Page 58 of The Warlock & the Witch

“What now?”

“You will not be with that guy. If you need company, I’ll provide it.”

“And what if I need more?” she challenged.

Silence. Pearl was sure she had him there—until his hands went to his belt and started unbuckling. At that point, everything was turned upside down inside her mind and thrown into chaos.

“Henry! You’re—you’re in my living room.”

“I know.”

“The front door’s broken.”

“I know.”

“You’re manipulating me to let you in my room.”

“And you’re looking at me like you want to jump me.”

He was right. She hated that he was right and lied through her teeth.

“As if. I’m mad at you.”

The belt dropped to the floor. Her mouth went dry.

“Are you?”

“Yes,” she said furiously. “Not only because you distract me but because you’re infuriating. And so smug.”

“So are you. That mouth of yours is making me mad.”

“It’s not stopping anytime soon, so keep being mad,” she snapped.

“I meant mad as in crazy. I’m going crazy, Pearl.”

“Henry—”

“Please.”

The way his tone softened caressed her.

“What?”

“Please,” he repeated. This time, his voice was lower and more…helpless. “Help me get rid of this feeling.”

She could egg him on and ask him what feeling he meant, but the way he looked at her with so much vulnerability and restlessness already told her the answer. She fought her weakening knees and resolve for a few more seconds…then, stopped when he took one more stride closer, effectively closing the gap between them until his hot, harsh breath was on her lips. The frosty man was gone and in its place was someone who just wanted.

“Henry,” she whispered.

“Say no if you don’t want this. Say—”

She closed the last inch, catching his lower lip. It became the trigger that set him off as Henry exploded with barely-restrained energy, moving in a blur and leaving her in a daze of hungry lip-biting and fervent, hungry kisses. By the time those kisses were on her jaw, they were inside a bedroom—her bedroom—and the door was locked.

“You sneaky man,” she accused, then tilted her head. Shock blazed when his teeth grazed her neck. “Oh, heavens.”

She reached for his hair, but he pinned her hands back. She glimpsed his knuckles again and pushed until he released her wrists.

“Henry, your bruises. Let me…”

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