Shadows of Bourbon Street by Deanna Chase

told me he’d remembered. I’d worn these on our first date. The night I’d twisted my ankle and Kane had carried me home.
    He climbed in beside me and tucked the blankets around us.
    “I don’t know why I’m so cold,” I said. The chill would not leave.
    “I bet I can warm you up.”
    “I’m sure you can.” I snuggled into him. Heat instantly warmed me from the inside out. “Wow. What just happened?”
    He shook his head and nibbled once again just below my ear, his hands roaming seductively over my bare skin. “It’s the incubus connection, I think.”
    Right. He was full of my magic now. “How are you feeling?”
    His smile turned lopsided. “Good, except I’m still going out of my mind wanting you.”
    Of course he was. He’d brought me to orgasm before he let himself go, like he always did. I ran a gentle hand over his cheek and gazed up at him with undisguised love. He was everything I ever wanted and, in this moment, I felt like we were true partners. He wasn’t standing by while I dealt with the crisis of the week. We were in this together, and if my magic helped him to do what he needed to do, I would continue to give it to him. I lifted my head up, bringing my lips to his. “I want to give myself to you.”
    “You already did, pretty witch.”
    I shook my head. “No. Not really. Or not totally.” Our lips met and the kiss started slowly, tentatively, as if he was trying to gauge how far I wanted to take this. But when my hands curled in his hair and I draped one leg over his hip, his tongue darted hard and fast against mine in a war of friction. Then he was on top of me, pressing his weight against me.
    That magic spark we’d shared earlier came roaring back, and although I’d expected the effect to be weaker, it was stronger. Much stronger.
    Kane pulled back, his eyes wide with both wonder and fear. “I don’t think we should—”
    I pressed my fingers to his lips. “Don’t think, Kane. Not now. I have something to give you. Please let me.”
    The look in his eyes changed and suddenly all my hesitation was gone. That live wire came to life inside me and with each caress, each touch, it only built. And when I spread my legs for him, he pressed into me in one smooth thrust, filling me so achingly deliciously that I let go of all control. My magic spilled from me to him and formed a shell around us. We moved together in a perfect harmony of love, lust, and desire. Then when he brought me once again to the edge of release, I tightened myself around him and cried, “Now.”
    Kane stared down into my eyes, his dark ones lidded with lust, and thrust once more, hard and deep inside me.
    My body spasmed and wave after wave of magic-filled pleasure crashed over me. But this time Kane didn’t wait me out. He thrust once, twice, and again a third time. Then he groaned into my ear. Our bodies shuddered together, but as Kane spilled into me, something else took over.
    My magic. And the intoxicating tendrils of power that lived deep in my chest rose and fell and then burst from me like a breach in a dam. As Kane absorbed the release, I could feel his wonder, excitement, and pure elation. It was a raw craving that was finally being filled.
    Still locked together, his body arched above me as if my magic rushing into him was too much for him to handle. All I could do was watch in equal parts awe and horror. This was my magic we were talking about.
    The realization brought me back to myself, and although I knew Kane hadn’t taken anything from me I hadn’t willingly given, I suddenly felt helpless. Empty.
    “That’s enough,” I cried and pushed him off me. I scrambled out from underneath him and clutched the covers to my chest.
    Kane rolled over and stared at the ceiling, seemingly unaware of my outburst.
    “Kane?” I asked tentatively.
    He turned his head and blinked a few times. Then he sat up and faced me. “Jade?”
    “Yes?”
    He reached out and ran his fingers lightly over my lips. The