Page 26 of Taming the Wicked Wolf

“Silas!” Carly Beth waves me down, crossing the few feet to grab a beer out of my hands, and taking a hearty swig off of the top.

“Alright.” I raise my brows, holding out the other for Emilia.

She takes it gingerly, giving me a soft smile, “Thank you.”

The lights dim, and the crowd creeps closer, bodies pressing inwards closer to the metal barricade. Upbeat pop music plays and hollers erupt from all around us, Carly Beth joining in singing at the top of her lungs.

Emilia looks around, taking a step back and crashing against my chest. She looks at me over her shoulder, then mouths an apology as the sea of people churns in time with the music.

I step forward and cage her in from behind to create a barrier from the rest of the crowd. I lean down, letting my lips brush against the shell of her ear, “I’ve got you, little witch.”

Goosebumps break out across her bare shoulders and neck, visible through the bright lights and smoke. I nearly forget to breathe as she leans back, her weight steady against my chest. She grabs hold of my hand, her fingertips chilled from the cold beer, and moves it further across her soft stomach.

I honor her silent request to hold her close. The rhythmic music thrumming through my body, chasing away my heartbeat, everything, until all I can feel is her warmth and her soft skin under my fingertips, wrapped in her scent.

This is the most we’ve touched in days, since our nightly ritual began. The experience has been spiritual, guiding her to the brink without even touching her, time after time, then watching her break.

Whatever we have isn’t fleeting. This little witch has buried herself deep in my heart, with her gentle touch, her magic, her soul breathing new life into my being. All I can hope is that she feels a fraction of what I do.

As if in my thoughts, she places her free hand over mine, intertwining our fingers as she sings out the chorus, tucking herself closer against my chest. With that, I am lost. Untethered. The world falls away, and there is only me and Emilia.

I don’t want to do as much as move or breathe, in fear that I might startle her. I need to hold on to this moment for as long as I can.

An eternity, if the Gods allow.

TWELVE

Emilia

It’s nearing midnight.The concert finished up close to an hour ago and the tiny merch stall has cleared out. The only crowd left gathers on the opposite side of the bar.

I sit beside Silas and Carly Beth, on the edge of the dance floor, watching drunken line dancers spinning a little too wide and laughing their enjoyment into the night.

For some strange reason, I allowed Carly Beth to wrangle us into a game of ‘never have I ever’. I’m quickly losing my buzz, still working on my third beer of the night. She has since moved on to Long Island iced teas and Silas is nursing a pale ale imported from England.

He’s so close that I can feel the heat radiating from his thigh, my body singing whenever it brushes against my bare skin. I’m wound so tightly after having Silas’ strong arms wrapped around my middle most of the set.

He behaved, never straying to cup my breast, though I was silently begging, pleading with The Gods that he might grow so bold.

But, no, he is ever the gentleman. He only caressed my stomach, squeezing and holding me like something precious.

Our closeness is all that mattered, not my body. Not what I could give to him. Is it weird that makes me want torewardhim even more?

“Never have I ever shoplifted candy from the store.” I declare.

Carly Beth lifts her drink and takes a sip, “To be fair, my high school friend dared me to. It was a Twix.”

Beside me, Silas makes a face and drinks, clearing his throat, “Reese’s Pieces.” He glances over at me, “Never have I ever had sex on an airplane.”

Carly Beth drinks.

“Really?” I ask.

Silas shrugs, “Not much for air travel.”

Because he teleports. I choke out a laugh, covering my mouth to hide my smile, the expression perfectly mirrored in his eyes. They look softer than usual. I’d assume it was the alcohol, but he’s on his third drink and hasn’t once slurred his words or given me a slow blink. It makes me wonder if demons can get drunk.

“Oh! Never have I ever kissed my college ‘friend’.” Carly Beth nearly yells with excitement.

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