Page 48 of Kiss and Spell

She kissed him with the hunger of a forlorn castaway finally seeing land.

Xavier gathered her into his arms as Ursula arched her body against him. His hand traveled up the length of her body, outlining her curves through her thin nightclothes. He cupped her breast in his hand and teased her nipple with his fingers until she whimpered for more. Their heavy breathing echoed in the stairwell as she whipped off her nightclothes.

When she gripped his shoulders and held on to him, she knew that she’d never let him go.

Ursula drew in a breath and blinked out of the vision. Xavier was still dressed, but… she saw it. The glimmer of attraction was there. Her body shook from the phantom touch of his lips brushing kisses against the sensitive skin of her nipples. Back away. She moved away from Xavier and held out her hand. It was all she could offer him.

He leaned in, took her hand in his, and pressed a light kiss to her palm. Oh.

“Sweet dreams, my lady.”

“Good night, Xavier.”

Ursula watched him walk out the door, not moving from the stairs for a long moment. Her skin tingled from the brush of his beard against her hand. She was going to do something stupid. She was going to fall for Xavier. He was that type—the dream man who you’d run away with to a beach house for a weekend, drink bottles of expensive wine in long-stemmed glasses and play strip poker until you ended up sweaty and naked, shivering in pleasure on the floor. He was also the type of man who would kiss the gray hairs on your head and watch you from across the room with complete affection in his eyes.

He was dangerous. He was fae.

Ursula let herself truly, honestly wish for the first time in nearly a year.

I wish I found you before my heart was crushed.

EnChant Profile: Xavier Alder

A fae prince hoping that his fairy tale ends happily.

I don’t believe in true love, but I’m open to discussing the possibility.

You have three messages:

A New Paige

Would you like to discuss this idea over coffee?

Marie All Day

I love your honesty. Let’s go out for dinner and see if I can convince you to open your mind.

Amelia_Okay

Are you still single? Tell me I’m not too late and you’re still free for lunch.

Chapter Fourteen

Ursula loved making up reasons to get her hands on a book.

It’s Tuesday. Get a book. It’s raining. Rent a book. Pluto’s in retrograde. Buy an audiobook. When Xavier texted her last night and agreed to go to the Smitten with the Shelves bookstore event, she held back a scream of bookish joy. She’d always wanted to go to this specific event, but there was a Walker dinner or volunteer meeting that she had to attend.

But this was her year not to have shelf-control.

Ursula hovered outside Rain or Shine Bookstore, peeking in the front window at the crowd inside the shop. She was already running late due to some candle drama, so she decided to take a second to herself. Xavier milled around the shelves. She noticed him sipping from a clear plastic cup filled with what appeared to be wine. His attention darted over to the door every time it opened, and his face fell when he saw she hadn’t arrived. He’s looking for you. Go to him.

She forced herself to stay where she was and keep her distance.

Just when she thought she was done with fairy tales, the magic and Xavier pulled her right back in. She got swept away by those gorgeous eyes staring at her. He’d knighted her right in her robe! It was becoming increasingly clear that being in Xavier’s orbit was going to test her in more ways than one. Hmm, maybe she shouldn’t fall asleep listening to an astronomy podcast.

Ursula opened her note app and scrolled down to her one rule. No more fairy tales.

It was time to rethink her rule. She put away her phone and went into the store.