by Brenda Trim
Dante broke the kiss and rolled her over. He ran his hands over the flesh between her wings then teased the insertion where her wings left her body. This close he saw the downy feathers beneath the larger ones. Everything about them was miraculous and stunning. So fucking addicting. His fingers played with the sensitive skin until her hand dipped between her legs. She was moaning and writhing.
“Oh God that feels good. How have I never experienced this before?” Her hips were moving faster now, so he grabbed her hand and pulled it out of her panties.
“You ready for more, evergreen?”
“God, yes. I need you, Dante. I hurt,” Chloe panted and arched her ass. He couldn’t help but plant a kiss on each cheek before he bit one them along the edge of the waistband. Using his mouth, he removed them from her body and tossed them aside.
He quickly unbuttoned his shirt. By the time he pulled the sides apart Chloe had turned on her back again and bit her lower lips while she watched him shed the rest of his clothes. Her hibiscus scent intensified, filling the air. Kneeling on the bed, his fingers dipped between her legs and slid through her arousal.
“Pain is enduring hours of small talk with your mate’s parents while your dick is hard and aching to sink into their daughter.”
She spread her legs, putting her wet slit on display. That was all it took to make him lose all semblance of going slow and savoring every moment with her. “I can think of several things that will make it all better.”
Dante was transfixed as he ran his finger up one leg until he reached her core. Her heat scalded his flesh. Rubbing her clit, he lowered his mouth to her breast and took her nipple in his mouth.
“I have a few ideas of my own,” he said around a mouthful.
“Mmmm. I can’t wait,” she encouraged. There was no hesitation as her hips lifted and moved. He loved how she rode his hand, taking what she needed. There was nothing more attractive than a female taking her pleasure. A groan rumbled out of him when her arousal flooded his hand and her core clenched around his finger. She was close to the edge.
Sucking her other nipple into his mouth, he pumped his fingers in and out of her as he pressed the heel of his hand against her clit. Her chest arched off the bed right before she cried out his name. Her climax exploded from her in a rush.
“I need more,” she panted.
“I’ll always need more.” Dante grunted when Chloe’s grip wrapped around his cock.
Glancing down at her, he saw her licking her lips. Goddess, he was tempted to fuck that mouth of hers before sinking into her pussy. Another time, he promised himself. His dick jerked in her grip despite the fact her fingers didn’t meet when she wrapped them around the base.
His breath caught in his throat at the heat in her eyes. Liquid pooled between her legs, evidence to how aroused she was. Nudging her legs apart, he pushed her hand away and positioned his cock at her core. Before slamming into her, he slid it through her folds, coating his length in her arousal to ensure she wouldn’t feel any pain. The contact sent them both moving into each other which increased the pressure between their bodies.
“I love you, evergreen.”
“I love you, too.” Chloe writhed, pushing him closer to her entrance with every shift.
Dante pressed his lips to hers as he thrust balls deep into her core in one stroke. He nearly lost his seed when the head of his shaft pounded her cervix. The way she shouted fueled his movements.
And that was all the permission he needed to give himself over to the urgency of their combined need. He pulled out and thrust back in, settling into a fast rhythm. No doubt about it. He was addicted to this female. Sweat broke across her skin as their bodies moved together.
Wanting her to experience more wing pleasure, he withdrew and flipped her over. Her eyes were glazed over and her body arched toward him. Before she protested the separation, he was back inside and thrusting into her welcoming body. He stroked the flesh along her wings. Her reaction was a thing of beauty as she bucked uncontrollably. Dante tilted his hips which changed the angle he entered her at. The head of his shaft pressed deliciously against her G spot while he continued to tease her wing slits and pound into her. He quickened his pace, chasing after what they both desperately needed.
Her body tensed around his cock, sending delicious sensations roaring through his body. No experience compared to the pleasure he found in Chloe’s arms. It sated his beast like nothing else and left him in a dazed stupor.
