Page 73 of Heart of a Witch
“Don’t you get tired?”
“Of what?” I asked.
“Of defending him?”
I lay my head back, watching the orange dance on the wall. It reminded me of the witch I’d watched burn when I was a boy. “Sometimes, yes.”
Twenty-One
Victoria
I trailed a fingernail along his chest through his chest hair and lifted my eyes to meet his icy blues. I could still feel the ache between my legs from the night before. I was grateful I’d remembered to take my special ointment this month, despite not expecting to have sex. I didn’t want any surprises, and it helped the monthly pains.
I couldn’t believe I’d fucked him. I knew eventually I’d have to, especially if I was going to earn his trust, but I’d enjoyed it… and the worst part was I wanted to do it again.
He was the son of the man who’d murdered my sister, he wore his face, and he was a human. Yet there I was, lying on him, wishing he’d kiss me again because despite all that, he wasn’t the worst. I thought about what he’d said last night, about his nanny. He didn’t condemn her even though his father had. That, coupled with the scars on his back and the rumors accompanying them, told me he’d had a bad run of things too.
He nudged my ear, then stroked my temple. “Morning.”
“Is it?” I asked, looking out at the gray sky. It was difficult to tell what time of day it was since we were under a constant cloud cover. “I should go to the shop.”
“You’re already late.” He nibbled on my neck and kissed the area when he was done. “Last night was amazing. I’ve never had anyone ride me like that.”
I’d never ridden anyone like that either, but I wasn’t going to tell him. “You weren’t too bad yourself.”
His fingers trailed down to my navel, feathering touches lower until wetness gathered. He lowered his mouth to my ear, sending a shockwave of pleasure down my spine. He pressed a finger against the top of my groin. “I want to taste you next time.”
My breath hitched. “Who says there will be a next time?” I asked all too unconvincingly.
He merely smirked in response.
I moved out from under his touch, unable to stop myself from wanting to climb on him again. “I really should bathe.”
He relented, lying back against the pillows. “I’d be happy to join you.”
I smirked. “I’m sure you would.”
“It must have been difficult, to have grown up with a priest for a dad,” I stated, desperate for a topic change.
He shrugged nonchalantly. No answer.
“I assume he wouldn’t approve of our activities last night.”
The corner of his lips curved, releasing me under his grip. “No, he wouldn’t. He thinks sexually wanting women are succubi in human form.”
I lifted an eyebrow, feigning confusion. “What’s that?”
A playful smirk played on his lips. “Female sex demons.” He trailed his finger up my neck to my hairline and tucked a lock of hair behind my ear. “You don’t need to worry about those. One wouldn’t dare come near this town. My father’s not just known for hunting witches, you know.”
“He hunts demons too,” I realized aloud.
He shrugged again. “They’re the same thing. Witches just hide their true natures better.”
Rage simmered under my cool exterior. “Supposedly.”
He shrugged.
I blew out a tense breath. “How does he hunt these succubi?”
