Page 39 of How Not to Hex a Gentleman (Witches of Edinburgh)

Chapter Thirty-Nine

KENNEDY

T he moment his lips touch mine, it feels like I've spent my whole life waiting for this one moment. His lips are soft, and I can't fight the impulse to demand more as I pull him closer. Bennett wraps his arms around me, lifting me swiftly off the bed and onto his lap, as my hands plunge into his hair.

It's like we can't seem to get close enough, even as his body presses against mine. I pour my whole heart into this kiss and he meets me on my level. My skin comes alive under his touch, as he runs his hands down my back, creating a burning pathway in its wake. One of his arms wraps around my lower back, as he holds me flush against him, while the other comes up to cradle the back of my neck.

Never in my life would I have imagined a kiss so passionate and yet so gentle. My hands are on his face, before they're back in his hair, our lips dancing to a song that feels like our own. He makes me forget every worry, every bad memory with the way his lips worship mine. He's holding me like I'm the most important person on the planet, and he makes me feel as such.

When we pull back, we're both out of breath. I'm draped over his lap, hands on his face, as Bennett leans his forehead against mine.

"Are you making the furniture float?" Bennett asks, not taking his eyes off me.

I turn quickly to scan the room, and yes, some of the things are in the air. A lamp, a plant, and a chair. There's a buzz in my magic, as if it's just as happy and feels just as cherished as I'm feeling. Instead of the fear I typically feel at showing this much power, it makes me giddy. I laugh—surprising both Bennett and myself—before I place the items gently on the floor.

"Apparently, I'm a very powerful witch who is led by her emotions," I say, turning back to Bennett who's grinning at me.

"Not even surprised."

I feel like there are a million things that could be said here, and for the first time in my life, I want to say them all. My lips are tender from his kiss and I run my fingers carefully over them. His body jerks with a sharp inhale and my eyes fly up to his. He's watching me with a fire in his gaze and I think he'll kiss me again. When he doesn't move, I lean forward, dropping a quick kiss to his lips. I pull back, smirking, but he doesn't let me go far as he pulls me back to him.

This kiss is much less hurried as he takes his time. It's almost like he's memorizing every moment of it, and I answer him in kind. My heart soars, beating in time with his, and it feels like I can live off his kisses for the rest of my time.

When we separate again, it's almost as if something important passes between us. For a long, tense moment, we just stay like that, watching each other as our heartbeats return to a more normal rate. Then, with a quick flash of teeth, he shifts me to the side, off his lap, and into the space right beside him. His arms wrap around me and I place my head on his shoulder, my hand over his heart.

"I'm keeping you forever. I hope you're okay with that." The words are out before I can overthink them. They feel natural, in a way nothing else ever has before. The fears instilled in me by my aunt, my own worries, all dissipate at the truth behind those words. In such a small amount of time, I've come to a place where I believe I can be loved and I want to love in return.

Bennett hugs me tighter against him. "Promise?"

I look up at him, at the way his eyes are shining and it makes me think this means just as much to him as it does to me. I nod, holding his gaze and he studies me for a moment before dropping a kiss to my forehead.

"Good. Because you're mine and I really don't like sharing," he says, sealing my heart as his forever.

I snuggle closer, never wanting to part from him again, and I think that this right here is our own magic, and it's incredibly powerful.

I don't remember us falling asleep, but when the door bangs open I sit up immediately. Bennett and I snuggled and talked until sleep took him, and I didn't feel like moving. I've been by his side for four days. That's how long it took for his body to restore the energy the magic took. I would've loved to drive straight to Professor Stewart's and give him a piece of my mind—and my magic—but Olivia said she'd take care of it and I'm trusting her to do just that.

Blinking through the confusion of being abruptly awakened, I only have a moment before Lana is in the room.

"Bennett! Are you alive? You better be alive you big jerk! How dare—" She freezes when she sees me on the bed with him and then her face transforms from angry concern to absolutely delighted.

"Kennedy! How are you?" She rushes to my side of the bed, grabbing my hand. "Did I wake you up? I'm sorry. You look so good after waking up. What's your secret?"

"Hi, Lana. I'm okay," Bennett says from behind me, but Lana waves him off.

"Yeah, yeah, you're fine. Let me talk to your girlfriend."

"Sorry, mate, I couldn't keep her away." I turn to watch Nicholas walk in, followed by a very annoyed-looking Parker and an amused-looking Lily. I raise an eyebrow at the girls and Parker rolls her eyes while Lily beams.

"He wouldn't stop asking, so I had to tell him," Parker says. I glance at Bennett and he and I share a quick look, wondering how much Parker actually told him. "I told him you fainted from malnutrition and ended up being admitted here."

I give Parker a quick smile, pleased with her way of spinning things. She also looks pleased with herself for a moment before she throws a glare Nicholas' way.

