by India Kells
The kiss turned carnal as he took her mouth, his desperation seeping inside her. Sera’s belly tightened in expectation, and at the memory of them together in-between realities. But this was real. His hands roaming her curves felt electric, his body pressing her down on the bed robbed her of breath and she couldn’t care less, as it was not close enough. Sera needed him even closer, until it was impossible to discern where she ended, and he began. Frantic, she started to pull at his shirt, but the contact trapped the material between them. His top was stuck under her breasts and she grunted in annoyance, pushing at him.
“What? What’s wrong?” Ian pushed himself away from her, worry tinging his tone.
“Your clothes. Get rid of them, now!”
The wolf chuckled and pushed himself up. “Your wish is my command.” She heard clothes rustling. “Admit you wanted a peep show, witch.”
Sera knew as soon as the words crossed his lips, Ian realized what he had just said and kneeled immobile above her. She had absolutely no intention of wallowing on what couldn’t be changed, so she put her hands on his thighs on each side of her and sat, giving him a wicked smile.
“Well, as my hands have replaced my eyes, I wouldn’t say no to such an invitation.” Without giving him anytime to anticipate, she placed her palm low on his abdomen. Ian sucked in air, the muscles under her hands quivering. Sera decided to play coy and have a little fun with the handsome shifter.
“Will you allow me this, Ian?”
“What?” His voice was so low, it sounded like a grunt.
“Me, touching you, as I can’t explore with my eyes anymore.”
Under her fingertips, she felt his breathing accelerate a bit. “Explore?”
“Yeah, stay still while I map your body in my head.” She was stretching her luck, but she hoped the longing in her voice would convince him. Shifters were predators in nature, not used to staying still, and being in a submissive role. Taking action was ingrained deep inside them, and restraining his instinct would be a fight with himself.
He didn’t answer, nor moved so she risked it. It was tempting to slide down, but she wanted to indulge in his body for as long as he would allow. Her fingers followed the outline of his abs. When he wiggled under her touch, she placed her palms, and caressed the expanse of skin.
“Are you ticklish, Wolf?”
“No.” He answered way too fast to be true.
In retaliation, she dug her fingers in his sides and made him yelp. Sera laughed as he hissed and trapped her arms, twisting them both so she now straddled his hips, her wrists secured in his hands. Still laughing, she placed her palms on his chest, her core firmly against the erection pushing against his pants.
“Don’t lie to me, Wolf. You are ticklish.”
He sniffed. “That’s your way of mapping my body?”
“Well, I got another bit of information about you. I like that. And it was fun hearing you squeal like a little girl.”
“I don’t squeal!”
Again, Sera chuckled. “As you wish. I didn’t know a shifter’s ego was so sensitive. May I continue? Please? I was just starting, and I promise I won’t tickle you. If I do, it’s purely by accident, and you just have to tell me. Pretty please?”
Slowly, he released his hold on her hands, a silent authorization that could be rescinded at any time. However, this time, she had no intention of making him regret it.
Starting the path from his chest, Sera pressed her palms, feeling the muscles tightening under her touch. His skin was burning, but she already knew that shifters had a higher body temperature than humans. It was the way magic acted on their bodies, giving them the power to transform and heal so easily.
Ian remained still under her, the only indication of a reaction was his erratic breathing, and how he subtly rubbed himself against her. And she wouldn’t complain about that.
His neck stretched under her palms and she scratched his stubble with her fingernails, making him groan. Cupping his face, she started to detail his features, running her fingers through his messy hair before retracing her steps, languidly caressing every inch of skin, burning the sensation in her feverish mind. While she explored his abdominals once more, she made sure to apply enough pressure this time. Again, his breathing accelerated, and the sheet rustled but he didn’t touch her, keeping his word until she reached the border of his pants riding low on his hips. Only then did his hands press on her knees, and he pushed his hips up against her.
