Page 85 of Wedded Witch
For a second, I think he’s about to tear into me again, but then, with a suddenness that catches me off guard, he grabs the back of my neck, pulling me into him.
Before I can react, his mouth is on mine, fierce and demanding, the small dog squished between us.
The kiss is electric, fueled by the storm raging around us and the tension that’s been simmering for too long. It’s a release—of fear, anger, desire.
Time freezes. The wind howls, but I barely hear it. His fingers tighten on my neck, his lips claiming mine with an intensity that sends a shockwave through my entire body.
I kiss him back, one hand instinctively clutching his soaked shirt, holding on like he’s the only thing keeping me anchored, while the other cradles the puppy between us.
But then, as if the storm itself is reminding us where we are, a sharp crack of thunder breaks the moment. We pull apart, both of us breathless, the world crashing back in.
The rain comes down harder now, and as we catch our breath, we look up. In the distance, storm clouds boil angrily over Spells Hollow, the wind whipping through the trees like a warning.
This isn’t a natural storm,I think again. Do the others know it too?
“Ri! Swyn!” Kel’s voice cuts through the storm. He and Sol sprint towards us, worry etched on their faces.
“Everyone’s safe inside,” Sol says quickly, his eyes darting between us, the tension unmistakable. “We’ve done all we can. We need to get back. The storm’s getting worse.”
Ri and I exchange a look—everything that passed between us is still hanging in the air, heavy and unresolved. His jaw clenches, but he nods at the dog, now curled up against my breast, trembling.
“Get it inside. Let’s go.”
As we head back toward the motel, the wind picks up even more, whipping the rain sideways. I’ve never experienced anything like it before. It’s terrifying. But invigorating too. Cleansing.
Like by accepting my fate with Ri through our kiss, I can finally let go of the baggage I’ve carried with me my whole life.
You have to be ready to love.
I am.
The air is thick with anticipation, the storm’s fury not yet spent. I can feel Ri’s presence beside me, closer than usual, the heat of his body despite the chill. The kiss lingers in my mind, fueling the growing tension between us.
Every glance, every breath seems loaded with something more.
When will it snap?
As the four of us burst back into the safety of the motel, dripping and cold, Mavis is already waiting, her arms crossed and her sharp eyes glaring at us.
“What the fuck happened to you lot? Why do you look like you lost a fight with a garbage truck, got tumble-dried on high and mugged by the weather? You’re making a damn mess all over my nice clean floors!”
“Erm, there’s a storm outside, you crazy old bat,” Ri snaps, shaking off rain like a pissed-off dog.
“Really?” Mavis raises an eyebrow, completely unfazed. “Assumed all that racket was you beating one off again. You really need to get laid. And I want a different room. I’m sick of sharing a wall with you. With any luck the storm will tear this shit hole down and you can make me a granny flat out the back.”
Ri scoffs, curling his lip disdainfully. “Only thing we’ll be making for you is a grave if this storm tears the place down.”
Mavis smirks, tapping her chin thoughtfully. “Nah, darling. You’ll have to dig your own grave first, seeing as you’ll die from blue balls before the storm hits.”
“At least I won’t have to listen to you bitching and moaning anymore,” Ri fires back, unamused. “Or risk my life every time I eat one of yourmeals.”
“Sure, darling. Keep telling yourself that. Now hurry up and reinforce my damn window before the wind blows me out of here like Dorothy.”
“Wouldn’t that be a dream,” Ri mutters under his breath, glancing at me with an exasperated look.
I try to stifle a laugh, but Mavis catches it, wagging a finger at me. “Don’t you start, missy. You’ll be next on my list if you don’t keep that pretty boy in line.”
Which one?I snicker.