Page 53 of Bearly Bewitched

And for one solid moment, they were connected. His cock was in her, and she didn’t think he could ever get closer to a person. And for the moment, everything felt perfect.

Kaine growled in her ear, and he slowly slid out before dredging back into her. She moaned, digging her nails into his skin.

It was what she wanted … needed.

He kissed her neck and down her shoulder, keeping up his pace. She felt the build-up once more in the pit of her stomach.

Kaine pulled a hand free, grabbing onto her hips. He bit her earlobe. “With your hand, rub your clit.”

She did as she was told. The touch made her jerk, but she didn’t back away. Vail rolled her finger over her clit, going with each thrust Kaine did. She felt so close, and she knew he was as well. She heard it in the way his breath quickened, and his hand grew tighter on her hip.

“I’m going to mark you as mine,” he said, and she whimpered as she nodded. She wanted him to do it.

Suddenly, Kaine’s nail dug into her skin, and the pain sent her over. She cried out as she came hard. But Kaine only thrust deeper into her, making her come over again.

Kaine kissed her, and her body went limp. She slumped onto the sheets, feeling Kaine brace himself. He leaned back and rested his forehead on her chest as he panted to catch his breath.

She looked down at her side, seeing the mark Kaine had made. She was his.

“I love you,” she whispered.

Kaine’s head snapped up, and he smiled at her. “And I love you.”

She ran her fingers over her mark, smearing the blood. “To forever?”

He looked at her fingers and grazed his finger over her mark. He nodded. “To forever.”

EPILOGUE

The scent of cinnamon and roses wafted through air crackling with magic and possibility. Soft pink and golden lights twinkled overhead like earthbound stars while enchanted lanterns cast heart-shaped shadows that danced across cobblestones worn smooth by centuries of supernatural feet.

Vail leaned back against Kaine’s solid chest, savoring his bear-warmth in the crisp February air. His arms tightened around her waist as they watched Romi’s newest magical mixology demonstration.

“Now, the secret is in the timing,” Romi explained, lightning crackling through her hair as she mixed dried rose petals with sparkling pomegranate juice. Tiny sparks jumped between her fingers, making the crystalline glasses chime like bells. “Too much passion flower essence and you’ll have people singing love songs in the street. Though that might not be entirely bad...”

“The last thing we need is another impromptu musical number,” Xabir drawled from his position against her stall. “I still haven’t recovered from New Year’s Eve.”

“You loved my midnight karaoke and you know it.” Romi stretched up to kiss his jaw, her magic leaving little lightningprints that faded slowly from his skin. “Mr. ‘I-don’t-dance’ was certainly moving pretty well by the end of the night.”

The alpha wolf’s usual stoic expression cracked into a tender smile that he reserved solely for her. “That’s because someone spiked the punch with liquid courage.”

“I would never!” But her innocent look fooled no one, especially when more sparks danced in her hair.

“Speaking of suspicious drinks,” Sabine called from the card-making station, her hands gracefully directing floating craft supplies, “remember what happened at the Summer Solstice Festival? When someone’s ‘purely decorative’ butterfly garnishes came to life?”

“Those children were delighted,” Romi protested.

“They chased poor Burke around the square for an hour,” Vail reminded her, unable to keep from grinning at the memory.

“He needed the exercise.” Romi finished her current creation with a flourish, rose petals arranging themselves into perfect hearts on top of the shimming liquid. “Besides, Neve helped catch them eventually.”

“Only because I was tired of hearing him wheeze,” Neve called from where she and her sister were enchanting the main stage’s lighting. The silver-haired twins moved in perfect sync, their combined magic painting the air in soft pastels.

Warmth suddenly brushed Vail’s ear as Kaine leaned down. “Want to sneak away for a moment? I found something you might like.”

His voice sent pleasant shivers down her spine, but she made herself focus. “We should probably help with the ceremony preparations...”

“They can spare us for five minutes.” His fingers traced idle patterns on her hip, making it very hard to think straight. “Unless you’re not curious?”

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