Page 9 of Captive Witch

But it’s Gideon’s eyes staring back at me, filled with hatred. It’s Gideon’s hand fisting my hair as he drags me outside and throws me down. It’s Gideon’s voice spewing all Monique’s favorite insults at me like bricks.

My body shudders, shifting back, and I kneel in the cold grass, my hands clutching the sides of my head with my eyes squeezed tightly shut. “Stop, stop, stop,” I whimper. “Please stop.” Tears burn the backs of my eyes, picturing Gideon bruised and bleeding in the basement prison they held him in, heavy silver chains cuffed to his wrists and ankles. I try to suck in ashaky breath through my teeth, but it feels almost impossible to get past the lump in my throat.

Stuck in my head, I barely register the sound of the back door swinging open, the light footsteps rushing to me, the flapping of wings in the night air. But all my defenses crumble when strong arms wrap around my shoulders and pull me in tight. Cedarwood, caramel, and whiskey assault my senses in the sweetest embrace, breaking down the last defense against the downpour of emotions warring through me.

“I’m so sorry,” I cry, curling into Gideon’s chest and clinging to his shoulders. Tears pour down my cheeks as I crawl further into his lap. “I’m so sorry I let her hurt you. I’m so sorry.” I repeat it over and over as he shushes me, lifting me from the ground. I wrap my arms around his neck as he carries me inside.

“I got you,mia fiamma, and I’m never letting go,” he whispers against my hair, pressing his lips to the crown of my head. “She’ll never hurt you again. None of them will.”

“I let her h-hurt you,” I say into the crook of his neck, my voice raspy. I stutter as shivers wrack through my body. “Then, I let you leave. I-I don’t deserve t-to be here, Gideon. I-It’s all my fault, and now Mila…”

One hand leaves my waist after he steps into his bathroom, the shower turning on and steam soon filling the room. He steps beneath the stream of water, still clothed in his pajamas, with me in his arms. “None of this is your fault, little witch.”

I cling tighter to him, wishing that were true.

He pulls back, his hand cupping my cheek as my feet touch the tiles below. His thumb rests below my chin and tilts my head up to look into his eyes. “Adara, none of this is your fault. You deserve to be here—it’s where you belong. In my arms.” A crease forms between his brows as he searches my face. “Maybe I should’ve burned this place down and built fresh. No haunting memories to—”

“No,” I say, new tears filling my eyes. “Please don’t do that.”

Confusion and pain war on his features. “Why would you say that? This place brings you pain.”

“This place is the only real home I’ve ever had,” I say, my voice cracking. “My favorite memories are here, with you. Please don’t take that away.”

He swallows hard and nods sharply, leaning down to press his forehead to mine and closing his eyes. He inhales a few deep breaths. “I’m so glad you finally came home. I’ve missed you, and I have so much to make up for.”

I shake my head slowly, my body finally warm from the hot water running over us. “You have nothing to make up for,” I whisper.

“I have memories to write over.” He brushes his thumb across my lip, and a shiver snakes down my spine. “Memories to create.” He leans down, capturing my lips with his, staving off the rest of the night’s chill from my bones. His mouth moves down my neck, leaving a hot trail on my skin. “Lost time to make up.”

The rumble of his voice into the hollow of my collarbone sends another shiver through me, and a small gasp escapes my lips. His hand moves from my waist to cup my hip, pulling me against his drenched sweatpants—and his erection. Lifting me, he turns to press me against the shower wall, and I bury my hands in his hair, pulling his head up so I can kiss him. He grinds into me, and I moan, wrapping my legs around his hips. I suck his lip into my mouth, nipping at the soft skin. A growl tears from his throat, and he licks the seam of my lips while one hand moves between us, gliding against the seam of my center.

“I need you,” I breathe, moving my hips against his hand as he dips a finger inside me. It’s slow and torturous, perfect and terrible. “Gideon.” I bite my lip, leaning my head back against the wall and closing my eyes.

His fingers thrust inside me faster, and I move against his hand to keep rhythm, chasing the climax I’m climbing. My eyes snap open when he drops to his knees, hooking both my legs over his shoulders, his tongue joining his fingers in their assault.

I cry out when he presses his tongue against my clit, clamping my eyes shut as bursts of pressure explode against the backs of my eyelids. Licking up my center, his tongue draws quick circles around my clit before sucking it into his mouth. He adds another finger inside me, pumping in and out. His other hand grabs me from behind, gripping my ass and bringing me harder against him.

Pressure builds inside me, my breaths coming in fast pants. My hands stay buried in his hair, gripping onto the thick, black waves, and when he flicks his tongue against me, I peak and crumble, screaming his name as I explode around his fingers and mouth. He doesn’t miss a beat as he stands, one hand ripping his pants down in the same moment that the hand on my ass lifts me just high enough to allow him to bury inside me in one hard thrust.

“Scream it louder,” he growls against my lips, pulling almost all the way out to slam back in, sinking to his hilt. “Be my good little witch and scream my name so everyone can hear you.”

Lowering his head, he licks and nips his way along my jaw to my ear, sucking my lobe into his mouth. He reaches up to cup my breast, squeezing it in his hand as he licks across my collarbone. I drag my nails down his back, pulling him as close to me as physically possible. It’s been so long since I’ve touched him, held him in my arms, and my soul aches for him, the mate bond in my chest thrumming against my ribs.

He moans, and his rhythm quickens as he pumps into me, faster and faster, until we’re both reaching our climax, falling apart together. He rests his head in the crook of my neck,breathing heavily, as I lean my head back against the wall with my eyes closed and smile.

“Gods, you smell incredible,” he mutters. “I’ll never get enough of you.”

“Promise?” I whisper. He lifts his head, but I keep my eyes shut.

“Adara, look at me.” Cupping my cheek with one hand, he brushes his thumb over my lips. “Look at me.”

Biting my lip, I slowly look at him. His wet, inky hair is slicked back, mussed from running my hands through it, and his eyelashes look even darker, wet and dripping onto his flushed cheeks. The steel gray of his eyes makes me think of rain clouds, swallowing me whole.

“I will never have enough of you. I never expected to fall in love with you, to feel a burning desire to just be next to you coursing through my veins, capturing my every thought and keeping me awake at night, even when exhaustion pulls at my bones. It was never a thought in my mind that I’d love anyone like this after losing Ella, but I do.” His eyes bore into mine, dipping down to look at my lips. “Gods, I do.”

Tears prick at the corners of my eyes. “I love you too, Gideon. I’ll spend the rest of my life loving you into oblivion, even though I’ll never be able to make up for everything that’s happened to you because of me.”

“Darling, none of that was your fault.” He rubs his nose against my cheek. “The only thing I need from you is for you to stay by my side.”

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