Page 78 of Did It Have To Be Gnomes?!
With another joyous laugh, I pulled Sola into a hug against my chest, and she diminished her flames as she rubbed her face against my chin.
“Oh, lovely girl, you really are my familiar.”
Tears burst from me as I hugged her, happiness and relief sweeping through me. No matter what I’d said, what I’d felt, a part of me had been scared Sola wasn’t actually my familiar. A part of me had been scared I’d have to release her somewhere, that she’d have to leave me.
But now that we were bonded, she never had to leave my side, ever. She was even allowed to go into stores and restaurants and everywhere with me.
“Oh, sweet, sweet girl.” I kissed the top of her head. “I’m so happy you’re mine, and I’m yours.”
She trilled, and even though I couldn’t read her thoughts, I knew in my heart she was agreeing with me. I could feel it through the new bond.
We touched foreheads, and I couldn’t have stopped the huge smile on my face even if I wanted to. Never in all my years did I think I’d be lucky enough to have a familiar. It had always been some silly unattainable dream. Honestly, I hadn’tthought empaths could bond with one since we weren’t regular practitioners.
Thank god I’d been wrong about that.
I had a familiar.
The thing every child always dreamed about, and I was lucky enough to have one.
And not only a familiar but a damn firebird at that. Firebirds were rare and powerful, and it was practically unheard of for one to bond with a human. And yet, I’d just bonded with one.
I laughed again, and a knock came from the front door.
With a huge grin on my face, I kissed the top of Sola’s head, scooped her up against my chest, and rushed for the door. I flung it open, making Winter jump, but all I could do was blurt, “I just bonded with Sola!”
He stared at me for a beat, then a big grin, almost big enough to rival my own, grew on his handsome face. “Really?”
I nodded. “Yes! I wasn’t planning it or anything, but Sola reached out with her magic, and I just… followed my instincts, like Chaos said. It was so cool. Our magic was floating all over the place, and it sort of weaved together, and… yeah. It was awesome.”
He let out a laugh, then picked up Odin, who’d run over to greet him, in his arms as I waved him inside. “I’m so happy for you, Miles.” As if not even thinking about it—or worrying the way I always did—he leaned in and placed a small kiss on my cheek. He did it so naturally. Like he’d done it a million times. Like we were a couple and that was just a thing we did.
He moved so fast, I barely had time to react. When it finally registered what he was doing, he was starting to pull away. But I was feeling brave, or maybe just overenthusiastic after bonding, so I grabbed his polo shirt and pulled him back to me.
But this time, I turned my face so our lips met, and I swore it felt like fireworks exploded overhead and electricity eruptedfrom my heart. Little sizzles danced over my skin and through my body, lighting me up inside.
I’d kissed other men before, but I’d never felt anything like this.
It was like his lips lit me up, and my body ignited with sparks of delight, sparks of pleasure. My heart exploded with warmth, and I couldn’t help but step even closer to the man, the sensations drawing me in.
He grinned against my mouth, humming in approval, and when he swiped his tongue against my lips, I opened without hesitation. My belly swooped as his tongue brushed mine, and I let out a little whimper I couldn’t even be embarrassed about because he hummed again as if he’d liked the sound.
He grabbed my shoulder with one hand so I couldn’t stop kissing him as he leaned over, taking me with him, to set Odin on the entrance table.
Then Winter’s hands touched my face, and one trailed behind my head and into my hair, and it felt like every cell crackled to life with every little touch of hands, fingers, lips, and tongue. I wanted—needed—to be closer to him, so I pressed against his chest, and Sola got annoyed and hopped off my shoulder. I didn’t even look to make sure she didn’t burn the house down around us as she flew away. I was too wrapped up in Winter to care.
My arms found their way to his waist, and my belly fluttered in anxious excitement that he was letting me touch him this way, that he obviouslywantedme to touch him.
He was so tender with me, kissing me and touching me like I was special, like I was precious. It melted my heart more and more with every delicious brush of his tongue and every gentle caress of his fingertips.
I lost track of how long we kissed because I was wrapped up in the kindest, most amazing man I’d ever met.
And somehow, he wanted me.
When we finally broke the kiss, my eyes fluttered open to find Winter smiling affectionately at me.
He whispered, “Congratulations.”
My brow furrowed? “For… kissing you?”