“I choose you to be my mate,” she panted as he surged in and out.
For a second Dante wondered if she was reliving their ceremony. Not that he objected. But then it hit him. They needed to complete their bond. “And, I choose you to be my mate. You are my world.”
He reached over and grabbed the ceremonial dagger from the bedside table and sliced a thin cut in his forearm before nicking her neck. He shoved his wrist against her mouth before she thought too much about the blood exchange. His mouth was on her neck licking the wound while she sucked his wound.
A sense of completion filled him followed by a flare in energy in his mate brand. It was quickly followed by soothing cold. Next thing he knew her love filled his heart. He thrust in and out of her returning her love.
A second later she shouted her release and yelled Dante’s name. When her core clamped around him, his spine tingled, and his balls drew up tight. Dante groaned above her seconds later when his orgasm blasted from him. His movements slowed and he bent to kiss the flesh between her wings at the same time his semen shot into her in hot streams.
His entire body vibrated with the power of their vow to one another. This ritual sealed them together. Nothing would ever come between them again. They belonged to each other for eternity.
Their bodies trembled as their releases continued and their connection solidified. He withdrew after her tremors abated. He rolled onto his back intending to allow her to rest, but Chloe straddled his still-erect shaft and sheathed it inside her body. She was as voracious as he was. And they fit each other perfectly.
“Do you have any chocolate sauce? I’m famished.” Chloe purred as she licked her lips. Her hips never stopped moving up and down on his shaft.
“Are you feeling naughty?”
Chloe’s eyes blazed down at him and her expression took on a wicked glint. “Always.”
Dante chuckled and picked up his mate to take their activities to the kitchen. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but I will be thanking the Goddess for the rest of my life.”
There were details they needed to work out, like if she needed to return to Heaven occasionally and if she was tied to their whims now, but he didn’t give a fuck about any of that. They could work through anything that arose. He would endure being flayed alive daily and wouldn’t care because he had her by his side.
EXCERPT FROM MAGICAL NEW BEGINNINGS BOOK #1 in THE MIDLIFE WITCHERY SERIES
Emmie released me and wiped a tear from her eye as she looked around the grounds. “I can see why you don’t want to leave here. This place is amazing, mom. Well, aside from the eerie cemetery and mausoleum. Knowing how much you love it will make being so far from you completely worth it.”
I squeezed my oldest daughter’s hand and bobbed my head in agreement. I never imagined I would feel this way when I came to England to say goodbye to my grandmother. “For the first time since your father died, I feel like I’m home here at Pymm’s Pondside. The only downside is not being able to hop in a car and visit you and your brother and sister.”
“We don’t mind coming to you, mom. You’ve done more than enough for us. It’s about time you have something just for you,” Skylar, my youngest daughter told me as she jumped into the conversation. She was leaning against the white picket fence that surrounded the massive garden my grandmother kept in pristine condition.
Greyson turned from the pond at the front of the property I’d just inherited and rolled his eyes at his twin. Skylar was my sensitive one where Emmie was the responsible o
ne of my three kids and Greyson was hotheaded. “Stop sucking up. Mom isn’t going to fly you out to England every time you’re home sick.”
My head started throbbing with the familiar argument. Emmie had been away at college for two years, but the twins just started. And being my sensitive one, Skylar came home nearly every weekend. The three-hour drive didn’t faze her at all where Greyson almost always remained on campus. By remaining in England, I will be taking that choice from them all.
I am a horrible mother because leaving my kids without their home base close by didn’t make me change my mind. Every fiber of my being screamed this was where I was meant to be. I’ve lived the past twenty-two years for someone else. Now was my time.
I wrapped one arm around Greyson and the other around Skylar. “What have I always told you, Grey? It’s your job to take care of your sisters. They do enough for you. I expect you to make time for her as we all adjust to this new set up.”
