Page 42 of What the Hex
“Stop apologizing,” he said, also for the nineteenth time, as he unlocked the door to Storm’s suite and pushed it open. “No one was hurt, and Royal is so happy he’s going to be insufferable for at least a week.”
Despite what he’d said in back in his mother’s kitchen, King had allowed his mate to shift back and dress for the ride home. Mostly because he didn’t know how to explain a mountain lion in his passenger seat, nor how he would get Storm back into the castle without everyone losing their shit.
“But your mom—”
“Deserved it.”
He couldn’t count the number of times he’d wanted to tell her to back the fuck off and leave him alone. He’d simply never had the courage. Like most bullies, though, she was all bark and no bite. When push came to shove, she’d been the first to retreat.
It could be argued that anyone would react similarly when faced with an angry mountain lion, but she had also been cowed by Reina’s verbal reprimand. It was kind of sad when he really stopped to think about it.
“I shouldn’t have lost my temper like that. I ruined dinner. You didn’t even get to eat.”
Tossing the brass key onto the side table, King turned with a warm smile. “We’ll order something.”
“That’s not the point. I shouldn’t have—”
King quieted him by placing two fingers to his lips. “Thank you. Really.” Yeah, it might have been an overreaction, but knowing Storm would fight for him was the best feeling in the world. “No one has ever stood up for me like that. No one has ever put me first. You have no idea how much that means to me.”
Encircling his wrist with his long fingers, Storm pushed his hand down but kept a loose hold on his arm. “I will always put you first. I love you.”
King shook his head. “Don’t say that.”
Not because he didn’t want to hear it. Not because he didn’t feel the same way. If Storm woke up from this spell to find it had all been a fever dream, however, it would kill him.
“I mean it.”
“You don’t know what you’re saying.”
Storm’s brow creased, and a muscle in his jaw ticked angrily. “I might not remember who I am. At least, not all of it, but I know how I feel.”
“What if you don’t?” King asked sadly. “What if you only feel this way because of the hex?”
“Bullshit,” Storm spat. “I love you. I’m always going to love you.”
King wanted to believe that, but the risk to his heart terrified him.
“Do you love me?” Storm asked.
“That’s not fair.”
His mate dragged him closer and cupped his cheek. “Answer the question, darlin’. Do you love me?”
Self-preservation be damned, he couldn’t lie. Especially not when Storm looked at him that way.
“Yes.”
“Then let that be enough for now.”
His other hand came up to cradle King’s face, and he leaned in, slanting their mouths together. It wasn’t at all like the first time. There was no hesitation, no slow and gentle buildup. The shifter kissed him like he owned him, and with enough passion to set the whole damn castle on fire.
Without releasing his claim to King’s mouth, he lifted him from the floor, holding him securely with both hands clasped around his backside. Scrambling for purchase, King wrapped his arms around his mate’s neck and encircled Storm’s narrow waist with his legs.
He didn’t have any experience, but some things were purely instinctual. For once in his life, his mind was blissfully blank. No overthinking. No second-guessing. He just felt, and damn, did he feel it all.
His heart thundered against his ribs, pounding out a heavy drum in his ears. Adrenaline seared through his veins, and his muscles coiled with anticipation. Hard and throbbing, his cock pressed against his zipper in a bid for freedom, and his balls ached with the desperate need for relief.
Carrying him to the bedroom, Storm bounced off the wall, knocking down one of the ugly floral paintings, then stumbled into the small table by the balcony doors. Still clinging to each other, they laughed as Storm finally made it into the bedroom and tumbled them both onto the mattress.