Page 79 of Captivating Magic

Laszlo stripped her bare, worshipping every square inch of her with his mouth and leaving her skin tingling under his touch. She arched into him, and her breath caught as he murmured, “I love you, Sweet Ebba,” against her neck. His voice was low and reverent, as if she were something sacred. "Tell me this is real. Tell me you’re mine."

Her chest tightened at hearing his raw vulnerability, and she cupped his face, her thumbs brushing over the faint stubble along his jaw.

"I’ve always been yours, Laszlo Thorne,” she replied, her voice trembling but sure. "Even when you didn’t know it."

He closed his eyes as the weight of her words sank in. The moisture in his, when he opened them, threatened to undo her. His amber gaze burned with an intensity that quickened her pulse.

Their lips met again, and there was no holding back this time. The air between them shifted, and the laughing way they’d started developed into something more profound. His hands moved with purpose, and his touch ignited an all-consuming fire within her. Letting herself fall into him, Ebba trailed her handsdown the defined muscles of his back, feeling the strength that had carried them through their trials.

She cried out when he entered her, and with each stroke, they lost themselves in each other. Their passionate lovemaking was a testament to her life that he'd fought so hard to save.

Time blurred, and the outside world was forgotten as they created a space that was entirely theirs—a place where magic didn’t complicate, where ghosts didn’t linger, and where love could flourish unbound.

Eventually, their sexual energy dwindled into a quieter intimacy, and as they rested, he held her as if he feared she might disappear. She understood the emotion. Hell, she half feared this was all a bizarre fantasy she'd concocted in her mind to cope with the trauma of the accident. As she rested her cheek against his chest, she counted his steady heartbeats and smiled. The rhythm was soothing, creating a sound that felt remarkably like home.

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“I’m annoyed you didn’t court me properly,” she said, circling his nipple with the tip of her finger before flicking the tip. “Really, your assumption wasn’t cool.”

“I thought you said you weren’t a princess?”

“I’m not, but a little work on your part would be nice.”

His chuckle rumbled through his chest beneath her ear. “How do you suggest I make it up to you?”

“Who says I want you to?”

Wrapping his hand in her hair, he tugged lightly until her head came up and their eyes locked. “You wouldn’t bring it up unless you wanted me to show proper remorse.”

“True. Pure penitence is totally appropriate.” She rolled on her back and sprawled her limbs wide. “You can start at my neck and work your way down. About a thousand kisses should do.”

“A thousand.” He whistled and rose over her to admire her naked form. “That’s a steep demand, considering the hours I just put in.”

“I’ve suffered many,manyyears of neglect.”

“Mm. It’s true and entirely my fault.”

She giggled. “Not entirely. Your siblings were horrible to you and determined to intervene.”

“They were. We shall never forgive them,” he vowed.

Laszlo commenced with his punishment, and Ebba lost count after forty-seven.

The distraction was great.

“I’m hungry,” she complained twenty minutes later. “And the worst part is I’m craving raw meat. This wolf has disgusting dietary habits.”

His laugh was entirely too amused.

“If I were a witch, I’d turn you into a frog,” she grumbled.

“Come here.” Laszlo tucked her between his legs and wrapped his arms around her. Whatever he said next was lost because her mind was focused on the feel of him pressed against her back.

“Focus, Sweet.”

His low voice next to her ear caused her belly to somersault.

“I’m having a difficult time,” she admitted.

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