Chapter 6 Dottie
Chapter six
Dottie
"She's gone." Maddox's voice is loud and clear even through the thick wood of the wardrobe.
Is this some kind of trick? Am I going to walk out to a coven of witches, ready to pounce on me or torture me with their nasty spells? I rub the ten-year-old scar on my arm—the small patch of melted skin marks a defining moment of my life. I know what they're capable of.
Before I can figure out my options, the door flies open, and I stand face-to-face with Maddox.
When I confirm we're alone in the room, I stare up at him, unsure how to thank him for helping me, and completely confused why he chose to do so in the first place.
We're standing so close together that his scent invades my nostrils. A unique, and no doubt expensive, spicy, woodsy fragrance as fresh as a brand-new morning. I also detect a hint of the licorice flowers that only grow in Fable Forest—they’re Granger's favorites.
"Afraid I'll bite, little Dot?" He lowers his gaze, raking it over my curves in a slow perusal.
As a teenager, I might have wilted into myself under such scrutiny, anxious about his eyes on my full hips and round stomach. But I’ve grown up, and the unmistakable flicker of lust that flashes across his face has me standing up straighter.
Eat your heart out, wizard.
As if he can hear the challenge in my thoughts, his upper lip curls into a rare smile.
It quickly disappears, but I startle, stunned by the sight of joy on his face.
My mouth drops open, and I'm pretty sure a little drool comes out of the corner. If I thought he was handsome when he was arrogant and growly, I’m blown away by the beauty of his face with even the barest hint of a smile.
Scowling like he realizes he did something he shouldn't have, Maddox quickly crosses to the desk and rests against it as if he doesn't have a care in the world.
"Why didn't you tell her I was here?" I ask, as suspicious of his act of goodwill as I am grateful for it.
"What were you doing here this morning? And what the hell are you doing in here tonight?"
The abruptness of his tone fuels my irritation. He straightens and stalks toward me until he's close enough that I can smell his intoxicating scent again.
"Why did you hide me?" I demand, hands on my hips, my eyes on his perfect mouth.
"Tit," he says, dropping his gaze to my chest. "Tat," he whispers.
I swallow hard.
After a charged moment of silence, I clench my jaw. "I wanted to talk to your father. He wasn't home."
His eyes flicker slightly at the mention of his dad.
Noted.
"What could you possibly need from the great and powerful Oz?" His voice is steady, but his eyes bore into me like he's trying to read my mind. His tone skates a razor's edge of mockery and condescension, so I'm not sure what he actually thinks of the situation.
I have nothing to hide, so I cross my arms over my chest and level him with a glare. "He's trying to rezone the Ogre Swamp, which includes my brothers' land."
"Ah, yes. Your brothers." His lip sneers on the last word.
What is up with these wizards and my brothers? Anger spreads so quickly throughout my body that I briefly consider if it's possible to spontaneously combust.
"Yes, brothers," I grit out. "And your asshole father is fucking with their lives."
He raises his eyebrows in mock surprise.
"And your plan to deal with my father was to what?
Storm the castle and demand he stop being a meanie?
Sweetheart, he wouldn't stop his plans for anybody, let alone you or your family.
" He uses air quotes on the last word, and I want to punch him in his perfect fucking teeth.
"What is wrong with you?" I yell, not caring if he put a silencing spell on the room. "You really think money makes you better than everyone else? What do you have against my brothers?"
"I don't know, Dottie. What could I possibly have against three grown men taking advantage of a young woman still in high school?" Maddox growls back at me.
"What?" I choke out in bewilderment. "What are you talking about?"
"We all know the rumors." Maddox shrugs as if he couldn't care less, but his jaw clenches, and the little vein by his eye reveals his anger. If I didn't know better, I'd say he was furious. But why would he care?
"Yes. Rumors started by your evil witch fiancée," I snap, getting in his face. Life is truly unfair. Why should gorgeous, sexy bone structure like his be wasted on someone with such a dark heart?
"Ex fiancée," he grits out.
"Doesn't sound like she's fully on board with the ex part, does it?" I raise my eyebrow, pleased as punch to have heard something I shouldn't have.
"Where there's smoke," he says, ignoring my comment as he raises his arms like he's too unbothered to finish his thought. "Apparently, they like to share."
"Ew! What is wrong with you? They are family to me."
