Page 80 of Pocus

“Anyways, I’m sorry for disturbing your sleep,” I say, avoiding his knowing gaze. I gesture in the general direction of the hallway. “I should let you rest. I’ll…I’ll just leave now.”

Pocus grabs my hand as I start to turn around and pulls me into his room, locking the door behind me with a definite click.

I frown up at him in surprise. “Wh…what are you doing?”

“As if I’d let you leave after coming all the way here,” Pocus says, smiling down at me with a boyish excitement that gets my heart racing a thousand miles per second. This much sex appeal in one person shouldn’t be legal. And now, I’m trapped between the door and a human wall of temptation.

Pocus moves closer, leaving me no choice but to press my back further against the door. He braces his right hand on the place just above my head, looking intensely into my eyes with that slight curve of his lips that would give the devil a run for his money. His left arm sneaks around my waist, pressing me against his body so I can feel every hard inch of him– not excluding the delicious bulge pressing eagerly against my lower stomach.

“Hey, baby,” he says in the gentlest tone. His smile grows wider and his eyes seem to grow a shade darker. “I missed you.”

And just like that, a host of butterflies erupt in my stomach.

Be still, my heart!

But the thought instantly gets lost somewhere among the sparks torching my brain cell. My head is suddenly devoid of any rational thoughts – and even the irrational ones. I can’t seem to see past the creases in his plush sexy lips and the stormy desire in his eyes.

I shake my head slowly, trying to grasp onto some semblance of self-control. “I…uhmm…I’m….”

Pocus chuckles lightly, cutting short my rambling. “I want to kiss you so badly right now.” His hand leaves the wall to caress my face. He strokes his finger down my cheeks to my chin. He trails the pad of his thumb over my lower lips, sending electric tingles to every nerve ending in my body.

“Can I kiss you, Abigail?” Pocus asks softly, holding me in place with the intensity of his eyes.

There’s no escaping this flame. But then again, I was already burnt even before the fire started. I’m his. Branded.

I unconsciously inch closer to him, helpless against the magnetic pull of his eyes. His lips brush teasingly against mine, sending electric tingles down my spine. I press my mouth to his with an impatient moan. Pocus didn’t waste any time seizing my lips in a sizzling kiss, moving his tongue with mine in perfect sync. I wrap my arms around his neck, acknowledging the consuming need that’s growing deep within me. Pocus lifts me by my waist, and I instantly wrap my legs around him, weaving my fingers through his dark silky hair. I press harder against him, deepening the kiss and greedily reveling in the pleasure of his mouth against mine. Pocus carries me toward the bed without taking his mouth off mine.

I reluctantly pull away from the kiss. I brace my hands on his shoulders and lean back in his arms, panting heavily as I look into his desire-laden eyes. “Wait…umm…I need to say something real quick.”

Pocus bounces me playfully in his arms and smiles up at me. “Yeah? And then we get right back to the part where I show you just how much I love you.”

I feel my heart clench tightly with overwhelming love and gratitude for this man who has shown me what it means to live and love even while fighting his own battles.

“I love you, Pocus.”

He seems to freeze, and suddenly a big smile breaks out over his face. His arms tighten reflexively around my waist. “Can you say that one more time, ma chérie?”

I drop my forehead down to his with a happy sigh. “I love you, Pocus,” I whisper to him. “Much more than I ever thought possible.”

Pocus remains quiet for so long that I would think he didn’t hear me if we weren't so close. But suddenly, he’s hugging me tighter. He raises his eyes to mine, and I’m surprised to see tears glistening in his dazzling green depths. “Damn, girl…,” Pocus says with a teary chuckle. “You just made me the happiest man on earth.”

I press my lips to his, this time in a slow sensual kiss that expresses all of the intense emotions that I caught in his eyes earlier. I let myself go, getting lost in the blissful feeling of his sensual lips on mine and the reassurance of his love.

There’s nowhere else I’d rather be…

EPILOGUE

Evanesce

Eight months later

I carefully pull the tray out of the oven, smiling down at the perfectly golden buns. I push the oven door closed with my right leg and carry the tray over to the kitchen island, where Abigail is prepping the next batch.

“Those came out great,” Abigail says. Her deep hazel eyes gleam beautifully as she examines the buns with a fascinated smile. “I may be mixing batter like a pro, but I can never get it down so perfectly.”

I chuckle in amusement at her choice of words. I know very well that she’s a great cook. “We could trade recipes,” I say, flashing her a quick smile as I pick up the tray in front of her. I head over to the oven, bend over to insert the tray, and set the timer. I step back from the oven, dusting my hand on my apron. “Oof! I think that was the last batch,” I say with an exaggerated sigh.

“I’d say the end is worth the means,” Abigail says with an amused smile.