Page 90 of Sugar, Spice, and Magical Midlife

“No.” I stood, pulling him with me. “Show me.”

I was very aware of Ric following us to Des’s bedroom, which was right down the hall from Ric’s room. It was bigger than the master bedroom at my condo with a nice sitting area and a private bathroom. I was relieved it didn’t have a balcony. I could only imagine Puffy and Des getting into trouble out there. It overlooked the pool’s atrium and a pretty section of grass and trees, a much better view than the one he had at home. “It’s amazing.”

Des flopped onto a queen-sized bed, staring up at the stucco ceiling. “Can I stay here forever?”

I tensed, knowing my lover was standing behind me. “We don’t want to impose on Ric.”

“It’s fine with me.”

For some reason, his invitation didn’t make me feel better. I turned toward him, flashing a tight smile. “We’ll see about that.” After twenty years of monotony...er, monogamy, I wasn’t ready to commit to anyone right now, no matter how hot and bothered he made me. I wagged a finger at my son. “Don’t forget to brushyour teeth. Add an extra minute after all that sugar today.” Ric had been kind enough to supply us with toothbrushes and toothpaste.

“Yes, Mama.” Des made a face. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, sweetheart.” I kissed his forehead, not surprised when he pulled away. He’d had enough of me for the day.

“Remember to ask the hosts if you need anything,” Ric added, pointing to the ceiling rafters.

I swallowed back my apprehension, realizing there were ghosts watching my son. Then a thought hit me. What if they had been watching Ric and me? They were probably popping ghost popcorn in anticipation of another sex show.

“And please do not leave this house for any reason without coming to me first,” I reminded Des, my tone dripping with motherly guilt.

He shrugged while scrolling on his iPad. “Okay.”

Sensory disorder be damned, I’d almost lost this boy today. I’d almost lost myself, too. I sat beside him, taking his hand in mine and refusing to let him pull away. “I love you so much.”

He stopped fighting me, a look of understanding dawning in his eyes before he threw his arms around me, hugging me tight. “I love you, Mama.”

Oh, it felt so good to hold my child, to know he was safe and happy. The hug was over before it started as he pulled back. Imagine my surprise when he kissed my cheek before leaning against his headboard.

My hand flew to my face, and it took all my willpower to hold back my tears. His love meant so much to me, especially since I’d been feeling like the worst mother after bringing him into danger. Des would never cease to amaze me, and I thanked the Goddess each day for him. I would battle a thousand succubi just to keep him safe.

Chapter Seventeen

Icouldn’t deny feeling incredibly awkward after shutting the door to my son’s room. Ric and I were finally alone, and though he was in his tall, tanned, and gorgeous human form, he could’ve been twenty feet tall with his larger-than-life presence. There was no mistaking the hunger in his eyes that shifted to feline slits as he looked down at me. Talk about being spellcast. His heady pheromones had my libido in such a tailspin, I wanted nothing more than for him to take me to his bed and pound me so hard, I wouldn’t be able to sit without wincing for a week. But then I reminded myself I was a mom and a Sagredo, an Italian noblewoman, which meant I had to keep it classy. So I’d settle for not being able to sit for a few days.

“I meant what I said,” he said on a low purr while twisting a lock of my wet hair around his finger. “That you can stay forever.”

I bit my lip, my skin flushing when his fingertips brushed my neck. “I know.”

He hovered protectively over me, backing me against the wall. “You’re worried things are moving too fast?”

Goddess, I wanted to melt into a pool of lust when he pinned me with that predatory stare. “Aren’t you?”

“You’re welcome to stay in a guest room if you think we need a break from each other, but I’m the last living sphinx.” His voice dropped to a low rumble that had my uterus doing backflips. “It’s my duty to protect Des.”

I blinked at him, a lightbulb of understanding flaring in my mind. Goddess, how did he know? I hadn’t told him. “Des?”

He flattened his palms on either side of my head, trapping me against the wall. “You don’t need to pretend around me. I know he’s the phoenix.”

“W-what?”

“Why else would you take him to Rome instead of leaving him with his father? You’re afraid the succubi are after him. And why didn’t you leave him behind when you broke into the Tribunal? Because you needed him to teleport you in.”

Well, damn. It’s not that I didn’t want to trust Ric with my son’s secret. After my aunt lied to me, I wasn’t sure who I could trust anymore. “That’s not the only reason.”

“No.” He flashed a subtle smile. “You keep him close to you because you’re a good mother.”

He’d no idea what those words meant to me. “Thank you. The succubi think I’m the phoenix.”

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