Page 2

CHAPTER TWO

T his isn’t exactly my typical way of ending a night out…

The thought makes me smile as I follow Ash into the small, yet stylish, hotel. Usually these outings end in Suvi and I propping each other up while we get something delicious and unhealthy to eat, followed by finally crashing out together on the bed. Normally we fall asleep halfway through some utterly insane conversation. Once we even debated for over an hour on what kind of ghost we’d choose to share a house with if we were forced to live with one.

I still stand by my pick. My answer being a monk who took a vow of total silence. It was chosen with the sincere hope that said vow continues after their death, too. The last thing I need is a noisy, free-loading housemate, or for my ghost roomie to get gossiping with local spirits about the weird shit I do when I’m home alone. Strange midnight snack choices, cursing inanimate objects, and uncoordinated dancing are all things a witch should be able to do in the privacy of their own homes, without the fear of ghostly judgement.

Suvi, however, had simply stated, ‘a really super hot one.’ After contemplating several other options aloud, anyway, and dismissing all the obvious ghosts you’d want to avoid, like poltergeists, the ghosts of killers, or their victims, etcetera. Though she did amend her choice after hearing my answer and argument for it, also picking a silent monk—who just so happens to be really, super hot.

Goddess, I love my best friend.

We haven’t really had a fun night like that since my last birthday, though. Considering I turn twenty-seven in a little over a month and a half, it’s been much longer than I’d realised. Between sales of my charms and potions picking up and Suvi’s new job as a healer, I guess we’ve both been a lot busier than we used to be when I first moved out here. Just like how she was too busy to join us tonight. She keeps getting all the grunt work and night shifts, likely because she only moved here a few months before I did. None of that coven-raised special treatment the others get for her, either, although they do have to be outwardly nicer to her.

Every witch knows better than to piss off their healer.

“Are you okay?” Ash asks as we reach the elevator tucked away at the back of the empty lobby. His finger hovers over the button to call it down, like he’s waiting on my answer before deciding whether or not to press it.

Realising I have been a little quiet and in my thoughts for the last few minutes, I’m quick to wave off his concern. “Sorry, I was just thinking about my friend.”

“Oh? Well, if there’s someone else whose company you’d prefer?” Ash questions, much more teasingly this time. He hits the button and uses his other hand to grab mine, tugging me closer.

“She’s my best friend; of course I’d prefer her company,” I reply, matching his playful tone. I pointedly run my gaze over him before meeting his eyes. “But…you’ll do, I suppose.”

“And I’ll do you,” Ash replies with a grin, dragging me into the elevator the second the doors slide open. I snort, and he reaches up to rub the back of his neck with his free hand. “That was uncharacteristically lame of me.” He clears his throat, and I bite my lower lip, leaning into his warm body.

Well, I’ve made it this far; there’s no point in holding back now…

“It’s okay. I thought it was charming.” He’s honestly been so cool and collected all night that the flirty fail is actually kind of cute, like I managed to get him a bit flustered and off his game.

“Your best friend is Suvi, right?” he asks, quickly changing the subject as the doors start to close again, his arm curving around my waist.

I’m surprised by Ash using her name, but I did tell him about her, didn’t I? We’d spoken a shocking amount at the bar, drinking and flirting until the place had started emptying out. He’s a good listener, the kind that’s probably able to get anyone to spill their darkest secrets with enough time—and some alcohol to loosen the lips. He also had some really funny stories to tell, some of which have to be at least a little exaggerated with how insane they sounded.

In just a few hours, Ash managed to spark my interest in a way no one else has in a long while, pulling me right out of the pity party I’d fallen into earlier. So, when he asked if I wanted to come back to his hotel, I didn’t even pause to think about it before I agreed. It’s not like me at all, not that I have any moral objections to the idea of where this is going. However, the only few times I've hooked up with strangers have been so disappointing they put me off the whole experience. Since those encounters, I’ve tended to stick with boyfriends or people I’m casually dating instead.

