Solstice Sizzle (Pagan Pleasures Book 2) Read online

  “I made some samples last night, I’m hoping that they can be part of my new mom and bubs range.”

  Edi moved the vial to her nose and inhaled.

  “Well, what do you think?”

  “I think this is going to settle my stomach nicely and keep my energy boosted.” Edi inhaled again. “It smells great. Only a hint of ginger.”

  “This one should help with the morning sickness. I’ve got a few others here, some to help closer to the birth, one now specifically to help with you feeling not so tired.” She took them out.

  Edi went through and smelled each one. “They’re great. I don’t think that there’s one thing I’d suggest you change about any one of them.”

  “Really?”

  “Wait, no there is one thing.”

  Nova felt her shoulders slump a little. She was hoping they were balanced just right. She’d made a few modifications during the night. It was so much easier and quicker, but now she couldn’t help thinking that perhaps she’d ended up rushing things.

  “You need to hurry up and make this range so I can use it.”

  Nova breathed out with relief. “I’m working as fast as I can.”

  “No pressure. I just want you to know your products were great before, and now they’re really quite something special. It’s going to be exciting watching how you develop these.”

  “All thanks to you.”

  “And Johan.”

  “What the hell has he done?”

  “Don’t play innocent with me. I’m a healer. There’s been a change in you since seeing him.”

  “It’s just a bit of fun like I keep telling you.”

  “Which has been the perfect setting for change to happen.”

  Nova grinned. “It has, but he’s leaving soon.”

  “Well, so he says. I’m sure you could well change his mind.”

  And I want to. But he has his life in Sydney, and she wasn’t going to stop him from going back to that. She steeled her heart. It’s a fling, and that’s it.

  “Anyway, you’ve got time for a bit more fun together. When are you seeing him next?”

  “I’m meant to go over tonight.” An uneasy feeling rose up in her stomach.

  “Meant to? I’m sure he’s expecting you still.”

  If she was true to herself, she could sense that he was. “Is this what it’s like being an empath, knowing what others are feeling before they do?”

  “One of the pitfalls. I’ll make us some tea, and we can go through some exercises to help you.”

  This time Nova was looking forward to what Edi had to tell her, and the previous frustration was finally gone.

  Johan had been left exhausted from contacting and communicating with Nova’s mom. Despite that, he’d not slept as well as he would’ve liked. He really had wished he could’ve helped her more, but she’d gone. He wasn’t sure how he was going to get her to trust him. A good part of the night was wasted trying to think of ways he could help her. In the end, he’d gotten up, set one of the black candles burning by his bed and managed to get a few hours sleep before the morning sun lightened up his room, gently waking him.

  A long swim in the ocean helped to waken his senses. He could see the clouds far in the horizon building, white and fluffy now, but they were clearly part of a brewing storm. Unusual for this time of year, even for down south. Maybe it won’t amount to anything.

  A big brunch, and then he contacted the owner and arranged to lease out The Pearl for another month. Reluctantly, he made a few calls to Sydney, telling them he was extending his holidays. The law firm wasn’t happy about his decision. He was going to quit right there and then, but he wanted to be sure he was making the right decision. Besides, he wasn’t sure if Nova would want to keep seeing him.

  And certainly not here at The Pearl with all these bad memories. He was so comfortable in this place, the view out to the ocean, the sound of the waves, the smell of the salt, it was all too tempting to want to stay.

  First, I better see if she’s still interested in coming over tonight.

  He got out his cell and called the shop. If anyone knew where Nova was it would be Edi. He’d lost track of time, and it was already late afternoon. On summer solstice. He hoped that she still wanted to see him tonight. It would be special having an intimate celebration together. That’s what he wanted. Not a big ritual, or party, like he would’ve back in Sydney with the other Magiks. And he was surprised to realize that he while he was attracted to her and wouldn’t say no to some lustful sex, he would also be content just being with her tonight, and sharing this occasion together, of Litha.

  He waited impatiently for his call to be answered.

  “Crystal Sands, Edith.”

  “Hey, Edi, how are you.”

  “She’s here.”

  “How did you know I was ringing to see where Nova was?”

  “I just didn’t think you were ringing to speak to me.”

  “I could’ve been.”

  Edi laughed. “Yeah, right.”

  “Can you ask her if she’s still on for tonight?”

  “She is.”

  “You didn’t ask her.”

  “I know.”

  “You’ve been talking about me.”

  “Of course.”

  Great. His stomach twisted. What the fuck would’ve they been saying about me?

  “Don’t worry it’s only been good things.”

  “Yeah, right.”

  “I’ll tell her you’re expecting her.”

  “Thanks. I’m looking forward to seeing her.”

  “I’ll tell her that, too.”

  Johan put his phone away.

  Well, I’d better get this place cleaned up, and ready for tonight.

  He couldn’t wait to see Nova again.

  Johan paced back and forth at the back of the deck. The storm clouds were reaching out and were now covering most of the sky. It was getting dark early.

