Page 10 of Magic's Rise

His fangs pull from my neck, followed by the sweep of his tongue to heal the wound. His head lifts, his beautiful, blue-green eyes filled with love as he gazes down at me. “See? I knew you would warm me up.”

“Shut your pretty face,” I gasp, my muscles still twitching with aftershock. “Since you ate, you better make me breakfast.”

His brows arch. “Right now?”

A shiver wracks my body, and my inner walls squeeze the semi-hard cock still buried inside me. “In a minute. Just let me…” I wrap my legs around him. “Just stay like this for a bit.”

His arms curl beneath my body in a hug. “For as long as you want.”

Dawn lightens the window by the time we disentangle ourselves and dress, then tiptoe downstairs.

The cold kitchen greets us, and I press the button to start the coffee pot while Ros collects bacon and the ingredients for waffles. My job complete, I lean against the island, out of the way as he works.

With the griddle on the stovetop to heat, he pulls out the waffle iron and plugs it into the wall before mixing up the batter, every step fluid with practice.

Now this is magic.

Soon, the air fills with the mouthwatering aroma of buttery sweet waffles and savory meat. The sizzling sound is pure music to my ears, and my stomach growls impatiently.

“That smells amazing.” My mouth waters at the thought of the crisp, delicious bacon, mere moments away from being devoured. “I’m so glad your sister taught you how to cook.”

“Me, too.” He flips a piece of bacon into the air, catching it back in the pan with a satisfying sizzle. “It was how I won your heart, after all.”

Longing fills me as I eye the smoked meat. “Wasn’t that destiny?”

“No, destiny was us finding each other. After that, I had to work to lure you to my side with bribes.” He winks at me over his shoulder.

“Ah, yes. The luring. I remember now.” I study his broad back. After getting back up, he had pulled on the same thick canvas pants and black T-shirt from off the floor. “You know, with the sunlight curse broken, you could take day patrols and not freeze your butt off at night.”

Ros feigns dismay. “But then I wouldn’t get to come home to my little bed warmer.”

My stomach clenches at the remembered pleasure. “But you could go to sleep with your average-sized bed warmer.”

He turns to arch a brow at me.

“Fine, your little bed warmer,” I huff with annoyance, but who am I kidding?

In no world am I average height. If I want to reach the second shelf in the kitchen, I have to climb on the counter.

“We’re working on the rotation.” With the skill of practice, he pops a steaming waffle out and moves it to a pan in the oven to stay warm. “Everyone is excited to move around town with no need for the sunlight serum to save them from being burned alive. It’s like a whole new world has opened up for them.”

A twinkle fills his eyes. “I’ll get my turn. Promise.”

It’s not like I don’t understand. As the leader of the vampire community in Hartford Cove, Ambros takes his role seriously, so of course he’d put himself last on the list to enjoy a little daytime.

After how royally his father messed things up, he has to prove his leadership skills to the others.

I slump onto the island. “Fine, I’ll be patient.”

“That’s my girl.” He slides crispy bacon between paper towels to drain.

“It’s dumb that all these stupid spells need to be renewed yearly.” I straighten to lean against the kitchen counter as I watch Ros flip out another waffle like a pro. “One of my family’s grimoires has to have a spell that’s more permanent.”

“Maybe.” Doubt fills his voice. “Even a year of reprieve is more than we’ve had in generations.”

I understand his doubt. If a more permanent option existed, why didn’t my ancestors use it? Unless they were sneaky bastards who just wanted to make the paranormal community beholden to them. Which is possible. The witch with the biggest bag of tricks wins, or so Mel says.

“If there is a spell like that, you’ll find it.” Ros’s words hold more confidence than I feel. “You’re a brilliant witch from a long line of powerful witches.”

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