Chapter Seventeen-Jaxson
I helped Evie stand, watching with rapt attention as she let the dress fall, slow and deliberate, like a silk ribbon sliding off a gift I’d been dying to unwrap.
She stood there, completely bare, biting that plump bottom lip like she was unsure.
Like she didn’t know she was the hottest damn thing I’d ever seen.
My Wolf and I were in perfect agreement.
Mine. Now. Forever.
She hesitated, a flicker of doubt in those deep brown eyes.
Did she think I’d back off?
That I’d tease and run?
Not a fucking chance.
I crossed the room in two strides and pinned her to the wall, claiming her mouth like I meant it. Because I did.
Her lips opened for me with a moan that set my entire damn body on fire.
“You sure about this?” I asked, my voice rough with need and barely held control.
“No,” she whispered, her breath hot on my skin, “but let’s do it anyway.”
My heart slammed against my ribs at her answer.
Brave little Witch.
She had no idea what she was inviting in.
“If I take you, I won’t want to give you back,” I warned.
“We’ll see about that,” she moaned, just as my tongue found her ear and she melted into me.
Fuck.
That sound.
That scent.
She was already so soaked for me.
The taste of her coming on my mouth? Delicious.
I could still smell her arousal—sweet and earthy with a hint of wildflowers and magic—and it made my head spin.
My arms tightened around her as I lifted her easily and carried her up the stairs, two at a time. She clung to me, soft and warm and perfect.
I dropped her on the bed and holy hell, she jiggled.
Mine growled in approval.
“You are so beautiful, Evie Darlin’,” I told her, kissing her like it was the last thing I’d ever do.
It wasn’t. But it felt like it. Always would.
Mine.
She stretched under me like a cat in sunshine, licking into my mouth, tasting me.
Her body responded to my praise like I’d flipped a switch.
Goddess help me, I wanted her even more for it.
When I pulled back to strip off my clothes, her eyes flared wide.
Then she sat up and reached for me.
“Ohmygawd! You have the V!” she blurted.
“What?” I blinked, halfway out of my jeans.
“The sex lines,” she said, grinning like a kid at Beltane.
I laughed, couldn’t help it. Her joy was contagious.
Her fingers and lips were hot as they trailed along my hips and down into that sweet groove that led to where I was already hard as a damn rock.
“Fuck, Darlin’, you keep kissing me there and this is going to end a whole lot quicker than planned,” I warned.
I felt her thoughts tumble loose.
She was trying not to think about the town, about being mayor, about the exes who walked away because she was too much.
But I heard it all. Felt it.
The heartbreak. The weight. The loneliness. The yearning.
You aren’t too much. You’re just too much for the wrong man. But not for me, Darlin’. You were made for me.
“You don’t have to say it,” she whispered, eyes wide. “But I hear it in your head.”
“Good,” I growled. “Then you know I mean every damn word.”
Her hunger soared, and I caught the whisper of it—Show me more.
My Wolf howled at the invitation.
I surged forward and kissed her, deep and dirty, until she was gasping into my mouth.
While I had her good and distracted, I shucked the rest of my clothes and pressed my body to hers, skin to skin.
Her softness drove me wild.
Every curve, every jiggle, every little shiver when I dragged my teeth down her neck.
She was hot under me, flushed and panting.
“Damn, Darlin’, you’re fire,” I murmured, brushing my nose against hers.
“No fever, huh?” she asked, teasing. “Just hot for me?”
“Exactly,” I said, and nipped her lip.
She tasted like wine and strawberries and magic.
And every time she sighed, I caught glimpses of her thoughts, unfiltered and raw.
She wanted to be wanted. Needed to feel cherished.
Seen.
And I saw her.
Every glorious inch.
I worshipped her breasts, swirling my tongue around her nipples until she was squirming beneath me, hands in my hair, muttering spells between breathless moans.
She was thinking—he’s not mine, he can’t be.
But she wanted it. All of it.
“I am yours, Evie,” I said, voice low and guttural. “Only yours.”
Her gasp echoed through the room.
Then I took her.
With one hard thrust, I filled her, and she welcomed me like she was made for it.
My name on her lips, her legs wrapped around my waist.
She fit me perfectly, like we were carved from the same stone.
Her magic pulsed with mine, blue sparks flaring between us. It should’ve surprised me, but it didn’t.
It felt right. Natural. Fated.
“Fuck,” I groaned, buried to the hilt. “You feel so damn good.”
She trembled beneath me, her lips parting in bliss as I started to move. Slowly at first, letting her adjust, then deeper, faster, harder. She met me thrust for thrust, hips rising to meet mine.
“Evie. My Darlin’,” I murmured, kissing her as our rhythm quickened.
She was everything.
Soft, strong, sweet, wild.
She wore so many hats. Mayor. Witch. Friends. And all mattered to me, but this one?
This was just for us.
Mine. My mate.
I saw her try to fight it. Try to keep herself from falling—but she was already gone. Same as me. We were both falling fast.
Her inner voice whispered fears.
That she’d never be free to love.
That her duty to this town would always come first.
But she was wrong. And I was going to show her.
“Let me in,” I growled, rolling my hips just right. “Let me be yours, my sweet Witch.”
She moaned so loud I thought I’d come right then and there.
Her nails raked down my back, the magic inside her lighting up as she neared the edge.
We were fire and storm.
Moonlight and shadow.
Everything old and sacred in one perfect, tangled mess.
I reached between us and found her clit, rubbing in tight little circles, and that was all it took.
She came with a cry of my name, magic bursting from her fingertips in aqua sparks that zapped my ass like a Witchy love tap.
“Ouch,” I chuckled, still grinding into her. “Sassy little thing.”
But I didn’t stop. Couldn’t. I came with a roar, spilling inside her as my Wolf howled his claim.
The room glowed with something more than lamplight.
I wasn’t sure if it was magic or fate, but I welcomed it.
I didn’t move right away. Didn’t want to leave her warmth.
But finally, I rolled to the side and pulled her with me, her soft curves molding to my body.
She was still catching her breath, mind racing with all the reasons this shouldn’t work. Why other men had failed to keep her.
“There won’t be any more other men, Darlin’,” I muttered. “Otherwise, you’re gonna have one hell of a killin’ spree on your hands.”
Her giggle was breathy and raw, but real.
“What are you saying?”
“I was right the first time,” I said, kissing her temple. “You’re my mate, Evelyn Castor.”
Well, fuck me sideways, she thought.
I smirked. “Whatever you want, Darlin’.”
And then I gave it to her—sideways, and all the other ways, again and again—until she forgot her name, forgot the town, forgot everything except the two of us tangled together, where we belonged.
Later, I fed her chocolate mousse and strawberries in bed.
Watched her try not to ask me to stay.
I kissed her and left anyway, because I wanted her to want me back for more than one night.
And I would be back.
That little Witch was mine now.