“Sera…”
Seizing the button closure, she shook her head. “I’m not done yet.” And as her fingers worked at undoing his trousers, she leaned forward and placed a kiss on his sternum. At that moment, she heard him swallow and knew it was only a question of time before his beast gained back control.
Indulging in his offered body, Sera rubbed her cheek against his pectoral before circling around his flat nipple with her tongue. He tasted like heat and salt, making her mouth water as she leaned to the other side and lavished his other pectoral with kisses.
His body was restless now, his hands making their way up to her hips and back to her knees as she continued her exploration.
Sera couldn’t stop touching him, tasting his skin, rubbing her cheek against the planes and contours of his abdomen, pulling at his pants as she made her way down. When she finally pushed the annoying fabric over his thighs, she was grateful for her enhanced senses. The way Ian’s body tensed, his ragged breath, made her own temperature rise. Ravenous, she let her hands caress the quaking muscles of his thighs before touching his erect member. When her fingers closed around him, the sound that emanated from his throat made her shiver. Immediately, his hands went to her shoulders, trying to pull her up to him, but she was faster and licked his turgid member in one swoop, from balls to tip. His hands flexed over her shoulders and this time, Sera knew that the growl she heard was the one of his wolf. Taking advantage of his distraction, she took him in her mouth and sucked lightly as her tongue swirled.
“Sera…” The sigh, her name in such a low inflection, a mix of a purr and a warning, flamed her own lust to the point where she was desperate to alleviate the tension. Of its own volition, her hips rubbed against him. Exhilarated and not wanting to stop her experiment, Sera parted her lips to take him even deeper. The sensations building in her body made her moan. It felt like a wave when Ian’s body bowed under her and she was torn from him and hoisted roughly over his body. She wanted to taste him some more, tease him, but before she could complain, Ian took her mouth in a searing kiss that was a clear show of his desire for her, but also of his dominance. He may not have been the Alpha of the pack, but deep down the man was a power and control she would have to deal with. He may have the soul of a guardian, of a carer, but he made it clear that the control he relinquished for her was only because he wished it.
Sera knew of her own power and capacity, but also how Ian would never do something to her she didn’t want. It was the definition of his DNA, and one of the reasons she could be herself and wild with him.
Quickly, Ian’s hands found their way under her clothes, but it wasn’t enough for her. And definitely frustrating for him. The sound of torn fabric surprised her, as much as the cool air now making her skin shiver. Sera wanted to berate him for ruining perfectly good pajamas when one of his hands fisted in her hair, preventing her from pulling back, while his other one cupped her breast. Thoughts fled her mind, and instead, she lifted herself up a bit so as to give him better access.
Instead of intensifying his touch, he rolled them both over, pinning her down as he gently bit her collarbone.
“Hey? I was perfectly fine straddling you.”
Instead of answering, his bite turned into sensual swipes of his tongue, as he made his way to her breast. When he started to suck at one of her nipples, his hands trailed to her hips. The rough hair of his beard scratched her deliciously when he made his way to her other breast. His hard body was heating up. Part of her logical mind knew it was a characteristic of shift
ers, the other only wanted to soak up the heat. As he moved down, trailing his mouth lazily over her, she needed to touch him too.
Her fingers sought his head and sunk into the silky strands of hair. If she wasn’t mistaken, he purred under her caress, which made her chuckle.
“What?” His voice had a lazy drawl she appreciated so much.
“Were you a cat in a past life?”
That stopped the wolf off his tracks and she felt him looking at her.
“Are you trying to insult me, witch?”
Smiling, she wished she could see his face. Did he appear as outraged as he sounded?
“I heard you purr. That’s why I was asking.”
He gently nipped at her hipbone and Sera yelped.
“Wolves don’t purr… I must have groaned.”
“Yeah, right.” But she knew she sounded anything but convinced.
“Well, witch, if you need a lesson at telling a purr from a groan, I’ll be more than happy to teach you.”
