The furball might be overbearing, but he was growing on her. The sex had been explosive, the best she’d ever had, and she had to wonder if perhaps it was because she was destined to be his mate. She believed in destiny, in the Fates. Had this happened to her because she’d doubted their plan for her? She couldn’t understand why the demon would have taken her.
She couldn’t hear what was being said, but Cade was addressing the demon and witch. He looked confident, in control. Breena hoped that was true. She’d been concerned when she’d thought he would be facing the demon and witch alone, but now that she saw he had a small army with him, she wasn’t quite as worried. She didn’t want anyone to die, but she didn’t want to remain in the clutches of the demon either.
The demon lifted his hands and a pulse of red light shot out, hitting Cade right in the chest. Her werelock stumbled but didn’t fall. Whatever he’d been hit with, he was strong enough to withstand it. She watched as Cade fought back, shooting balls of white light at the demon, energy balls that looked like they were charged with lightning. Jared and Micah launched an attack on the witch, the warlock distracting her with magick while the alpha knocked her to the ground. Chaos ensued around them as warlocks and werewolves joined in the fight, everyone wanting a piece of the demon and witch.
Cade was unable to hold the demon on his own. Two warlocks flanked him, both launching spells at Asmoth, while Cade began his own incantation. Breena wanted to help, but without her wand, she was helpless against them. She could do small spells, but nothing that would be of any use in a fight. Her heart raced in her chest as she watched the scene unfold.
Whatever Cade was doing, it was creating a large energy ball, or at least that’s what it looked like. The light grew until it encompassed the demon from head to foot, wrapping him in the bright, white light. Asmoth screamed and thrashed, unable to break the bonds of the spell. The warlocks flanking Cade helped hold the demon in place while the magick ran its course. The spell pulsed with energy, then a beam shot straight up from the middle of the orb, the light sucking the life force from the demon. She watched as the red and black sludge that rose from the demon evaporated in the air.
It seemed like it took forever, but Breena knew only minutes passed. The demon seemed to collapse in on himself until there was nothing else but smoke and ash. When Cade was finished, he turned his attention on the witch, who was struggling to break free from the grasp of two werewolves and the binding spell a warlock had placed on her. The purple haze had wrapped around her like tight ropes, binding her arms in place.
Cade withdrew something from his pocket, a small satchel. Without pause, he launched it at the witch, the werewolves letting go a split second before it hit. She screamed. Red smoke streamed from her pores and filled the air. Everyone took a step back, giving her room, obviously not wanting the smoke to touch them. She couldn’t blame them. It was probably toxic. Whatever Cade had used, it was potent and very effective. After a few minutes, the smoke dissipated and the witch slumped to the ground.
Breena wasn’t sure if the woman was dead, or had merely passed out. Either Cade had stripped her of her powers and had drawn the evil from her, or he had killed the woman. Breena couldn’t summon a single ounce of pity for the creature, knowing that the woman would have killed her without a second thought. Cade stopped and looked around. When his gaze settled on her, she broke into a run, launching herself into his arms.
“I’m sorry,” she said, as she buried her face against his neck. “I never should have pushed you away, never should have—”
“Shh. You did what you had to do,” he said. “I don’t blame you for what happened. This wasn’t your fault, it was mine.”
She pulled back, looking up into his eyes. “How was this your fault?”
“By claiming you, I put you in danger. I have many enemies, Breena. I doubt this will be the last time someone tries to use you against me. I can ward your home better, etch the wards directly on your skin, if you’ll allow me to do so. But even then, there’s no guarantee someone won’t come for you, find you, and take you prisoner, hoping that I’ll agree to their demands to get you back.”
“Surely they’ll think twice about it now that you’ve taken down a demon and a vile, black-arts-casting witch.”
He shook his head. “If anything, it will make them want to take me on. I just painted a bull’s eye on you, sweetheart, and for that, I’m truly sorry. I’m not, however, sorry for claiming you as mine. Mates are extremely rare, especially for my kind, and I couldn’t let you get away.”
She cuddled closer to him. “Take me away from here, Cade. I need a bath and a cleansing spell.”
“Anything you want, but I’m afraid your home isn’t ready for you right now. I’ll have someone come in and clean it, put everything to rights. I’ll buy you new furniture, if you wish, or have yours magickally repaired.”
She toyed with a button on his shirt. “Actually, I was thinking I could stay with you for a little while, see how things go.”
His heart raced under her palm, and she knew her words had excited him. It was obvious he liked the idea of having her in his home. He was probably thinking of having her in his bed, a place she was more than willing to be, and soon. Her time with the demon had allowed her to think. Cade was correct. Mates were rare, even for witches. She would be foolish to squander this opportunity.
