Page 11 of A Touch Enchanted

“The curse has made two appearances on the main beach. I think it’s guarding something.” She pinched her lips together. “I want to find out what that something is.”

Since she put it that way … I tipped my mug in her direction. “I’m with you.”

She flashed me a brilliant smile, and yep—I’d definitely burn down the world for her. And she had no idea. I couldn’t even tell her because she’d just blame it on the magic. I’d picked one hell of a time to finally go after what I’ve always wanted.

She got dressed in cotton shorts and a long-sleeved T-shirt, and we headed down to the beach. The fog that blanketed the island in the early morning hours rolled over the sand like thick, rain-heavy clouds. Sandy took off at a run, darting in and out of the waves. She needed the exercise. I didn’t worry about her going too far.

The full moon was still high over the water, the sky just beginning to turn a deep shade of indigo. From here, we could see every star in the sky, and I had to wonder if they could still see us. Or if we’d already been forgotten. Left to our own fate.

Near the edge of the water, where the waves had flattened the sand, Violet turned to me and clasped my hand. “I think we should build the energy between us first. Not try to use our powers yet. This is just to get acquainted with our magic.”

I pictured Violet crouching in front of her magic like she did with the more timid dogs at the shelter. With one hand out and her sweet, coaxing voice drawing them nearer. She won over more animals than any other volunteer. They could sense she was safe.

I had no doubt she’d be working with her magic just fine before the sun came up.

My hands glowed with a deep sapphire blue. The urge to take Violet on the beach rose up in me so strong, it almost doubled me over, but I reined it in. Backed down everything.

This wasn’t about the side effects, or even my abilities, this was just about feeling the magic. Letting what Violet offered me so willingly and openly flow into me, and gently pushing my own energy back into her. I couldn’t deny that the sensation was intoxicating, but it didn’t overwhelm either of us.

It didn’t take us over. We held the moment and just let ourselves feel it.

I ran the pad of my thumb over the webbing between her fingers and she let out a small moan, as if she couldn’t help herself. The gills stood out on her neck, but they never bothered me the way she thought. There wasn’t one part of her that I didn’t find beautiful.

All around me, dozens of voices reached my ears from various sources. Sandy’s endless search for more squirrels, the owls hunting for their last meal before bed, the crab dragging its shell across the sand. All of them blended together in a melody that calmed and centered me. As if I’d always been meant to communicate with animals.

“Your energy.” Violet’s lips parted, and she wet them with her tongue. “It feels incredible. God.” She closed her eyes and a shudder ran through her. My cock was so hard, I feared I might split through my pants. “It’s so good.”

“Stay with me,” I murmured. Though I didn’t know if I was talking to her or myself.

The push and pull of the magic between us felt a lot like our souls were fucking. It was hard not to get swept away in it. I could feel her rising need come through on the energy she pushed into me, which only spurred on my own. If I didn’t let go of her soon, I’d lose my grip on it, and we’d end up falling on each other like a couple of horny dogs.

“I’m losing it.” Her eyes burned with lust. I wanted her so fucking bad, I physically ached from it, but my Cricket wasn’t looking at me like that. The magic had consumed her.

I let go of her hand. “Swim it off. Burn through the energy.”

She nodded and stripped off her shirt and shorts, revealing a simple aqua-blue bikini underneath. I had to palm my cock to keep from coming in my pants. I wasn’t immune to the consuming burn of the magic either.

We’d held hands for less than five minutes. I set the timer on my phone, wanting to know how much time that bought us to use our powers without touching. Violet dipped in and out of the waves, perfectly at home within the water. It was like watching her mermaid show, only more raw, not as practiced. She wasn’t swimming for show. She was doing it for the pure joy of it. It was nothing less than stunning.

Her head broke the surface, and she let out a laugh. “The fish are kissing my toes. It’s like they’re welcoming me as one of them.”

She ducked below the water again and rose to the surface a minute later, her gills gone, the light from her palms extinguished. The magic had worn off, but she’d taken advantage of it down to the last second. This was where she belonged. Swimming freely among the fish.

As she rose out of the water, rivulets dripped down her skin. The cool morning air teased goosebumps along her arms and puckered her nipples to perfect peaks. I averted my gaze and turned around to adjust myself. Violet laid a hand on my shoulder, and I tensed as a pulsing tremor tightened the muscles in my lower back.

“Do you want to try again?” Her voice was quiet, probing, as if she could sense how much I was struggling and wanted to give me the choice.

“Yes.” I bit the word out through clenched teeth.

If we didn’t keep practicing, it would be that much harder to resist the lust that pounded against my lizard brain. I ultimately wanted Violet in my bed, no doubt, but only if we were both in full control and consenting. We weren’t quite there yet.

“If you’re sure …”

The hesitation in her voice sent a flood of warmth running through me. It was important for us to practice, and she’d been eager to use her magic. Hell, she thrived on it. But she’d put it off for another time if I needed the space. Because she’d always put others first.

I didn’t deserve her.

Forcing a smile I didn’t feel, I turned to her and took her hand. “I’m good.”

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