Sassy Ever After: A Witchingly Sassy Seduction (Kindle Worlds Novella)

by Mychal Daniels

She nodded. He kissed her forehead and hugged her tight. When he released her to look back into her eyes, she couldn’t contain herself any longer.

  Celia blurted out, “I’m from Chicago and am on the run from a powerful so-called witch named Deidra Amos. She and her coven have been hunting me since I exposed some of their shadier dealings. I did it when she tried to shame my mother and aunts into saying she was the strongest witch around. I don’t believe any of them are witches, but this hurt my mother and aunts, so I used what I knew to expose her.” Celia was forced to pause to take in a fresh breath.

  “Is that all?” he asked, calm as the day was long.

  “Actually no. I really messed it up for my family. I just couldn’t let well enough alone. I had to have her medical records hacked and proved that she’s got a STD. The one that’s not HIV but stays with you for the rest of your life. She was publicly humiliated by this.”

  “How so? What did you do?”

  “I sort of posted it on the screens at the neighborhood bar.”

  “Eww, that had to hurt.”

  “Yeah, guys started coming out of the woodwork saying they were going to sue her, if they had contracted what she had. It was a big mess and she stopped coming around. I got what I wanted—for her to stop coming around, but at a huge price—the safety and welfare of my entire family.”

  “How is that? Did she threaten them?”

  “Not directly, but Deidra Amos owns most of the construction, truck hauling and wreckage firms in the area. The men in my family had worked for those firms. That was until I opened my big mouth and screwed up everything. Now Deidra has single-handedly crushed us financially. And there’s no end in sight. The bitch has black balled my family and most of them think she’s cursed them as well.” Celia still had her doubts about the existence of witches, but weird happenings did seem to occur more often in her family.

  “Why would your family believe that?”

  “When my family had refused to give me up to Deidra and her posse of Orange is the New Black rejects, unexplainable things started to happen—things I still can’t get my head around.”

  “This is getting more and more interesting. Care to share some examples?”

  “Why, I’m glad you asked. For instance, there’s no way the family dog should be able to pee in a straight line upward. Nor, should huge moles grow almost overnight on the one aunt’s neck who tried to stick up for me the fiercest. I’ve tried to convince my family there’s nothing to Deidra but hot wind, but my own mother said all of this is part of a hex on the family by Deidra.” Celia took a moment to compose herself. Being in this man’s arms and finally having someone to talk to about this should never warrant tears. She took a moment to fight them back as she said, “Her saying that was the last straw. Now that my mother has bought into that cuckoo notion that Deidra has some sort of supernatural power, I can’t do anything to change it. But, I can stay away. Now that I’m gone, Deidra and her merry band of misfit criminals in heels have left my family alone. The only thing I could do is stay away and hopefully continue to draw Deirdre’s attention away from my family. I can’t allow my family to suffer, even if that means never returning.”

  Owain bent her head into his. “Darling I’m so sad for all you’ve been through.” He tilted her chin up and asked, “How long have you been on the road running from this woman?”

  She didn’t want him to pity her. This was her battle and she’d figure out how to solve it. “I appreciate your concern, but please, never pity me. I got myself into this and I’ll get myself out of it.”

  “Shh—I know. Please answer my question… how long?”

  She sighed hating to reveal this part. “It’s been almost six months.”

  “And they’d been after you all that time?”

  “Yep.”

  “That’s some grudge.”

  “She swore I caused her to be in litigation for the foreseeable future with my ‘allegations’. But we all know it’s the truth.”

  “You did violate her right to privacy.”

  “I know and for that, I’m supremely sorry. I was petty, mean-spirited and downright cruel. If I could, I would go back and never even have hacked her personal records. I pay the price each day and my family does too.”

  “I will help you. You know there’s nothing I won’t do to help you bring some sort of resolution to this.”

  In her gut, she knew he would. It was as sure as if he was telling her what would be for dinner.

  “I believe that.” It was her turn to tilt his face up to hers. She had to capture this moment in memory for eternity. “I trust you and I want you to trust me. Please understand that even though you know this about me, I have to leave. I can’t bear the thought of anything happening to you or anyone else on my account.”

