stuffed a handful of popcorn in my mouth and slid into the bed beside him.

  “I guess that’s a ‘no’ then.” He murmured, kissing the top of my head and putting an arm around my shoulder. “Don’t want to talk to Mom while you’ve got a half-naked man in your bed?”

  I snorted, a very unladylike sound and started flipping channels. “She wouldn’t believe I had a half-naked man in my bed even if I told her. She wanted me barefoot and pregnant years ago.”

  “Ah … well, maybe she’s just calling to wish you a Merry Christmas.”

  I tossed the remote down and started arranging crackers on the tray, placing slices of cheese atop each one. “I’m sure that’s true, but I’m over that part of our relationship. I’m much happier when I’m not in contact with them.”

  A little shiver spread down my spine when I felt his fingers comb through my hair. I looked over at him, trying to decipher the things in his eyes and his expression. I felt open and raw emotionally and it made my very uncomfortable.

  Beck smiled, winked and tapped his finger to my lips. I kissed the pad of his finger, then picked up a cracker and held it to his mouth. He took the entire thing in one bite, nibbling my thumb a bit in the process.

  “This is totally not a dude movie.” He commented, his eyes focusing on the television.

  For some strange reason someone thought it was a good idea to schedule the The Craft for viewing on Christmas Eve night. It made no sense to me and I was sure if I looked I could find some sappy holiday film instead. But at the moment I didn’t want sappy. With my emotions so near the surface I was terrified that sappy would make me cry and I wasn’t about to let that happen.

  “I’m sure this is better than Reindeer Games.”

  He rolled his eyes, moving around on the bed so that he could reach over for one of the sodas I’d left on the nightstand. “Well at least this has Robin Tunney. She’s pretty hot.”

  I scoffed. “She plays a teenager in this movie!”

  Beck’s low rumble of laughter instantly eased me and I playfully slapped his bare chest. “Even if she’s playing a teenager she’s gotta be at least twenty in real life. Ugh, who comes up with all of this magic mumbo jumbo anyway?”

  So much for relaxation. The censure in his voice when he said, “magic mumbo jumbo”, made me acutely aware of the fact that he was human and I was a witch and that combin
ation just might not work out. First off, MAUCs were supposed to be very careful about alerting people to all of the paranormal things in life. I would be taking a big chance by letting Beck in on my secret life and if that went bad, Tig would not be very happy with me.

  More than that, I wasn’t sure how Beck could handle knowing I was a witch. Would he think I’m a freak? Would he run off and never speak to me again? As I stared at the television screen, unseeing, a knot of worry developed in the pit of my stomach. Still, I had no choice. I needed to feel him out about the subject.

  “What if magic is real?”

  “Lord, I hope it’s not. I mean, seriously. Think about it. The world would be a pretty screwed up place if magic were real.”

  I bit my lip, unsure what to say.

  “Let’s take this movie for instance. That poor guy in the film … what’s his name? Chris? She puts a spell on him to make him fall for her. And that sure turns out well for him. I mean, if magic existed how would someone ever know if something is real or isn’t? How would we know if love is true or just some obsession brought on by a spell?”

  All the muscles in my body wound up tight and I was afraid to say anything. I don’t do emotional. Emotional makes me lose control and that makes my magic go haywire. If haywire happens, it would surely make all of the things Beck was a saying a self-fulfilling prophesy.

  To buy myself some time to calm down, I grabbed a cracker and popped it into my mouth. My chewing was robotic and when I tried to swallow my stomach immediately protested, but I managed to force myself anyway.

  I was relieved when my cell phone started ringing. Beck laughed and patted my leg. “Your mom’s insistent.”

  When I retrieved the telephone I saw that it wasn’t my parents’ number, but Teddy’s instead. He should be enjoying his time in Aspen with his family now, so a call from him was not a good sign. Still, I was ready for a diversion. “Actually, this is a client. Give me a sec.”