Burned

by Kensie King

  I nodded. Words felt like glue in my mouth. I was tired but sated. And immensely relieved.

  “You sure?” He ran one finger down my cheek.

  I looked over at him. “Yes. I didn’t think I could do it.”

  “You did. And it was pretty amazing.”

  My eyes locked on his. “I didn’t hurt you.”

  “No, but it’s going to kill me if we don’t do that again soon. And with our connection, the whole experience…”

  I forgot about that. Not only was he feeling what was going through his body, but he was feeling what was going through mine. “I was thinking of making that a daily occurrence.”

  “I have no arguments.”

  His hand moved over my stomach, making me shiver.

  “Thank you,” I told him.

  “What for?”

  “For being patient with me.”

  His lips curved in a lazy smile. “It was worth it.”

  His fingers moved even lower, brushing my cock. It twitched against his hand.

  My voice grew serious. “Will you stay here tonight?”

  “Of course I will.”

  I smiled at him, then turned on my side. He wrapped his arm around me and tucked me close to his body. I fell asleep like that, safe and happy, probably for the first time since I’d gotten to Knob Creek.

  CHAPTER 22

  That feeling of safety was impossible to hold onto the next day when I walked into the kitchen and found Dylan doubled over.

  I crouched next to him. “What’s wrong?”

  “You need to...go,” he said through gritted teeth. He held out his arm to warm me off. “Just go.”

  “What’s happening?”

  “I’m shifting,” he gasped.

  I jumped to my feet. “I’ll call Grace or—”

  “No. Just get out.” He hitched a sharp breath. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  I reached out to touch his back but then his ribs moved. “Oh, God. Dylan—”

  “Dammit, Link.” He struggled to his feet, bracing his hand on the counter. His face twisted in pain, then he darted for the back door. He yanked it open and yelled back, “Don’t follow me.”

  He ran outside and raced across the yard to the old shed, then vanished. My feet were rooted to the floor, shock and compassion circuiting through my body. I wanted to follow him to make sure he was okay, but I knew he didn’t want me to see this. If I didn’t do what he asked, he wouldn’t trust me after this.

  I yanked my phone from my pocket and called Grace.

  She answered with a sultry voice. “Hey there, you sexy witch.”

  “Something’s wrong with Dylan.”

  She went serious immediately. “What happened?”

  “He was in the kitchen, on the ground. He said he was shifting—and it looked like he was in pain—”

  “Okay, hold on,” she said, sounding much calmer than I felt. “We knew this was going to happen.”

  “Did we?”

  “Yes.” I heard the sound of pages in the background like she was reading a book.

  “He told me to stay in here. He didn’t want me to see him.” I still walked to the window and peered outside.

  “He hates shifting and he’s been avoiding this his whole life,” she told me. “His dad was a shifter and it was a problem for his mom. Dylan’s father wanted the curse to end so he could shift whenever he felt like it. But we know that’s not a good thing.”

  No wonder this was so hard for Dylan. “Has he ever done it before? Shifted?”

  “Once or twice. He said it hurt like hell.”

  I winced. Fuck. I didn’t want Dylan to be in pain. I opened the back door this time and looked around.

  “Don’t worry,” Grace said. “It gets easier the more he does it. It’s just that Dylan doesn’t want to do it. Fighting it only makes it worse.”

  “Should I do anything?”

  She sighed. “Just give him space. Hopefully he’ll change back soon.”

  I frowned. It didn’t sound like the way to help him, but I guess it was going to have to do. I could understand why Dylan didn’t want me to see him, but it wasn’t like I was going to judge him. Especially after last night. We’d formed a sort of bond and I felt closer to him than ever.

  “Hey,” Grace said. “Let’s get together and make a plan for tomorrow.”

  My stomach twisted. Tomorrow. Then Gage would expect me to start working with him again. “Okay. I’ll wait here for a while and see if Dylan comes back first.”

