Page 58 of Feverburn

I stared at him, still overwhelmed by my orgasms. It was like his dick knocked 40 IQ points out of my mind.

He went on,“I’ll wait here before I duck out. I can get to my truck without being seen, and I never say goodbye so it won’t look suspicious. I’m sorry if Iruinedyour dress.”

“Don’t be.”

“I’d like to see you later tonight,”he said, eyes searching my face as he brushed the hair off my shoulder.

I ran my hands over his biceps. Missing his arms around me.“I’d like that.”

“Go back to the party but meet me at the lake at 11 o’clock. Sound good?”

I bobbed my head in dazed agreement. He clutched the side of my neck, bringing me in for one last smolderingkiss. Releasing me, he crossed his arms, leaning against a tree once more as he watched me leave. I felt like prey, escaping the forest unscathed but somehow caught. And I fucking loved it.

I snuck back to the cabin to go to the bathroom, making a pit stop for my keys in my purse on the porch.

“Are you okay?”a voice came behind me as I bent over, searching inside my bag.

I turned to find Harley eyeing mydirtydress. I let out a nervous laugh.“Oh, yeah, I biffed it.”

Heforceda small smile.“Gotcha, well, we’re opening presents by the bonfire. Will you take pictures of Kaylee for me? I have a surprise for her.”

I nodded and hauled ass to my car, hoping no one else saw me. Luckily, my Bog Witch cardigan was in my back seat, so I fetched it to hide my muddied dress. With the breezy night setting in, I could use it.

An impressive bonfire wasblazingby the lake as everyone gathered to watch Kaylee unwrap presents. I sat down between her and Poe,gladDane was on the other side past Azalea, Noah, and Dani. They were all busy laughing. By the looks of it, Noah was giving Zay a hard time about something. She swatted at him, trying not to spit out her drink with laughter.

Harley came around with goblets and a bottle of mead, pouring all of us witches a glass. Kaylee thanked him with a quickkissbefore he walked away. Holding up her drink, she squared her shoulders in a toast.“Blessed Litha, may our shortest night and longest day together be the start of many shared sabbats.”

“And the happiest of birthdays to you, Kaylee,”I added.

“Blessed be,”Poe declared as we tipped our cups in our shared little pocket ofmagicwhile the rest of the crowd settled down. I had only three sips so I could drive, but I delighted in how the mead mixed with Carson’skissstill on my lips.

I didn’t want to tell Kaylee yet; I needed to talk to Carson, and I didn’t want to ruin her birthday. I already feltrudeas fuck dodging out for a solstice screw, but on some level, I knew she’d support my hedonistic lapse of judgment. We werewildwomen.Wildwomen don’t follow the rules or social standards.

Frankie scanned the crowd.“Are we missing anyone?”

“It looks like Carson took off,”Markos added with a shrug.

Azalea rolled her eyes, sharing quiet disgust with Dani.“Of course, Mr. Life of the Party,”she teased.

“He’s such a jerk. He wouldn’t even talk to me,”Dani complained.

I fought a smile and crossed my legs, loving how slightly sore I was from a certain jerk’smassivecock.

Kaylee opened mygift, which was araretarot deck.The Faerie Tale Tarotwas out of print, but my mom had an unopened deck from the 90s. We were more thanhappyto rehome it to a worthy tarot enthusiast. Kayleelosther shit and started ugly crying. It was so cute hearing her Southern accent pop out while she snorted,‘Ohmahgawsh, y’all, I’m ugly cryin’!’ only to look over her shoulder to see Harley holding a fluffy,goldenretriever puppy. She sobbed even more when he put it in her lap with a foreheadkiss.

When the party ended, I took off my flower crown and hooked it over my rearview mirror, unable to stop grinning. I was running a little late, but I pulled up to the lake at 11:11, which was a good omen for me.

Carson unrolled his truck window.“Are you ready for the real afterparty?”

“Yes, I am.”

He gave me a sexy smile that flashed in the dim light of his truck.“Follow me; feelfreeto pull into the garage.”

My body buzzed, knowing I was finally going to his cabin. It was a short drive, no more than two minutes past our spot at the lake. He took a road that was barely noticeable in the thatch of forest. It was unmarked, unlike Kaylee and Harley’s archway. There was no way to find this place alone. It was remote, closed off, just like him.

He pulled down hisprivatedrive lined with trees, and from there, the woods parted to reveal a cabin I could tell wasgorgeouseven in the darkness. The house was lakeside on the top of a slight slope with plenty of trees. It was two levels, withperfectmasonry of stones up halfway, then timber, with a dark, shiny metal roof that gleamed under the moonlight. Lights were on inside, making it theperfectrefuge.

We both parked in his garage and before I could get out, he opened my door, yanking me mischievously by the hips with akiss. Kiszka tore zoomies all around once he realized it was me in the mudroom. After our playful greeting, Carson said something to him in Greek, making the dog snuff and trot off. I guess even Kizzy knew what was about to go down.

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