And, he had never experienced anything like it before.
He kissed her as if his very life depended on it, his tongue teasing and chasing hers with a yearning that was downright overwhelming. It was what experiencing Heaven had to be like. Her mouth tasted amazing. Sweet, like the morning rain, and he wanted more than anything to just let himself go and drown in her. Never coming up for air. Or even wanting to.
His hand slid up her spine and cupped the back of her head, deepening their kiss before he finally came to his senses.
He shouldn’t be doing this. Not now.
She still had no memory of who she was. And he needed to find out who had been lurking about, most likely looking for her. Christ! For all her knew she had a husband and a pack of kids!
No. He silently reprimanded himself, until her memory came back and he knew her situation, he couldn’t do this. He would not take advantage of her that way. He found himself liking her way too much for that. He needed to take a step back and stop this before it went any further and he did something he would regret. Something that he wanted more than anything in his life to do—sweep her up into his arms and carry her upstairs. Forget chivalry. Forget worrying about what was right or not. Forget everything but the sweet taste of her.
He desperately fought an inner battle with himself before common sense finally won out, and he forced himself to move away from her, tearing his lips from hers reluctantly.
He took a shaky breath before meeting her gaze once again, feeling as if he had just run a marathon, and the sight before his eyes did nothing to ease his pain.
Her face was flushed a lovely pink, and her lips slightly swollen as they glistened in the moonlight, and he was damned tempted to just lean back down that millimeter or two it would take to capture them once again, but instead he took a quick step back.
He couldn’t trust himself.
“You should probably get some rest,” he pushed out, hating himself for suddenly becoming such a blasted honorable ass.
Just what in the holy hell was wrong with him?
He felt something in his chest ping as she nodded quickly, before moving past him and rushing through the door and up the stairs. The glass of water left sitting on the counter forgotten.
“Dumbass,” he whispered to himself as he watched a drop of water slide its way down the side of the glass. He blew out a breath before heading upstairs, thanking the God’s that she hadn’t woken up twenty minutes earlier.
Wynter closed the door to the bedroom and fell back against it, her hand lifting to her mouth as she willed herself to stay calm. She traced her lips with her index finger, a smile curving them as she forced herself to keep from screaming in delight like a foolish schoolgirl.
Good gravy, but the man could kiss!
She made her way over to the bed and threw herself down, burying her face into one of the soft, down pillows as she tried to quell the excitement rushing through her. And once again told herself not to squeal like an idiot.
That was…yowza! That was intense!
She flipped over onto her back and stared up at the ceiling, grinning like a fool as she replayed the last few moments in her head.
She sat up with a small gasp when she heard him making his way past her room and enter the one next door, her heart beating so quickly that she feared it might jump right out of her chest and bounce against the walls.
Oh my God! He had kissed her! That gorgeous, perfect specimen of the male gender had kissed her.
And, it had been glorious!
The smile slipped from her lips as her brows furrowed, and she unconsciously nibbled her bottom lip as she wondered why he had stopped so suddenly.
Maybe he had someone.
She felt her heart drop as the thought flitted through her brain. Someone that drop-dead gorgeous had to.
Didn’t he?
No, she thought, shaking her head. She didn’t think that was it. She hadn’t seen anything that implied that he was married or even living with someone.
She snuggled down under the covers and sighed, thinking that she shouldn’t let herself put too much stock into what had just happened. Everyone knows where the blood rushes to on guys when they sleep, she thought devilishly, her grin reappearing before she brushed the memory away and tried her best to find sleep once again. Knowing that she was going to be hard pressed to find it. Talk about an adrenaline rush!
Wynter walked into the kitchen the following morning to the drool-inducing smell of strong coffee permeating the air. It had drifted up to her room, waking her in the most wonderful way, and she had allowed herself a moment to relax and lay there, just enjoying the smell.
She still was unable to recall her name or where she had come from, but for some strange reason, it didn’t seem to be pressing so harshly on her mind. She was feeling almost optimistic at the dawn of a new day.
Things would come to her when they should. She firmly believed that.
Maddox turned as she entered the kitchen and gave her a breath-stealing grin. It caused his eyes to twinkle like stars, and she felt that now familiar fluttering in her belly.
“Morning,” he called, motioning for her to take a seat. She obliged and gave him a grateful nod when he held up the pot of coffee to her. “I’m sorry I don’t have any cream,” he apologized.
“I like it black,” she responded softly without even thinking about it and she caught herself.
At least… she believed that she liked it black. Everything about herself was still so fuzzy and out of reach, and she unconsciously touched the bump on her head. The swelling had gone down quite a bit overnight, but it was still an angry purple in color with hints of yellow beginning to pop up around the edges, and was tender to the touch.
“Does it still hurt,” he asked, watching her closely, and she dropped her hand.
“Not much,” she replied, taking a sip of her coffee and realizing that she did like it back.
“Any luck remembering who you are?” he asked. “Or am I still referring to you as, Blondie?”
“Well, let’s just say that I’m extremely happy that you didn’t start calling me Ass-clown or something worse.” She replied lightly, taking another sip of the Heavenly liquid.
