Page 42 of Wildfire Witch

It was only when my overburdened car coasted in to stop before a motel did we argue and wake Nix. “I don’t want my mate sleeping in this shithole,” he hissed.

“We have to put Ceridor somewhere, and without a glamor, someone’s going to notice he’s got pointy ears and blue-ish hair if we try to sneak him through like, a hotel lobby,” I said, gesturing over my shoulder.

Nix stirred with a groan. “Long as it’s got a shower, I’ll sleep here,” she mumbled.

“You haven’t even opened your eyes yet, mate,” Rusty said in his draconic rumble.

She hummed and burrowed into his shirt. “Who’s paying for this?” she asked.

“Ceridor, of course. Mister ancient moneybags let me put one of his credit cards on my phone. With that being said…two rooms?” I asked, reaching for the door handle.

“Yes. One for Nix and me, the other for you two,” Rusty said.

Nix lifted her head, her sleep-rumpled hair and grumpy expression drawing a chuckle out of me. “Seth and me,” she declared. My heart skipped a beat before doubling its pace in excitement.

She looked up at Rusty, patting his chest. “I know you have to be more than a fire bro, since you’re in this car with us. But I just want to be with my cute EMT right now.”

“I’ll prove myself to you, too,” the dragon shifter promised, determination wiping away the hurt on his face.

I slipped from the car to get those rooms purchased, holding in a giddy grin until my back was to Rusty. Nix wanted to be with me. I was going to have to give her the shower of a lifetime to prove she’d chosen right.

Once I had keys in hand, we drove around to our assigned building. Rusty hefted Ceridor with a sigh and went off to one room, while I showed Nix into the one right next door. It wasn’t exactly high society living, but Nix still sighed in relief as she placed down the bag she’d wanted to bring in and flopped face-first on the bed.

“Do we have any food?” she asked, muffled by the comforter.

“I’ll call in a pizza,” I offered. “Maybe get one for the dragon.” Nice consolation prize, cheese and grease. I’d get him one with all the meat toppings.

She mumbled something about pepperoni and extra cheese while I sat next to her, placing a quick call with the order. Afterward, I chucked my phone aside and eyed her with concern. She had to still be exhausted after the whirlwind of the last few days. Maybe she’d asked to spend the night with me because she knew I wouldn’t pressure her for sex like Rusty obviously wanted to. I would be a gentleman if that’s what she needed right now, even if it killed me.

After a minute or two, she lifted her head to look over at me. “Seth, I’m going to go take a shower with my favorite flowery soap and the coldest possible water. You can join me if you want to.” She unfolded her arms and lifted, stretching her back in a feline arch. My breath quickened as she made for the shower and looked at me over her shoulder with a promise in the coy slant of her eyes.

I was up and after her immediately. She fiddled with a bag of toiletries as she glanced into the chipped bathroom mirror at my reflection and lifted her brows. “You can make me smell pretty too,” I said with a self-conscious laugh.

“You’re a sweetheart, aren’t you?” she murmured. I felt myself blush in surprise.

She stripped off her clothes. I fumbled with the button of my jeans like a virgin while she turned on the shower, sending off a short cloud of scalding mist when it hit her skin.

I joined her when it sounded like her body had cooled off again. The tub underfoot had a good bath mat, which I was glad for.I didn’t want to slip and fall while sharing a shower with her. She lathered up, not even showing signs of goosebumps as she hogged most of the water. Fine curls of steam rose from her body.

“Do you always take cold showers?” I asked, already shivering.

She nodded and rinsed the suds off her face. “It helps. Nothing has stopped the heat completely, but I didn’t know why I was overheating at all until recently.”

Blindly, she offered a bar of soap over her shoulder. I rubbed it between my palms and stepped closer, running my hands down her sides. “Is this okay?” I murmured, keeping my touch light.

“You can feel me, Seth,” she whispered back. “You can look. I’m you anam cara, as the stars have said. We complete one another’s souls. Even if there hasn’t been time to make a deep bond…I know we will.”

“I know we will too,” I said in agreement. Already, I felt drawn to her. In a few months, we’d be as inseparable as her and Ceridor. The anam cara bond rewarded patience with deepening intimacy.

She must’ve realized I was trying to keep my gaze respectful, even with both of us naked. I tipped it downward, past her crown of hair, taking in the pert swells of her breasts and the dusky pink nipples that capped them, just waiting to be played with. She had a perfect, heart-shaped ass, too.

I spread soap over her belly, gliding my hands up to her boobs to tweak and pull her nipples gently. She bit her lower lip. “We’re not going too fast, are we?” she asked.

“I don’t think so. Not if you don’t.” I looped my arms around her, hugging her from behind. “And like you said, bonding will help you.”

“I will probably be able to access your magic, like I can now reach Ceridor’s. Your water will further balance out my fire,” she explained, leaning against me and resting her arms over mine. She flashed the tattoo on the back of her hand and I did a double-take. I’d been in a professional mindset through tending to her and the detail had completely slipped my notice. “And once Rusty joins in, the balance of elements within me should be equalized. I doubt I will have anything resembling perfect symmetry, but I’ll take not burning to death. Especially once it leads to me breaking my curse.”

“Sounds great,” I murmured.

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