Page 29 of Howling for Cupcakes

Arden’s answering chuckle was low and dark, full of wicked promise. “Is that so?” His hands settled on her hips, thumbs stroking over the jut of her hipbones. “Care to give me a little preview?”

Mari hummed, pretending to consider. “I suppose I could be persuaded to offer a sneak peek.” She leaned in, her lips just barely brushing Arden’s.

They were at her front gate, the honeysuckle twining around the white picket fence perfuming the air with its sweet scent. Mari stepped back from Arden, reluctant to let the night end.

“I had a really great time tonight,” she said softly, looking up at him through her lashes.

“Yeah?” Arden’s voice was low, rough with some emotion she couldn’t quite name. “Even though I wasn’t there to liven up the party with my sparkling wit and boyish charm?”

Mari huffed a laugh, swatting at his chest. “Somehow, I managed to muddle through.” She sobered, holding his gaze. “But...I’m glad you’re here now.”

Something shifted in Arden’s expression, his eyes darkening as they dropped to her mouth. “Me too,” he murmured, swaying closer. “Mari...”

She didn’t let him finish. Rising up on her toes, she pressed her lips to his, the contact sending a jolt of electricity dancing down her spine. Arden made a rough sound in the back of his throat, his arms coming around her waist to haul her closer.

The kiss quickly deepened, Mari threading her fingers through the soft hair at Arden’s nape as she opened to him. He tasted like mint and something uniquely him, warm and addictive. She lost herself in the gentle push and pull of their lips, the hot slide of his tongue against hers.

When they finally broke apart, Mari was pleasantly dazed, her lips tingling and heart racing. Arden looked equally affected, his eyes heavy-lidded and chest heaving.

“Would you...would you like to come in?” The words were out before Mari could second-guess them, her voice breathless but sure. “I could make us some coffee, or...”

“Or?” Arden’s thumbs stroked over the small of her back, setting off sparks beneath her skin.

Mari shivered, desire a molten curl in her belly. “Or we could just...see where the night takes us.”

Arden’s smile was slow, devastating in its intensity. “I like the sound of that,” he murmured, dipping his head to nip at her bottom lip. “Lead the way, sweetheart.”

Mari had been dreaming of being back in Arden’s arms since their first night together. She guided him inside the house. Tonight, he wasn’t going anywhere. She was done waiting.

She closed the front door and continued walking past the living room and to her bedroom. The moment they entered, she pressed her mouth to his, ignoring the alarms going off inside her telling her to take things slow. Instead, she yanked at his shirt, the sound of material tearing one she’d never heard before. Who knew that ripping his shirt off would be something that turned her on?

He growled into the kiss, swooping in with his tongue and taking charge. Passion flared between them. She groaned as his hand moved to her back, lowering the zipper of her dress and pushing it off her body until it was pooling down by her feet. The kiss turned savage. He removed her bra, immediately cupping her breast and thumbing her nipple with enough pressure to make her gasp. She pressed her body into him, moaning at the hand he lowered between her legs, wanting his fingers inside.

He glanced down at his torn shirt and chuckled. “I like this side of you, witchy witch. Got any more tricks you want to share?”

She smiled and whispered a simple spell to make his clothes disappear. She laughed at his surprised look. “I like this a lot better.”

He sucked a breath when she grabbed hold of him, pumping him in one hand. “Mari,” he groaned, his voice churned gravel. “You sure about this?”

The way he looked at her. Like she was so hot. So beautiful. It took her back to that night at the hotel. Was she sure? No. She wasn’t sure of anything anymore. She had several years on him, but boy, did she want him. He made her feel young and alive. It was addictive how badly she wanted to be with Arden. She pressed a kiss on his chest and sighed. Warm, smooth skin met her lips. It should’ve been illegal to have a body like his. So big and sexy with all those muscles calling her to touch. “You taste good.”

“Ah, hell. Don’t say that,” he muttered, ripping at her underwear and pulling the torn material off, leaving her bare for his touch.

“You do,” she whispered.

He cursed under his breath and kissed her hard, bruising her lips with the harshness of their kiss. She groaned and wiggled her hips on his fingers. He pressed on her, fondling her tight little nub and her body blazed.

She clawed at his arms. She wanted more. Needed more.

He pulled her forward, pressing her body flush on his. She curled a leg around his waist and clung to his shoulder, waiting for him to get the picture. He didn’t waste time. He lifted her by her backside, squeezing her cheeks, and turned her to the bed.

She spread her legs wide on the bed and leaned back to push her pelvis forward. He curled his arms around her thighs and pulled her closer to the edge of the bed. She watched his body grow taut with tension. “You are hot.”

He rubbed between her slick folds. Up and down. Fire burned in her blood and her muscles ached from waiting. She dug her nails into his shoulder, raking them up to the back of his neck. Then he was there, sliding into her, deep. With a hard thrust, he was inside her.

They both groaned at the feeling of his body invading hers. Her body clamped tightly around his length. She gasped and moved closer to press her lips to his. They kissed and he drove in and out of her. Her back arched and fireworks sparked around the room.

He pulled back and drove in harder, deeper with each thrust.

---