Page 81 of Hot in Witch City
His mouth curled up into a lopsided smile. “I do.”
Choked up with emotion, I brought my fingertips together. “Oh, Sebastian.” I lowered my hands. “I feel it. What you tried to tell me.” I placed my hand before my heart. “It makes me feel—whole.”
His eyes brightened. “I know what you mean. I didn’t recognize it as quickly as my wolf, but yes.”
I chuckled. “Your wolf is smarter than us both.”
Sebastian laughed. “That’s what he’s been trying to beat into me.”
Lights flashed over us. “Who’s there?”
I recognized Nova’s voice. “It’s me, Gianna.”
“Gianna!” She rushed over. When she stopped a few feet away, she said, “You’re naked. And you’re both wet. What’s going on? Are you okay?”
I glanced at Sebastian and repeated his line. “I am now.”
Nova bent down onto her knees. “I’m so sorry—when Sebastian said you didn’t show up, I was super worried. I kept thinking it was like last time, when you were taken by Andre, and I had to do something. I told Zoe about what was going on, and she made some connections. She thought your mother might be involved in some attempts to infiltrate the Network. She said you might be in danger. Zoe and some other witches are searching the area.”
Sebastian groaned. He propped himself up to his elbows as if ready to act.
I touched his arm to note everything was all right.
“Zoe was right,” I told Nova. “I understand why you told her.” I exhaled. “You were right about my mother.”
Nova sighed. “I wish I wasn’t.”
“I know. Me too.” I shook my head. “She was just using me.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry.” She sighed. “What happened?”
I wrapped my arms around myself. “Can you get me a blanket from the house? Then I’ll tell you everything.”
“Of course.” Nova rose and dashed toward the beach house.
I turned to Sebastian. He stared at me with concerned eyes, now crinkling at the edges.
Placing one hand on his face, I caressed it. “You’re a crazy wolf. But my kind of crazy.”
His eyes brightened. “Without a doubt.”
I searched his eyes. “Forget everything I’d said before. I freaked out, and I’m sorry. I want to be with you.”
So many emotions passed over his face, I couldn’t track them. “I must have drowned and am imagining this.”
“No, you were unconscious, but I’m the one truly waking up. I’m letting go of my hang-ups that have kept me from seeing what I want. What I need.” I leaned closer to his lips. “You.” I kissed him.
The smile he gave me was the brightest I’d ever seen. “Now I definitely know I’m dreaming,” he teased.
I laughed. “After I put some clothes on and we tell these witches what happened here tonight, let’s go home and curl up in bed for a week.”
“Home,” he repeated. His warm eyes caressed my face, searching deep inside me. “I’d like that.” He furrowed his brows. “Does that mean my place or yours?”
It was kind of odd that I’d phrased it that way. Maybe it was a sign of something that could be in the distant future. “Come to my place and let me take care of you for a change.”
Sebastian
I spent two magical days and nights at Gianna’s place, most of the time in her bed.
