Chapter 18 - Hazel
I felt the tears burning as he held me. I hated this feeling, like I wasn’t worthy. I was trying so hard, putting endless hours into learning how to use my magic, and I wasn’t getting anywhere. I felt like I was going in circles.
Nora and Jade had told me that it takes time, but time wasn’t on our side.
The guys had already explained that the hybrids were growing in numbers and that we didn’t have much longer before this would get out of control.
The barrier was up, but it lasted only so long.
I could hardly focus because of the pressure that was pressing down on me.
I sniffled and rubbed at my eyes. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell, I’m just frustrated.” I knew how desperate everyone was getting. Even Jade and Nora seemed to be unsure of why I was having such a hard time.
Asher cupped my face, his eyes looking at me with nothing but kindness. “Don’t apologize. Out of everyone, you don’t need to apologize to me.”
He leaned closer, his fingers soft against my skin. “You are amazing, Hazel. The most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on. You’re resilient and strong-headed. You will master this just like you have so many other things.”
I felt my heart skip a beat at his words.
“You don’t mean that.” He was saying that to get me to calm down.
“Yes, I do. I mean every word. You are an amazing witch, and I see how hard you work. You’ve been amazing at the healing center, and I’ve heard so many people compliment your abilities.
You are so great, and I hate to see you put yourself down like this.
I hate seeing you not being able to see what I see. ”
His forehead pressed against mine. “This is just a rough patch, but give it time, and you will be unstoppable. I know it.”
I let his word sink in, trying to tell myself it was true. I wanted so badly to believe him.
“You’re kind and sweet. You’re caring and gentle.” His face pressed closer, his breath brushing against my skin. I stared into his eyes, seeing just how much he meant it.
I leaned forward just as he did and kissed him. It was soft, like lips just brushing against mine. But he did it again and again. Each kiss is a little rougher than the last. I moaned softly as his hand cupped the back of my head.
He pulled my body against his, and we stumbled back into the wall. I felt my back press against it, his teeth scraping against my lower lip. “Fuck, you have no idea the power you hold, Hazel.”
I felt like I was high. My body felt hot, and every nerve in me was awake. I gasped for air as his tongue slid over mine, taking my breath away.
I felt his hands grip my hip tightly, his fingers pressing hard enough they could leave prints. A part of me hoped they would.
My head slid back against the wall as he broke the kiss, his lips trailing down my neck to my collarbone. “You taste just as good as you smell.”
I felt my face grow hot, watching the way his lips trailed down my chest. His fingers tugged at my sweater, yanking it up and over my head. I watched his eyes stare at me like he had last time. I could see the hunger a little more clearly, like he’d been starving.
He kissed me roughly, his tongue sliding over mine, and I couldn’t breathe. I moaned, feeling his hands cupping my ass as he hoisted me up, pinning me harder against the wall. My legs were pressed against his hips, and I felt just how hard Asher was.
“You make it so bloody hard to behave. Every time I see you, do you have any idea what goes through my head?”
Did I want to know? No. Yes. If I did know, would this change everything between us? Can we go back to just friends? But we weren’t just friends.
Asher made me feel more alive than I had in years. He made me laugh, and he was there even when I didn’t want him. He wasn’t just my friend. He was so much more than that.
“What goes through your head?” I asked, reaching up and running my hand over the fabric of his shirt. I watched the way his jaw twitched at the contact.
“You. All of you.”
His hand reached up, his fingers grabbing my chin. “Your lips, your ass. The way you moan. It echoes in my head at the worst possible time. In the middle of a meeting, my mind wanders back to you.”
I couldn’t hide my shock as he kissed me. “I remember how you tasted and how your lips felt pressed against mine. I remembered how hard your nipples were when I licked them and how wet you got when I touched you.”
I felt his hips grind slowly, friction right where I needed it. “And I have so many fantasies about you. Fucking you. Tasting you as you come from my fingers and tongue. Knowing I’m the only one who sees you so exposed and vulnerable.”
His teeth bite hard onto my neck, and I grip his shoulders.
“I have thought of all the positions. Slamming into you from the back. Gently rocking you as you rode me. And all the ways I could leave marks. I want to have a map of all the spots that you enjoy.”
I knew there was no going back. What Asher and I had before was turning to dust as he spoke because I badly wanted that. I wanted what that picture was putting together.
