Chapter Ten

Moreen came out of her office, walking toward the main room. She was thirsty, and although she found she could now summon something she wanted, she wasn’t sure she wanted to. The last time she did, the drink had spilled all over her, and the ensuing laughter from her husband had angered her.

She’d conjured another one, dumping it over his head. Within seconds they were having a “drink fight,” soaking each other before making hard, fast love on the desk in her office. It had been fantastic, but since he wasn’t there, she didn’t want to make a mess she’d have to mop up. He’d done the last clean up with a blink of his eye, but she didn’t think she was quite there yet. So she opted for getting a drink the old fashioned way.

The Cave wasn’t open yet, the main room empty except for a few workers who happily greeted her. She winked at Cassandra, the waitress she’d been so rude to just a few short weeks ago. The woman returned the wink, then dissolved into laughter.

Moreen went behind the bar and poured herself a soft drink. She looked up and saw Aliya sitting at a far table, a laptop open in front of her. She was studying something very intently and hadn’t seen Moreen come in.

After preparing a second drink, Moreen walked toward her slowly, setting the glass on the table. Aliya looked up, a smile replacing her displeasure at being interrupted.

“May I sit down?”

“Please do.”

Moreen toyed with the straw in her glass. “I wanted to say thank you for what you did for Mrs. Weinstein.”

“She’s a peach, isn’t she? Always laughing and smiling. You’re welcome.”

Aliya looked so soft, something Moreen had never noticed before.

“How are you handling your new life?” Aliya asked.

“Okay, I think. I’m still learning how to get the hang of things, and Paran tells me I’m not totally transformed yet. Not sure what that means, and he always smiles and winks when I ask questions. He likes his secrets.”

“Spreading pleasure is an amazing thing. It’s something that makes me feel wonderful, about myself, and about the people I help.”

“Who would have thought it?” The minute the words were out, Moreen shook her head. “I’m so sorry. That was rude.”

“It’s all right. At one time I deserved it. It took Matuse to turn me around. I love him so much.”

“I’ve thought such bad things about you for so long. I’m trying to turn them around, honestly, but it’s a little hard.”

“I understand. Thank you for trying.” They both turned toward the upper landing, where Matuse was now calling for Aliya. She shut down the laptop and stood. “Talk to you later.”

As she started to walk away, Moreen stopped her. “Hey, I ah, accept your apology from way before.” She shrugged her shoulders. “Better late than never, right?”

“Right. And thank you. It means a lot to me.”

Moreen watched her walk toward the stairs. She expected Paran to appear, to tell her she’d done well, but instead she was alone with her thoughts. Life had changed so much, and she’d never thought the happiness she felt was possible. She wanted to think of some way to thank her husband for what he’d done for her, the way he’d turned her from a scowling cow into a laughing person who tried to see the good in everything.

You just did, my love. Very well done.

His voice caressed her mind, and she closed her eyes in contentment. Life was good again, and would stay that way forever. She just knew it.

* * * *

Paran floated above the floor, watching the Cave fill with people. It wouldn’t be long before it was packed, the dance floors, game rooms and “other” areas filled. A few short weeks ago, he would have watched the women with a predator’s eye, wondering which one of them he would bed that evening, which one he would fuck until she screamed.

Now all he could think about was Moreen, hunkered down in her office, working on the books.

“A strange feeling, isn’t it?” Matuse floated nearby, watching the crowd with Paran.

“Very. How do you still do your job now that you only want one woman?”

“I’ve taken no cases that involve sex. Aliya keeps me more than satisfied. When she’s transformed, and if she chooses, we may take cases together. But that won’t be happening for a while.”

Paran didn’t answer, just kept studying the people.

“Are you bored with your wife already?”

“No, my problem is I don’t think I’ll ever want another woman as long as I live. I don’t ever want to be inside anyone else, want to look down into eyes that don’t belong to Moreen.”

“It’s a fantastic feeling, to have that one special woman.”

“You’re right, young pup, it is.”

Matuse let out an exasperated puff of air. “Stop calling me that.” When Paran didn’t take a jab back at him, he floated closer. “What else is bothering you?”

“Paschel was at the apartment this morning. He didn’t get in, but he was in the hallway. He never should have gotten that far.” His body shook in anger. “He laughed loud enough to wake me up. Fortunately Moreen didn’t hear it. She sleeps like the dead now.”

“What are you thinking?”

Paran stretched, then looked back down. “Well, the wedding is in a month. I’m sure he’s going to try something to break it apart, to ruin it. I know he’s evil, but I don’t want to kill my own brother and I don’t want Moreen to see it happen, especially not on the day that should be the happiest in her life.”

“Maybe you should draw him out before then, challenge him somehow.”

“I thought about that, but he won’t answer my summons. I’ve sent three of them, two just today. I might try again after the party tomorrow afternoon.” He turned his head toward Matuse. “You are coming, right?”