The last random guy I hooked up with had been completely underwhelming in all aspects. Less than ten minutes after going into the bedroom, I simply stopped, got dressed, and left. All the while he sat there and pouted about it, like it wasn’t his fault for thinking that jamming a couple of fingers in and out three times counted as sufficient foreplay. I shudder at the mortifying memory, causing Ash to hold me tighter, his hand rubbing up and down my back like he’s worried I might be cold.

“Yes, I did mean Suvi,” I finally answer, smiling up at him. Talking about my friend brings me little sparks of joy. I didn’t realise how much I’ve been missing her lately. We have to try and make more time for our friendship, not just talk about doing it while feeling resigned about our busy lives.

“It sounds nice. Having someone you care for so deeply,” he muses, and I nod again in agreement. I can’t help but notice how it sounds like he doesn’t really know that feeling himself, which is surprising, given how much of a people person he seems to be. The idea of him being alone or lonely doesn’t sit right in my head.

“It is. I’d have gone crazy in this city without her,” I reply a little more quietly. The silence between us stretches for a moment too long, turning the air around us a touch uncomfortable. I’ve always hated silence. “I don’t really do this,” I blurt, the words escaping me like they have a will of their own. Which they must, because I sure as hell didn’t want to confess that. Fuck.

“Do what exactly? Flirt with handsome strangers?” Ash asks with a grin, apparently more than willing to quickly move on from the serious, quiet vibe that had lingered there for a moment.

“Oh, I flirt with plenty of strangers. I just don’t usually follow them home,” I joke, trying to hide the awkwardness I feel behind the confession, but one glance at his eyes has me spilling my secrets like I’m under a spell. “I haven’t had the best experiences,” I mumble, feeling shy about the admission. Embarrassed, I find myself staring at the numbered floor buttons to avoid his face as I’m sure mine must be turning red.

“You were hurt?” The growl to his words is a low rumble, but it happens so suddenly it still manages to surprise me, pulling my head back up to look at him. The elevator doors sliding open with a ping saves me from answering for a moment. Thankful for that convenient timing, I go to take a step out, but Ash holds me back, searching my face for an answer. It’s clear he won’t move until he gets one.

“No, not like that. I meant they weren’t very…um… satisfying experiences,” I explain, stumbling over my words. The intensity in his eyes slowly fades to something softer, and the corners of his lips curl back up into his near-constant smile.

“Not satisfying? Hmm, I think I can help with that.” The silky quality of his voice washes over me, making my nipples tighten at his suggestion. We both knew what he was really offering when he asked me to come back here with him, and I am more than ready to put past experiences behind me. There’s also something about this man that screams he’ll be able to back up his words.

Goddess, I must be ovulating to be this easily worked up…

Thankfully, that somewhat embarrassing thought reminds me of something rather important I almost forgot to take care of. I open my small clutch purse, pulling out a tiny diamond-shaped glass container. The pink-tinted vial is unmarked, with only about a tablespoon or two of liquid inside. I pop the cork, then down the small potion in one go, glad it doesn’t leave an awful aftertaste the way mass-produced potions tend to do.

“What do you have there?” Ash asks, gesturing at the now-empty vial I’m returning to my bag as we approach the door I assume leads to his hotel room.

“A prevention potion.” I shrug. “For things like pregnancy…and other stuff.”

“Other stuff?” he prompts, and I feel the blush spreading across my cheeks again. I swear this man is determined to turn me into a living tomato or something.

“Things like STIs.” I clear my throat, glancing over my shoulder, rather than look at him while he removes a keycard from his wallet and opens the hotel room door. “No offence,” I add awkwardly. It’s not like it’s personal; I don’t know any smart witches who go out without one of these potions handy. It’s common sense to use protection, especially with someone you’ve only just met.

“None taken,” Ash replies, pushing the door open and gesturing for me to head inside.

I step right past the doorway I guess leads into a bathroom, through a short, narrow stretch of the room that opens up into the main space. It’s bigger than I expected given the size of the hotel, but not massive by any means. Decorated in mostly blacks, greys, and whites, there are just a few pops of deep colour splashed about to break up the monochrome. The frankly enormous bed sits fairly high, with its huge headboard taking up much of the left wall, facing a small seating area consisting of a two-seater sofa, a black coffee table, and a chair. There are also some other little tables, a dresser, some plants, and a desk, but the real draw of the room is the view. Covering the entire far wall of the room is a massive window, lights from the city and the clear view of the river nearby drawing me over to look out for a moment.