And before she could ask what he intended to do, his tongue lapped at her sex, parting her moistened lips until it barely flicked her engorged clit. The sensation made her bow, both exhilarating, but barely enough to satisfy her.
“That’s a groan for you, Sera.”
As she was about to give him her own definition, he did it again. And again. It was maddening, her nerve endings crackling with electricity. As he took her nub in his mouth and moaned, the vibration was almost too much for her to hold her orgasm back. Sensing her on the edge, Ian moved up again.
“And that, witch, was a purr.”
Breathless, she clawed at him to come up faster so she could touch him more. Ian took his sweet time, not at all willing to give her what she craved most.
“You’re torturing me!”
His grin was obvious when he rubbed his cheek on her belly. He was determined to twist her in a knot, make her beg, but he didn’t know this witch. Sera may have studied obscure and complicated spells with the purpose of saving the world, but she remembered a couple of wicked books that made her blush along the way. Magic hummed over her skin and, unknowingly, started to cover the werewolf’s skin. It was faint and harmless, but she was curious to see its effect on him.
Waiting three seconds, she extended her hand to touch his neck. The effect was immediate. Highly sensitized, Ian’s breath hitched and she could feel him lost for a moment before he started kissing her again, and rubbing his body against hers. The spell had spread a little on Sera as well, and she gasped at the sensation. From sensual, the heat and touches rose to a frenzy. With only the aftermath of the magic and almost nearly losing it with the sensation of Ian’s body rubbing against hers, she wondered if she didn’t make a mistake.
“Ian…”
But it was impossible to get a word in edgewise when the shifter took her lips. The sensation was mind-blowing, it was as if she could feel what he felt. Or was it? As her hands scratched his back, Sera swore she could feel it too.
Settling between her legs, Ian started rubbing his hard cock against her folds, his movement shaky, as if trying hard to go slow and restrain himself. She opened her thighs higher up, hooking her ankles in the small of his back. When he finally started pushing inside her, it was as if the pleasure was doubled. They were both panting, trembling, on the verge, but Ian remained immobile for an instant, his eyes deep in hers. It was so weird to feel her own body and sensation coming from him.
“Sera, I feel strange…”
She cupped his cheeks. “I’m so sorry, it’s my fault, I wanted to make you go faster, so I cast a spell to make your skin more sensitive, but it kind of got out of hand. It’s as if we both have a connection with each other’s body. The sensations at least.”
He didn’t move, and Sera winced internally. She knew what she had done wasn’t right and was ready to face his anger.
Instead, he moved slowly inside her and she exhaled sharply, trying to keep a level head, but knowing she would lose it if he continued like that. She tightened reflexively around him.
“It’s weird… you just did that, clenching around me. And I felt it and you and…”
Swallowing hard, Sera tried to find the words. “I’m sorry, let me up so I can try to fix this.”
But Ian didn’t move, and instead picked up the pace. He peppered small kisses over her frown. “We’ll discuss how you could put a spell on me without my knowing. But right now, I have the incredible luck of knowing how you feel when I’m inside you, and I’m not denying myself that treat.”
Sera didn’t have time to reply as he plunged inside her. Relief at knowing he wasn’t angry, mixed with the pure pleasure of opening her mind to him, was the most incredible thing in the world.
It was pure amazement to discover how he liked to be touched, what made him shiver, as much as realizing how attuned to her body he was. Pleasure rose quickly and, after one particularly masterful stroke from Ian, Sera shattered, gripping his body like a lifeline as she let the orgasm overtake her body. Her spasming sheath around Ian brought a new wave of pleasure, and the werewolf howled in her arms, as both drowned in their mutual pleasure.
Chapter Twenty
Sera hated when reality intruded from outside her bedroom in the form of Violet, pounding the door like a loonie.
“Breakfast now! Hanky-panky later!”