“Of course. There will be quite a lot of us there. I hope there’s room for everyone.”

“There will be plenty of room, and lots of food.” Paran licked his lips. “Speaking of food, I’m hungry for my wife. I will see you later.”

He found her sitting at her desk, looking over a huge stack of printouts.

“I do believe working hours are over. Come into the main room with me and enjoy yourself for a little while.”

“It’s a bar, remember? And, although my probation officer approves my working here, I can’t play here.”

“I’m not saying you have to drink, just enjoy yourself a little bit. It will be fun.”

“Paran, no. Besides, I want to get all of this done so I don’t have to work at all tomorrow, and I can enjoy the party, before, during and after.”

“Hum.” He leaned against the doorway, crossing his arms over his chest. “Disobeying me, I see. How quickly you forget your vows.”

Indignation rose inside her. “Oh, that’s low. This has nothing to do with obeying you. I’ve been good, haven’t I? I’ve checked in everywhere I’ve gone, I’ve used that little demon detector you gave me, and I’ve not taken the citrine off, not once.”

“Yes, but then you turn around and say no to me. What if I have something wonderful planned for the two of us?”

Desire spread through her. “Are we going back to the beach?”

“No.”

“Oh.” Disappointment was evident in that one word. “Well, then I have work to do. You go and play. I’ll be done in a few hours.”

She bent back to her task, and he watched her carefully.

“Very well. I’ll be back.”

She heard the door shut behind him and tried not to laugh. He never gave up that easy, but she had so much she wanted to do tonight. The books were almost completely in the computer now, and she wanted to match what she’d already inputted with the lists on paper, just to double check.

She gasped, then cried out in anger as a blindfold wrapped around her eyes. “Paran!” She flew through the air, landing flat on the floor. Her cries of indignation increased when he wrapped her in a rug, then flung her over his shoulder.

“Just like Cleopatra,” he said as he walked through the hall.

“Where are you taking me? Let me go.”

“Your work day is over, my sweet. Time for play.”

The now familiar feeling of weightlessness surrounded her and she knew they were in the air, floating, or even moving. She struggled against the rug, but to no avail. Their speed picked up, the wind swishing around her.

Despite her anger, it was intoxicating, the idea that she was married to someone who could move this way. More amazing that she would one day be able to do it herself. She lifted higher, and then there was a tug. She started to turn like something on a spit over a fire. When she was fully free of the rug, she dropped down, only to land on another rug.

A beautiful cloudless sky surrounded them, the moon shining brightly, looking as if she could almost reach out and touch it.

“Where are we?” She followed his pointing finger, her mouth dropping open. “Is that Big Ben?”

“Yes. I’m Paran, and I’ll be your magic carpet operator tonight. I thought I’d give you a small tour of the places we can go on our honeymoon. Like London. Do you like that idea?”

She looked out over the bright lights of the city, realizing she was actually on a floating carpet. Giggles erupted from her mouth and she flung herself into his arms. “This is fantastic. Thank you for fulfilling my wish of a magic carpet ride.”

“Do you like London then? Or maybe Paris?” The carpet took off, the speed incredible. She grasped the sides as it moved over the air and laid on her stomach, Paran stretched out on top of her. The wind sailed around them, kissing their bodies. Within minutes the Eiffel Tower was in view, the lights of Paris spread out like a blanket below them.

“So beautiful. I never thought I’d ever see anything like this.”

He kissed her shoulder. “Where else did you never think you’d see?”

“The pyramids in Egypt.”

This time he kissed her as the wind sailed around them, not letting go of her mouth until the Great Pyramid was right under them. A wave of his hand provided enough light for her to see and gasp in pleasure.

“How about China? Or Moscow? Or Sydney?” he asked. “Have you seen Mt. Rushmore, or Yellowstone Park, or the Grand Canyon?”

“No, none of it.” They sat crossed legged now, their knees touching.

“Then we will take a world tour, and you will see everything, all the wonders of the world and more.” He toppled her down, kissing his way down her now naked body to her pussy, his tongue darting out and flicking across her clit. She came instantly, burying her fingers in his hair, the lights of Cairo shining below them.

He continued to feast on her as she watched the stars, both the real ones and the ones that exploded behind her eyes as she came yet again. He soothed her sore clit with his tongue, then covered her body with his and entered her slowly, making no movements once he was fully inside. He peered down at her and she felt as if she could lose herself in the depths of his eyes.

“What are you thinking?” she whispered.

“Loving the fact that I’m home, inside you. What are you thinking?”

“That if I’d know this was what you had planned, I wouldn’t have argued with you about ending work early.”

“Oh I see. You obey when it benefits you. We’ll have to work on that.” He started to thrust and she groaned as she wrapped her legs around him.

“I truly hope so.”