Page 43 of Hex and the Kitty (Whispering Pines #9)

FORTY-THREE

T he drive back through Whispering Pines was peaceful, streetlights casting golden pools on the cobblestone streets. Warrick drove with one hand on the wheel, the other resting on her knee, thumb stroking small circles that sent sparks of awareness through her body.

“Your family is wonderful,” Molly said, breaking the comfortable silence. “Nothing like the intimidating royals I imagined.”

Warrick’s lips quirked upward. “They were on their best behavior. You should see them when they’re not trying to impress a guest.”

“They wanted to impress me?” The idea seemed absurd—that centuries-old shifter royalty would care what a baker witch thought.

“Of course, they did.” He glanced at her briefly, golden eyes reflecting the passing streetlights. “You matter to me, so you matter to them.”

The simple declaration stole her breath. “I matter to you?”

Instead of answering directly, Warrick made an unexpected turn—away from the route to her apartment, toward the winding road that led to his estate on the other side of town.

“Warrick?”

“Would you...” He hesitated, uncharacteristically uncertain. “Would you like to come back to my place? For coffee, or... just to talk.”

The hesitation in his voice, the careful way he avoided pressuring her, only made her want him more. “Yes,” she answered simply.

His relief was palpable, shoulders relaxing slightly as he drove the remaining distance to his home. Unlike his parents’ estate, Warrick’s house was more modern—a sprawling single-story with clean lines and large windows framing mountain views. Inside, minimalist furnishings in earth tones provided a backdrop for carefully chosen objects that hinted at his centuries of life—an ancient tribal mask here, a Victorian-era globe there.

“It’s beautiful,” Molly said, turning slowly to take it all in. “Very you.”

“Is that a compliment or an observation that my house is as austere as my personality?” he asked with a hint of self-deprecation.

She smiled, stepping closer to him. “Neither. It’s thoughtful, deliberate, with depth for those who take the time to look closer.” Her hand lifted to his cheek, heart thundering as she took this new liberty. “Like you.”

His eyes darkened at her touch, pupils expanding until only a rim of gold remained. His hand captured hers, turning to press a kiss against her palm that sent heat spiraling through her body.

“Stay,” he whispered against her skin.

One word, layered with meaning. Stay tonight. Stay with me. Stay in my life.

“Yes,” she answered again, the single syllable containing multitudes.

In a fluid motion that reminded her of his tiger grace, Warrick drew her against him, mouth finding hers with newfound certainty. This kiss held none of the tentative exploration of their first—this was hunger and promise and claiming. His hands spanned her waist, lifting her effortlessly as she wrapped her arms around his neck, lost in the sensations of his mouth, his touch, his overwhelming presence.

Warrick swept her into his arms and carried her down the hallway toward what she presumed was his bedroom. Her arms tightened around his neck, magic responding to her emotions by creating tiny sparkles of light that trailed in their wake.

“I finally have you right where I want you,” Warrick’s voice was playful, teasing as he nipped at the back of her shoulder.

“Really?” She played along, but she was pretty damn certain that he wanted her naked since his erection was pressed up against her backside.

“It has something to do with orgasms. Lots and lots of orgasms. Is that something you might be interested in, or …” He maneuvered his hand between her legs. Quickly finding her clit, he began a slow lazy circle with his fingers.

“Mmm,” she moaned, loving the way he made her body feel. “I think I would definitely be down for lots and lots of orgasms now that I know how much fun they are and how incredible they feel.”

“That’s just what I was hoping to hear.” Warrick crawled between her legs, pushing her thighs apart with his hands. He kissed a path up her calf and to her inner thigh, stopping to nibble a little along the way.

Anticipation poured into Molly’s body. She wanted to savor every single touch, every damn kiss, and every freaking lick that Warrick had to offer.

His tongue swiped across her clit, then once again. She tossed her head back and forth as the raw heat from his actions sent her hormones into overdrive, flooding her core with need.

“I could lick you all day, every day.”

“I would be perfectly okay with that.”

Warrick slid two fingers into her, covering them in her scent. He pulled them back out and licked them off before sliding them right back in, scissoring them in and out, reaching all of her most sensitive places in one fell swoop. He was that damn good.

Her body began to shake with each swipe of his tongue across her clit. He pumped his fingers in and out of her with a fury, driving her closer and closer to her climax.

“Warrick, please,” she begged.

“Do you want me to make you come, love?” He growled in between slow, methodical licks.

She swore that he timed each lick to drive her insane.

“Yes, please, please.” Molly didn’t care how needy she sounded. Nor was she about to apologize for begging. For once, she finally knew what the hell she wanted and what her body needed.

Her head thrashed back and forth. Her legs shook from the impact of her climax. A series of incoherent babbles flew from her lips. She wanted to praise him for making her come with such efficiency, but words failed her altogether. She found herself floating in a sea of pure bliss high above the earth.

“Gods, you are so fucking beautiful when you come, love.”

“I want you in me.”

Warrick didn’t waste a damn second. He crawled up between her legs, pushing her thick thighs farther apart with his knees before palming his cock and rubbing it against her entrance.

He slammed home, taking her breath away. “Oh,” Molly moaned when she was finally able to catch her breath. Before she knew what hit her, she was riding wave after beautiful wave of bliss as her first climax swirled around her, threatening to drag her under. Warrick didn’t slow down, not for an instant. He didn’t give her time to recover or catch her breath. He pounded her with a fury she was unaccustomed to.

A second and even more powerful climax crashed over her directly on the heels of the first.

“Warrick!” she shouted her release.

“I want you to ride me.” He flipped her over on top of him.

“Yes!” She rocked her hips back and forth, taking him balls deep. Arching her back, she placed her hands behind her on his thighs and began pumping her hips up and down, taking exactly what she needed from him.

Her inner walls clenched and unclenched with each of her thrusts.

Warrick grabbed onto her hips, hard enough to leave a mark, and began rocking up into her.

“So good,” she moaned. He felt amazing in her, and she wanted him to know she was thoroughly enjoying herself.

Molly leaned forward and slanted her lips over his.

“You keep doing me like this, and I’m going to come,” Warrick said in between kisses.

“Maybe I want you to.” She circled her hips and slammed down.

His grip on her hips tightened. He arched his back up off the bed with every thrust. She felt like she was riding a wild bull with the way he tossed her about. All she could do was hold on for dear life as he took control under her, slamming up into her.

“I’m going to …”

“I am too,” he groaned as his seed filled her.