Page 76 of Potions and Proposals
He shoved his hands in his pockets. “There is no way I’m convincing you to return, is there?”
“Not a chance, and I’m not a damsel in need of protection.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “If you do this, I do this.”
He brushed a fallen leaf from her hair. “Regardless of our binding, you’re still in line as the next Priestess by rites, and I can’t let anything happen to you.” He bit down on his lower lip, as though stopping himself from saying more.
Lucy stepped back into his reach, igniting a spark of uncertainty in his gaze.
“My life’s not worth more than yours,” she said softly, resting her hand over his heart.
“That’s where you’re wrong, pumpkin,” he murmured, so low she barely heard him. Suddenly, one of his hands was cradling her cheek, and butterflies filled her stomach. His gaze was intense as he brushed a thumb over her lips. “I never expected you to worry about me.”
Is it the spell making me feel like this?Lucy found she didn’t care.
He gave her a kiss so brief and gentle that it was like a whisper, leaving her craving more.
“Do I…” He rested his forehead against her. “Have permission?”
It was all moving so fast, and in the middle of the eastern woods was hardly the time and place, but there wasn’t an ounce of hesitation in her response. Rising on her tiptoes, Lucy boldly pressed her lips against his.
Benedict’s eyes went wide in surprise, but any shock was replaced with hunger as he slipped his hand into her hair. Her body melted into his. Magic was thick in the air; it felt like the forest came alive around them. He moved forward until she was flush between his hard body and a tree.
“So much better than the dream,” he breathed, and her heartbeat soared as he gripped her thighs.
“You dreamt of me?” Lucy asked, wrapping her legs around his waist and gripping his shoulders.
“Didn’t you?”
“Yes.” She clung to him, struggling to get out the words. “The dream felt so real.” She’d never done anything like this, especially anywhere that wasn’t private. “How can we know this is really happening?”
“It is now. I promise you this is real,” he said, peppering her face with kisses. She’d never seen this playful side of him. Happy, free, obsessed – and it was because of her.
Their kiss turned desperate, a hasty rush of lips, tongue and teeth, until she was breathless.Lost in the taste, the smell of him and the earthy forest.
His lips moved to her cheek, her neck, and Lucy used one hand to grip the bark behind her, needing some leverage as he ground his hips against her sensitive core. With so little separating them, she could feel how hard he was. There was something irresistible about him being obsessed with her, as much as she was obsessed with the hard ridges of his body, so perfectly moulded to hers it felt like they’d been doing this forever.
“Fuck, Lucinda!” Panic laced his words, and his grip on her tightened. Startled, Lucy opened her eyes, sure she would have marks on her thighs tomorrow.
A loud crack sounded, and Benedict yanked her away from the tree. They dropped to the soil with a thud. Lying on the ground by his side, she frowned at the loss of contact. However, her disappointment was short-lived when she stared up at the burning tree.
“Shit!” She covered her mouth with her hands, embarrassed and afraid of what she’d done in the heat of the moment. “It was an accident.” Her mind, clouded with lust and fear, only fanned the flames.
“How can I stop it?” Benedict asked gently, distracting her.
Taking a steadying breath, she took his hand and placed his palm on the soil between them amongst the falling charred leaves.
“Feel the flow from the earth into you. Don’t try to force it,” she said calmly, trying not to think of what might happen if the fire spread.
The worry subsided when the first droplets hit her skin. Her hand still rested over his as they watched the rain fall, the flames subside, and the smoke clear.
Safely back in his bathroom at Matherson Manor, Benedict let Lucinda sit him on the edge of the tub. She arched a brow at him, daring him to defy her, but he had no interest in doing so. For a moment, it was too quiet. When she licked her lips, studying his injured cheek, it took everything he had not to grab the back of her neck and bring her lips to his.
“Where do you keep your first aid stuff?” Lucinda asked, all business, as though they hadn’t almost lost complete control of themselves in the woods. Her hair, loose in big curls and falling over her shoulders, was evidence of that.
“Behind the mirror,” Benedict said, trying not to focus on the bare skin exposed by her tiny sweater riding up when she reached the top shelf.
He reminded himself he was supposed to be annoyed at her for stopping him from confronting the wolves. He’d wanted totear off the furry heads of those who’d hurt the staff, but the thought of endangering Lucinda was unthinkable. He wasn’t sure there would be a pack left if they dared to look at her the way they had at him in the lobby. The thought of them laying a claw on her soft skin—
He spotted a few freckles on her back and cleared his throat, trying not to think about wanting to find and taste every single freckle on her body.
