Page 73 of Woven Souls

My lips lightly brush against hers before I really claim them. My pulse races as I catch the hint of sweet maple syrup from this morning’s breakfast. Willow tenses in surprise for just a moment before leaning into me. Her hands cup my face, and she slips her tongue into my mouth. I pull her close so that her soft body molds into mine.

At Willow’s soft moan, my dick springs to life.

Images flicker through my head of all the ways I want to take this woman. Alas, we don’t have time this morning. I groan as I pull away. Willow’s eyes flutter open as a smile pulls her mouth wide.

“I’ll admit, that was really smooth, Viktor.” She chuckles as she takes a step back, reaching for the large cooler.

I beat her to it. Grabbing the heavy bag, I consider her words. Smooth? I don’t know if I would describe myself in that way, but if she thinks so… Shaking my head, I try hard not to give her a goofy grin like Jonah would.

Clearing my throat, I turn and head towards the front of the house. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”

* * *

Five days into traveling,and I’m already exhausted.

Fighting off demons day and night is taking its toll on us. Especially after staying at the Windom Estate, where we only encountered trouble when we left the house. During the day, Willow keeps the creatures at bay, sending them back to the Realm of the Dead or destroying them with her unusual gift of ghostly fire.

At night, we let her sleep while the four of us rotate in sets of two, either getting sleep or keeping an eye out for trouble. As uncomfortable as it is, we stay at seedier places where there are fewer patrons to notice any havoc. But that means hard beds, dirty floors, and even filthier facilities. It’s a small blessing that most of the time we’re too exhausted to worry about the conditions.

Tonight, my body is sore. Fatigue makes my limbs feel heavy. For the past hour, I’ve been standing in front of the door to our shared motel room, listening to Theo and Kwil whistle to one another. Each whistle has its own meaning. Trouble, the enemy is dead, multiple threats, the coast is clear… I know them all. It’s how we communicated in the Third Realm. Tonight, there has only been one whistle of warning. The other whistles are Theodon and Kwil giving updates on where they are.

I stand there with my eyes closed, listening to their movements in the field and trees. They are about a mile out in two different directions, but when I focus, that distance almost doesn’t seem to matter. I should have been sharpening this skill long before Willow brought it up.Of coursemy other senses would work harder to compensate for my lack of sight.

When I get the alert that everything has settled down, I slip back into our room. Willow is sound asleep on the bed. Jonah is sleeping in the dirty armchair by the window. Usually he wraps himself around Willow, using her as his lifeline. Tonight, I have no doubt, due to the increase of attacks, he’s been watching and listening for trouble, too.

My plan was to slip into the bed next to Willow and fall asleep. I manage to strip off my clothes so that I’m down to boxers.

But that’s as far as I get.

Now, I’m sitting on the edge of the bed staring at the blank television screen feeling… off-balance and uneasy. It has nothing to do with the immediate situation and everything to do with where we’re headed. I know that. But knowing it doesn’t change anything. I’ve been trying hard not to think about who we could run into when we arrive in Everlast or how I’ll feel about it. But still, the thoughts creep in unannounced, keeping me awake.

A soft sigh drags me out of my thoughts.

“Viktor?” Willow’s voice is thick with sleep. “Is everything alright?”

Without looking at her, I nod. “Everything’s fine. Go back to sleep.”

She lets out another soft sigh and the mattress moves underneath me as she gets comfortable. Or so I thought. Suddenly, her arms wrap around my neck, surprising me. Unused to contact of any kind, I tense. But it doesn’t deter Willow. Her cheek rests on my shoulder as her body presses against my back. Wrapped in her warm embrace, the tension in my body deflates. With it goes the darker thoughts and uneasiness.

How can something as simple as a hug bring so much comfort?

“You should get some sleep, too.” Her breath hits my neck and sends shivers down my spine.

She lifts her head off my shoulder so her lips can skim up my neck before planting a feather-light kiss along my jawline. Then another just next to it. And then a third. When she pulls her lips away, my erection is already straining against my boxers.

“Come to bed, Viktor.”

The husky tone in her voice is a siren’s call. My hand reaches up, and I wrap my fingers around one of her wrists dangling in front of me.

“How am I supposed to sleep when you’re teasing me?”

Her teeth, dull human ones, nip at my earlobe. I can’t suppress my shiver.

“Did I say ‘sleep?’ I meant, ‘come ravish me.’” Her sultry purr destroys any sense of hesitancy keeping me in place.

Turning in her arms, I grab her face with my hand and seal our lips together. Without breaking our kiss, I lean her back so I’m on top of her. Willow’s legs hook around my waist and pull me closer. She’s wearing those flimsy pajama shorts again. Really? What’s the point of these ridiculous things? I could tear through them with just my teeth. Her core is blazing hot as she rubs against my erection.

That may have sufficed the first time, but not for this go around.

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