Page 35 of It's In His Hiss

“Is that what this is?” I tease, but the butterflies in my stomach are doing somersaults because deep down, I know it is.

“Absolutely.” His hands are on my waist now, steadying me as if he knows I’m a breath away from falling. Or maybe we’re both falling for each other, against all odds.

“Scary thought,” I murmur, but I’m not pulling away. Instead, I find myself leaning into him, his closeness a magnetic pull I can’t resist.

“Terrifying,” he agrees, but his lips curve into a smile that doesn’t reach his hypnotic green eyes. Eyes I’ve learned to read, and right now, they’re saying he’s anything but scared.

“Then let’s be terrified together.” It’s the bravest thing I’ve ever said.

“Deal.”

And just like that, we tumble onto the bed, our laughter giving way to something deeper, more profound. Our kisses are a language unto themselves, speaking of new beginnings and shared fears, of promises made and boundaries yet to explore.

Gordy tells me how happy he is, his voice husky with emotion. “Al, you don’t know how much…”

“Shh,” I whisper, pressing a finger to his lips. “Keep talking later. Right now, I just want to feel.”

“Feeling’s mutual,” he murmurs before capturing my lips again. And, oh, how I crave this. The taste of him, the heat of his body pressed against mine, the way he makes me forget everything but the here and now.

“Never stop,” I gasp between kisses because his touch, rough and tender all at once, sends shivers down my spine.

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” he promises, his words fueling the fire building between us.

As our kisses deepen and hands roam, lost in the urgency of our need, a soft thud interrupts us. We pause, breathing hard, and look down to find a box of magical condoms that’s appeared out of thin air. They promise protection against magical mishaps, and though we have no idea where they came from, there’s a sense of rightness about their sudden appearance.

“Guess someone’s looking out for us,” Gordy says, his voice laced with humor and desire.

“Or they have perfect timing,” I reply, trying to catch my breath and failing miserably as I take in the sight of him, all tousled snakes and burning eyes.

“Either way”—he picks up the box, examining it with curiosity and amusement—“might as well put them to good use.”

“Definitely.” I reach out, my fingers brushing his as I take one of the packets.

The room is charged with possibility, and though our journey here has been anything but ordinary,at this moment, we’re simply two magically inclined people, crazy about each other, ready to take the next step.

“Slowly,” I remind him, our earlier promise still hanging between us.

“Always,” he replies, and I believe him.

But as he moves over me, there’s nothing slow about the way my heart races or the anticipation that floods my senses. This is us, monstrous quirks and all, taking a leap into the unknown together.

I’m still panting, a little breathless from the passion that’s ignited between us when Gordy nonchalantly picks up the foil packet. He looks at it with an almost academic interest, like he’s analyzing a particularly curious passage in a rare manuscript. His eyes flicker to mine, a spark of mischief there that I’ve come to adore.

“Here goes nothing,” he says, and with a deft movement, he tears the packet open with his teeth. It’s so unexpectedly suave from my usually shy bookshop owner-turned-snake-haired sweetheart that I can’t help but let out a delighted giggle.

“Show-off,” I tease, a rush of excitement chasing away the shadows of my earlier doubts.

“Only for you,” he retorts, his voice low and husky.

The room is warm, the air between us electric with anticipation. He moves closer, and I catch a whiff of his scent of vellum and something wildly untamed.

I throw him a sultry grin, one that I’ve practiced in mirrors but never had the courage to use until now. Until Gordy. And I stretch my arms out to him, beckoning him to join me in this new adventure. There’s no hesitation in his movements as he settles into my welcoming arms, bringing with him the promise of a connection deeper than either of us has ever known.

“Come here,” I whisper, heart racing as our gazes lock. His enchanting green eyes are all I can see, all I want to see.

“Gladly.”

His lips land on mine.

---