Page 76 of The Warlock's Kiss

Adalynn’s coy smile certainly wasn’t making it easy for him to resist.

He drew in a slow, steadying breath. He’d spent a thousand years in control; he would not let that self-discipline falter now. “Would it not be more prudent for me to maintain vigil while the two of you enjoy yourselves?”

“I didn’t realize you were such a prude,” Danny said.

Adalynn burst out laughing.

Merrick parted his lips to run his tongue across the upper one. “A prude? Now who’s talking like an old man,dude?”

“Learned that from Addy’s romance book.” Danny winked and smirked. “You sound a lot like the guy with the big—”

A wave of water hit Danny in the face, causing him to cough and sputter.

“Danny!” Adalynn admonished, a hint of embarrassment in her eyes.

Danny laughed. “Okay! Jeez. Just saying.”

Scowling, Merrick lifted his hands and unbuttoned his vest. “I can assure you, Daniel, that your sister has no need of any romanticfantasyany longer.”

“Oh, that’sgross.” Danny shuddered and gagged. “I don’t need to picture that!”

“No, youreallydon’t,” Adalynn said, but her eyes were fixated on Merrick.

Merrick dropped the vest onto the dock and untucked his shirt, unfastening its buttons with a deliberate appearance of forcefulness now that she was watching. “Anything inappropriate inyourimagination is a result of your own tainted mind, boy. There’s nothinggrossabout my relationship with Adalynn.”

“No, it’s just that she’s mysister.” Danny shuddered again and ducked under the water, swimming away.

Once his shirt was off, Merrick divested himself of his shoes, socks, and pants, leaving his clothing in a pile. Standing only in his boxers, he took a moment to steel himself and focus on the feel of the warm air against his bare skin, on the scent of vegetation and fresh water drifting around him, on the bird songs sounding from the trees—onanythingbut Adalynn’s coy smile and her current state of undress. It was hard for Merrick to maintain his composure while she was staring at him so intently, and Danny reallydidn’tneed to see anything inappropriate.

Merrick tipped his head back and scanned the lovely blue of the sky and the soft white tufts of cloud dotting it. These dying days of summer would mark the end of an era for him, and would stand out as unique in his long, long life, no matter what happened before the next summer arrived.

Adalynn chuckled softly, and Merrick knew the reason for it. She knew her effect on him, knew how hard it was for him to resist, and he would make sure she paid for it later.

Fortunately for her, she’d enjoy the price he would exact.

He stepped off the dock and plunged into the water.

The initial chill was exhilarating, rousing him to move his body to combat it. He swung his arms and kicked his legs to tread water—the lake reached a surprising depth near the end of the dock—and filled his lungs with fresh air once he broke the surface. It feltgood. How had he let himself forget this?

Merrick turned his head toward Adalynn to find her already approaching him. With a smirk, he swam to meet her. Once she was within reach, he looped his arm around her waist and drew her against him.

She wrapped her arms and legs around him instantly, her gaze locking with his. Droplets of water shimmered on her eyelashes, hair, and skin, and desire burned in her eyes. Merrick groaned at her heat, the softness of her body, the slide of her limbs. His struggles a few moments earlier had done nothing to prepare him for this all-out war against his yearning; it took everything in him to keep from taking her right then.

“So, what’s thisromancebook your brother spoke of?” he asked.

“What doyouthink it is? I think it’s pretty self-explanatory.”

“I’ve never been jealous of a book before. I think you’ll need to dispose of it.”

She chuckled and leaned her face closer, brushing the tip of her nose against his. “You don’t need to be jealous. I have my very own hero right here. And”—she slipped one of her hands between their bodies and grasped his cock—“he’squitewell endowed.”

Despite releasing another groan, despite the intensifying ache deep in his belly, despite the delectable torture of her touch, Merrick grinned. “Is that all you want me for, Adalynn?”

“No.” She released his shaft and pecked a quick kiss on his lips. “Though I am craving it something fierce right now. However”—she let go of him completely and pushed herself away from him—“now is not the time.” She grinned cheekily, turned, and swam.

“I’m going to remind you of all the torture you’ve put me through tonight,” Merrick said as he swam after her. “You’ll be begging for release long before I’m through.”

“I’m looking forward to it,” she called behind her, laughing.

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