Page 30 of Bewitched by the Werewolf (The Bewitching Hour #5)

The first strand falls and every time a tight knot is loosened, I slip my fingers through the flowing strands and against her skull.

I’ve made it to the base of her skull right at her spine when I feel her small hands latch on to my waistband.

Her fingers curling into the top of my jeans and sliding beneath.

Thank fuck my t-shirt is tucked in because otherwise I may have lost my god damned mind, flipped her over, shredded the skin-tight fabric concealing her from me.

Just feeling the pressure of her hands so near my cock has my entire body stilling as I drag in deep slow breathes.

Slight tremors rack my body, causing my hands to shake as I try to resume unbraiding her hair.

The sensations are too much and my fingers fumble with the intricate knots, so I take a moment to rub at the base of her neck.

Combing through the loose hair there and cupping the side of her head.

Her forehead lulls forward and rests against my lower abs. They contract at the contact and I freeze, one hand in her hair holding her head, the other resting against her neck. My thumb rubs along her throat. I can feel her pulse spike at the same moment her scent does.

“Red, if you keep smelling like that, I’m not going to be able to finish your video,” I tell her honestly.

“What do I smell like?” she whispers against my groin, and I can feel the heat of her breath even through the jeans and my boxers, along the hard length of my shaft.

Fuck.

“You smell like hot apple cider. Warm and inviting. I want to taste you.”

I can feel the shudder than runs through her body, but she doesn’t move. Doesn’t remove her hands or lift her head from my stomach.

“You smell like oranges,” she says after a long quiet moment. “Oranges and sandalwood.”

I chuckle quietly. “Apples and oranges. So completely different and yet…”

“Perfectly matched,” Tess whispers, even quieter than before.

I don’t respond because I don’t think she realizes I heard her.

I don’t think I was meant to. I take a long minute to collect myself and gather enough strength to continue unbraiding her hair.

We don’t speak again, and I don’t stop. My fingers working smooth and efficiently.

Pulling out knots and soothing any tension left behind.

When her hair is completely undone, I cup both sides of her head and spread my fingers wide ensuring every single digit is immersed in her glorious red hair.

Sliding my hands slowly to the back of her head I grip her hair in all ten fingers and pull her head back with a soft demanding jerk.

Her eyes spring open as her neck elongates to accommodate the position and I groan at the sight.

I don’t think, I just act. Leaning down, I press my lips to hers and seal our mouths together. She doesn’t fight me or object. Her lips submitting to me at my first touch.

My mind goes blank as my entire being is overtaken by Tess, by her scent and taste.

The feel of her softness bending to my will and giving in to our mutual desires.

It’s her tongue that reaches out first, licking at the seam of my lips and demanding attention.

No longer submissive but dominant. Prodding against my tongue and forcing me to submit to her.

And I do. I revel in the sensation of her command and give her everything she demands.

The kiss goes on for what feels like an eternity. I never want to release her but eventually I do. Pulling back to take in a steadying breath. My eyes remain closed as I press a soft kiss to her swollen lips and rest my forehead against hers.

“That wasn’t part of the plan,” Tess quips softly.

I stifled a chuckle and pull back, releasing my hold on her hair. Smoothing it down once I’ve managed to untangle all the strands from my fingers.

“Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.”

“I don’t mind,” she admits.

“Good. I would have been ashamed of myself if it was unenjoyable.”

Tess looks up at me with half lidded eyes and I can’t stop myself from touching her again. Caressing her throat and jaw, running a finger around the shell of her ear and lower lip. Everywhere I touch a corresponding tingle pulses through my nerves.

“It was very enjoyable, if unexpected,” she says.

“The best things are always unexpected.”

Looking down at the female in my hands, I realize she’s not going anywhere soon, and I don’t want her to.

But I also can’t allow her to continue on her path of werewolf hunting.

Convincing her to keep our secrets won’t be easy.

For years she’s been called crazy, not only by medical professionals, but her family as well.

To the outside world her beliefs are irrational.

She’s been attempting to prove herself for years, to show all the nay-sayers how wrong they were.

Giving that up won’t be an easy task. But maybe there is a way to convince her, to show her what she could potentially be destroying in the process, the people she would be hurting.

Sure, Ginger could easily remove anything she posts within minutes.

Knowing how stubborn Tess is though, she’ll keep posting, keep sharing, keep telling anyone willing to listen.

We can control the information on the internet, but we can’t control what people tell other people.

If Tess were to verbally tell someone of Snowberry and shifters, then they could tell someone who could tell someone.

Eventually leading them here. We can handle a solitary individual who wonders into town, but entire groups?

Groups of like-minded people who are all hunting for the paranormal?

Snowberry would be a thing of the past. Non-humans would no longer be safe here and after one hundred years of solitude and safety, we would be forced to leave and find somewhere new. Not an easy thing to do anymore. The days of pilgrimage and staking claim on land just by being there are over.

I’m going to have to convince her to keep shifters a secret and never reveal Snowberry’s location or anyone in it. It’s the only way to mitigate the fall out and keep Snowberry and its residents safe. That is after all my job, keeping the town resident safe and secret.

“I have to go now, but there’s something I want to show you. Tonight. Will you come and not argue or ask too many question?”

The hazy lust filled fog in Tess’s eyes clears and she stands, my hands slipping from her face.

I step back allowing her space. The last thing I need right now is to feel her press up against my swollen cock and knot in my pants.

It’s already taking all my willpower to restrain myself from touching her, taking her.

“I don’t know, I do like asking questions and I can’t guarantee I won’t.” She shrugs and brushes her now wild hair behind her ear. “I’m a curious person.”

“Fine. But will you at least attempt to refrain, at least a little?”

Tess taps her finger against her thigh at her side and bites on her bottom lip. She obviously wants to sass me and ask questions, I can see it in her glittering green gaze. Then she nods and grins at me.

“I can try.”

“Good. Meet me in front of the fire station tonight at dusk.”

“Dusk? What is this, an old western movie? Should I bring my six shooter too for the standoff?” She chuckles at her own joke, and I crack a grin.

“No need. We don’t really put a time on things around here. What I want to show you starts when it gets dark. That changes every day. So just keep an eye on the sun and when it crests the top of the trees, come meet me.”

Tess pinches her mouth together, smothering a smile and more questions. Her curiosity at where I’m taking her is greater than asking her questions, and she gives in to my request.

“Okay then, dusk at the fire station. I’ll be there.”

“Good,” I sidestep around Tess to ensure I don’t touch her again, if I did, I may never leave this trailer.

Picking up my belt and gun I buckle it back in place and head for the door.

Before I step out, I turn back to her. “Oh, and wear a jacket, it gets cold at night. And no crossbow.” I point an insistent finger at her, challenging her to argue with me.

“I would never,” she scoffs mockingly. I know she’s sassing me and I give her a lop-sided smirk before stepping through the door and away from her alluring apple scent.