It's Just Love (16 page)

She giggled, and he rolled on top of her and supported his
upper body on his arms, rubbing his ready cock against her.

“Coral, I don’t think I can wait.”

“Then don’t.” She looped her arms around his neck and pulled
him down for a kiss, and he plunged into her hot channel.

Once again, it wasn’t going to last long. Before losing
himself entirely, he wondered how many times he would have to make love to her
before her touch stopped sending him flying over the edge. He didn’t know, but
he would make it his business to find out.

“Gage!” she cried and writhed, her sheath clenching and
rippling around his cock. It was too much and his balls tightened, his orgasm
so strong he saw stars and the world tilted off its axis…or maybe it was the
boat rocking to the side as people got on board.

He struggled to surface.

“Ahoy on the boat!”

“Gage, I think we have company.” Coral pushed him off and
began to hunt for her clothing. “Guess I’ll be going commando.”

He watched her then manned up. “Take your time, I’ll keep
them occupied.”

She pressed a quick kiss on his lips and grabbed for her
bra. He dressed double time fast and slid the lock on the door, relieved to see
nobody in the cabin. “Coming. Hang on a second.”

Gage headed up the narrow, steep steps and emerged onto the
deck. He looked around and saw nobody at first, then, as Coral arrived at his
side, Tom appeared. Gage wasn’t sure where he’d been before that, but he
supposed angels had their ways.

“So, how are you two getting along?”

Coral blushed to the roots of her messy hair and looked
away. Gage stepped a little in front of her, not wanting Tom to see…to know…
What? That they’d been in the sack? That Gage had left a little hickey on the
side of her neck, like a brand? And one hidden by her t-shirt in a more
intimate place?

“We’re doing fine,” she said, pushing past him. “Thank you
for asking. And you? I hear you have some secrets of your own.”

Tom laughed, leaning against the rail. “I suppose I do.”

“Where are Elise and Charlie and the rest?” Gage asked.

“Oh, I’m here to let you know the third date is cancelled.”

“But what about the show?”

“Your return appearance is also cancelled—postponed,
actually.”

* * * *

Coral’s grandmother, the serious counterpart to her mother’s
hippy witchiness, had taught her to look beyond the obvious. “You’re no angel.”

Tom’s jaw dropped, his blue-tipped spikes at attention. “Who
said I was?”

Gage took a step back. “If you aren’t an angel, what was
with the wings this morning?”

“You weren’t supposed to see those.”

Coral moved closer to the blushing fellow. “Fae. I should
have noticed the very first time we met.”

“So you don’t work for Harry Montclief.” Gage’s tone held
irritation, his lips fixed in a frown.

“Of course I do.”

Coral’s mind flew, reviewing images of the past several
days. “But you don’t work for the production company, do you?”

“No, I’m a sort of intern, a personal assistant.”

She took a step to the side, linking her arm with Gage’s.
All this paranormal activity was likely freaking him out. A glance at his face
surprised her though. No panic at all, and his aura was a rainbow, all the
pretty colors glowing and lighting his features.

“I must have been half asleep to miss everything that was
going on,” she said.

“No.” Tom chuckled. “You just didn’t expect magic out of
context. If anything, you were a little full of yourself.”

“I was. I forgot magic is everywhere.”

Gage’s aura rippled, confusion shading the happiness.

“I think I understand now.” She leaned against Gage, lending
her strength. “Harry is a fairy godfather—and you are one in training?”

Tom nodded. “Most of the people we encounter never realize
that. But in the case of a witch and a trained observer, I guess it was bound
to come out. I hope Harry isn’t upset with me for outing him.”

“His secret is safe with us, isn’t it, Gage?”

“I wouldn’t know what to tell anyone anyway,” he replied.
“Where are Elise and Charlie?”

Coral giggled. “I don’t think it matters. Who are they,
Tom?”

“Oh, a couple of production assistants, minor Fae, who we
pressed into service.”

“I’m so confused,” Gage said. “Then why were we following
them?”

Coral stood on tiptoe and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “It
was never about them.”

“Please welcome Coral Nixie and Gage Middleton, who are here
to talk about their new book.” Harry Montclief stood and led the applause as
they walked across the stage, hand in hand, and took seats next to his.

“Hi, Harry,” Gage said, looking so handsome in his tailored
suit that Coral wanted to drag him backstage and tear it off him. “Thanks for inviting
us back.”

“It’s my pleasure. I understand there have been quite a few
developments for you both—personally and professionally—since last year.” Harry
smiled broadly. “And maybe your visit to our show had something to do with it?
We did introduce you, after all.”

Coral forced her attention to their host. She’d have Gage
all to herself in just a few hours. “Yes, you certainly did.”

Gage shook his head and addressed the audience. “Mr.
Montclief played quite a trick on us last time we were here. He had us running all
over town, thinking we were testing our relationship theories by following
another couple, when in fact we were getting to know one another and falling in
love.”

Harry beamed and laced his fingers over his little
belly—maybe a little bigger belly since their last visit. “And was I right?”

Coral smiled back. “You tell me. Did you enjoy the wedding?”

“I did. And I understand you delayed your honeymoon just to
come here today.”

“How could we resist your charming invitation, Godfather?”

Harry roared with laughter. “Ah, come on, I never suggested
anyone would sleep with the fishes if you didn’t agree.”

“No,” Coral said, trying not to get caught up in the glowing
auras all around. When magic went well, it could be blinding. “But we owe you
so much. Not only did you introduce us and trick us into getting to know one
another, you were the inspiration for our book.”

Harry reached for the slim indigo volume on the desk next to
him and held it aloft so everyone could see the gold lettering. “Ah, yes. Your
New York Times bestseller, a page-turner. Everyone in the audience today will
be getting a copy, courtesy of your publisher.” He paused until the applause
quieted. “So, for those who haven’t read it yet, this may be a spoiler, but
which is it? Is love based on compatibility, or is it magic?”

Gage wrapped an arm about her shoulders, and Coral snuggled
close. “Neither, Harry.” He pointed to the title. “It’s just love.”

Harry stood and led the audience in applause, and while they
catcalled and whistled, he leaned to Coral and said something low.

She turned to Gage, tears in her eyes.

“What is it, honey?” He squeezed her closer.

“He said Sid says hi, and he couldn’t be happier for us.”

Kate Richards lives in sunny Southern California with her
wonderful husband and menagerie of quirky pets. She spends her limited time
away from the keyboard at the beach and in the majestic High Sierras and sets
many of her stories in these beautiful settings.

Kate’s Website:

www.katerichards.wordpress.com

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