Page 18 of All My Hexes (Pine Gulch Ever After)
I’ve been with Shadow in the city for a few days, and I’ve got to return to Pine Gulch this afternoon. I’m already dreading it. Our next overlapping time off isn’t for another week, and it might just kill me to be without her that long.
“You alright, Dain?”
I glance over the lunch table at her friend Lemon, a beautiful blonde vampire who offers me a cheerful, if understanding, smile.
“No.” I answer honestly, slumping back in the chair.
Shadow’s best friend smiles at me, swirling her bloodtini as she levels me with a curious look. “Shadow’s going to be a mess when you leave, but I promise we’ll take good care of her until it’s time for you to come back and see us.”
In the last few days, I’ve seen the vampire female and Shadow together a few times—they’re so close. Another reason I’d be hard pressed to pull Shadow from this beautiful, busy haven where she’s made a home.
I’ve already decided that if she definitely wants to stay, I’ll move to Rainbow.
There’s nothing in Pine Gulch worth losing her, although I’ll return to my beloved gulch to visit, for sure.
There’s still so much about PG that I want to introduce her to.
Maybe, in time, she’ll come to crave it the same way I do.
Just then, Shadow returns from the bathroom and slips onto the velvety bench seat next to me. She picks up her burger and takes a bite, juice dripping down her chin.
I clench my jaw against the urge to bend her back against the bench and lick that juice off her.
She glances up at me with a soft smile. “What are you thinking about?
“Sex,” Lemon says with a laugh. “Most definitely sex.” She rises and slips cash onto the table. “I’m gonna get out of your horns. I’m sure y’all need time alone before you head home, Dain, but it was lovely to meet you.”
“You too.” I smile, but return my gaze immediately to my woman. I’m gonna be staring nonstop until this afternoon when I’ve got to go home. I’m working a shift at Whiskey Business tonight, which is probably good because it’s always slammed. The work will keep my mind off how much I miss her.
Our final hours pass too quickly.
The week after I leave Shadow passes far, far too slowly. It’s misery the entire time.
I work doubles almost every day, praying for the time to speed by as I wait for Friday at 6pm when she’ll be back with me.
Friday at 5:50pm I’m perched on a bench inside the Grand Portal Station, waiting to accompany her through the PG portal back home.
I’ve got so many plans for her this weekend.
On the bench next to me sit two caramel lattes, something I’ve learned she adores.
I’ve learned a lot of other things about her in the last week thanks to our nightly hologram dates.
I’ve learned that she loves her rose vibrator and the way it sucks her clit. It’s not me, but it’ll do in a pinch, especially if I can talk her into bliss. I’ve learned spaghetti and meatballs is her favorite food. And that she loves the pace of life in Rainbow.
I’ve learned that we both love where we’re from, and that going back and forth really isn’t all that bad.
Although it makes a lot more sense for me to get a job close to her than for her to leave her job and come to the Gulch.
We’re still figuring that part out, though.
There are definitely jobs a green witch could do in PG that need doing.
The Rainbow portal surface shimmers, flickering white for a brief moment before she steps through with a bag in her left hand.
When she sees me waiting on the bench, she breaks into a huge grin.
Dropping the bag, she dashes toward me, leaping into my arms. She slips her tongue into my mouth and sucks at mine, so hard I nearly come just from the demand of it.
I kiss her until I realize we’re drawing attention.
We part reluctantly, but I smile at her. “You miss me, little witch?”
“Little mate,” she corrects, brushing her thumb over my lips. “And yes, I did. I can’t wait to come home with you.”
Home. This week that’s Pine Gulch. Next week it’ll be Rainbow.
Home is wherever Shadow is, now and forever.