Page 34 of Cursed By the Love Witch

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DARCEE

As soon as I open my eyes, I remember I’m not alone.

Golden sunlight pours into my room, and the soft singing of birds filters through the open window. In the morning light, I can see the piles of dirty clothes littering the floor, the haphazard stacks of books, and dried herbs that desperately need to be put away. Everything is exactly the same.

All except the very warm male body lying against my side.

His warm hand digs softly into my hip. The soft tendrils of his hair tickle my naked shoulder. The muscles of his chest rise and fall behind me. I had expected him to slip out sometime during the night, but finding him still here this morning is a delight.

My slumber had been deep and dreamless. It was restorative in a way I haven’t experienced in a long time, especially with the lack of sleeping aid. With Bael spooned around me, the sting of my father’s dismissal has lessened considerably. I can put it far from my mind and enjoy being wrapped in another’s arms.

I inhale deeply, shifting slightly backward. Bael’s hard cock presses against my backside. My mouth goes dry at hisimpressive length. I do it again, failing to stop the moan slipping from my lips. Bael inhales sharply from behind me, coming fully awake. With a deep groan, I feel his lips move at my ear.

“Good morning,” he murmurs.

I swallow. “Morning.”

It feels natural waking up with him like this—as if we have done it a million times before. Bael’s large hand tightens on my waist, gently skimming up and down. The thin fabric of my nightgown is barely a barrier. His hands may as well be on my naked flesh.

“I planned only to stay until you fell asleep,” he admits quietly. “You just felt so good, I couldn’t bring myself to leave.”

I hear the smile in his voice.

“Besides,” he continues, “waking up next to you has its advantages.”

“Oh?” I ask, turning my head to look at him. “Like what?”

His deep chuckle sets my blood on fire. Desire—hot and heavy—runs through me. The arm resting under my head moves slowly as it creeps under my body and towards my front. It splays along my ribs before tracing maddening circles on the underside of my breast. The hand on my waist moves, too, shifting lower before gliding under the hem of my nightgown.

“Is this okay?” he asks.

The first brush of his fingers against my hard nipple causes my whole body to go taught.

“Yes,” I sigh, eyes fluttering closed. “More.”

His hand wraps around the thin strap of my nightgown and tugs it down. I gasp as my breast is exposed to the cool morning air. Bael snarls against me. His hand cups my breast, squeezing it gently. I peel my eyes open to take in the sight.

Gray skin compliments my own—pink and with a dusting of freckles. My breast sits perfectly in the palm of his hands. Like our kiss yesterday, his movements aren’t practiced. When histhumb drags over my nipple, I moan, and that seems to guide him. His fingers work me, teasing and playing with me until my breath is uneven.

Wetness pools between my thighs, and I rub them together for any sort of relief. The hand resting on my hip inches higher, but slowly as if unsure.

“Darcee,” he whispers in my ear. “Tell me what you want—I’ve never?—”

My eyes bore into him as a heady rush flows through me. Right now, there is only us in this room. How we got here is not important. At least, that’s what I tell myself. How can something this right come from something so wrong?

I push it all from my mind—the love potion, the former mutual disdain—and absorb what Bael offers me. We will not take it too far. I will allow him to touch me because he wishes to, and as awful as I am to admit it, if I stop this now, I feel as though I may die from longing.

My hand comes up and cups his atop my breast.

“Like this,” I say softly. “Touch me like this.”

Together, we work in tandem as he begins squeezing and molding my breasts in his hand. Reaching down, I find his other hand on my waist. I crane my head back and meet his lips with mine. His eyes flare before closing. Bael tastes of spice and midnight air. Our lips meet—slow at first—and then quicken with intensity. I could spend hours at a time kissing him. For what he lacks in experience, he makes up for in enthusiasm.

My hand digs into his as I slowly drag it to my front. Once again, sensation moves me as I settle his palm against the wet heat of my most intimate flesh. Bael hisses into my mouth as he cups me. My whimper echoes between us.

“Touch me here.”

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