“And most of all, I want to see that pretty little face shatter apart when you come. I want to see all those worries and fears disappear. Even if it’s just for a moment.”
His hands grabbed my ass, and I felt his dick, solid against my center. I remembered just how amazing it was before. How he filled me, and I moaned.
I kissed him, not wanting to think anymore. I just wanted him.
He turned us, walking down the hallway. His lips were leaving marks all over my neck and collarbone.
He placed me on the bed, his hands grabbing the waistband of my sweatpants. His eyes stared at me as he tugged them down. He threw them aside, grabbed his shirt, and yanked it off. He spread my legs, his eyes looking down. “I can see you’ve soaked your underwear.”
I swallowed, feeling my mouth go dry. “It’s your doing.”
He smirked, his fingers curled around the fabric. He tugged it down. I watched the way his eye narrowed, not waiting a beat. He brushed his thumb over my clit, and my head fell back. My fingers curled against the sheets, and I moaned at the contact.
He slid two fingers into me, and I gasped at the movement. His fingers filled me, and I felt his teeth bite hard into my thigh.
He moved them slowly, thrusting at an angle. I panted, feeling my legs shake at how perfect it was.
“I’m going to make you come over and over until there is nothing left.”
I believed him. I could see that spark in his eyes.
I felt that build up, that tingling below. His thumb never stopped, moving perfect circles over my clit. His fingers were slowly speeding up, and I felt my body crash. I came hard, moaning as I hit my release.
Asher pulled his finger free and unzipped his pants. He pulled his cock out, and I watched as he spread me all over him. His eyes remained on me as he fisted him, his jaw tense but his eyes soft.
Fuck, he looked hot in this moment.
I bite on my lip, feeling heat coursing over me. God, I wanted him. I wanted him to fill me and make me moan.
He stroked his hand up and down, his thumb rubbing over his tip. His eyes never leave me. He inhaled sharply, leaning forward. His arm landed next to me, and I panted for air at the sight of him.
“Enjoying the show?” he asked, a smirk pulling at his lips.
I nodded. He grabbed my legs, hooking me wide. His cocked rubbed against my entrance, and he cupped my face, kissing me softly. He slid into me in one thrust, and my head fumbled back as I moaned loudly.
I gripped his shoulders, feeling my nails digging into his skin. I felt him stretching me, his cock filled me more than I thought was possible.
His forehead pressed against mine as he groaned, his shoulders shaking. “Fuck, Hazel. You feel so fucking good.”
His lips pressed against mine as he moved, his cock pulling out slowly before sliding back into me. His hand moved back down, moving slowly over my clit. I moaned, feeling the tingling growing below.
He sped up, his breath hot against my skin, his arms tight on my hips. It felt perfect and hit where I needed it to. Our voices bounced off the walls, and the bed shook with each movement. I could hardly breathe. I could feel myself falling closer to my release.
It hit me like a train. My body convulsed as I came hard, crying out his name. Asher sank deep in me, finding his own release.
He fumbled back into the sheets, trying to catch his breath. I panted for air, feeling my heart racing.
I blinked and turned to him. Asher looked at me, a soft smile pulled at his lips.
I expected to feel embarrassed, as I did last time. I waited for my head to catch up and realize what we’d done. But it didn’t. I didn’t feel exposed. I felt safe.
“I should go to my room.”
“Do you want to?” he asked, his hand reaching up, twirling some of my hair. I stared at him for a moment.
Did I want to sleep in my bed and wait for the nightmares to come? I just thought of his words: ”Take a break.”
“No.”
He ran his thumb over my cheek. “You don’t have to go if you don’t want to.”
“Do you want me to?”
He shook his head. “No.” A break. I could do that.
I curled into his arms, feeling his arms wrap around me as he held me close. I inhaled his scent as I drifted off to sleep.
I was in that pasture again. The wind blew, and it was so peaceful. It was warm and calm. I took a few steps, feeling energy all around. It was strange how strong it felt.
As I walked, I noticed the air shift, and the clouds started to roll in, as they always did. I knew what was coming, and this was always when I wanted to wake up. I didn’t want to be here. It was like you knew you were walking into your enemy’s territory.
But I wasn’t here. I wasn’t in the woods alone. This was all a dream, and I was lying safely in bed with Asher.