~Larken~
Iwas on fire. Utterly and completely on fire. Everything about Kholt turned me on—his silky, sandy-blond hair, the valleys and ridges of his swimmer’s physique, the square cut of his jaw, and the slight five o’clock shadow that dusted it. And when he touched me? It was unlike anything I’d ever experienced before. Even my magic flared. I felt it coil in my sacral chakra and spiral up until it reached my crown, exploding into a thousand petals of pure energy and power.
He cupped a hand lightly around my throat, running his index finger across my pulse point before sliding it down my center, between my breasts and over my belly to the apex of my thighs. I gasped and let my head fall back once more. I was on the verge of winging out of control already. His comment that he might not last would likely go both ways.
I looked at him. “I’m on the pill, but do you have protection?”
“In my wallet.” He pointed at his jeans.
I found what I needed and slipped it on him, the feeling of his silky skin covering the steely hardness beneath a heady thing. I had done this to him. I had brought him almost to the brink with little more than innocent foreplay. He watched me the entire time, never taking his eyes off where my hands connected with him. That, too, was intoxicating.
I pressed a hand to his chest, easing him back against the couch cushions and then crawled up there with him, a knee on either side of his hips. I took his lips again in a sensual and slow kiss full of feeling, and as I deepened it, moaning into the recesses of his mouth, I guided him to me. I lowered, taking him fully, gasping at the feeling of us being joined.
“You are a dream,” he said and tangled his hand in my hair, urging me back for another kiss.
We moved in tandem, creating a rhythm that felt like drumbeats on the breeze. It was almost tantric, and I felt my magic flare once again. If I weren’t careful, we might let loose some energy I wasn’t prepared for. With just enough brainpower left to fix that, I set an intention that if anything broke free, it would go into the wards and protections I had on my home. And then I returned my full and unwavering attention to the man in my arms.
In only a few surges and retreats, I was on the verge, whispering his name and urging him on, my nails digging into his skin. In just a few more thrusts, he lost his rhythm and started mumbling nonsensically.
I crested before he did, screaming my pleasure and feeling like a million beams of light were shooting from my skin like moonbeams through cheesecloth. He followed, burying his face in the crook of my neck and holding me to him as if he never wanted to let me go.
We collapsed sideways on the couch, holding each other and trying to catch our breaths.
“Wow.”
“That about sums it up,” I agreed.
He tipped my chin up with a fingertip and met my gaze, the look in his eyes saying everything I knew he wouldn’t dare voice. Those things that I knew he would likely tell me if I asked. But I wouldn’t. I didn’t need to. And I didn’t need to try and reconcile what I was feeling right now either. This was enough. It was wonderful, and I felt safe. And that was enough.
He kissed me gently, brushing his thumb across my cheek before quickly pecking my nose and forehead and then urging my head under his chin so I rested against his chest.
I felt his heart beating, and it was comforting. I smiled when I noticed that mine beat in time with his.
He stood and picked me up in one fluid motion, taking us both to the bedroom and lowering me to the mattress with such care it almost brought tears to my eyes.
After another round of soft and sweet, we cuddled, tangled in the sheets, the moon shining through the window and illuminating us as if Selene were giving us her blessing. And Ifeltblessed. If someone had told me a week ago that I’d be in bed with one of the sexiest men I’d ever encountered, I would have vehemently told them they were insane. Yet, here I was. Without overthinking it, I let the bliss I felt in the moment pull me under.
I woke to my name,but not in the deep voice I expected. This was sweet and feminine, and it confused me. I opened my eyes and saw a gorgeous woman with silky twists, eyes the color of faded dollar bills, and a white, off-the-shoulder dress.
I jumped. “Wren, what the hell?” I whisper-shouted.
And then it hit me. “Wait, why can I see you?” I’d never been able to see our ghost crew before—outside of my head, anyway. I could hear and see the spirits psychically—which was enough for me. I hadn’t needed the spell we’d used for Lamour, so I hadn’t had that work done on me. But now that I could see them—it was awesome. I still didn’t get why I could see her all of a sudden, though.
Wren gave me a sly smile and a quick eyebrow raise. “Seems someone raised some mighty magic last night.” She glanced over at Kholt where he lay sprawled on his stomach, the sheet barely covering his sexy butt cheeks and not much else.
Sex magic. One of the most primal and primitive ritual magics out there. Where either intentionally or not, sexual energy could be harnessed to transcend reality. I had felt it but just figured it would strengthen the wards if any slipped free. Seemed it’d done more. I saw and heard Wren like I saw and heard anyone. Now I knew what it was like to be Dev. This was amazing. I hoped it never faded.
“Quit looking at me like that,” I whispered, trying to be stern and only managing a giggle. “What’s up?”
“Dev sent me. Hanlen and a few others have been asking about the spell you guys did for Lamour. They want to make it longer-lasting. Permanent if you guys can. Seems they enjoyed seeing and hearing us.”
I could see that. But I wasn’t sure about making it permanent. Though I figured we could lift it if anyone didn’t want the ability any longer.
“Everyone?” I asked quietly, thinking about Sky and some of the other skeptics on the team.
“Yeah, everybody. At least, I think. I’m not one hundred percent sure about the crew.”
“Okay. Tell him I’ll be right there. And tell him I’ll probably bring Kholt with me—unless he has something else to do.”