Page 15 of Warlords, Witches & Wolves

His intensity held until she squirmed. Then he licked his lips, looked down at hers, and leaned in until there was no doubt in her mind what he was about to do. She froze with anticipation. Her nerves thrummed with energy.

The tips of their noses touched and his lashes shuttered as though he was in pain. Their breaths came in stilted gasps… and then he moved his lips an iota.Closer.

They didn’t kiss. Not yet. Maybe he was thinking the same things as she—that this kiss would change everything. That this was the one thing she’d always wanted, but feared would never happen. That he would turn away and change his mind. That she was less, and not good enough.

But he nudged his lips toward hers. He closed the gap. He lifted her chin.Almost.

And then... soft lips landed on hers, capturing her mouth, leaving her breathless. She went liquid with a moan.

Caraway growled with approval, splayed a big hand at her back, and tugged her closer as though she weighed nothing to him. Damn, he was strong. It sent a thrill tripping through her stomach. Her soft front slammed against his hard chest and he deepened their kiss.

Yes. He wanted this too.

Knowing it flipped a switch inside her. She speared fingers into his hair, tightened her grip, kissed harder, and drank him up. Her tongue dueled with his and plundered his mouth for more. His taste was like a drug, and he must have felt the same way because he held her so tight she could barely move. When they finally broke for air, they still couldn’t let go of each other.

He felt hot, hard, a little sweaty, and she wanted more.

“Anise,” he rasped deeply, eyes searching hers. Something flickered in them, and her doubt came hurtling back.

He’s going to say this is a mistake.

Before he could speak, she blurted the first thing that came to mind. “Your horns are gone. I’ve never seen you without them.”

He blinked. His jaw clicked shut. And he frowned. “What?”

She gestured to his head.

Caraway’s looming body pulled back. His warmth went with him.

“So stupid. I forgot,” he admonished himself.

The air shimmered around his head, and then two sharp horns grew from above his temples until they curved down and outward from his cheekbones.

The shame in his posture surprised Anise. His eyes turned downcast.

“It’s because you think you look human without the horns, don’t you?” she asked, and then elaborated. “You keep the horns so you look different to those who killed your family.”

He jerked back. “Why would you think that?”

“I don’t know. I guess you’re always talking about how much you hate them, and how much you love the shifters at Crescent Hollow looking so different to them.”

His brows lowered. His gaze darkened. “Anise, I don’t love the shifters at the Hollow because theylookdifferent from humans. Theyaredifferent from humans. Especially you—you’re kind, selfless, and brave.” He shuffled closer and lifted her chin to look hard into her eyes. “I keep my horns because you’re self-conscious of your tail. I do it so you think we’re the same outside and in—” He tapped her sternum. “From the moment I met you, Anise, you’ve accepted me for who I am. Unlike my family, who disowned me for wanting to protect them, you’ve always taken me as I came. I keep my horns to show you I accept you as you are.”

Anise’s mind whirled with his confession.

He kept his horns so she didn’t feel left out. So she felt less alone. He thought she was kind, selfless, and brave.

Her fingers wrapped around the smooth length of his horns and tugged until his lips came back to hers. This time, there was no hesitation. The two of them kissed as though their hearts pulled their puppet strings, directing them with passion, desire, and need. They were so lost in each other, they failed to notice their companion until she spoke.

“This is so sweet I’m getting cavities.”

They broke apart. Caraway shoved Anise behind him and bared his teeth at the intruder.

The Ice-Witch was here, and she wasn’t anything like the hag Anise had expected.

A tall, willowy female fae leaned with her shoulder against the doorway. White ringlets bounced around a pale, heart-shaped face. She had a dusky nose, flushed cheeks, and white rabbit ears that poked through an orange top hat and pointed straight up. Her outfit was a mix of black, white, and orange lace and wool. A corset squeezed abundant breasts out the top, and slick black woolen pants revealed a twitching bunny rabbit tail at the rear. When she smiled, two large front teeth touched her bottom lip.

She shifted red eyes to Anise. “I’m ready to see you now.”

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