Page 66 of Witchful Thinking

“Yes,” she said. There was a note of surrender in her voice. After all this time, they were giving in to desire. He wouldn’t rush tonight.

He moved in and yanked her panties down, tossing them to the side. He pressed a quick kiss to her sensitive skin, relishing her natural scent. Lucy gasped. Alex kissed his way up from her thighs, her stomach, the valley between her breasts, and then he captured her mouth again. She held on to him, her hands grasping and bunching up his shirt so that she could touch more of him. His hand slipped down and felt her slick wet folds under his fingertips. She arched against his hand. He kept his hand moving with delicate, thoughtful strokes. He increased his tempo with his fingers. Her breathing came in short, steady breaths, and then he touched her, the core of her pleasure, and stroked.

She went on in a guttural voice, saying “yes, yes, yes; oh right there; yes, yes, yes,” and then, after several long strokes and kisses, she came against his hand. The storm raged outside and raged within him at the sight of her orgasm overtaking her. Her head went back, and a long, luscious scream escaped her lips. Through the lace fabric of her bra, he took a nipple into his mouth and licked slow, deliberate circles until she was hard against his tongue.

“Alex,” she cried.

Alex looked up and watched as her head lolled back and her eyes pinched shut. If he didn’t thrust inside her heat soon, he’d come right here. She took in ragged, panting breaths and gave him a dazed, delighted smile. His heart spun in response.

Alex eased her down onto the bed. He stripped off his T-shirt and pants, leaving himself bare. She bit his lip and gave his body a raking gaze as soft as a caress. Desire, raw and exposed, shined in her eyes. Gods, he adored this woman. He went over to the dresser, pulled out a foil packet, and dropped it on the bed. They studied each other silently. She leaned down and gave him one long lick. The broad side of her tongue sent a deep shudder that hit him from the tip of his toes to the back of his balls.

He laid his head back on the pillow. “You can keep doing that. I don’t mind at all.”

Lucy gave him a sexy smirk. “Don’t tempt me.” She took him into her hands and stroked.

He couldn’t take this torture anymore. “Lucy, please.”

Lucy took the package. “Let me do the honors.”

She sat up, opening the foil packet. Lucy sheathed him and then straddled him, lowering herself inch by inch upon him until they were joined, flesh to flesh. Alex moved underneath her, pushing upward into her warmth. She rode him, and he met her thrust for thrust, their moans mixing into a duet. Tonight was a song Alex’s soul would never forget. He rolled her over onto her back and drove into her again and again. Lucy hooked her legs over his and allowed him to go in deeper. The world spun on its center. Lucy writhed under him. Her words blended into frantic pleas: “Yes, yes, please, yes, yes, right there, right there, don’t stop, don’t stop,” turned into a long, desperate whimper. Alex felt the stars gather within him, his release building, building, and then the stars shattered and their light exploded—bright and blinding. He came with a rough yell and pressed his face to her neck.

I could stay here forever. He stilled at the observation. I want to stay here.

Lucy buried herself deeper in the bed. Alex stood up and strode over to the bathroom to clean up and collect himself. He caught his reflection in the mirror. His hair was mussed, and the bright flare of desire remained. Was once ever going to be enough? No. Alex returned to the bedroom. Lucy was now wrapped up in the flat sheet like a burrito.

“That was…” Lucy trailed off into silence. Rain pitter-pattered against the window.

“Yeah, I know.” Things were way past serious with them.

He looked at her. Her skin glowed and shined. She was enchanting, and it had nothing to do with the wish. They, bare naked and radiating with satisfaction, were beyond words right then.

***

This early-morning air smelled of raw magic—of freshly uncovered earth and cracked seashells. The moon, still aglow, hung in the rapidly lightening sky. Daylight and darkness shared the air. Lucy loved this time of day even more now because she saw Alex sleeping in the morning light. He lay in bed, his face burrowed, clutching the pillows to his large body. The blending light-blue and burning-orange shades of the sky eased her nerves. She counted off the charms on her bracelet, collecting her thoughts. One question kept repeating in her brain like a software update on her computer.

Was this night because of you or the wish?

She had sung to him, but the wish had forced her to use her voice. She’d baked the cake, but Alex had stepped in and helped her. Alex slumbered as the last of the night trickled down through the bedroom window. Morning was coming soon, and she’d have to figure out what to do with the rest of her summer and what to do with the merman in question. You know what you’d like to do with him. The promise of love brought the most powerful humans to their knees and made them willingly sacrifice their power. What would Alex demand from her?

The answer to the question stole her peace of mind. She stood at the window, looking outside.

A cool breeze tickled her skin as she adjusted his borrowed shirt over her behind. Lucy took a generous inch of her skin, twisted it between her thumb and forefinger, and pinched. Ouch. She wasn’t dreaming. She turned to the bed and faced him. The blanket cradled his body. He clutched the pillow to his sleeping face. She’d lost count at how many times they’d reached for each other throughout the night. Two? Five? A dozen? A worried thought raced through her mind. Dread worked within her chest and stayed there. What would happen when he sold the cottage? Once he got rid of the cottage, there wasn’t anything keeping him here but…her. Would the wish be enough?

Alex stirred and woke. He blinked sleepily at Lucy, and in a dazed, sleep-filled voice said, “Come back to bed, honey.”

The gentle plea in his voice pulled her forward and into Alex’s arms. She burrowed herself into his chest, feeling the steady beating of his heart against her back.

He nestled his face against her neck; his breath tickled her skin. “What’s on your mind?”

“Nothing much.”

Alex made a disbelieving sound. “Never play poker. You are a terrible liar.”

He readjusted his hold on her so that they were face-to-face. His eyes scanned her. She settled comfortably into his arms. “I heard you thinking from across the room. You’re regretting last night.”

“No,” Lucy said. “I don’t regret the first or fourth time with you.”

“Then what’s got you thinking?”