“Wow, this is lovely,” I offer politely, turning back to face him.

Ash is still standing over by the wall where the room opens up, apparently content watching me take in the space for a moment. There’s a shift in the air around us, and my heart starts racing as he steps forward, the silky quality returning to his voice as he asks, “Is it? I’m afraid I’m terribly distracted by the incredible sight before me.”

“That was much smoother,” I tease, holding eye contact with the gorgeous man across from me as I kick my heels off. Ash matches my action, slipping his shoes off as well.

“I have some practice. I can’t help it if you make me nervous, little witch.” The way he looks my body up and down as he says it feels like a physical caress over my skin. The light, teasing kind that leaves you desperate for more.

“Do I?” I question, my voice barely more than a whisper, as I slide down the strap of my dress from one shoulder, followed by the other, allowing the fabric to fall. The dress pools at my waist, exposing my naked breasts to the cool air. My nipples pebble, and I take in a shaking breath as both my emotions and physical body seem to slip from my control.

“Definitely.” He steps closer, and I swear the smell of this man alone is enough to make my knees weak. The urge to lick his skin is also a new one for me, and it only grows in intensity as he slowly removes his shirt, one damned button at a time.

“Oh, that’s just criminal.” I shake my head while admiring his body, and he’s only half undressed at this point.

“Like what you see?” Ash asks, glancing down at himself and releasing a quiet sigh. There’s a small hint of sadness in his eyes for a fraction of a second before he looks back up at me, and it’s gone as if it was never there. The only thing I can feel when he’s directing his gaze at me is lust, but it still bugs me. That second of sadness. Is he self-conscious? He really shouldn’t be. He’s basically perfect, and I have no qualms about letting him know my favourable opinion.

“I do,” I answer directly, as I slowly push the dress down off my hips, leaving only my panties for him to remove for me. I take a step towards him, closing the gap between our bodies. “I really like what I see. I’m honestly a little jealous of your ability to obtain the perfect golden tan.” I press my hands flat against his warm chest, enjoying the way he sucks in a little gasp before trailing up and pushing them into his hair. “Perfect golden hair,” I whisper, leaning my chest against his as I look up and meet his gaze. “And your eyes…” His mesmerising, beautiful eyes…I feel like I’m falling under a spell as I’m drawn into them, bewitched by the way the two colours flow into one another, red and ambery gold. I could look into eyes like his forever.

Maybe I’m giving in to the moment a bit too much, but what’s the harm in letting myself believe a little lie? Even if only in the privacy of my own mind, just for one night, I can pretend I’m his…

Ash frowns at the compliments, but I don’t let him respond; I just kiss him. His flirty, full lips have been drawing me into him all night. I want…no, I need to taste. I can’t hold in the moan that slips free as his tongue tangles expertly with mine. Mind lost in the heat of it, I allow him to guide me backward, still kissing until my legs hit the bed and I fall back onto the mattress, sinking into the plush sheets when he releases his grip. He looks down at me appreciatively, but I’m too impatient to wait for him to act. I reach up for the button on his pants, but he swats my hands away, smirking at me.

“Patience, naughty little witch. It’s my turn to admire your perfect curves.” He steps between my legs, spreading them open wide, before nudging me firmly down onto my back again. “Fuck, I want to mark this perfect skin with my teeth.” Ash reaches out, caressing my thigh, gently moving his fingertips upward over my stomach, achingly slow and teasing in his pursuit. When he finally reaches my breast, he groans as he feels it. “Absolutely perfect.” He shifts his hand slightly, moving so his thumb can easily brush over my hard nipple, and I hiss, needing more. “The flavour of your lust is…” he growls quietly, the trailed-off words confusing me for a moment, but then he’s leaning over me, pulling my nipple between his lips instead.

“Oh fuck!” I cry out, my back arching as I thread fingers into his hair and tug roughly. His responding grunt lets me know he likes it, and so I keep my hands there for now. Needing him closer, I wrap my legs around his waist and pull him down into me until I’m grinding my thong-covered centre against the erection straining against his pants.

