Page 35 of With This Witch
He sees her soul practically deflate as she talks. It’s hard, he knows. And he imagines it is even harder when it’s her last connection to her family as she knows it. The desire to go and hold her as he sees her shoulders slump is almost too much. But he needs to keep his distance or risk scaring her away. Little touches here and there have been okay. They’ve been friendly. He’s not sure how she will react if he attempts something more intimate than a consoling hug. “She is a tough witch, and I can understand not wanting to show weakness, especially with Grog already looming over you. She likely doesn’t want to give him any more power.”
“Yeah,” she agrees weakly.
Shit. Why did he even bring this up? Now he’s ruined this night by trying to talk about something upsetting. He’s such a fuckhead. “I’m sorry for bringing it up.”
She sniffles softly. “No, no, it’s okay. Maybe if I mention to her that others are noticing she will actually open up.”
“Worth a shot,” he replies.
“Anyway! Let’s go watch some pirates!” she says, trying to sound excited. He’ll go along with whatever makes her happy.
He follows Petra into the living room. She’s chosenHook,the Robin Williams classic, as their movie for tonight, which, in his opinion, is one of the best films ever made. With the arrival of winter and snow, they have spent many nights doing exactly this. They take turns choosing which film to watch, and Lachlan makes sure to have popcorn and M&Ms on hand for Petra’s perfect sweet-and-salty treat.
Even though Petra finds a way to snuggle into him during their movie nights, she has maintained the friendship boundary line, never venturing further than a friendly cuddle.
He’s caught her on more than one occasion, conveniently walking by the home gym and watching him as he works out. (He maybe makes sure to grunt louder and flex harder when she does.) He sees the heat in her eyes when she looks at him and the lingering looks. She keeps saying they’re just friends, but he can only hope that she might want something else one day. Every time her voice turns breathy or her eyes flare with desire, his dick twitches, wanting to make his and her thoughts a reality.
As they reach one of the best points in the movie, a part that terrified Lachlan as a child, where Captain Hook punishes one of his crew by placing them in the boo-box, he notices Petra has run out of her popcorn and candy mix. Pausing the movie so he doesn’t miss it, he jogs to the kitchen, refilling her bowl and his drink. When he sits back down, Petra lays her feet on his lap and spreads a blanket over the top, assuming her standard position. He hands the bowl back to Petra, and she immediately digs in her hand to gather another clump of salty-chocolatey goodness. Lachlan catches the adorable, happy humming noises as she eats, and his face heats, wondering what else would make her hum.
“Did you know that’s Glenn Close as the pirate who gets put in the boo-box?” she tells him.
He banishes those thoughts aside so he can banter with her. “What? No! There’s no way that’s Glenn Close.”
“It is,” she reiterates, rewinding and pausing on the close-up of the pirate’s face. “Look! If you remove the beard, you can see that’s her!”
Lachlan leans forward to get a closer look, and sure enough, he sees it. “Damn. I’ve never noticed. Now I have to wonder who else is hidden throughout.”
“You really shouldn’t question my movie knowledge,” she says as she stuffs another handful of popcorn into her mouth, dropping an M&M. Lachlan’s eyes follow it as it rolls down her chin and under her shirt. “Witches’ tits!” she exclaims, pushing herself upright, bringing her body closer to him as she tries to fish out the rogue candy.
Spotting the candy as it rolls out from the bottom of her shirt, landing beside her hip and in perilous danger of falling between the back of the cushion and the couch, he leans toward her, reaching for it. She turns, trying to locate the wayward treat, putting her face and her perfect, plump lips inches from his. She spots the M&M and picks it up, turning her head to face him, and her eyes widen briefly in surprise to find him so close before softening at his heated gaze. He catches her eyes drop to his mouth. Unconsciously, he licks his lips. She bites the corner of hers.
“Sorry, I was trying to get the runaway chocolate,” he says, moving to lean back.
“Don’t.”
“Don’t what?”
“Don’t move,” she says, her voice low and breathy.
Lachlan freezes. A curious smile breaks across his lips as she continues to take him in. Her hand reaches out and brushes his loose, shoulder-length hair out of his face, tucking it behind his ear. He leans toward her touch, and she rubs a thumb against his cheek. Her eyes dip down to his lips again as she licks her own. She leans forward, bringing her face close to his. Too close.
He feels her breath on his skin as she hesitates. The warmth from her breath and the anticipation of what he hopes is to come sends goosebumps racing over his body. Alarm bells start to sound in his head, warning him of a line about to be crossed. Fuck it, she’s worth breaking the rules.
“Lach…”
“Hmmm?”
“Kiss me.”
That is all the direction he needs. His eyes flare with desire as he scoops her into his lap to straddle him. She gives out a surprised squeak as she lands. One hand stays on her hip as the other roams her body, finally landing to cup the back of her neck and pull her down to him so he can place his lips on hers. As their lips meet, his world tips on its axis. Everything he has wanted slides into place.
Is he just some way for her to distract herself? Likely. But he’ll take anything from her.
Cautiously at first, not wanting to scare her away, his lips find hers. He forces himself to take it slow. His hands slide down her back and settle on her luscious ass. He has longed to sink his fingers into it, and maybe his teeth too. Resisting the urge to latch on, he gently squeezes her tender flesh.
She leans into him and places her hands on either side of his head. Her lips part, opening her up as her tongue comes forward to tangle with his. She tastes sweet, like the lingering chocolate, and it spins his head with depraved thoughts.
He takes the invitation as she parts her lips further. The kiss turns hungry, a mix of tongues and lips. Nibbles at her bottom lip elicited a small whimper from Petra. What he wouldn’t give to hear that sound and any others she makes as he brings her to the brink.