  She agreed and then ended the call. I shoved my phone back in my pocket, then froze when I saw movement by the shed. Something paused there and sat down to stare at me. It was a fox.

  I lower my voice and whispered, “Dylan?”

  The fox ran behind the shed again, disappointing me. I was okay if it was Dylan—it was actually fascinating. But not if he didn’t want me to see him.

  I really needed more information about shapeshifters and how that worked.

  I started a pot of coffee and stepped into the shower. The water was warm, and I closed my eyes, thinking about last night and Dylan’s strong hands.

  It only made me forget about tomorrow for a few minutes, then worry crept in again. I still had no idea what to do. Even if I knew how to end the spell, that didn’t mean I wanted to. Not when it would put so many people in danger.

  But I had to do something.

  I heard a noise outside the door and my eyes whipped open.

  Dylan appeared there, completely naked. “Can I join you?”

  “Of course.”

  His lips curved when I reached out and tugged him inside. He closed the door behind him and put his arms around me.

  I clung to him, feeling bad for what he’d just had to go through. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine.”

  I tried to ease back to see his face, but he held me tighter, sliding his hands down my body to grab my ass. “I want to help.”

  He cupped my face in his hands. “You can help me by distracting me. Just this once.”

  I nodded and touched his cheek, running my fingers on the rough stubble there. Then I slid my tongue along his lips and heard him groan. He opened for me and I kissed him deeply, feeling a shudder run through his body.

  I moved my hands down between us and gripped him, holding his thick shaft in my hands. He groaned again and his eyes came open when I got to my knees in front of him.

  The flames were low, almost an afterthought inside of me. I was used to them being there, but they stayed calm.

  “Link,” he said, voice hoarse.

  I cupped his balls and met his eyes. “It’s okay. Just forget about it—all of it. Let me do this for you.”

  He shut his eyes again and braced one hand against the tiles of the shower wall when I closed my mouth over the head of his cock. I sucked him inside, taking him all the way to the back of my throat.

  I worked my mouth back and forth as he rocked his hips against me, taking comfort in the oncoming release. I sucked harder and worked one of my hands on his shaft at the same time. His free hand came down to grip my hair.

  “Fuck, that feels good,” he hissed.

  I might not be able to be there for him when he was shifting but I could do this for him. After all, he’d been patient with me, and understanding.

  I moved faster and felt a thrill race through me when his breathing picked up.

  “Link—fuck.” His body shuddered again. “I’m going to come.”

  He yanked me to my feet and held me tight against his chest as his exploded. His heart hammered against mine as his body shook. I felt his release against me, cum sliding down my stomach and legs.

  “Thank you,” Dylan said, voice still hoarse.

  I nodded.

  He kissed me on the lips. “I didn’t want you to see me like that.”

  “I get it.”

  “Do you?”

  I met his eyes. “Yes, I do. Because I’ve been there, too. I stopped mys
elf from being with anyone because of the fire. But then I trusted you and you helped me. I want you to trust me, too.”

  He kissed me again. “I do. I just need time.”

  I nodded again, even though I didn’t have time. Not with Gage’s schedule looming over me.

  “Next time,” Dylan murmured, sliding his hands down my body. “It’s my turn to distract you.”

  Desire skimmed through my veins. I turned and forgot about Gage, the fox, all of it, as I lost myself in Dylan’s kiss.

  #

  Grace lifted a list she’d made before we got to the library and read, “A protection spell.”

  Dylan’s arms were folded as he stared out the window at the library. I was worried about him. He’d been quiet—more quiet than usual—after we left the house.

  I tried to focus. “Protection for what?” I asked Grace.

  “For you. Preferably something that can follow you everywhere but definitely something for your house.”

  “He already can’t come in. And I still can’t stay in my house forever. The instant I step out that door, he’ll be there—and he’s not going to be happy.”

  Dylan finally turned back to us, his eyes dark and frustrated. “Then a spell for you. Something like your necklace, but stronger.”