"Oh, please. You lived there for a year with three men only a few years older than you.
You're telling me nothing happened?" he hurls back at me, stepping so close that his hard chest grazes my breasts.
His dark eyes glare into mine with intense fury and unmistakable glints of jealousy.
My nipples tighten immediately, and I hope to high heaven he can't feel them through the layers of material between us.
"Nothing happened," I insist, still unsure why he cares, and refusing to acknowledge that a part of me, deep, deep down, wants him to believe me. Not because it's the truth—and ew, gross—but because he’s been the only man I’ve thought of since the day I arrived in Fable Forest all those years ago, and a pathetic, horny, lovesick part of me still wants him badly.
"It’s none of your business," I whisper, holding his gaze. "But they’re like brothers to me, and I’m not kinky like that.”
His eyes bounce between mine and my mouth as he growls, "I can make you tell me the truth."
I hesitate as he stares at me with a swirl of emotions that looks a lot like lust.
One benefit of going to school with wizards is that some of my classes were about wizardry.
I was a great student, so I know that truth spells are tricky.
They require rare ingredients and multiple bloodlines.
Why would he go to all that trouble for me?
He’s threatening to extract information from me by magical means, yet I know deep down Maddox Ozella won't hurt me.
Still, the dull throb between my legs reminds me that he could “torture” me in other ways.
"Maybe you could find out for yourself," I challenge, inexplicably turned on by the control Maddox exudes. I lean forward, pressing my breasts against his suit coat to whisper, "Would it please your dark heart to know I'm still a virgin?"
I pull back, and my breath catches at the hunger in his eyes.
Before I can process what he’s revealing, he slams his mouth to mine in a searing kiss.
Every objection flies right out the window, along with my dignity and self-respect.
Because instead of shoving him away, I throw my arms around my enemy and kiss him back.
Our tongues tangle and swirl in an intoxicating dance that only we know.
This is nothing like the Quadling's tepid kisses all those years ago. Maddox kisses me like he needs me to survive. Like a moment without my lips and tongue will end him. Within seconds, he's picked me up and planted me on the desk. His hands are everywhere. Exploring, squeezing, owning me.
I run my fingers over his impossibly muscular chest, and rest my palm on his chiseled jaw as he finds my mouth again. He grips my thighs, opening me wide to him. I moan, wrapping my legs around his hips.
"Fucking irresistible woman," he growls, kissing along my neck and down my cleavage before returning his mouth to mine. He sucks my tongue into his mouth, causing wetness to leak from my core and soak my panties.
"Asshole wizard dickhead," I huff breathlessly.
He grinds his hard bulge against my soaked core, and I moan, softening my intended insult.
"You drive me insane," he mumbles against my skin.
"Who knew Mad Oz had a virgin fetish. Figures." I glare at him when he pulls back to look at me, but keep my legs wrapped around him so he has to stay close.
It's complicated.
He flashes me a smile, and his eyes crackle with lusty promises.
"A minute ago, I couldn't have cared less, sweetness.
It wouldn't have mattered to me how many men you'd welcomed between these luscious thighs.
" He runs his hands along my legs and under my skirt.
I whimper and jump a little when his knuckle grazes my throbbing clit. "But now that I know? You're mine."
My stomach flips, and my heart soars. What I wouldn't have given to have Maddox Ozella desperate to fuck me all those years ago. How many times did I shamefully picture him between my legs as I pleasured myself under the covers at night?
But…
Why is he so attracted to me now? And why does he look at me like this isn't the first time he's thought about this?
"I'm going to fuck you right here, and you’ll never be able to think of another man once I'm done with you," he growls.
Fuck, if that doesn't make me want to drop to my knees and suck his cock.
What is wrong with me?
Clarity breaks through the blinding lust, and I shove him away. "I'm guessing you don't have a condom, so don't even think about it."
He lowers his eyebrows in confusion.
I roll my eyes. "I'm not magic, remember? I could get pregnant."
His eyes darken, and his jaw clenches as he grits out, "We wouldn't want that now, would we?"
He leans forward, his lips grazing the sensitive skin of my neck. Even though my brain is screaming at me to stomp on his foot and let him watch me walk away, I inexplicably lean to the side to give him better access.
"I can still make you come without my cock." His breath is hot in my ear.
"Doubt it," I sass, but the shaky breath I release belies my confidence.