Page 57 of Cursed By the Love Witch

His brows furrow.

“That day, I found Mistress Saege crying, and she said you were responsible for it. This was coming on the heels of me failing another test and realizing my ability to pass your class was dwindling. I was so angry—I made a plan to slip you a sleeping potion so that I could graduate and get revenge for Mistress Saege.” I shake my head. “I thought you were cruel. I wanted you gone. Shortly after I had slipped it into your glass when Iaccidentallyfell into your arms, I learned that they were tears of joy you brought Saege. As for my grade, I realize I should’ve just come to you for help.”

Bael chuckles softly. His eyes turn serious.

“You know—come to think of it—after you fell into me, I didn’t even drink my wine. I tossed it before returning to my cottage.” His hands tighten on my backside. “The feeling of you in my arms was too overwhelming.”

I giggle before sobering.

“No more lies. No more secrets. Just the truth from now on,” I vow.

“Always,” he agrees.

Gathering me to his chest, he rises with me in his arms. My legs wrap around his waist as I hear the apothecary door lock. Anticipation makes me shiver. His forehead falls to mine.

“Darcee, you must understand, if we lie together tonight, that is it for me. It will cement our bond—you will become my mate—and our lives will be tied together. My immortality will end, and I’ll live as long as you do. We will be one in heart and soul. Is that what you want?”

I stare into his earnest gaze. Only an hour ago, I felt alone—resigned to spending the rest of my days toiling away at bringingother people together. Now, the Goddess has smiled upon me, bringing the love of my life back to me. Loneliness no longer lingers around me. There is so much warmth radiating from my heart that I can hardly breathe. For the first time in my life, I feel whole.

And it’s all thanks to Bael.

“More than anything,” I say.

A feral grin curls his mouth.

“Good, because if I don’t get inside your little pussy soon, I’m going to die.”

I capture his lips once more.

He growls against me. Our kiss never falters as he walks us up the short staircase to my apartment above. The door flies open and bangs against the wall. The setting sun makes the room darker. Candles blaze to life all around us. Thankfully, I made my bed this morning, and Bael tosses me into the center of it.

I push up on my elbows as he stares down at me. His breathing ragged as he lowers to his knees.

“You are my madness. Forever,” he snarls.

His hands go to the zippers on my boots, gently dragging them down before shucking them off me. He removes my socks before reaching for the waistband of my skirt. I help him by pulling the sweater over my head and tossing it on the floor. Warm palms slide up my outer thighs and hips. Hooking his fingers into the sides of my panties, he pulls them off while I throw my bra to the floor.

Cupping each knee, he props me up until I am fully exposed to his hungry gaze. I’ve never felt this bare before. While I’ve been naked around him countless times, this feels different somehow. It’s like he’s seeing me—all of me for the first time. There are no more secrets between us, exactly how it should always be.

He raises and comes down on top of me. My hands go to his shirt, unbuttoning it as he kisses my jaw. Once the smooth muscles of his back are exposed to my hands, I trace over them. Velvety soft skin tickles my hard nipples. My fingers slide lower on his back and slip under his pants to cup his firm backside.

“Naughty little thing you are.”

“Are you going to make me beg?” I ask, batting my lashes.

“Not yet.”

Tongue and teeth mash together as I fumble to the front of his pants for the button. Once it’s opened, I slide his zipper down and help him shuck his last piece of clothing. Our naked skin rubs together. His warmth settles over me. The hardness of his body presses against my soft curves in the most delicious ways.

Spice and earth invade my nostrils. His taste and smell engulf me.

His hands cup my breasts, molding them roughly before he sucks a nipple into his mouth. His tongue rolls over the tight peak as my hands fall to his head. My thighs widen to accommodate his large frame. I hook them over his hips, desperate to feel every inch of him.

Tilting my hips up, I brush up against his hard cock. I sigh, desperately trying to capture it. My arousal intensifies. Wetness slides down my thighs, and I rub it against him. Bael hisses against me, releasing my nipple with a pop.

“Please,” I whine. “Give it to me.”

He grins before shaking his head.

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