Page 15

She found a rhythm that had them both seeing stars, the water supporting her as she rode him with increasing confidence. The potion made every sensation more intense, every touch more electric. She could feel every ridge and vein of him inside her, could feel the way her body gripped him.

But when her movements became erratic, when she started making those little sounds that drove him wild, his control finally snapped. His hands tightened on her hips and he began to move with her, thrusting up as she came down, changing the angle until she was crying out with every movement.

"More," she demanded, her nails digging into his shoulders hard enough to leave marks. "Harder."

He complied willingly, his movements becoming more powerful, more commanding.

This was what she'd needed—not gentle and careful, but strong and overwhelming, matching the intensity of the magic flowing between them.

The water splashed around them, but she didn't care about anything except the feel of him driving into her.

"Touch yourself," he commanded, his voice rough with authority. "I want to watch you come apart on me."

The dominance in his voice made her magic flare even brighter. She'd never been with someone who could match her power, who could take control without making her feel diminished. Her hand moved between them, finding the bundle of nerves that made her arch and cry out.

"That's it," he encouraged, his own movements becoming more urgent. She could feel him swelling inside her, getting even thicker. "Come for me again, beautiful. Let me feel you."

The second climax built faster than the first, fueled by his possession and the overwhelming fullness of him inside her.

When it hit, it took them both over the edge.

She felt him pulse inside her as her own body clenched around him, their magic exploding outward in a cascade of light that lit up the entire balcony.

His release was hot inside her, marking her in the most primal way possible.

They collapsed together, breathing hard, her head on his shoulder and his arms wrapped around her like he never intended to let go.

But the potion wasn't finished with them yet.

"I can still feel it," she said wonderingly, pressing closer to him. She could feel him still semi-hard inside her, could feel their combined fluids leaking out around him. "The need. It's not gone."

"Neither is mine," he said, his voice rough. "How long did you say this lasts?"

"With our magic amplifying it... could be hours."

He groaned, but there was heat in the sound. "We're supposed to be back on the road."

"We will be," she said, pressing soft kisses to his throat, tasting salt and something uniquely him. "But first, we need to work this out of our systems."

"I like the way you think."

This time, he lifted her from the water and carried her to the bed, laying her down on the silk sheets like she was something precious.

The cool air made her hypersensitive skin tingle, and when he followed her down, covering her body with his much larger one, she felt perfectly sheltered and completely possessed.

"My turn to taste you," she said, pushing at his shoulders until he rolled onto his back.

She explored him thoroughly, mapping every inch of his magnificent body with her mouth and hands.

The potion made her bold, adventurous. His skin was hot under her tongue, slightly salty, with a musky scent that made her core clench with renewed need.

When she took him into her mouth, still slick with their combined fluids, his groan of pleasure sent heat shooting straight through her.

"Hazel," he said, his voice strained, his hand tangling in her hair. "If you keep doing that..."

"What?" she asked innocently, then took him deeper, using her tongue in ways that made his hips buck.

His control lasted about thirty seconds before he was pulling her up his body and positioning her over him again. This time, the angle was different, deeper, and they both cried out at the intensity.

They made love with desperate hunger, the potion driving them to heights of passion neither had experienced before.

Time lost all meaning as they moved together, lost in sensation and magic and the overwhelming rightness of being together.

He took her in position after position, using his strength to hold her weight, to angle her exactly where he wanted her.

When exhaustion finally claimed them, they were wrapped around each other like they'd never let go, their magic settled into a harmonious hum that spoke of deep connection and perfect compatibility. She could still feel him inside her, could feel the lingering ache of being so thoroughly claimed.

"Well," Hazel said when she could finally speak, "that was..."

"Necessary," Bullseye finished, pressing a soft kiss to her temple.

"I was going to say life-changing."

"That too."

A soft chime echoed through the room, making them both look up.

"I trust you've worked out that little potion mishap?" Bertha's voice announced cheerfully through what was apparently a magical intercom system. "Your friend Hopper is getting quite impatient to get back on the road. Something about making up for lost time?"

Hazel felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment, but Bullseye just laughed.

"She definitely felt that magical explosion," he said.

"Dragon magic is incredibly sensitive to power fluctuations," Hazel replied. "She probably sensed it from the lobby."

"Do you care?"

Hazel considered it for a moment, then realized that she didn't. Not even a little bit. "No," she said with surprise. "I really don't."

"Good," he said, pressing another kiss to her lips. "Because I have a feeling this is just the beginning."

From somewhere in the inn, his CB radio crackled to life with an urgent transmission.

"Breaker one-nine, this is an emergency broadcast to all units.

Sheriff Grizzley T. Lawman has just issued a statewide APB for one Bullseye Maverick, wanted in connection with interstate transportation of illegal magical substances, kidnapping, and destruction of a wedding venue with malicious intent.

Repeat, they know who they're looking for now.

This is no longer just a runaway bride situation. "

Hazel felt Bullseye tense beneath her. "He knows your name," she said quietly.

"Yeah," he replied grimly. "Which means tomorrow, everything changes."

"We should get going," Hazel said reluctantly, though every part of her wanted to stay wrapped in his arms. "Sixteen hours left, and we still need to meet Snowman in LA."

"Five more minutes," he said, pulling her closer. "Then we'll face whatever comes next."

But tonight—or what was left of it—was theirs.

Outside, the desert stars sparkled overhead, and somewhere in the lobby, she could hear Hopper impatiently croaking the theme song from Jeopardy.