His deep, rich laughter filled the kitchen, and once again she found herself thinking that the sound was one she could easily imagine herself listening to forever. Warm and rich, it felt like a thick blanket wrapping itself around her. If made her feel safe.
He sat down across from her and laid his hand on top of hers. She felt that quick current of electricity run through her at the contact and begged herself not to shiver or moan…or something equally embarrassing. She couldn’t let him know how much he affected her. Not when she didn’t know anything about herself. Who in the hell knew what waited for her back where she came from.
“It’ll come back,” he promised her gently, and by God, she believed him.
“I know,” she sighed. “I do. I mean…it has to eventually. Doesn’t it?”
He patted her hand and stood. “Listen, do you feel up for a walk?”
She nodded, thinking that a walk sounded amazing.
Maddox watched as her eyes lit up. He knew that with her being a green witch, the thought of being out in nature would instinctively appeal to her on some unconscious level, and he hoped that communing with the elements might just jar her memory. The earth was where these witches received their strength…their magic. It was their life’s blood and they got their energy from it.
He grabbed her boots and the now washed and dried flannel shirt and jeans she had been wearing and set them down on the chair.
“Finish your coffee and then we can head out. Are you hungry?”
She shook her head, and he could see her excitement building at the thought of being outdoors. For her, it was as natural as breathing, and she didn’t even realize it.
“No, this is perfect,” she responded, referring to the coffee, almost giddy now as she held up her mug.
Yes, he thought with a grin. She was most definitely a green witch.
They walked through the dense forest, following a trail that led them along the river, and he could see the unease hit her as she eyed the rapids cautiously. He hadn’t even thought about her being nervous about the water, but he took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. He gave her a reassuring wink when she looked up at him gratefully.
“You’re safe,” he said, knowing what had to be going through her mind. You didn’t nearly drown and not have it leave a lasting impression. She had practically swallowed half the river.
“I know,” she replied thoughtfully, and he suddenly realized how right all of this felt.
Who would have frigging thought?
They spent most of the day roaming the woods, and he found himself really enjoying the fact that she seemed completely in her element. She was animated and happy, and even though she couldn’t remember anything more than that she loved being outside, he found the day one of the most pleasurable he had ever spent.
He made sure to stay diligent and keep an eye out for their late-night visitor no matter how distracting the little minx could be with her adorable non-stop chatter. She was positively spell-binding.
It seemed no matter how hard he tried, he just couldn’t seem to get the memory of his lips on hers out of his head. That sweet, intoxicating taste of her, and by the time they had walked back into the cabin, it was to the point of distraction. A constant humming in his brain that wouldn’t let up.
He excused himself and went to take a shower, leaving her safely curled up on the sofa, a cup of tea and a book in her hand, and he found himself thinking that she looked perfectly at ease there.
As if she belonged.
He headed up the stairs, thinking that he had better make his shower a cold one if he knew what was good for him.
Chapter Six
Nico slammed through the door of his next-in-command’s cabin and threw himself down onto one of the shifters kitchen chairs, motioning for him to get him a drink.
Jeremy obliged quickly and silently, and Nico knew that his pack brother could sense he was in a foul mood and it would serve him best to just do what was asked of him without question. That was one of the many reasons why Jeremy was his second. He knew his place.
He watched as he poured a generous amount of whiskey into a glass and set it down on the table, taking the seat across from him and watching silently as Nico threw it back in one, quick, irritated gulp.
“I know you don’t want to hear this,” he said finally, looking Nico straight in the eyes. “But, it might be best if you just cut your losses and forget about the witch. Is she really worth the effort?”
Nico slammed the glass down onto the table in front of him with such force that it exploded, sending jagged shards flying in all directions, and he saw Jeremy flinch.
“You’re right,” Nico snarled, his amber eyes beginning to glow as his canines lowered. “I don’t want to hear it.” He closed his eyes and pushed his beast back with effort, the desire to shift and rip something or someone to shreds bubbling up inside of him. It wouldn’t serve any purpose to lose his temper. “Did you get what I asked?” He said finally, having gained control of his anger.
Jeremy nodded and pushed away from the table. He walked over to a bureau and pulled out a large, ornate knife. Walking back, he handed it to Nico.
“I got it from the local shaman,” he explained. “It’s been forged in iron, which after some very persistent persuading of the old guy, I was informed is the only way to keep a dragon from shifting. Not to mention poison his blood. It should even out the playing field a bit for you at least.”
Nico turned the blade over in his hand, his eyes narrowing slightly. This would do very nicely. His lips twitched with the beginning of a smile, but it was cold and calculated and he let out a chuckle of pure evil.
“This is just the small advantage I need,” he chuckled. “Did you at least leave the shaman alive in case we need him in the future?” He asked, and Jeremy nodded, although if Nico knew his next in command, it would be just barely. If nothing else, Jeremy thoroughly enjoyed convincing people to divulge information by whatever means he saw fit. Nico stood and headed for the door. “Tonight, I take what’s mine.”
