Page 93 of Untraced Magic
Tyler
Asnightswallowedthecove in darkness, I’d moved Morgan to a blanket where she now lay sleeping peacefully against me, one leg curled over mine and body spent. Her breathing had eventually mellowed during the night, now light and chest barely moving.
I inhaled her scent like my drug of choice, the pull of the mate bond enhancing every touch, every feeling inside me to the extreme. It was surreal, invigorating even.
Our closeness calmed my mind, yet every touch of her skin burned a deep yearning inside me, raw desire consuming me entirely, eager to consummate our bond now at its full strength.
I pushed the thoughts away as her breath floated against my neck, sending a shiver curling over my skin.
My gaze drifted to the horizon, where streaks of bronze and gold danced across the ocean as the day woke from its slumber. My fingers grazed the small of Morgan’s back between her top and pants, warmth filling my heart.
My mate, a powerful witch. I was beyond proud of her.
She stirred against me, a light hum in response to my caress.
“Happy Birthday,” I whispered.
She mumbled drowsily into my chest, a hand moving over her face. “I feel like I’ve been hit by a bus.”
I smiled, subtly shaking my head. “You just had a lifetime’s worth of magic hit you in one evening. I imagine that’s to be expected.”
She scanned the beach, confusion settling on her face and wrinkling her nose.
“We slept here all night?”
“Yeah. You were out of it, so I thought it best you rest where you were.”
She stared at me incredulously. “In the middle of winter? How are we not frozen solid?”
I chuckled. “Do I need to remind you of the fact you have your own personal heater now?”
Amusement pooled in her eyes. “Yeah, aone barheater.”
“I didn’t meanthat,” I chuckled at her innuendo. “My body heat alone warmed us both the entire night.” I placed a kiss on her forehead. “Perks of being mated to a thermo mage, princess.”
Her cheeks flushed, and I wrapped my arms around her shoulders, pulling her close again.
I mustered the cheekiest look I could. “You have a filthy mind, witch.”
“I donot!” she grumbled, playfully thumping me in the chest with her fist, her head bobbing with laughter. The sound strummed pleasurable chords within me, my dick throbbing in response.
Tugging the blanket tighter around us, I nuzzled into her neck. “How do you feel?”
Morgan leaned against my chest, staring out to the ocean, the sun having now completely melted away the night, splashing its golden glow over the cove for the first time in what seemed like weeks.
A comfortable silence sat between us as she contemplated life.
“I feel alive. I feel… free. It feels right,” she admitted, turning to look at me.
The pull of the mate bond tugged deep within me again.
“Mate,” she whispered.
I smiled, trying to hide my nerves. There was still so much I needed to explain.
Her hand traced my cheek, down to my jaw, the gentle caress making my dick twitch. She looked at me as if seeing me for the first time, a new intensity burning in her eyes.
“So how does this mate thing work exactly?” Morgan asked, her voice huskier now.