Ian growled low, cursing under his breath, making her giggle. His naked body moved against her, kissing every inch of exposed skin as she shivered. He lowered his body against hers once more. As she didn’t feel as in two bodies at the same time, Sera deducted that the spell had died down. It was probably for the better even if the sex had been incredible. They had discussed it a little bit before sleep took over, and, even if Ian wasn’t angry at her for testing her powers on him, she told him it was a single occurrence, and she meant no harm.
“She’s impossible!”
“She’s Violet. That should sum it up for you.”
“Do we have time for a shower?”
Sera licked her lips. “I doubt it. Especially with the type of shower I have in mind.”
Ian’s voice smiled. “You’re a wicked witch. I like that. Let’s do it!”
The boyish charm in his voice made her heart melt.
“I fear that Violet won’t accept any more delays and is bound to go through that door and dress you herself.”
“Let her try. I’ll make her regret it.”
Sera laughed and patted his chest. “Well, if she can’t dress you, can I?”
The werewolf’s voice turned sultry as he helped her up the bed and took her in his embrace. “If you touch me, I’m a contented wolf.”
Letting her magic flow, she dressed them both, clothing forming over their bodies.
“I’ll have to be more detailed in how I want you to dress me. Maybe in a less magical manner.”
“It would be the same as the shower. More fun, but more time. Which we don’t have.”
Ian kissed her nose. “Yep, I know. But it’s only something more to add to my to-do list with you.”
Ian took her hand and they went downstairs. Rested and recharged, Sera felt more grounded than she had in a long time. Out of habit, she scanned the kitchen when they arrived and could sense Asher, Valeria and Violet. Good mornings fused, and Ian helped her to the table before bringing her a cup of coffee. His fingers lingered on hers for an instant before he went to grab himself a cup.
“I don’t sense Hunter. Is he alright?”
Asher was the one who answered. “He got a call from his boss, summoning him back to town. The snow has been cleared and now he has some explaining to do. I loaned him one of our trucks. I’ll call him as soon as we’re ready to bring Patricia back. He told me he would negotiate for some time off with his boss. Also, he needs to take care of the insurance with his apartment, and probably find a new place to stay.”
Sera sighed. “I should do the same. Or at least find out what’s the status with my apartment. But from the intensity
of the fire, I doubt there was anything left of it.”
“Oh sweetie, you’re welcome to stay here as long as you want.” Valeria kissed the top of her head. Sera was glad for the offer but didn’t know what she would do yet. The situation with Ian was so new, it was a careful and unknown path to tread. And that wasn’t even considering the dangers looming.
“Thanks, Valeria. And you too, Asher. You already have your hands full with everybody here. I’ll accept your offer, at least for now.” And she took a deep breath. “Until I uncover everything, that is. about who I am and who’s after me. Once I’m out of the woods, I’ll go back to Easthallows.”
Her statement silenced everyone in the room. “Well, I didn’t want to damper the overall good mood. You all know you can speak, right?”
Valeria came to sit beside her. “Darling Sera, what do you mean who you are?”
Sera took her friend’s hand as it covered hers. “I want to discover the origin of those powers that made me believe I’m a seer. Ian made me realize that fear had made me jump to conclusions, and my mind fought against it the entire way. I’m not completely witch, fine. But what am I? I didn’t even have the courage to find out about my biological parents when that should have been my main area of focus.”
“But Layla told us they had disappeared, abandoning you. That there was no way to find out who they were.”
Sera snorted at Violet’s words. “There is nothing I can’t uncover if I put my mind to it. And my mind has avoided it like the plague. Enough is enough. Instead of researching about seers, I’m putting all my brain cells on to finding my biological parents. That power inside me comes from somewhere.”
“Well, we’re here for you. Just tell us what you need.”
Sera reached for Violet’s hand and there it was, a full circle, the one she knew and trusted with her childhood friends.
“Layla says she doesn’t know who my parents are, but I’m not sure I believe her.”
Violet squeezed her hand. “I doubt Layla would lie to you.”
“You know her. It’s difficult to decipher her intentions. Maybe she’s trying to protect me. But from the beginning, there was always something nagging me about her answers.”