Epilogue
THE NEW YEARS KISS
They’re all coming?” I ask, pulling my mittens snug before reaching for my coat. The air outside might be cold enough to frost my lungs, but the thought of Benjamin’s entire family descending on my little house makes my stomach flutter harder than the snowstorm did.
“Mom, Dad, Nathan…” Benjamin’s grin is mischievous as he tugs my wool beanie lower over my ears, his knuckles brushing my cheek. “And even Gran.”
I blink up at him, scandalized. “Gran? Benjamin, I don’t have room for that many guests! We just barely put our bed together this afternoon.”
His eyes darken, smile turning feral as his hand snakes around my waist. “I like the sound of that. Our bed. Which reminds me… we have yet to break it in.”
Before I can protest, his growl rumbles against my neck as he spins me, backing me toward the bedroom.
“Benjamin!” I shriek, my hands flattening against his chest, but he’s solid as a mountain and twice as immovable. “We do not have time. We’re supposed to meet your family at seven for fireworks and the festival.”
He glances at the clock on the wall, smirking. “It’s only six, sugarplum. Plenty of time.”
“That still doesn’t solve the issue of where everyone’s going to sleep,” I counter breathlessly, though my pulse is already betraying me, hammering as heat curls low in my stomach.
“Harry offered to host,” he says easily, fingers toying with the hem of my sweater. “Nathan said he’s got… options.” His brows waggle suggestively.
I gasp, swatting his chest. “Benjamin!”
But then the backs of my thighs hit the brand-new mattress we’d spent all morning wrestling into place, and my breath hitches. His laughter rumbles against my palms still pressed to his chest.
“I just got ready,” I murmur, though my voice has already lost its edge, softening under the weight of his gaze.
“And now I’m about to undo every stitch.” His grin sharpens as he drops to his knees in front of me, tugging at the button of my jeans. My heart leaps into my throat. “Can’t wait another second.”
“Benjamin—” The rest of my protest dissolves into a sharp gasp as he tugs my jeans down to my boots, strong hands sliding over my hips like he owns every inch. His mouth finds the heat between my thighs before I can form another word, his growl vibrating through me.
My fingers tangle in his hair, clutching like a lifeline as the first hot sweep of his tongue steals the air from my lungs. I stagger, nearly collapsing, but his arm bands around my hips, holding me upright—holding me his.
“Goddess, Benjamin,” I breathe, my head falling back as pleasure sparks like fireworks under my skin. My rational thoughts scatter, lost in the haze of his touch, the way he devours me like he’s starved.
He glances up, eyes smoldering as his lips curve against my swollen flesh. “Seems my sweet witch doesn’t really care about being late.”
A broken laugh escapes me, sharp with need. “Shut up and don’t stop.”
I can’t think. Can’t breathe. All I can do is feel—his mouth, his fingers slipping inside me, curling, stroking that desperate ache that’s been building for days.
“Oh, Benjamin—” My words splinter into broken moans.
“That’s it, sugarplum. I fucking love it when you say my name.” His voice rumbles against me, making me shudder so hard I nearly collapse.
Every flick of his tongue pulls me tighter and tighter until I unravel with a cry, trembling violently in his hold as the orgasm rips through me. He doesn’t stop, doesn’t let go—works me through every last wave of pleasure until I’m a boneless mess in his arms.
When he finally pulls back, his lips glisten and his eyes burn like wildfire. He rises slowly, towering over me, and the raw hunger in his gaze makes my breath catch.
“You taste like fucking magic,” he growls against my lips before kissing me, deep and devastating, letting me taste myself on his tongue.
I whimper, fingers clutching his flannel. “Please. I need you—”
“You have me.” His hands cup my face, fierce and tender. “Always.”