Page 57 of Shackled to the World
Willa hesitated for a moment, glancing around at the many faces staring up at them, then shrugged. “That might be for the best.”
Loulou nodded proudly, herding the witch toward the door like she was her charge now. “You’re going to love staying with us.”
Willa cast a glance over her shoulder, her eyes wide, almost pleading, and Annora just smiled and gave a little wave with her fingers. The girl wouldn’t know what hit her. Smothering her laughter, she turned toward Camden, only to see him frowning at the smattering of wax that had splattered the front of her outfit.
She brushed off some of the dried flakes, then grimaced at the mess. “Can we stop by the bathroom?”
Indecision flickered across his face, then he heaved the put-upon sigh that guys gave when they’re stuck doing something for their girl just because they asked and moved aside for her to go first. He followed closely behind her, not leaving room for anyone else to slip between them.
Before she reached the door, he touched her arm, then opened it and peered inside to make sure it was empty. Only when he stepped back did he give her a nod to enter. Annora was baffled by all the precautions but didn’t protest.
If it made him feel better, who was she to judge?
But before the bathroom door could close behind her, his large presence followed her inside the room, securing the small space.
“What on earth do you think you’re doing?” She planted her hands on her hips, tightening her lips against saying more. She wasn’t sure if she was more annoyed or amused.
He gave her a hard look, then waved a hand at the two stalls in the room. “We shouldn’t linger.”
Knowing he wasn’t about to budge, she turned toward the sink and slipped her shirt off. She shook off as much of the stubborn wax that clung to the material as she could, but it did little good. She grabbed a few pieces of the cardboard towels that didn’t absorb shit, put in the bathrooms by some genius, and used it to scrape off the wax that dotted along her jeans.
It didn’t take long to get most of the crap scraped off. She slipped on her shirt, then turned toward Camden…only to see him frozen in place, devouring her with hungry eyes.
“Camden?” She took a hesitant step toward him and could swear he actually growled at her like a dog with a bone. Her feet froze to the floor, her hand halting halfway between them. She stilled at the fierce expression on his face, fascinated by the emotions he normally kept locked down tight.
Instead of backing away like she should, Annora stepped toward him until her palm came to rest against his chest. He inhaled deeply, then shook himself like he was coming out of a trance. The yearning and longing were still there but banked.
He leaned down and grabbed her jaw, lifting her face up to his. “You should never take your shirt off in front of anyone but us. Too many others would see it as an invitation.”
Then his fingers brushed along her jaw, making her skin tingle, and she licked her lips, suddenly craving the taste of him. The smell of exotic flowers and wildness clung to him, and she wanted to bask in the freedom of being close to him. “What if it was an invitation?”
His mouth slammed shut and a muscle ticked along his jaw. His eyes became fierce, narrowing dangerously, but it was the way his grip tightened on her face, the way his fingers trembled slightly, that gave away his need. Without giving him time to retreat, she stood on tiptoe and kissed him.
He stood frozen for all of a second before his control snapped.
His mouth opened over hers, and he devoured her, his lips and teeth demanding everything. The rest of the world vanished while he bit and nibbled at her lips, like he couldn’t seem to get enough.
His arms came up to wrap around her, pulling her closer, and he scooped her up off her feet. She wrapped her legs around his waist, and he gave a groan of approval, walking her backwards until her ass came to rest on the counter.
Then he leaned her back, his lips trailing down her jaw to nip along her neck. The scruff along his jaw scraped her skin, making her squirm as every nerve ending flared to life and begged for more. Annora couldn’t stop the way she arched into him, his every touch seemingly connected to her core, each brush of his lips sending her need ratcheting higher.
His hands slid under her shirt, barely trailing his palms over her skin, his touch reverent. Needing more, she tugged his shirt out of his pants, then nearly groaned when her fingers and then her palms encountered warm flesh. He was all muscle and heat wrapped up in a delicious package.
She could feel slight ridges under his skin as his beast rose to the surface, his black hair becoming iridescent. The need to taste him was like a craving. She shoved up his shirt and pushed him back, then set her lips and teeth to his chest. He cupped the back of her head, groaning as she nibbled at the delicious expanse of flesh.
His hip surged against her core, and it was her turn to moan. Then he trailed one finger down her spine, leaving shivers in its wake.
Until he got to the waistband of her pants.
He hesitated and pulled back from their kiss to stare down at her. Then his eyes dropped, and he traced the backs of his fingers along the patch of skin between the gap of her shirt and pants.
“Tell me to stop.” His tone was tortured, his eyes shooting up to hers, the longing and fear there nearly tearing her heart to pieces.
“Do you want to stop?” Because the gods knew she didn’t.
He swallowed hard, his eyes betraying his longing when they dropped to the button of her pants. Knowing he needed this almost as much as she did, needed to feel connected to another person, she reached down and unsnapped the button that had riveted his attention.
He didn’t seem to be breathing.