"You really should take better care of your health," Nicholas says, coming to stand beside the bed. "You're not a youngster anymore."

"What does that make you? Grandpa?" Bennett asks and Parker laughs the loudest. Nicholas doesn't seem fazed and I'm curious as to what exactly is going on between those two.

"Yeah, take care of your health. You probably worried Kennedy, and you shouldn't do that," Lana says, reaching over me to poke Bennett in the shoulder.

"I can't tell if you're actually concerned for me or just my girlfriend," Bennett comments, and I feel a warm glow spread through me at the use of the official term.

"Girlfriend, obviously, but are you ready to be discharged now because we need to head back to Edinburgh. I've been here for five minutes and this town is not it." Lana makes her eyes so big I'm afraid they'll pop right out. I kind of adore this girl and her dramatics.

"We did come to spring you," Nicholas says.

"Good. Because I'm ready to go."

"Let me go find a doctor to discharge you," I say and move to stand because I'm feeling a bit self-conscious with all of them standing around while I'm in bed beside Bennett, but Nicholas waves me off.

"I'll take care of it. Here," Nicholas places a backpack on the bed. "Get changed."

It takes us no time at all to check out and get on the road. Nicholas has a vehicle, so we pile into the SUV. Parker and Lily sit all the way in the back and Parker goes to sleep immediately. I can't tell if she's actually sleeping or just pretending, but if there's one thing I know about her is how stubborn she is. Lily simply pulls out her laptop and proceeds to work on something. I sit beside Bennett, my hand in his, as Lana keeps up a running commentary the whole way back. I think the guys are used to it, so it doesn't affect them at all, but I'm mostly just amazed.

"Do you need help getting in?" Nicholas asks when we finally pull up in front of our building.

"I'm sure Kennedy can help him," Lana says, and I chuckle.

"If he needs me to carry him up the stairs, he's out of luck though," I say and she laughs.

"I'm good, really," Bennett says.

We all get out and Parker is inside the building before the door to the car even shuts. I watch Nicholas look after her and then glance at Lily who simply gives me a nod and then thanks him for the ride before heading inside.

Lana hugs me tightly before Nicholas pulls her back toward the car.

"We'll see you later, yes?" he says.

He and Bennett clasp hands briefly and then they're off.

"He's going to have more questions," I say, as we watch them drive away.

"I will only tell him what you're comfortable telling him," Bennett replies and I turn to him raising my eyebrows.

"Because I'm your girlfriend?" I tease and he pulls me against him.

"Yes, because you're my girlfriend." He kisses my temple and leads us to the front door. "Are you okay with that term? I didn't exactly ask you."

"An official question would've been nice," I pretend to think about it, "but I also like the natural way it came about."

We make our way upstairs, past my own apartment, to his. I feel slightly self-conscious all of a sudden, because I've never been in his place before. It feels almost as monumental as us becoming official. He unlocks the door and looks over at me as if he can read my anticipation, then takes my hand again and leads me inside.

A soft scent of vanilla greets me, mixed with Bennett's unique fragrance and I grin immediately. This feels right somehow, like everything is exactly where it should be.

"I'm going to take a shower if that's alright. Do you want to order some takeaway?" He's handing me his phone, with the app already open, and I take it. "Make yourself at home."

His apartment is much like my own, with a small hallway and separate bathroom and toilet rooms. Instead of three bedrooms, he has only two. I settle on the couch that's almost in the same spot as our own and scroll through the app. I order from the chicken place we've eaten at before and then settle to wait.

When Bennett comes back out, he carries with him the scent of the shower and I realize I should've done the same. I jump to my feet, surprising him.

"I should go clean up. I'm probably gross. I?—"

Bennett grabs my hand and pulls me down on the couch beside him. He's wearing sweatpants and a hoodie that are both incredibly soft, and his hair is still damp and in disarray. He smells amazing and I want to curl right into him.

"You're not gross and you're not going anywhere," he says, curling his arm around me.

"No fair. You got to clean up. I'll only be like thirty minutes. I'll be back before the food arrives!"

Bennett chuckles before kissing the top of my head and I'm hit all over with the horror that I haven't washed my hair in two days. I push against him, but he won't let go.

"I'm disgusting!"

"I like you just the way you are."

"You'll like me better when I smell like flowers and soap."

"Hmm, maybe, maybe not."

"Bennett!" I squeal as he picks me up and places me on his lap in one move. I wrap my arms around his neck immediately and he bends down to give me a quick kiss.

"Every part of you, every which way, I like it all." He's so serious when he says it, like he needs me to know he means every word, and I nod.

"I know."

Then I'm the one who leans over and brings my lips to his, catching him in a soul-searing kiss, but the moment he's distracted I jump off his lap and run for the door.

"I'll be right back!"