“Do you mean that?” he asked.
She nodded. “Take me home, Cade.”
He gave her that slow, sexy smile that had made her knees weak when she’d first met him and, with a snap of his fingers, he translocated them from the field to his home. She should probably point out that he hadn’t thanked anyone who had fought by his side, but she figured now wasn’t the time. They could send out engraved thank-you cards later. Much later.
Cade lifted her into his arms and carried her into the bathroom, a room that was easily twice the size of hers. The large garden tub was big enough for three people, the shower just as big. He set her down and began stripping off her clothes before removing his own. It seemed she was going to have some help bathing, and she tingled in all the right places just thinking about it. He started the shower, sticking his hand under the stream as he adjusted the water. Seeming satisfied, he turned to her and held out his hand.
Breena placed her palm in his and allowed him to assist her into the shower. He followed her into the large enclosure and closed the door. The double showerheads felt heavenly as they washed away the stink of Hell. Already, she felt better. Cade squirted some shower gel in his hand, and she noted it was a feminine scent. Her eyebrow lifted as she looked up at him, silently asking why he had it.
“I wanted to be prepared for whenever you agreed to stay here. I had hoped it would be soon, but I wasn’t going to push you.”
His hands smoothed the gel on her skin as he washed away the grime. His calloused hands sent shivers down her spine. Cade didn’t linger very long on any part of her body. It seemed he was more intent on washing her than seducing her, but the promise in his eyes guaranteed that more was to come.
When he finished cleaning her, she took the time to explore his body. She hadn’t gotten as much of an opportunity the last time they were together, and she wanted to memorize every dip, every curve, every bit of tanned, muscular flesh. She cleaned him as well as he’d washed her, enjoying the task immensely. When she was finished, she decided to perform a lick test. She sank to her knees before him and gave him a wicked smile.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“The lick test.”
He arched a brow. “Lick test?”
“Let me show you.” She leaned forward and licked his erect cock from base to tip.
Cade hissed in a breath as she wrapped her hands around his hips. She continued to lick water droplets from his hard shaft before taking him into her mouth, sucking gently. He tasted even better wet than he had the night they were together, and she hadn’t thought that was possible. She sucked on him lon
g and hard, enjoying every moment of it.
He threaded his fingers through her wet hair, guiding her motions, but not forcefully. She liked the attention and doubled her efforts. She wanted him to come, wanted to taste him. No, she needed to. Breena couldn’t explain what was driving her, but she needed Cade in every way she could possibly have him. She’d do anything he asked of her, even things she’d never dared to before with anyone.
“Breena, you need to stop,” he said.
She ignored him and kept sucking and licking.
“Sweetheart, I’m going to come if you don’t stop.”
If anything, she sucked harder, longer. It wasn’t long before she was rewarded for her efforts and he came, shooting down her throat, filling her mouth with his essence. She swallowed every drop, loving the taste of him. When he was finished, she licked him clean and rose to her feet, feeling more than a little pleased with herself.
“That was very naughty of you,” he admonished. “Did it make you wet, making me come like that?”
Her palms slid up his chest. “Maybe.”
He spread her legs, his hand delving between her folds to caress her. When he plunged two fingers inside of her, she whimpered, pleasure spiraling through her. She wanted more, so much more. Her nipples hardened at the mere thought of him filling her.
“Oh yeah, my baby is wet,” he said, pulling his fingers from her and sucking her cream from the digits.
The sight was highly erotic and made her clench her thighs, trying to stave off the growing need inside of her. She glanced down and saw that he was already hard again. She ached as she thought of him filling her, stretching her, making her feel whole. Breena wanted him, needed him, and she didn’t want to wait for a bed. Here, in the shower, was more than good enough.
He kissed her, his mouth demanding as he drank from her lips. She twined her fingers in his hair, holding him close, and pressed her body to his. The hard planes of his body ignited a fire within her, one that only he could quench—him and his cock.
“In me. Now,” she begged.
He started to turn her, but she balked.
“I want to look in your eyes when you take me,” she said. “Please.”
“Whatever you want.” He kissed her again as he backed her toward the shower wall.
Using his shoulders to brace herself, she gave a little hop and wrapped her legs around his waist, opening herself to him. His cock bobbed against her, hard and ready. Cade wrapped his hands around her waist, pulled her away a tiny bit, and entered her with one thrust, burying himself to the hilt inside of her. She felt her pussy clasp him, clenching down as he entered her. He felt oh so good, but she wanted him to move, needed him to.
