Page 59 of Bewitched & Bewildered
I expect the feelings to leave when I run from his shop, but they follow me. Desire is still there as I close my bedroom door.
I slip out of my clothes with an empty mind. My handsrun over my body, nails scraping against goose-bumped flesh. My nipples are hard under my fingers, and a whimper falls past my lips as I touch.
I didn’t imagine the potion would affect me, and certainly not like this.
Seeing how he watched me was arousing. His dark eyes dragged over my lips, over my chest. It felt as if he was touching me everywhere his eyes wandered. I can still feel the fire of his stare.
I saw Ozan in a new light. I canstillsee him like that. He’s imprinted in my mind. Has he always been here? Thoughts I’ve been pushing off come to the front—the way the tool belt was slung low over his hips. The tight shirts gripping at his arms and chest…
I fling myself into bed and cover my face with my hands. I’m alone. No one else is in my head. They can’t hear how I want him, but it’s mortifying.
I’ve been here before. Too high, hiding in my bed, waiting to come back down. We’ve all been here, haven’t we? There’s less time for fun in my current life, but I used to have fun and…
As confusing as this is, it feelsfun. I want to let myself have it. I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed myself.
When was the last time Itouchedmyself? I’ve been so busy.
My hand slips between my legs, and I gasp. Arousal coats my fingers. With wide eyes, I stare at the painted stars on my ceiling. They’re sparkling from the light of the potion and…
I made some miscalculations. It shouldn’t be this strong. I didn’t even consume it. Gods, I can’t sell this to anyone. That’s a problem for later. Running a business and making decisions in this mindset is no good.
My fingers brush over my hard clit. I gasp. A slight touch of my fingers is electricity. My back arches under the touch, and he’s here again when I close my eyes.
Ozan is shirtless. I can imagine the dark hair on his chest and his biceps flexing as he holds himself over me. His dark eyes bore into mine. I circle my fingers against my wet, throbbing clit. My hips lift, bucking against my hand.
In my head, it’s him. He’s filling me. His hand is around my throat. He’s whispering in my ear in his rough, low, hot voice.
What would he say to me? How would he touch my soft skin? How would his strong, thick, calloused fingers feel against my pert nipples? I grasp my breast with my other hand, whimpering under my touch.
Ozan held me once. Just once, in the office of my apothecary. It was nothing. He held my icy hands and shared his warmth, letting his magic surround me. His thumb brushed against the back of my hand and for that moment… I felt safe.
With the potion pushing me into bliss, I have no trouble admitting I felt it with him. There was someone else taking care of me. It’s more than desire and heat. I long for something tender, too.
To give myself to someone else. To let them care for me. To push my pleasure in their hands. It isn’tsomeone. I could find a warm body if I wanted to. That’s not what I want. Ecstasy has a name, and it’s his.
I want him. I need to hear Ozan whispering, telling me how good I am for caring for myself like this. I need him to taste me, and touch me, and fill me, and…
The sound of his imaginary moan echoes in my mind as I push myself to the edge.
Chapter 14
Ozan
I don’t expectto see Juniper again. She was a flustered ball of chaos when she left, and I was drowning in desire.
By the morning, I’m fully recovered. The shop is clean, and I’m no longer overwhelmed by bliss. We should be able to forget it happened—because nothing happened.
It turns out that forgetting her is damn near impossible. She was on my mind before, but it’s nothing like now.
Juniper walks past the shop with her dark bag slung over her shoulder and a look of determination on her face. Her black dress stops right above her thighs, and her dark stockings are the only thing keeping her legs warm.
I could warm her with my hands. I look at the expanse of bare skin between her stockings and the dress and… I shake my head.
The potion is gone. Why do I still feel this? I’ve always been attracted to her, but it’s more than that now. It’s gnawing and pleading. There’s an eternal fluttering in my stomach.
If Juniper wants to talk to me, she’ll stop by. She’s not shy.
I want to talk toher. The desire pushes me out of the shop, lingering by the door and lifting a hand to get her attention.