  Nova’s changed her mind. She’s not coming.

  He hoped not. Not after making the decision to stay here longer. It wasn’t going to be as enjoyable a stay if she wasn’t hanging out with him, and he surprised himself that it wasn’t just the sex he was thinking about.

  He had spent the last few hours tiding up, from the medium session of the night before. Removing the evidence. He didn’t really want to tell Nova what had happened. A twist in his gut knew it would come up, though.

  Later, I’ll tell her later. He glanced out over the water. A gust of wind blasted him. The energies were stirred up with the approaching storm. This wasn’t the time to tell Nova that he’d contacted her mom.

  There was a flash in the sky in the distance.

  This storm is so unusual for this time of year.

  The storm energy shivered through his body as another gust of wind hit him. He had to admit he loved a good storm.

  Maybe this will end up as a great way to celebrate the solstice tonight. A storm to stir up things, to blow away the stuck feelings, the past, and to freshen up things for the future.

  The doorbell rang.

  Johan rushed to the front door. He put his hand on the doorknob. Then paused. He didn’t want to appear too eager. He made himself take three deep breaths then opened the door.

  He was relieved to see Nova standing there. She smiled at him. Their eyes locked. The connection was there. He wanted her, right now, and he knew without a doubt that it wasn’t just for these few days, or even just for the weeks ahead.

  “Sorry, I’m late.” She held up a package wrapped in paper. There was a strong smell of fish and chips. “As promised.”

  “Great. Come in.”

  “And I have some extra candles.” She stepped inside, her summer maxi dress flowing with her movement, wrapping around her body and showing off her curves.

  “Great, I could do with some more.” He shut to the door behind her then followed her through the living room and into the kitchen at the back of the house. Watching her was a sight that s
tirred his desires.

  “You need more already?”

  Johan’s gut twisted, her words were like a cold shower. “I do.” His mind flipped between whether or not he should tell her.

  “Just tell me.” She put the package of fish and chips on the counter. From her large handbag, she took out a big candle. He caught a soft smell of rose.

  “You can sense how I’m feeling?” That was going to make things tricky. He took out the box of matches from the top drawer.

  “Yeah, I can. It happened after I left yesterday, I remembered certain things and then well I connected to my ability. I’m an empath.”

  “That’s fantastic.” He stepped closer to her, she turned to face him. He reached out and ran his hands up her bare arms, enjoying the little shiver from her body. “I mean I was worried when you left, it would kill me not to see you again.”

  “It would?”

  “Oh yeah, it would.” He kissed her, enjoying how her lips moved with hers.

  “Me, too.”

  Her words were the affirmation he’d been hoping for.

  “More than a fling?” he had to ask. He had to be sure before going any further and telling her about last night.

  “Perhaps.” She looked at him smugly.

  “Oh…” he put his hand on his heart as if she’d stabbed him, “… that’s all I get.”

  “You’ve got something to tell me first.” She lit the candle.

  “I do.”

  “And you don’t want to.”

  “No. But I will.” He took a deep breath. Bracing himself. How will she react? He doubted she’d be happy. He really didn’t want to say anything that might dampen the mood.

  “I’m ready.”

  He glanced at her. It was going to take a little getting used to being near an empath. “I’ve had some trouble with my skill as a medium. Being a lawyer meant that I’d shut down this part of myself accidentally. I lost my way, so to speak. That’s why I’m here. And, well, I wanted to help you.” He looked at her to see how she was reacting, and she was giving a damn good poker face.

  “My first night here, I had a spirit try to contact me—”

  “My mom,” she interrupted.

  He nodded. “I wasn’t sure, though. Then after how you reacted yesterday, I thought I could contact her. You see, I know when spirits are trying to communicate with the living they’ve got some unfinished business. So, I contacted your mom. But I couldn’t help the way I would’ve liked to.”

  Nova could sense he was disappointed with himself. She also glimpsed what he was going to say. How he’d treated himself was like what her mom did to her. It surprised her that instead of feeling rage, there was an internal peace.

  “It’s not your fault.” She heard herself say.

  A gust of wind through the kitchen.

  “That storm must be here. I better go close the sliding door.”

  “No.” She reached out and grabbed his arm to steady herself. “She’s here.”

  “Are you okay?”

  Nova nodded. She wasn’t scared. Anger. After the meditation she had with her inner child yesterday, she knew what needed to be done.

  “I’m sorry.”

  Nova heard the apology from Johan, but it wasn’t him talking. It was most definitely her mom. There was no doubt. The hairs on her arms stood up. It was like she was standing in the eye of the storm, a turmoil of conflicting energies, swirled around her gathering speed.

  “I didn’t know how to bring up a child with your ability. I knew your dad was a Magik, but he didn’t expose me to that way of life. He simply told me that he would help you when the time came. But then he wasn’t around. His death rocked me, I couldn’t face that he had such skills but had no control over death. I couldn’t raise a Magik child. I had to… it was wrong. I can’t change things. I wish I could. But I can now, at least, to say I’m sorry. It was wrong of me to have suppressed your ability to be an empath.”