Greyson’s head dipped and he took a deep breath. “Sorry, mom. You’re right. I won’t get lost in myself.”
“I won’t let you,” Emmie added. “I never thought I’d be happy to move back in with you nutjobs, but I’m actually excited.”
Dust billowed into the air as the car I arranged to take them to the airport turned down my dirt drive. Emotion clogged my throat and my eyes burned with tears. I’d lost so much in my life, it felt like I was losing them now, too. “I’m going to miss you guys.”
Skylar squeezed me tighter. “We will miss you, too, but this isn’t forever. You never know. We might decide to move back here after college.”
I released the twins and embraced Emmie next. “Now, remember you guys are closing on your house before term begins. The agent will be contacting you, Emmie to set up the date and time, but all three of you need to be there.”
The second I stepped foot onto the property I called a real estate agent in Salisbury and arranged to sell my house. I swear the Gods are on my side because it sold before the week was out. Emmie was all too happy to find a house for her to move into with the twins. In no time the three found exactly what they wanted. Using the money from the sale of my house, I put in an offer for the kids on the one close to their campus.
“I’ve got it handled, mom. Don’t worry about us. We will be back next summer.”
“If you need anything call me.” I hugged them each once more then sent them on their way.
Turning around, I took in my new home. Pymm’s Pondside was the name for the white cottage. When I visited as a kid, I thought it was neat that they named their homes here. But to call it a cottage was misleading. The thing was nearly as big as my house in Salisbury, but it had charm coming out of the eaves.
The brown roof reminded her of a thatch design. Every angle was rounded, creating a soft, inviting look to the five-bedroom home. The shutters on the windows matched the brown of the roof and the ivy growing up one side was idealic.
To the left of the structure was the family cemetery. Yeah, it’s super creepy but also pretty neat. I mean, I had my own graveyard. I have always loved cemeteries, especially the old ones with mausoleums.
In front of that the garden I had spent days wondering if I should remove. I’m starting a new life now. I have no desire to weed the damn thing. I was reluctant to actually pull the plants up. They’re a part of the place’s charm.
I headed to the pond and smiled as I looked at the large watering hole. I’ve seen deer, rabbits and small bears drinking late at night or in the early morning. The entire property was surrounded by woods. The area was lush given the rainy weather in Northern England.
Opening the small gate in the fence around the garden, I went in search of some basil to add to my tomato sandwich for lunch. There were so many herbs and plants and I knew what maybe a third of them were. Rosemary and mint were the most obvious. The rest I would learn in time if I don’t lose it all to weeds.
I found what I was looking for in the far corner closest to the cemetery. My gaze shifted to the fresh grave. My vision blurred when I read my grandmother’s name. A pinging started up in my head. That was the only way I could describe it.
There was something hitting the walls of my skull. Almost like a bee trapped under a cloche. I’ve never experienced it before in my life. The stress of the past month must be getting to me.
I took a deep breath and thought about my grandma. Isidora Shakleton was unforgettable and an integral part of the town. Most of the residents of Cottlehill Wilds showed up for her service.
The pinging was gone by the time I turned away and walked back to the house. The inside was just as cozy as it appeared on the outside. The back door went right into the kitchen where I dumped the basil before I headed through the small living room and up the stairs to my bedroom.
The patchwork quilt my grandmother made was still on her bed. I was having my clothes and a few of my favorite mementoes shipped to me. The rest was going to the kids.
I really do need a new comforter. And sheets. I made plans to head into the city so I could pick up a nice Down quilt and maybe a new mattress. I swear there were more lumps in the thing than there were on my butt and thighs. And that was saying something.
Being my age, it was shocking if you didn’t carry an extra fifteen or twenty pounds. I know I certainly had the extra cushion. Along with aches and pains, I thought as I bent to pick up the towels Skylar left on the wood floor.
That was one thing I will not miss. The kids, like my late husband never picked up after themselves. And, boy did that get on my last damn nerve. I spent my entire life caring for others. Both at work and at home. It’s in my DNA.