“If you keep doing that, this evening is going to end before it even begins,” he grunts, and I giggle into his shoulder.

“I doubt that. You don’t seem like the type of guy who would let one orgasm stop you.” I’m panting now, ready to flip this man onto his back and ride his dick to what feels like a very promising orgasm. Patience is a virtue, but it’s not one I possess. “I need you inside me,” I beg, feeling how wet I already am. With this man, I feel like I don't need foreplay to prepare. His everything just seems to get me going, leaving me more turned on than I have any damn right to be.

“There’s nowhere I would rather be, but first, I need to taste your forbidden fruit,” he says with a playful smirk and teasing wink. I roll my eyes at his nod to my name. He wouldn’t be the first to make the joke, but I’m hopeful he’s more serious about following through on the action.

He tugs my thong off and throws it across the room, burying his face between my thighs before I can scold him for it. All thoughts flee my mind completely when his tongue brushes against me.

“Ash,” I moan his name, reflexively grinding up into his face as my body chases pleasure, my hands buried in his hair as he demonstrates that his tongue is good for more than charming words. He sweeps it over my clit with the perfect amount of pressure and repeats the motion over and over like he can read my damn mind. “Sweet fucking heaven!”

“I’m no angel, and there’s no heaven here.” He punctuates his words by pushing two fingers inside me, meeting my eyes with a heated look. “Fuck, you’re so wet. Do I turn you on, little witch?” I watch with wide eyes and a racing heart as he pulls his fingers from my centre, sucking them between his lips. “Fucking sinful.”

His mouth is then on me again, sucking and licking my clit as he finger fucks me hard, curling his digits just right until I’m gushing for him. I come so hard I see stars, screaming his name as my body shakes and I slam my twitching thighs against his head.

Ash growls, using his free hand to pry my legs apart again. “I haven’t finished my meal yet.” It sounds like both a threat and a promise, and I wouldn’t move out of his grip even if I could get my limbs to cooperate. He then feasts on me like I’m the last meal he’ll ever have, and as stimulated as I already am, it’s not long before I come on his fingers and tongue for a second time. I must have truly blacked out for a moment, because when I blink up at him, Ash has already removed his pants and is kissing an electrifying trail up my body.

“Fuck. Now that…was impressive,” I whisper, breathing the words out between deep gasps of air. The room spins a little, and it’s more like I’m floating over the sheets than lying on top of them. We could stop right now, and I would still consider this my best experience with one-night stands—not that I want things to end just yet.

“I’ve only just begun, Eden,” Ash promises as if answering my unspoken thoughts. The flat of his tongue devours my aching breast, swirling brazenly around my nipple before sucking it between his lips; the slightest hint of teeth grazing sensitive skin almost makes me jerk right out of his grip. He pulls his mouth free, allowing both hands to graze reverently over my chest. “These are fucking perfect.”

Ash lays a soft kiss between them, carnality intensifying as he slowly makes his way up, worshipping my body with his lips and teeth all the way to the top of my neck. He sucks harder there, right below my ear. It sends shivers and goosebumps spreading across my skin. I’m suddenly clawing at his back, trying to pull him harder against me. Despite our bodies already being pressed together, it doesn’t feel like enough with the almost frantic need pulsing through me.

His body shudders against mine when I dig my nails in deeper, the warm skin between his shoulders taking the brunt of my desire as they scrape their way down roughly. Allowing my instincts to take control, I turn my head, burying my face against his shoulder and inhaling his scent before biting into his skin, harder than he bit me. I don’t make him bleed, but I do suck, hoping I leave a mark of my own behind. The idea of him seeing it in a few days and thinking of me, remembering this exact moment, has me smiling to myself.

“Give me more, Ash,” I demand in his ear, grinding up against him, my wetness quickly coating his hard cock. He groans sinfully when I bite him again, his fingers roughly digging into my hips as his grip tightens. It’s intoxicating, the way I want him to be as desperate as I am. I’m too worked up to be patient. Not when he’s tormenting me like this.

Done waiting, I decide to take what I want.

