Page 23 of Goody Magic Academy: Year Three

My heart nearly jumped out of my chest as I turned, the blood rushing in my ears as the familiar scent of cedar—unmistakably Jaxon—filled my nostrils.

He put his hands either side of my face and leaned close. His breath was warm against my skin, carrying a hint of cinnamon.

I panted, putting a hand over my racing heart. “I couldn’t sleep… and thought some fresh air would help.” My voice came out as a shaky whisper.

He picked up my braid, the gentle touch sending shivers down my spine. “You should be careful. There are hungry vampires out there.” His voice was low, almost a growl, and I caught a whiff of something metallic on his breath—was it blood?

I grabbed my braid out of his hand, my fingers brushing against his cool skin. “There’re hungry vampires in here too.” The words came out breathier than I intended, the air between us thick with tension and the sweet, intoxicating scent that seemed to emanate from his very being. “Now, do you mind?” I tilted my head in exasperation. “I want to get some fresh air.”

Jaxon’s eyes gleamed mischievously as he placed his slender fingers underneath my chin. The touch sent electricity through my body. “I’ll protect you,” he murmured, his voice low and husky.

I cocked my eyebrow, fighting the overwhelming urge to lean into his touch. “I’m a black dragon. I can protect myself.” The words sounded less forceful than I would have liked.

He ran the back of his knuckles down my cheek, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. “But do you have full control over your power?”

The answer was an obvious no and my cheeks heated, but I refused to admit that. Instead, I just folded my arms across my chest, trying to ignore my fluttering heart and the heat rising to my cheeks. “Are you going to let me pass or not?” I managed to keep my voice steady…just.

A smirk played over his lips as he stepped aside and opened the door for me with an exaggerated flourish. “My lady,” he purred, his eyes never leaving mine.

I brushed past him, acutely aware of how close our bodies came to touching. The cool air hit my face, but it did nothing to turn down the heat of the blood pumping through my veins. And Jaxon could probably feel it—vampires and their damned heightened senses.

As I walked out and into the night, I could feel Jaxon’s gaze burning into my back. I was tempted to spin back to take another look at that cocky grin and those eyes that I swore could see right through me. But I kept walking, trying to convince myself that the shivers running down my spine were from the cool air, not the lingering effect of his touch.

Moonlight played peek-a-boo with me through the oak trees, casting shifting shadows across the ground. Spanish moss draped from the large branches like ghostly curtains, swaying gently in the night breeze. Crickets chirped their nocturnal symphony.

The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and sweet magnolia blossoms. Each breath I took filled my lungs with the heady aroma of the Southern night, making me feel slightly intoxicated—or maybe that too was just the lingering effect of Jaxon’s presence.

“Peyton,” he said softly. He had followed me outside.

Every fiber of my being screamed at me not to turn around, to keep walking, to put distance between us. But something in his tone pulled me like a bee to a flower, irresistible and enticing, wrapping around me like silk and tugging at something deep within my chest.

Slowly, I pivoted to face him. The moonlight caught his features, highlighting the sharp planes of his face and making his eyes glitter dangerously. He stood there, silhouetted darkly against the silver-lit night, looking every bit a predator.

Before I could react, he closed the distance between us in two swift strides. His arms encircled me, strong and unyielding,pulling me to his chest. I could feel the solid muscles of his body as the coolness of his skin seeped through my thin shirt.

Then his lips were on mine, and the rest of the world fell away. He kissed me deeply, passionately, as if he were a man dying of thirst and I was the last drop of water on earth. His mouth moved against mine with an urgency that set my blood on fire.

I knew I should push him away. But in this moment I was unable to remember a single reason why this was a bad idea, and my body betrayed me, melting into his embrace. My hands found their way to his hair, tangling in the silky strands as I kissed him back with equal fervor.

The night air no longer felt cool; it crackled with heat and electricity. The chirping of the crickets faded away, replaced by the thundering of my heart in my ears. Nothing else existed but the two of us, locked in an embrace that felt both dangerous and inevitable.

As we kissed, I found myself wondering if I was making a terrible mistake or embarking on the most thrilling adventure of my life. With Jaxon, it was impossible to know.

His lips trailed down my neck, leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake. “You’re all I can think about, Peyton,” he breathed against my skin. “I promise I’ll protect you at Ravenwood Estate.”

My fingers clutched desperately at his shirt as he held me close, reassuring me with his gentle words and comforting embrace. He lifted me up in his arms and then gently lowered me onto the plush grass, my back sinking into its dewy softness. He moved his hands up my body, lifting my shirt over my head, exposing my bare skin to the cool breeze. I wanted this so much, wanted his hands and mouth on my body. As if reading my mind, his lips were suddenly on my bra, sucking hard andsending shivers down my spine. I gasped in pleasure as he continued to explore my body with his lips and hands.

His fingertips pressed into my cheek, sending a jolt of electricity through me that set my nerves on fire. As he leaned closer with a hungry gaze, I could feel the heat of his breath wash over me, igniting a wildfire inside that threatened to consume me. My body trembled with a mix of fear and longing as he trailed his hand down my quivering belly, stopping at the edge of my lacy panties. Anticipation built inside me like a ticking bomb, waiting for his next move.

Before our lips could touch, Twyla’s voice shattered the moment like a siren.

“Peyton? Where are you?” she called out, her tone anxious, like a parent searching for their wayward child.

Panic seized my chest as I tried to compose myself, but Jaxon’s intense stare told me he wouldn’t be satisfied until we both succumbed to this raw desire.

“Jaxon...” I gasped for air. The magnetic pull between us was overwhelming, and I knew deep down that I didn’t want him to stop.

“Twyla? What’s wrong?”

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