“Do you need me to go with you?” Jeremy asked, but he shook his head. He would take care of this himself.
“I can more than handle it,” he responded before stepping through the door and slamming it shut behind him. He made his way back to his cabin, his mouth curving with the thought that tonight, he would have his witch and dispose of a no-good, bastard dragon to boot.
A nice little added bonus, he thought, his grin turning into a satisfied sneer. In his opinion, the only good dragon shifter was a dead dragon shifter.
“Good, Lord! I really hope I’m not boring you too much, Blondie,” Maddox laughed as he watched her fight back yet another yawn, and she blushed to the roots of her hair. He knew that their walk had tired her out more than she was willing to admit, and they had come back and scrounged together a half-way decent meal of steaks and rice.
Now they were sitting quietly by a roaring fire, enjoying a nice bottle of wine, some easy conversation, and she was fighting to stay awake.
That really didn’t do much for a man’s ego, he thought with a chuckle.
“No,” she husked sleepily, and the sound was like a shot of pure adrenaline straight to his groin. Christ, the timber of her voice was freaking amazing. It was soft and sensual, much like that of an intimate caress across the base of his spine. “I think I may have overdone it today a bit,” she explained, yawning again, and she smiled at him guiltily.
“Why don’t you head on up to bed,” he suggested, and she nodded.
He stood and held out a hand to help her up, and when her delicate fingers slipped into his, he felt that tingle instantly run along him yet again.
They stood there a moment, neither one willing to move, and it took only a second or two of silent deliberation before Maddox leaned forward and tasted her glorious mouth as he had wanted to do all damn day.
He kissed her…slowly, thoroughly, almost as if she was his lifeforce and he needed her to survive. He felt as if in that moment, the world just stopped turning. There was nothing but the two of them. The world ceased to exist.
It was just that good.
Much too soon for his liking, he forced himself to pull away from her and took a deep, shaky breath. “Go get some sleep, Blondie,” he instructed her quietly, his words so damned hard to get out. It was the last thing he wanted, but he knew it was the right thing to do.
“Well. Good night, then,” she stammered, obviously confused at his sudden about-face. She watched him silently a moment, before turning and dashing towards the stairs.
Maddox watched her go, his body responding to hers in a way the was desperate…primal, and he shook himself.
God damn it! He sure as shit wished her memory would come back already!
She dropped her jeans and flannel shirt to the floor and quickly slipped into Maddox’s t-shirt before crawling under the thick, welcoming comforter. She had been exhausted, but then he had kissed her again, and now she felt as if she could run a marathon! Her heart was bouncing around in her chest like a caged bird.
Ugh!
She curled up under the covers and willed her memory to come back, but again…not a damn thing.
By the pricking of my thumb…
She stopped the thought short, refusing to let it invade her thoughts. The nagging rhyme was beginning to irritate the living hell out of her, and she just wanted answers already!
She slammed her eyes shut and took slow, steady breaths, trying to force herself to relax. To will sleep to take her.
Maddox waited until he was certain that she had fallen asleep before heading downstairs and through the kitchen. He dropped his jeans and laid them on the chair before slipping out the back door and towards the clearing. He would do a quick once ov
er just to make sure all was as it should be. He hadn’t sensed anything out of the ordinary tonight, but he didn’t want to take any chances either. To say that his head wasn’t completely in the game at the moment was a sever understatement. That damned little vixen was distracting as all hell.
He stepped into the clearing and closed his eyes, shifting into his mighty dragon. He took to the air with a fluid grace that was natural, the silver scales of his incredible body shimmering in the moonlight almost as if liquid.
Nico watched from the cover of the trees as the dragon sailed through the air, his mouth twisting up into a wicked sneer.
Perfect.
He moved toward the cabin, making sure to stay well hidden within the shadows. It wouldn’t do to have the bastard spot him before it was time. He had taken great pains to keep himself unnoticed.
Wynter bolted upright, fighting off the urge to scream as a feeling of unease pulled her roughly from her dreams of a certain man. She slid out from under the thick blankets and sat at the edge of the bed a moment as she to get her bearings. Something wasn’t right. She could feel it in her bones. It was a thick, oppressive feeling of doom that was slithering up her spine and chilling her to the core.
She grabbed her jeans, slipped into them, and headed to the room next door.
She rapped softly, pressing her ear to the thick wood and listening for any sound.
“Maddox?” she called, knocking again, this time with a little more force, thinking that he might be a heavy sleeper. When she was again met by only silence, she swallowed back her fear and reached for the handle, tentatively pushing the door open.
Only to find it empty.
Damn.
She pulled it shut and headed downstairs, thinking that perhaps he had fallen asleep on the sofa. He had said that he didn’t require much sleep. Maybe he was doing…something.
Although, she couldn’t remember seeing a television or any type of computer or such. Perhaps he was reading. She really couldn’t say, and she didn’t know why, but she felt compelled to find him. It was a gnawing deep down in her gut that was impossible to ignore.
Wynter's Kiss ( A Paranormal Romance) Page 5