Shoving Ash to the side, I roll us until he’s lying on his back with me now on top of him, knees falling either side of his hips. There’s a low hum of appreciation from him as I kiss my way down his chest to his abdomen, before teasing his hip between my teeth, sharp enough to make him suck in a hissing breath. I slide my hand slowly across his abs, grasping his hard cock, then turning my head to get my first proper look at him like this.

“Wow.” The word slips out of me, my eyes widening as I take it all in. Ash tucks one hand under his head as he smirks down at me, clearly very smug about my reaction. I smack his thigh lightly with my free hand. “Don’t let that blow up your ego,” I tease, unable to hide a grin as I think about how he’s cocky enough as it is.

I bite my lip as I admire his length, unable to deny that the double meaning to my thoughts is absolutely true. This thing is huge. I’m almost sad this is a one-night stand; a girl could get used to a cock like his. When it’s attached to someone who knows how to use it, anyway. Which, if it’s anything like his skill with his tongue and fingers, I’m more than ready to put it to the test.

My hand strokes him languidly at first, his hips jerking when I slide up and swirl my thumb over the tip, and when I drag my hand back down his thick length, gripping him more firmly, a drop of precum beads there. The urge to taste him overwhelms me, so I lean forward and swipe my tongue slowly over the head, pleasantly surprised by the flavour that spreads across my taste buds. My eyes fall closed as I realise I’m more turned on than I think I’ve ever been before, even after getting off twice already.

Giving in to the overwhelming desire heating me up, I suck the first two inches between my lips. I’m heady from the taste, as well as the choked-off sounds escaping him when I slide down further along his length. I can’t help but continue to swallow him deep, right into the back of my throat, my mouth stretching open obscenely because of his size.

“Fuck. Eden, ” Ash grunts, and I open my eyes, meeting his gaze as I slide up and down his shaft. He allows me to continue for a moment before tugging me off his cock by a handful of my hair and pulling me back up his body so that we’re face to face again. The way he stares at me is enough to make my heart pound right out of my chest; I can actually feel my pulse heavy in my neck as he slides a hand gently around it to pull me even closer. “Very naughty witch,” he hisses before roughly claiming my lips, every touch of his feeling like a silent demand.

I straddle his hips as we continue to kiss, lining his tip up at my entrance before sliding onto him slowly, inch by torturous inch. He’s thick as well as long, and I’m stretched so perfectly when he thrusts up into me that I gasp. Breaking away from the kiss, I push my palms firmly against his chest and roll my hips. I don’t have to work hard at all for him to hit all the right spots. He fills me so completely.

Our eyes meet, and a blush stains my cheeks when I see the way he’s looking at me. I don’t know if anyone has ever looked at me with so much desire, if someone has ever looked at anyone with that much. For a moment under his intense gaze, I truly feel like a goddess.

“You ride me so well, sweetheart. Watching you take your pleasure from me is…intoxicating.” His eyes seem to almost glow as he watches me fuck him. A trick of the light, no doubt, but it doesn’t subtract from his unearthly beauty. Whatever he is, it must be some kind of otherworlder; nobody from this plane of existence could be so perfect. As my gaze roams over him in appreciation, I’m momentarily distracted by a scar on his chest I hadn’t noticed before. It’s old, but still clear enough that it was likely deep when inflicted. The scar crosses down from the upper centre of his chest to the left, the end disappearing under the black ink of his tattoo.

“Your only flaw,” I tease after a moment, caressing the skin with my fingertips, before leaning down and pressing a kiss there, not wanting him to think I have an issue with it. His eyes go wide for a second, but I quickly adjust my position, moving so I’m resting my weight on one knee, using my other foot to lift me higher. It’s still not enough, so I shift again until I’m on the balls of both my feet, bouncing myself on his cock.

“Oh, fuck…” Ash moans long and low as I slide almost completely off of him, only to drop down until he’s fully inside me once more, repeating the motion over and over.

I’m sure that I’m getting closer to my third orgasm when I’m suddenly being pulled off his cock. I pout, unsure of what I might have done wrong, but then he’s scooping me up and carrying me across the room. Icy cold presses suddenly against the heat of my entire back, sending an oddly thrilling shiver through me as I realise he’s pushed me up against the hotel room window.