He pulled his hips back then thrust forward again, gliding into her. She curled her fingers around his biceps. Breena loved the feel of his muscles bunching beneath her palms. Her werelock was so strong, so capable, and so hers. He drove into her again, making her cry out in ecstasy. As he picked up the pace, she held on for the ride, loving every minute of it. She felt her body coiling tighter and tighter as she reached for the pinnacle she knew was near. He plunged into her deep, coming inside of her, his hips rocking against hers as he rode out his climax. As he entered her one last time, she came apart in his arms, tightening her legs around his waist and clawing at his back and shoulders.
Breena came down from her high and placed kisses along his neck and jaw before settling her mouth over his. She kissed him slowly, savoring his taste and the feel of his lips against hers. Cade withdrew from her and eased her down his body, breaking the kiss. He took a moment to help her clean up, then shut off the water.
Breena took a towel from him as she stepped out of the shower and quickly dried her body. She wrapped it around herself, not having anything clean to wear. It was doubtful anything of hers had survived the fight with Asmoth. Shopping was definitely in her future. Until then, perhaps she could borrow some boxers and a tee from Cade. Wearing his clothes held a certain appeal, but she couldn’t go out in public dressed that way. She’d have to come up with something else. Conjuring things had never been her strong suit, but maybe Cade could help her out in that department.
Cade pulled her into his arms, holding her close. “There’s something I want to tell you.”
“Whatever it is, can it wait until we’ve had a nap? I’ve had a long day.”
“No, this can’t wait.”
He sat on the edge of the bed and pulled her down onto his lap. It seemed that he didn’t know where to start, his expression saying that he was grasping for the right words and coming up blank. Whatever he wanted to say, she hoped it wouldn’t take long. She hadn’t been kidding when she said she needed a nap.
“I’ve been alive for two hundred years. During that time, I’ve had my share of women. Not relationships, but casual affairs, mostly to pass the time and stave off the loneliness. I lost hope long ago that I would ever find my mate. And then I opened my door, and there you were.” He smiled. “You were so cute, demanding your wand. I think you would have turned me into a toad if you’d had your wand right then.”
“Maybe.” She grinned. “But you were so handsome it would have been a shame to ruin that masculine beauty with green skin and warts.”
“My point is that you were destined to be mine, and while I wasn’t ready to face that right away, the moment I had you in my arms, I knew there was no turning back. I hadn’t realized right away that you were my mate. I just knew there was a pull, something drawing me to you. Truthfully, it scared the hell out of me. I’d never felt anything like it before.”
My big, bad werelock was scared?”
“Maybe a little. We may have just met, but I would do anything for you, Breena. You’re my other half, my heart, my soul, my everything. Without you, I’m a shell of a man. It also means you’re my weak spot and people will try to capitalize on that, so I need to protect you any way I can. I wasn’t kidding when I said I was putting wards directly on your body. I hope you don’t mind a little ink because I’m going to tattoo them with a special ink, one that will never come out.”
“So you’re going to brand me?”
“I guess you could look at it that way, but it’s for your own good. There’s something else, something I’d like you to wear.”
He closed his fist tight and when he opened his hand, a silver armband with swirls and dips materialized. It was accented with precious stones and was the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen.
“It’s a way of showing everyone you’re mine, other than my bite on your shoulder. This particular design represents my house. It’s something all warlocks give their brides.”
“Bride?”
“When you’re ready, I want to marry you. I’ve already claimed you in the wolf way, but I want to claim you in a binding ceremony, like a warlock would.”
She caressed his cheek. “I’d really like that. When I’m ready.”
He smiled and kissed her before fastening the cuff around her bicep. It glowed a moment, then formed to her arm, fitting snuggly. It felt like it belonged there, as if it were a part of her, and perhaps it was. She had no doubt that it was imbued with magick, his magick. It was a part of him, a piece she could carry with her always.
“It’s too soon to say I love you,” she said, “because I’m not sure I’m there just yet. But I know I will be, really soon. You’re an amazing man, Cade, and I’m glad that you’re mine, and that I’m yours. I look forward to spending a lifetime by your side.”
“You’re the amazing one, Breena. I’ll spend every day for the rest of my life making sure you know just how precious you are to me, and if I ever forget, don’t hesitate to remind me.”
No, she didn’t love him just yet, but she was falling for him fast and hard. She knew she’d say the words soon, really soon, but for now this was enough. Being part of something special, a part of him, was more than she could ask for. For once, all was right in her world. As she pressed her lips to his, she let her magick loos
e, let it circle them, caress them, surround them with love and light.
Who knew that a sassy, quirky witch, who had given up hope of a happily-ever-after would ever find her way to love?
The End
www.jessicacoultersmith.com
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Evernight Publishing
www.evernightpublishing.com
Witch Way to Love Page 5