  A tear trickled down Nova’s cheek. “I know.”

  “You accept this?”

  Nova nodded. It wasn’t going to be as simple as that though, but right now, she could feel the sincerity in what her mom had said. And now she’d connected with her ability as an empath, she felt differently to how her mom had treated her. She could feel her mom’s fear, and confusion at having a deal with her own grief, and raise not just a child, but one with skills she couldn’t relate to.

  “Thank you.”

  Another blast of wind came through the open sliding door.

  Just like that, her mom was gone.

  Nova looked at Johan. He blinked a few times as if settling back into himself.

  “She was here.”

  “We’ve made a peace of sorts.”

  “Good.” He nearly stumbled.

  She helped him right his balance.

  “I get exhausted afterward, and I’m out of practice. I’m glad you both could get to talk to each other.”

  “Me, too. It was something I wouldn’t have wanted to do before meeting you.”

  “I’ve done nothing.”

  “You’ve done more than you realize.” She helped him to sit over on the couch that faced out the sliding window.

  The storm was here.

  “I’m glad I could help.”

  The ocean was alive with the movement of the storm. Nova closed the sliding door. The way the energy whipped around in the wind, it set her hair on end, and she felt alive.

  “We can watch the storm while eating.” She went to the counter and got the fish and chips, and the candle which had gone out. She set them on the coffee table, unwrapping the paper, leaving the steamy fish and chips in the middle.

  “The good thing about fish and chips is that there’s no washing up to do,” she said as she sat down next to him.

  “True. I’ll get the wine.”

  “I’ll get it. You did get white?”

  “I did. In the fridge.”

  Nova got them both a generous glass of white wine and brought it over. The conversation with her mom had lifted a metaphoric burden from her shoulders. She felt lighter. Happier.

  Johan had relit the candle. A soft rose smell wafted into the room.

  “I love a good storm,” said Nova as she sat next to him.

  “Me, too.”

  A flash of jagged lightning lit up the sky.

  “Wow.”

  “This is a great way to celebrate the summer solstice. Thank you.”

  Johan smiled at her.

  “This is my first.”

  “Glad I could pop that cherry.”

  “Oi.” She laughed, playfully bumping into his shoulder.

  “It’s true.”

  “I’d rather you than anyone else,” she teased back.

  His grin lit up his face.

  A rumble of thunder echoed over the house. Nova loved the way it made her feel, especially here on the couch with Johan.

  “By the way, this is the love candle you picked out that day and I so rudely told you it wasn’t the right one for you,” said Nova.

  “But you were right. I did need the black candle.”

  “And now I think the love candle is the right one.”

  He took her in his arms. “You think?”

  “I feel…” she kissed him, “… for now, it’s longer than a fling. With the potential of something so much more. We need to get to know each other.”

  “Good thing I’ve extended the lease on The Pearl.”

  Her eyes widened. “You what?”

  Johan chuckled. “Good thing you want more than a fling, because I’m here for a month. Plenty of time to get to know each other, practice our abilities with the Magiks and, well, I’m sure we’ll still have time for a bit of fun.”

  “I’m counting on it.”

  “The fun?”

  She laughed, reached over and kissed him. “All of it. I want the whole package.”

  “You got it then.”

  “I know.”

  “Havi
ng you know what I’m feeling is going to take a bit of getting used to.”

  “For me, too.”

  “I think it’s a good promise to each other on the solstice, to work toward our future.”

  Nova snuggled into Johan. “To our future.”

  They kissed, the feeling went all the way down to her toes, and she could feel the promise to each other reaching out to their future. There was so much to learn about Johan, and about being an empath. And she was ready for it all.

  “I’m so glad this is going to be more than just a summer fling. I don’t think I could’ve said goodbye to you.” He kissed her on the top of her head.

  “Well, it’s good then that you don’t have to.”

  “Lucky me.”

  “Lucky us.” The energy between them sparked just like the storm outside.

  Good thing we both love a storm.

  This was going to be a fun ride ahead together.

  Thanks to LKB, Nicole, for setting up the challenge of writing a series on pagan holidays. It’s been fun getting back into writing paranormal romance, and to have deadlines to keep me focussed, as well as the support of other writers tackling the same journey in their own ways.

  Thank you Kaylene for editing and formatting, and always having time to offer support and advice.

  Thanks to Mary Ruth for a sexy, hot cover design.

  Thanks to my sisters for their support of their crazy sister who is a writer, and my toddler boy for being well-behaved so I can still have time to write and nurture my soul.

  Thanks to my dog Kimba, for reminding me when it’s time to eat and to go to bed, and for simply just lying there next to me or at my feet, being that extra life in the room, so the writing journey isn’t so lonely.

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