Page 37 of It's In His Hiss

And I feel it, too—that worship. That hunger. That heat that builds between us like a spell being cast.

“Harder,” I whisper, leaning forward so my breasts press against his chest.

He bucks up into me, his grip bruising in the best way, and the change in angle has me crying out, stars exploding behind my eyes.

My magic surges, wild and wanting, flaring through my fingertips and into the air.

A lamp in the cornershatters.

“Oops,” I gasp.

Gordy grins up at me, breathless. “Your magic short-circuits when you come?”

“Apparently.”

“Well,” he growls, flipping us with a speed that should not be legal, “let’s dosomerealdamage.”

I yelp as he drives into me again, this time from above, his rhythm relentless, his weight grounding me in the storm he’s conjuring between my thighs.

A snake slides down and brushes my nipple, and I don’t know if it’s on purpose or not, but it sends me right over the edge.

I arch, scream,shatter.

Light bursts behind my eyelids. Power ripples through the room. A bookcase tilts in protest, a mug cracks in the sink, and Gordy follows me into oblivion with a low, broken groan of my name.

We collapse into the bed, tangled and panting, our bodies slick with sweat and magic and something that tastes like joy.

The snake retracts slowly, smug.

I reach out to pat its little scaly head. “You’re an excellent wingman.”

Gordy groans into the pillow. “You’re never letting me live this down, are you?”

“Not a chance.”

I curl into his side, my body aching in that delicious, well-loved way. My magic is finally quiet. Content. Like it’s purring right beneath my skin.

And Gordy?

He kisses my temple, still breathless. “I love you, Al.”

I blink, stunned—but the words bubble up so easily, so true, I don’t even hesitate.

“I love you, Gordy. You snake-charming, book-hoarding, deliciously-grumpy gorgon.”

He chuckles.

The snake lets out a very self-satisfied hiss.

And me?

I smile and reach for him.

The world fades to the two of us, exploring, learning, loving in a way that’s thrillingly new and as ancient as the myths he likes to share.

And for the first time in my life, I’mexactlywhere I’m meant to be.

Chapter 13

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