Page 40 of Captivated
Time passed. Minutes, hours, it didn’t concern him. All he knew was that she was as soft as a wish beneath him, her body relaxed but still curled into his. Nash thought it would be delightful for them to stay just like this untilsunrise.
Then he thought, more practically, that he would probably end up smothering her.
When he started to shift, Morgana clamped herself around him like a vise. “Uh-uh,” she said sleepily.
Since she insisted, he thought he might as well nibble on her neck. “I may be on the thin side, but I’d guess I have you by a good sixty pounds. Besides, I want to look at you.”
He levered himself onto his elbows and pleased himself.
Her hair was spread out like tangled black silk on the white cloth. There were flowers caught in it, making him think of gypsies and faeries. And witches.
He let out a long, labored breath. “What happens when a mortal makes love to a witch?”
She had to smile, and did so slowly, sinuously. “Did you happen to notice the gargoyles on the tower of the house?” Nash’s mouth opened, then closed again. Morgana let out a long, rich laugh as her fingers danced down his spine. “I love it when you’re gullible.”
He was feeling entirely too good to be annoyed. Instead, he played with her hair. “It seemed like a reasonable question. I mean, you are... I know you are. But it’s still tough to swallow. Even after what I saw tonight.” His eyes came back to hers. “I watched you.”
She traced his lips with a fingertip. “I know.”
“I’ve never seen anything more beautiful. You, the light. The music.” His brows came together. “There was music.”
“For those who know how to hear it. For those who are meant to hear it.”
It wasn’t so hard to accept, after everything else. “What are you doing here? It looked like some kind of ceremony.”
“Tonight’s the spring equinox. A magic night. What happened here, with us, was magic, too.”
Because he couldn’t resist, he kissed her shoulder. “It sounds like a tired line, but it’s never been like this for me before. With anyone.”
“No.” She smiled again. “Not with anyone.” Her pulse leapt as she felt him harden inside her. “Again,” shemurmured when his lips lowered to hers.
***
The night moved toward morning before they dressed. As Nash pulled on his sweatshirt, he watched Morgana gathering up the crushed and broken flowers.
“I guess we did them in. I’ll have to steal you some more.”
Smiling, she cradled them in her arms. “These will do nicely,” she said. Nash’s eyes widened when he sawthat the flowers she held were now as full and fresh as when he had first picked them.
He passed a hand through his hair. “I don’t think I’m going to get used to that anytime soon.”
She merely placed them in his hands. “Hold them for me. I have to remove the circle.” She gestured, and the candle flames died. As she took them from the ground, she chanted quietly.
“The circle cast in the moon’s light is lifted now by my right. The work is done, with harm to none. With love and thanks I set thee free. As I will, so mote it be.”
She set the last candle in the basket, then lifted the cloth. When it was folded, she put it away.
“That’s, ah... all there is to it?”
She picked up the basket and turned to him. “Things are usually more simple than we believe.” Morgana offered a hand, pleased when he curled his fingers around hers. “And, in the spirit of that simplicity, will you share my bed for what’s left of the night?”
He brought their joined hands to his lips and gave her a simple answer. “Yes.”
***
She couldn’t get enough of him, Nash thought dreamily. During the night, they had turned to each other againand again. Drifting off to sleep, drifting into love while the moonlight faded. And now, when the sun was a pale red glow behind his closed lids, she was nuzzling his ear.
He smiled, murmuring to her as he let himself float toward wakefulness. Her head was a warm, welcome weight on his chest. The way she was tickling and teasing his ear told him she would not object to some lazy morning loving. More than willing to oblige her, he lifted a hand to stroke her hair. His hand stopped in midair.