  I glanced to the Book of Shadows. There were protection spells in there, but most of them were temporary. The strongest thing I’d found so far was amethyst. “So if I just cover myself in crystals, I’ll be good to go.”

  Dylan frowned.

  I sighed. “Come on. I’m just trying to figure this out.”

  He faced the window again. “I’m bad company today.”

  Grace pulled off her glasses. “Then go.” When he glanced back sharply, she nodded. “Seriously. Go get some work done, distract yourself or exhaust yourself—whatever—and then meet us for lunch. We can tell you our plan then.”

  I glanced at her, lifting my eyebrows. “We don’t have a plan.”

  “We will.”

  I walked to Dylan and he nodded. “All right. I should go to the site for a bit.”

  “I’ll walk you out.”

  I followed him through the front door and into the sunshine. His whole body was tense as he looked over each side of the street.

  “Do you see something?”

  He returned his gaze to mine. “No.”

  “It’s it Gage?” I asked, gritting my teeth. He better not be here. I still had one more day.

  “No.” Dylan cupped my cheeks in his hands, fully focused on me now. “It’s fine. Link, really. I was just making sure I didn’t see anything.”

  “Anything like what?”

  His hands lowered to my shoulders. “I saw a fox in your backyard. That’s what triggered the shift. I couldn’t stop it.”

  “Oh. I’m sorry—I didn’t know it happened that easily.”

  His jaw flexed. “It shouldn’t. But it’s hard for me to stop it—I never thought I’d have to get used to it.”

  My heart ached because it was all my fault. He wouldn’t be dealing with this if I hadn’t come to Knob Creek. Or if I’d left in the first place.

  “Don’t think that,” Dylan whispered.

  I frowned. “How do you know what I’m thinking?”

  “I can tell what you’re feeling, remember? Guilt. I can feel it too—and don’t think that. It’s not your fault.”

  I forced a nod, which just made him sigh. He brushed his lips on mine. “I’ll stay for now. I can go to the site later.”

  Over his shoulder, I spotted someone walking across the street. Fuck. It was Gage. I swallowed and shook my head. “No.” I smiled at Dylan. “It’s good. Get some work done. We’ll stay here and plan and then I think we’ll all feel better later.”

  He glanced over his shoulder, but Gage had vanished. “You sure?”

  “Yes.” I stepped back. “Go.”

  “Be safe,” he said. “And please don’t plan anything that means you getting hurt.”

  I smirked. “If you say so.”

  He grabbed my arm before I could turn and then pulled me against him. He pressed one hand flat on my back to hold me close, his fingers warm through my T-shirt. His breath mingled with mine when he leaned in, and his free hand caressed my cheekbone.

  “I don’t want anything to happen to you,” he said quietly against my ear.

  “It won’t.”

  His lips brushed mine, a short tease that had me growing hard in my jeans. I pushed closer and fused my mouth to his, not caring who saw us. This wasn’t the time to hold back. We had no idea what we were facing in the days ahead and I wanted to draw every ounce of pleasure life had to offer for now.

  When Dylan finally stepped back, he looked less tense. “Just a few hours,” he reminded me before stepping off the walk and getting in his truck.

  Once he’d pulled away, I took a deep breath and squeezed my hand around the medallion of the necklace.

  I had chills all over my body, but it had nothing to do with Dylan’s kisses. “I know you’re there,” I said loud enough he could hear me.

  Gage strolled around the side of the building with his hands in his pockets. I had no clue how he got over to me so fast, but he was right here, close enough I could reach out and touch him.

  He smiled, though there was a clear edge to it. “You’re getting very friendly with the shifter.”

  My jaw clenched tight. I fought the urge to say something sarcastic. It wasn’t going to help the situation.

  “I remember a few days ago you were getting friendly with me,” Gage murmured. He took another step closer, and I swore I could feel the heat from his body. “I noticed that you didn’t set him on fire, though.”

