Page 97 of The Witch's Pet

But she is. This woman with the autumn-colored hair and infuriatingly stubborn heart is different from anyone I have ever met, and I want to keep her. I want her, not because of a spell or my magic, but because she has made me feel something I thought I buried a century ago.

A terrifying truth settles over me: I want to tell her this. I want to admit that this moment with her between my legs is not about using her body to feed my magic, nor about breaking spells. This is happening because we want each other.

I wet my lips, the words sticking in my throat. Can I admit that what I feel for her has grown beyond necessity? If I surrender to her and let her know I’ve come to care for her, I am giving her the power to hurt me.

I could stop this and push her away. I could protect myself the way I always have, by refusing to let anyone matter.

But as I look down at her messy hair, swollen lips, and those beautiful eyes that see too much, my heart stumbles over itself.

I do not wish to protect myself from her. I’m tired of being alone and safe and feared. For once, I want somebody to see a different part of me.

“I’m yours, Hannah,” I whisper.

It’s all I have. All I can bring myself to say. And I hope it’s enough.

The words hang in the air between us. My chest heaves as the truth settles over me—the realization that I mean it.

Her eyes light up, a flash of triumph and tenderness.

My heart beats faster. Perhaps I should not have said that. It makes me weak and—

Her mouth finds my center again, her tongue beating a relentless rhythm, and my doubts scatter.

I gasp, sinking lower in the chair. I keep my eyes open this time, watching her pleasure me.

Her tongue moves fast, gentle yet firm, then disappears as she closes her lips over me. Her fingers glisten as she pulls them out, and when she thrust them back in, she curls them, stroking my inner walls. Her other hand reaches up to tease my nipples, and the combined sensations are almost too much.

“Oh God—Hannah—I—”

I let go of her hair and grab the armrests, needing something to anchor me because I’m about to come apart. My whole body is trembling, heat spiraling up from where her mouth works against me, spreading through my limbs like wildfire.

I’ve taken pleasure countless times through feedings and intimate rituals, but this is so different.

Goosebumps ripple up my thighs. She pulls her fingers out and thrusts her tongue inside me instead, making me gasp. She closes her lips over me, and the moan that vibrates through her sends me over the edge.

I arch my back. I cover my face with both hands, suddenly unable to bear her seeing me so undone and vulnerable.

Pleasure rips through me like something breaking free after being caged. I cry out, the sound filling the room, and I can’t stop the waves crashing over me as her tongue works me through every tremor.

When she finally stops, I’m gasping, still covering my face because I don’t know how to look at her now. I don’t know how to face what just happened between us.

I gave her words I’ve never given anyone. I am fully hers, and I cannot take that back. What happens now? I have to go on with my life knowing this woman has power over me? The vulnerability is staggering, and every instinct screams at me to take back control.

When I open my eyes at last and lower my hands, I find her sitting back on her heels, watching me. Her mouth is wet, her expression soft.

The binding spell still has its hold on us, which means we aren’t done. It must be Hannah’s turn to surrender to me.

Good. I need to remind her—and myself—that I am not some lovesick fool who’s lost all her teeth.

Hunger surges through me. It’s the familiar need to feed, yes, but also something else. I want to unravel her the same way she unraveled me. I want to see her fall apart the way I did. I want her to understand exactly what it means to open herself to me.

“My turn,” I growl.

30

Hannah

Juliagripsmyshouldersand pushes me back. I let myself fall onto the rug in front of the fireplace, her on top, and for a moment, I just stare at her, taking in how unbelievably beautiful she is.