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“Don’t forget to breathe.”

Juniper gasped the moment her bite punctured the skin. There was no pain, only sharp pressure that expanded much like a puddle blooms. She drank deeply, with the precise purpose of feeding her natural hunger and that initial prick faded away to make room for something dark and heady

The more aggressive she drank, the harder Juniper wanted it. “Yes…”

Heat pooled low in Juniper’s belly, and her breath quickened. She cradled the back of Adriel’s head, holding her close as her body arched and stretched wildly beneath her. The purring grew louder like the slow rumble of thunder until Juniper’s moans crested into desperate cries.

She needed more. Legs entangled, she rubbed her body against Adriel’s, seeking friction wherever she could find it. Tremors zipped through her, as she clutched her shoulders and bucked her hips.

“Harder,” she gasped. “You won’t hurt me.”

Adriel moaned, rocking her body over Juniper’s as she fed. Her hands closed around her wrists, and she ground over her at a moreaggressive angle, pinning her hands to the bed. But Juniper needed to touch her.

Pulling a hand free, she dragged it between them, adding pressure to her throbbing clit as she aligned her sex with Adriel’s. Their bodies scissored and rubbed, driving the heat to an unbearable inferno she could hardly contain.

“I’m so close.” She strummed her harder, wedging her fingers anywhere they would fit and grinding her body with seeking need. “I want you to finish with me.”

Adriel cried out against her throat, gasping as Juniper thrust her fingers inside her heat.

“That’s it, baby. Keep sucking my vein. Let me finish you while you take what you need.”

Adriel moaned hungrily and rolled her hips, pulling hard at her vein as she moaned faster. The bed rocked and squeaked, but they were beyond caring about the noise as the sensations built and grew until every cell in her being burned with unparalleled pleasure. There was nowhere left for it to go. The more Adriel drank the closer Juniper came.

Then…bliss.

There was nothing delicate about that ecstasy-drenched moment. Neither of them were searching for whispers of refined femininity. They were lost in their baser instincts, primal and entitled to their own pleasure in a way she was certain neither of them had ever been before.

It was freeing to take what they wanted in such a raw, animalistic way. No shame. No guilt. No fear. Only pleasure.

It was easily the hottest experience of Juniper’s entire life.

CHAPTER 23

Adriel awoke to a cool bed, followed by a jolt of disappointment. Had she misinterpreted last night? Perhaps she was harboring unrealistic expectations. These emotions were unprecedented and the last thing she expected to feel, yet there seemed no drawing them back now—which led her right into regret.

What had she been thinking? She had no understanding of modern relationships and even less about relationships with females. A female hybrid witch, for that matter.

But she thought she knew Juniper. She felt so connected to her last night—truly understood for the first time in her existence. Juniper made her feel…

She inwardly cringed knowing there was no place in her life or heart for such a word, but she couldn’t escape its inflated presence in her head.

She felt loved.

Her eyes shut and she winced. What was wrong with her? Juniper wasn’t even there. What they did obviously didn’t mean as much to her as it did to Adriel.

A bitter ache formed in her heart. Abandoned not even six hours later. She should have known better.

And why was she taking it so personally? It wasn’t as though they were mated or married. There should be no ache in her chest or hurt in her belly. It was one night. Nothing. They only lived together out of necessity. They were friends. This must be what casual meant. Perfectly acceptable, no strings attached, don’t ask, don’t tell…

The logic continued, but the disappointment never eased. Last night had been iconic.

She covered her face with a pillow and groaned, hating the wishy-washy neediness ransacking her common sense. But the truth was, she didn’t want it to end. She wanted to wake up beside her and?—

“Morning.”

Adriel’s heart stilled. All debasing thoughts slammed to a halt as the weight in her stomach lifted like bubbles of air. Sliding the pillow from her face, she turned her gaze to the door and found Juniper staring at her.

“You okay?”