  “He isn’t using me.”

  Gage’s lips quirked. “Is that all? Something that simple and you fall for him?”

  “That’s not—” I broke off and forced myself to stop talking again. It wasn’t my job to explain myself to Gage.

  It wasn’t just that Dylan wasn’t using me, it was that he respected me. He let me make my own choices and didn’t try to influence me to do what he wanted.

  “What?” Gage asked when I didn’t continue.

  I refused to say anything. He clearly wasn’t going to get it.

  “Have dinner with me,” Gage said abruptly.

  I blinked. “What?”

  He leaned against the building just inches from where I stood. “I want you to come to my house for dinner. We can talk without anyone else. Without you thinking I expect anything. I want to talk, and it will give me a chance to explain some things.”

  “Are you fucking serious?” Who was this man? How in the world did he think I’d just forget what he had done and have dinner with him?

  “Don’t I look serious?” he asked.

  He did. He looked serious and dangerous, which was exactly why I shouldn’t be having dinner with him or being anywhere near him. Especially in his house.

  I shook my head. “I’m not going to your house again.”

  I turned to go back into the library, but he was so fast. He was in front of me and blocking my path in the blink of an eye. “Please,” he said.

  It made me hesitate. Just slightly. Because he said it without any hint of guile.

  But it still didn’t matter in the long run. “It doesn’t matter what things you think you can explain. Nothing you say is going to make it right for me to do the spell.”

  In an instant, his eyes darkened. “Be smart about this, Link. I’m giving you a chance here, a way to make it simpler on both sides. And less dangerous.”

  I lifted my chin. “I’ll take my chances.”

  Making sure he had clear sight of the necklace, I eased around him and entered the library.

  CHAPTER 23

  “I’m still not sure about this.”

  I gave Dylan the same look I had been giving him since yesterday morning. The one that said, We don’t have a choice.

  It was true. We didn’t. Gage gave me time l
imit, and I doubted he wanted to extend it. Part of me wondered if things would be different if I had taken him up on the offer to go to dinner at his house. Maybe I could have reasoned with him. Maybe I would have understood better where he was coming from.

  But reasoning with Gage hadn’t ever worked in the past.

  I opened my satchel and shoved my Book of Shadows inside, along with my phone and house keys. Then I added the plastic bag of vervain Grace handed me.

  “All I have to do is put it in his drink?” I asked her.

  Grace nodded. “That’s what the spell book said. Just make sure he drinks his drink.”

  Dylan folded his arms. “What if he doesn’t?”

  It was a good question. I studied Dylan’s face. He wasn’t trying to be contrary, but it felt that way. I could tell he was still tense. He hadn’t shifted since yesterday but worrying about that along with Gage was taking his toll. I was glad to have last night with him to try to distract him.

  And now, today, I was supposed to try to trick Gage.

  We had to somehow get him weak enough to trap him, and supposedly vervain would do the trick.

  “I’ll try to get him comfortable and talking about the spell. That way he thinks he can trust me.”

  Dylan frowned. “I’m going to kick myself for saying this, but he’s not an idiot.”

  “I can be convincing,” I reminded him.

  “Why don’t we just bring a wooden stake and attack him?”

  I swallowed hard. That sounded horrible. “I don’t think I could just kill him. I just—I want him locked up so we can figure out a solution. If we have more time, maybe we can figure out something…less violent…to do.”

  Dylan blew out a breath and then checked his watch. “All right. When are we going to do this?”

  “Soon,” I said. “Probably right now—before he comes here. Or does something worse.”

  “You’re protected,” Grace reminded me. “You drank vervain and you have the medallion with the amethyst in it—and we did the spell. He can’t hurt you. We just need to get him weaker.”

  I nodded. Then, with a shrug, I turned to the door. It was now or never.

  Dylan followed me. “Are you sure you don’t want me to drive you?”