“Ash!” I gasp, worried we’ll be seen. “What if?—”

“No one can see you but me, little witch. I wouldn’t share the sight of you screaming for me with another soul for anything.” His words make me shiver even harder as I wrap my arms around his neck.

“Fuck me like I’m your girl…like you’re mine alone,” I beg, another desperate desire ripping from my lips without my consent. What is this man doing to me? Embarrassment starts to creep in for just a second, but Ash doesn’t pull away like I expect him to. Instead, he slides his cock into me with a hard thrust.

“I’m going to make you come all over my cock, Eden. Right up against this fucking window. Going to ruin you for anyone else, so you’ll be all mine, my sexy little witch. Show me what I do to you. Let me feel it,” Ash growls in my ear while he fucks into me hard and fast. I’m a writhing mess of pleasure as I moan for him, screaming and lost in all the sensations.

“Yes! Yes. Oh fuck. Yes. Ash!” I cry; the coolness of the window is the only relief from the heat that’s burning me up. The familiar feeling of impending ecstasy coils inside of me, and I’m desperate for it to release.

“Mine,” Ash growls, making me nod as I cling to him for dear life.

“Yours,” I agree breathily as he keeps fucking me into oblivion. When my orgasm hits, I cry out his name once more, clawing at his shoulders; the pleasure’s so intense I can hardly keep breathing.

“Fuuuuck,” Ash moans, his nails digging into my flesh as his cock empties inside me, flooding my core with his release.

“Again. I need you to fuck me like that again,” I half-demand, making him chuckle when he starts to pull out of me. I’m still delirious with pleasure when he sets me on my feet, my legs shaking so badly I can’t stand without holding onto him for stability.

Ash helps me to the bed, immediately pulling me firmly against him, his hands running soothingly across my body as I come down from the rhapsodic high. He’s pressing gentle kisses to my neck as I start to drift off to sleep. I think he might be whispering something, but the long day, night, and multiple orgasms must be getting to me. Surely it’s only my half-sleeping mind imagining what it wants to hear as the darkness claims me.

“I’m keeping you, little witch.”

I wake feeling both sore and so unbelievably satisfied. My first somewhat clear thought is that I must have gotten blackout drunk and made the whole night up. Only a dream could have been that good. I keep my eyes closed for a moment, wanting to drag out the good feeling the fantasy left me with a little longer. Then, I notice the sound of a shower running—and I live alone.

It’s like someone’s thrown the very water I can hear over me, and now I’m suddenly wide awake.

“Shit,” I whisper to myself, scrambling out of the bed and gathering my things as quickly as I can. Awkward morning-after conversations can go straight to hell. I’m dressed and pulling my heels back on when I hear the shower cut off.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

Hastily, I grab my clutch purse, and I’m about to dash out the door when an inexplicable urge overtakes me. I snatch up the blood-red shirt he wore last night from the floor before making my escape. I’ll need to assess why I stole his clothes later, like once I’ve made it home and far away from the living incarnation of temptation known as Ash. Before I can change my mind or make a fool of myself, I speed down the hall as quietly as I can, impatiently stabbing my fingers into the call button for the elevator.

“Hurry up!” I snap under my breath at the still closed metal doors as I wait, casting a paranoid glance over my shoulder to make sure Ash hasn’t noticed my absence yet.

I’m not sure what I’m expecting, for him to care enough to chase me out here in only a goddess-damned towel? But I need to get out of here without seeing him, if only because that was the best sex I’ve ever had. If I stick around any longer and let myself indulge in the fantasy any more, I’ll be permanently dickmatized by that man. I’ll fall under the spell of his satisfying cock, and frankly, those incredible pussy-eating skills, and do something stupid, like asking for more. I want what a man I’ve only spent one night with will obviously never desire in return.

The elevator finally opens, and I practically launch myself inside of it, slamming the button for the lobby. The second the doors close, I let out a sigh of relief, ignoring the edge of disappointment in the back of my mind, as if I actually wanted him to come after me. Which I don’t. The last thing I need is a seemingly perfect man making me believe we could ever have anything more than just one insane night of connection and lust.