Page 20 of Bewitched (Hexes and Fangs: Holiday Editions #1)

Nox, surprisingly, accepted meeting me at my shop in the morning.

For research, of course. I hear his bike park in front of the candy shop.

I glance out the window, among the bat stickers.

He is fully geared up—ready to tackle dirt trails.

He is wearing a black jersey, covered in sponsor logos and eye-catching bat graphics.

His riding pants are reinforced with tough material, built to endure the rough surface and protect him from scrapes.

Heavy-duty motocross boots rise up to his calves, shielding his legs from impact and keeping his grip steady on the pegs.

He takes off his black gloves and drops them on the leather seat.

Finally, he takes off his helmet—with a long visor, and a black set of goggles that shield his eyes from dust. His hair is wet. He must’ve trained before coming here.

He enters the shop, his face making a disgusted grimace.

I make my way to him, removing his helmet from his hands.

"New recipe?" he asks indifferent about the smell now.

"What do you mean?"

"It stinks."

"What do you mean?" I behold him with endearing doll eyes.

"Do you want to repel vampires?"

"Is it working?"

"No."

"Damn it!" I toss the helmet back to him, and he laughs. "Wait a minute…"

"I won’t eat garlic, Neo."

"Why?"

"Because I am planning to kiss you." He leaps onto the counter with the helmet placed on his lap. His fingers run through his damp hair, clearing strands that fall over his brow.

"In your dreams, bat boy."

"That was the event of last night."

I stroll on the opposite side of the counter, Nox’ back facing me. "Was it? Did you dream about me?"

"Would you like details?"

"You know my answer..."

He unexpectedly shows up behind me, seizing the blade from my hand. "You know…" his hand gently lifts my chin, unveiling my neck to his gaze. "You are a sneaky little witch."

"I just need your blood."

"Manners?"

"Please…" I roll my eyes.

He draws the blade to his throat.

"Then let me bleed for you, nightshade."

"But I wanted to do it…"

"We cut together, you take the blood, with your tongue.

" He captures my hand, placing the blade gently between my fingers.

With deft precision, he grips both my hands and the shimmering steel and cuts into his neck.

The skin breaks, exposing the underlying tissues.

Almost instantly, blood starts seeping from the injury site, escaping, gradually forming a glossy sheen over the cut.

He spins me swiftly, my breasts colliding with his chest. Drawing me near, he envelops me in his embrace.

I study the wound, a silent storm brewing in me.

Instinctively, my lips find his neck, pressing softly against the fragile skin.

My tongue flicks out, gathering his blood like children gathering the Halloween candy from each house.

His taste is metallic, slightly salty, and somewhat bitter.

I pull my lips from his neck, and he catches my chin, bringing his mouth to mine.