Chapter 30 A Definite Reaction #2
His mouth found mine, right before he pulled me deeper into his lap again, tighter against his hand.
His kiss grew ravenous as his fingers moved the silky fabric aside, and as he yanked me forward again, that time to spread my legs.
He paused only to meet my gaze, right before he slid two of his fingers all the way inside me and curled them up.
My mind blanked out entirely.
I stopped breathing as he stroked me, up and back, deliberate, precise, flooding heat through his hand.
That heat worsened when I felt his magic burning hotter at the ends of his fingers.
I felt him experimenting with it, getting more turned on when he felt me react to his magic as well as what he was doing with his hand.
He let more of that fire bleed from his chest, and I struggled to do as he’d said, to not react, but I couldn’t look at him at all now.
His thumb slid over my clit and I whimpered for real.
His hand captured the back of my head. I felt him hiding me, using his body and the chair, but both of us were breathing too hard, and I arched against him, forcing him deeper inside me.
I let out a breathy, near-whimper of a sound when his teeth closed on my neck.
He angled his fingers deeper still, and I gripped his hair in my fingers, nuzzling his face with mine.
Something about that made his magic spark out harder, shocking me.
“Fuck,” he said it harshly, into my skin.
When I slid backwards, he yanked me tighter to his chest and abdomen and removed his fingers. He stroked the inside of my thighs, his fingers wet, and I half-struggled against him. I wasn’t trying to get away. I was pretty much trying to do the opposite.
Don’t stop. I kissed his face, flushing when I realized what I’d said.
We have to stop, he thought at me, heat swimming through his hands. We have to stop, or I’m going to drag you into the trees and fuck you against one of them.
I struggled to breathe, to think.
I thought you didn’t do that, I thought back.
He didn’t answer.
I hesitated, thinking about what I’d seen in Maskey’s mind.
No. His thoughts came through harsh that time.
I’ll lose control of my magic. I’ll fuck you right here, in front of them.
Not to mention, if I really lost control, I’d probably change your hair and face back, since I’m already obsessing on it.
He shuddered. Amun’s cock, Shadow. No. You’re not blowing me in front of these fucking cultists.
I didn’t answer.
I didn’t ask what he’d meant about my hair and face.
I didn’t even remind him that he’d said nothing was out-of-bounds.
I didn’t mean things that would definitely make them think I’d lost my mind, he thought at me harshly. Or that would expose you. Or give them reason to think… know… there’s something wrong with my magic.
I swallowed, but only nodded. My fingers stroked through his hair, tracing his jaw, the back of his neck. I kissed his face, caressing his throat, and felt him lean into my touch.
What is wrong with your magic? I asked, soft. Are you ever going to tell me?
He didn’t tense at the question, like I’d thought he would.
Instead, I felt something in him lean into me even more.
It took you a long time to ask me that, he thought quietly.
I considered that.
I didn’t think you’d tell me the truth, I admitted. Anyway, I did ask you. The first time you dragged me in a closet, remember? You basically told me not to ask you that again.
He wrapped his arm around my hips and leaned back, looking up at me.
We can’t talk about it here, he said after another pause.
But you’ll tell me? I asked cautiously.
He hesitated, then nodded perceptibly. Since I can’t seem to stay the fuck away from you, you probably need to know, he thought, his gold eyes on mine. His thoughts grew bitter. Not like I really know myself. Or you knowing as much as me will stop me from getting you killed––
“Check out the lovebirds,” Pants mocked, laughing from the nearby couch. “I think you’re right, Norrick. Bones actually likes this one.”
“He’s gone all puppy-eyes with her,” Scar said, laughing with them.
His cobra primal swayed in a way that seemed to signify humor where it coiled on his thigh.
“Gods, I didn’t think it was possible for that prick to like anyone, mage or witch.
Look at the bone dragon. It’s looking at her with puppy-eyes, too. ”
I glanced at the dragon, which perched on the back of our chair, right next to my raven. The dragon was looking at me, its gold eyes intent, watching my face as it flapped its wings, clacking its jaw as it moved closer.
I was a little disturbed to realize that Scar was right.
The dragon was looking at me almost shyly.
Something like affection shimmered in its eyes as it walked nearer, still adjusting its wings.
It never moved far from the raven, but kept circling around and returning to the black bird, rubbing against its feathers.
My eyes returned to Bones.
His face was a lot harder to read.
Before I could think or say anything, Bones turned towards Voltaire.
“Anything in the missive on Sunday?” he asked. “I’d meant to ask, but it’s been a hell of a week with training and with finals coming.”
Bones’s hands tightened on my waist in warning when I tensed.
Voltaire glanced at me, his eyes suddenly wary, then he nodded. “A few things, sure. She all right to hear about it?” he asked, motioning his jaw in my direction.
His scarlet boar primal stood on the grass, staring at me with blank eyes.
Bones nodded, impatient. “Of course. You really think I’d bring anyone here who wasn’t already in the network?”
I saw Voltaire’s eyes lose some of their tension as he glanced at me with renewed interest. Studying my expression, he nodded, right before he and Pants exchanged looks. I saw Pants smile at me, too, and nod back to Voltaire.
For the first time, it felt like something other than pure lechery.
“No wonder you like her,” Voltaire said to Bones, and I was stunned to hear real warmth in his words.
“Glad to have you, sister,” he said to me, his voice shockingly polite, more polite than I would have thought possible from him.
“I hope you can join us in town for the next one, if you live near. Bones can give you the address. It’s usually quite the party. ”
I smiled back, and that time, I used my magic to make sure it looked real.
“I would love to,” I said sincerely.