Bearly Bewitched (Mystic Hollow #4)

Chapter 23

TWENTY-THREE

H eat crept up Kaine’s neck as Vail’s fire magic sparked with embarrassed amusement. But she didn’t protest when he offered his arm for their walk home.

The evening air carried more of the night-blooming jasmine and late summer warmth. Their auras continued their intimate dance, creating a soft golden glow that lit their path through Mystic Hollow’s winding streets. Each brush of their shoulders sent sparks of awareness through Kaine’s body.

“Have you been friends with Rook, Ren, and Xabir a long time?”

“Xabir, Rook, and I all grew up together and have been friends all our lives. I’ve known Romi, Clover, and Sabine forever. Ren…is new to the group but he’s a great guy. So we all like him.”

“They all look so happy,” Vail said softly. “With their partners.”

“They deserve it. They’re all great people.” Kaine glanced down at her. “Finding the right person changes everything.”

“If you find the right one.” A shadow crossed her face. “I thought I had, once. Turns out I was just convenient.”

His bear growled at the pain in her voice. “What happened?”

“Six years with someone who saw me as a placeholder.” She shrugged, but Kaine felt the tension in her shoulders. “Ames wanted the idea of me—the successful witch who’d look good at faculty parties and wouldn’t challenge his plans. The woman who would drop everything for him and put him first at all times. After he proposed...” She shook her head. “I realized I’d been settling for comfortable instead of real.”

“That’s why you came to Mystic Hollow?”

“Partly. I needed somewhere I could focus on my career without...” She gestured vaguely. “Complications.”

“Am I a complication?” The words slipped out before he could stop them.

Vail’s steps faltered. Her magic surged against his, hot and honest. “You are. The most dangerous kind.”

“Because of what happened with Ames?”

“Because you’re nothing like Ames.” She looked up at him, firelight dancing in her eyes. “You’re raw, bold, kind, and honest. That’s terrifying. You’re the man I always wanted but never got. But here you are, now. And I don’t know that I can be who you want me to be.”

His bear pushed forward desperate to protect and cherish. “I’d never ask you to be less than you are. To be anyone but yourself.”

“I know.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “That’s what scares me most.”

They’d reached her cottage. Moonlight silvered the climbing roses around her door, their enchanted blooms releasing soft sparkles into the night air. Vail turned to face him, and his breath caught at the vulnerability in her expression.

“Thank you,” she said softly. “For coming to the academy’s event, walking me home, and...” Her magic wrapped around him like a caress. “Understanding.”

Before he could respond, she rose on her tiptoes and pulled his head down to hers. Her lips brushed his with exquisite gentleness, a question and an answer all at once. His bear surged forward with a growl of mine , and he deepened the kiss, pouring weeks of longing into the press of his mouth against hers.

Vail made a small sound of need that nearly shattered his control. Her fingers curled into his shirt as she pressed closer, her magic blazing against his. He cradled her face in his hands, memorizing the silk of her skin and the sweet fire of her response.

The enchanted roses burst into full bloom, releasing waves of sparkles that danced around them like stars. Kaine felt the moment brand itself into his soul—the taste of her, the perfect fit of her body against his.

When they finally broke apart, they were both breathing hard. Vail’s eyes had gone molten gold, and her magic still wound around him possessively. He rested his forehead against hers, unwilling to step away.

“That was...” She swallowed. “Unexpected.”

“Was it?” He brushed his thumb across her cheek, satisfaction rumbling through him when she leaned into his touch.

“Maybe not.” A smile curved her lips. “But I’m still not looking for complications.”

“Noted.” He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. “We’ll take it at your pace.”

Her magic sparked with surprised pleasure. “Even if it’s super slow?”

“Even then.” His bear grumbled but subsided. They had time. “Though I reserve the right to walk you home again.”

“For protection?” Her eyes danced with happiness.

“Exactly.” He stole another quick kiss, reveling in the way she melted against him. “Purely professional concern.”

She laughed and stepped back, though her magic maintained its connection to his. “Goodnight, Kaine.”

“Goodnight, Vail.”

He waited until she was safely inside before turning away. His bear practically strutted as they walked home, trailing golden light and the lingering warmth of her kiss. Above them, the stars seemed to shimmer in approval, and the evening breeze carried the scent of enchanted roses and possibilities.