Page 35 of Hidden By the Gargoyle

I hated that I hadn’t been fully aware for our first kiss, but I was now. I felt the soft warmth of his lips and the rapid pounding of his heart.

I affected him just as deeply as he affected me. He was just better at hiding it.

Dax took a deep breath and pulled me closer, the hand at my back moving up through my hair to the base of my skull. His palm cradled my head, tilting it backward. His hand burned like a brand against my scalp, and I gasped at the sensation.

Then, I lost all ability to breathe because his tongue slid into my mouth, tangling with mine.

I didn’t remember moving my hands, but they were suddenly fisted in his short hair as he deepened the kiss.

Shocks of electricity arced through me, raising goosebumps on my skin, and pebbling my nipples.

This kiss was even better than I’d ever imagined it could be.

I turned into Dax, shifting restlessly on his lap. I wanted to touch him. Everywhere. Or for him to touch me. No, it was more than want. It was need. I needed his hands on me, just as I had earlier.

Before I could tear my lips from his to tell him what I needed, or beg for it, there was a knock on the door.

Then, the front door opened, and my aunt sauntered inside.

When she saw us on the couch, both gaping at her in astonishment, she beamed at us.

“Took you two long enough,” she said.

ChapterNine

Once Aunt Minnie arrived, Dax lifted me off his lap and gently set me on the couch. He mumbled something about checking the perimeter of the ward. Then, he disappeared outside.

Minerva sighed after he was gone, shaking her head. “His head’s a mess.”

His wasn’t the only one.

Between the kisses and how Dax went hot and then cold on me, my thoughts were a jumble.

Aunt Minnie turned toward me and really looked at me, then her eyes widened. She came over, her hands cupping my cheeks. She tilted my head back and from side to side.

“That’s some nasty spellwork,” she murmured.

She ran her thumbs over my eyebrows and whispered a few words, her voice too soft for me to hear them. My head began to clear.

Maybe the residual spell was what had clouded my mind.

I thought about the kisses I’d just shared with Dax and my thoughts grew clouded again. Nope, not entirely the spell.

“Why don’t you tell me what happened while I make you a cup of tea,” she suggested.

I scowled at her. “Magical tea like what you gave me yesterday orteatea?” I asked.

My aunt gave me an arch look. “Tea from Dax’s cabinet. Unless you want the tea I brought with me now?”

I shook my head. “Herbal tea will do just fine.”

Minerva snorted and continued into the kitchen.

I moved from the couch to the bar, settling on one of the stools. Then, I smelled the enchilada casserole. Before I could say anything, Minerva opened the oven, peered inside, and hummed.

“I think dinner is ready.”

She was probably right. I hadn’t had a chance to set the timer, but I wasn’t sure what time I’d been forced to leave the cabin.

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