After graduating with my bachelor’s degree in nursing, I worked full-time in the ICU at a local hospital for twenty years then took care of Tim at the end. Perhaps that was what was so inviting about my grandmother’s house. There was no one here for me to take care of.
After washing the toothpaste from the sink, I turned and yelped. “What the fuck?” My mouth got away from me when I noticed the towels back on the ground. Where they hell had they come from? I just picked them up and put them in the laundry basket.
I headed into the other bedrooms and stripped the beds before straightening the covers over the mattresses. When I finished with the room Greyson was staying in I tripped over the sheets that were no longer in their neat little pile.
Pausing, I thrust my hands on my hips and glanced around. Was someone there messing with me? I didn’t find anything out of the ordinary, so I picked up the pile and added it to the basket then carried my load downstairs.
When I entered the tiny room at the back of the kitchen where the washer and dryer were, I stopped short when I noticed the soap tipped over on its side. “Alright, grandma, if you’re haunting the place to scare me, there’s no need. I’m not going to make too many changes.”
It felt almost as if the house sighed around me. Shaking my head at my idiocy, I put a load on then entered the kitchen. The sight of the scuffed wooden stool sitting at the butcherblock island reminded me of all the days she used to sit there as a kid and listen to her grandmother tell her stories about Fae and witches.
I envied her creativity. I never could come up with the elaborate ones she did. When I became a mom and my kids started asking for stories, I used my favorites from the ones she told me.
Skylar loved one about a pixie that sought asylum with a witch from a vicious beast that had been hunting her. The pixie barely evaded the beast and barreled through some woods when she came up against a barrier. She pounded her tiny hands on the barrier, begging for help. The witch helped and provided the pixie with some woods to live in and the pixie gave the witch fresh flowers in return.
Emmie’s favorite was about a gnome family that was escaping from some barghests while Greyson preferred stories about dragon shifters that needed to get away from the vile King that created them to ravage and kill.
My mind swimming with memories, I made a sandwich and was turning away from t
he window when movement caught my eye. I sucked in a breath and immediately started choking on my food. Smashing the food in my hand, I raced for the back door and burst through.
I was still coughing when I dashed down the steps. After a couple more hacks, I managed to clear my throat. I hated swallowing down the wrong pipe. “Can I help you?”
The woman paused with her hand on an herb in the garden and looked up at me. She looked like she was in her late twenties, maybe early thirties and had stunning red hair. My hands smoothed down my pink t-shirt when I took in her crop top and flat stomach.
She lifted one hand and smiled. “Oh hi. You must be Fiona, Isidora’s granddaughter. I’m Aislinn. I thought you’d be on a plane home by now. I saw the car leave hours ago.”
I crossed my arms over my chest, smearing mayonnaise over my left boob. I was a hot freakin’ mess, but I didn’t care at the moment. I have no idea how my grandmother did things, but I don’t want people wandering on my property whenever they wanted.
“This is my property and I have decided to stay. Listen, I’m not sure what arrangement you had with my grandmother, but I would like a heads up before you go prowling around stealing my stuff.”
Aislinn’s eye bugged out of her head and her hand dropped to her side. “I apologize. Like I said I figured you’d be gone. I just needed some thistle for a potion and Isidora has always allowed me to grab the few ingredients I need in exchange for helping with upkeep in here.”
That brought a smile to my lips. My hands dropped and pieces of tomato fell from between the bread. “In that case, you are more than welcome. Honestly, I was thinking about getting rid of the garden. I swear I have a black thumb. Besides, I have no idea what all this is, or what it is for.”
Aislinn chuckled and cut a couple sprigs of the plant she’d been holding. “If you’re Isidora’s kin you’ll be able to keep things alive, but I am happy to help. This has become my therapy since my husband left me a year ago. Is your husband not staying with you?”