Page 67 of Winterfall Destiny

"I think you look incredible. Beautiful. Like at the Winter Ball, but... different." I run a finger across her collarbone before kissing the dip in her shoulder.

"Different dress?" she asks.

I chuckle. "No. I'm not the only one who's changed, Maeve. You've a different air than before. Confident. Older."

Maeve laughs. "I'm nervous. But older? I'd say everything that's happened aged me. I was an immature kid in the early days of academy lessons and Winter Balls. Confused and freaked out by her new world."

"You'll be fine. You're a powerful witch, Maeve. People high up in the London dragons' hierarchy know who and what you are. Don't be nervous," I continue to run a finger across the top of Maeve's chest, resisting moving lower. "A display of our power together and that we won't be intimidated makes sense. Hopefully, the dragon will run to Gabriella with the news we're in London."

"I expect she already knows. I just wish we knew where Gabriella's holed up." Maeve drops into silence.

"Are you feeling alright?" I ask, stroking her skin. "Not about tonight, but the visions."

Maeve smiles at my cautious words. "I'm worried for Jamie, of course, in case he's right, but I'm relieved I've tuned into visions again."

I bite my lip. "And the Blackwood magic?"

"If I need to master everything to save Jamie's life, and defeat Gabriella and the creature, then I agree with him." She sits on the edge of the bed and pulls on a blue shoe with higher heels than I've seen her wear before. "But I'm worried about Lex's reaction."

"Lex?"

"I can't go any further without talking to Lex." Maeve's hair falls across her face as she retrieves the other from beside the bed. "I'm nervous Lex will lose his temper and not help."

"But you'll use the magic, anyway."

Maeve nods, but her eyes are wary when she gazes up at me.

Standing again, she moves to the mirror I inspected myself in. "Acceptable for a visit to a swanky hotel?"

I run my knuckles against the naked skin on her back. Maeve shivers slightly, eyes darkening as she looks at me. "More than." I slide my arms around her waist and pull Maeve towards me. "Although I'm already imagining taking off the dress and messing up your hair and make-up."

"Ash," she warns, but her eyes shine.

"Not now. Once we're done tonight, I'm not keeping my hands to myself." I arch a brow before kissing her neck. "If that's alright with you."

Maeve closes her eyes, mouth parting slightly as I slowly move my lips and tongue across her soft skin. "I can taste your perfume." I scrunch my nose.

"Unpleasant?" she says, opening her eyes and chuckling.

"Other parts of you taste better," I whisper against her ear, fighting against slipping a hand beneath where the skirt touches her knees.

"Stop that," she whispers, and turns to look at me, resting her arms on my shoulders.

I mock pout. "Can I at least spoil your lipstick?"

Maeve doesn't respond, looking at me in the way that lights up my world because in them I see I'm in the centre of hers, too. Gently, I turn Maeve's face back to mine, my large thumb on her soft cheek as I dig fingers into the back of her hair, holding Maeve's neck as I close my lips over hers, pushing my tongue into her mouth. As she sinks into me, I forget all about hair and make-up, losing myself to the intensity a single kiss from this girl triggers.

Every time I touch Maeve I want to possess her in every way, however much I tell myself to stay calm. Like now. My hands slide to Maeve's backside and I draw her closer, fingers edging towards the hem of her skirt.

"Ash…" she warns, pulling her mouth away.

"Sorry," I whisper, completely not sorry, and tug Maeve's hair to pull her head back, moving my lip across the column of her neck, before pressing them into the hollow of her shoulder again. I inhale Maeve's scent, the real Maeve beneath the perfume who's aroused by my kiss.

Maeve chuckles, but she's breathless as she disentangles my fingers from her hair. "We agreed that you only spoil my lipstick, Ash."

I huff against her skin and wrap her tightly to me. "And later?"

"Later. We've things to attend to."

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