  “That declaration is fine and all, but you stop running, effective immediately. Can’t you see the very universe has conspired to bring us together? Hell, you are literally unable to continue to run anymore with your car issues and I won’t let you slip through my grasp, now that I’ve found you.”

  She started to protest, “But I can’t—”

  He held up a hand. “Please, stop it right now. There is nothing you can say or do that will prevent me from being with you. This is it. I’m doing everything I can to keep my wolf at bay and myself calm. Desire and knowing pushes me to mate you right here on the spot. I know you’re my mate.” He paused, as if allowing that to sink in. When she remained calm and quiet, he continued, “And, from what I can sense, somewhere deep inside, you know that I’m yours too.”

  The light from the refrigerator door, danced in his eyes, playing with the flecks of gray in those blue eyes as the corners crinkled into a smile. Without another word, he captured her mouth in a kiss so tender, she wanted to melt into him.

  When he released her to come up for air, she whispered, “I want you. Make love to me.”

  As swift as a startled breath, Owain toed the refrigerator door closed, swooped Celia up into his arms and was half-way to the bedroom, before she realized what had happened.

  Sly wolf.

  Chapter 9

  Slivers of moonlight filtered through the slits of the bedroom blinds. Ethereal light provided enough illumination for Celia to see more than outlines. She bubbled with anticipation at the grounding feel of safety. That welcome feeling was back, wrapping her into its essence. Owain with her was the key. At this very moment, she knew there was nothing she couldn’t do with him by her side.

  She’d been patient as he took a shower and then shaved. He’d said he needed to wash the outside off and present himself properly to her. That felt like it had been eons ago. New jitters were starting to claim her again. Was he having second thoughts, in there trying to figure out a graceful way to bow out?

  Stop being an insecure little bitch. Even if he wasn’t that into you, men don’t give up an opportunity like this. You’re practically throwing it at him. Calm the hell back down.

  With that stern slap of a pep talk done, she opted for the direct approach and asked, “What’s taking you so long?” The impatience that crept into her voice wasn’t to her liking, but she’d overcome maddening internal conjecture to ask what she wanted to know.

  “Almost done.” His reply sounded muffled, like he was talking into a towel or under the sink.

  She’d let that pass. Celia stayed put in the middle of the huge bed, where he’d deposited her earlier. But he was taking too long in the bathroom. Sounds of him rummaging through things echoed into the room.

  “Ow, shit!” she heard him curse as his head must have connected with a pipe or something else. Yep, he was definitely under the sink, looking for something.

  She laughed when he finally emerged from the bathroom shaking what had to be an industrial sized box of condoms at her.

  “It’s been a while love, took time to locate the buggers.”

  “That means they were waiting for me to show up.”

  “Exactly,” he sa
id, diving into the bed next to her.

  Wafts of his male essence flooded her senses, threatening to make her explode. His closeness caused her to involuntarily hum with excitement. He was her accelerator and her stabilizer. She dared to reach out to him in the darkness. He clasped her hand in his, placing her palm along the side of his freshly shaven cheek.

  She whimpered as the sensation of bodily connection to him commenced its journey. Owain sat up, looking at her in the dark. He kept her hand against his cheek as he stared at her, pulling her into him through those orbs of perfection, that were his alone. For a split second, moonlight connected with those eyes, showing how close his wolf was to the surface. Celia saw both as one now and enjoyed seeing how they both reacted to her.

  The longer they continued, the more intense the stare became. It penetrated her last defenses. She wanted and needed to disrobe completely in his presence. Her essence must shine forth. It was as if he called to it, beyond even her understanding. An audible moan of delight escaped her at the sight of those gleaming eyes, steadied and focused on her. Celia had no doubt she was the center of his attention and focus. And he was hers.

  A gentle tug at the periphery of her core of understanding, encouraged her, allowing her to release more tension from every part of her being. An instant rush of pure energy swarmed around, creating a magnetic pull between them.

  “Come to me,” she whispered, allowing the darkness to swell the impact of her command.

  His growl was almost inhuman, as he obeyed. Allowing him to push her back against the soft bed linen, she couldn’t contain her need to touch him. Her eyes trailed her fingers’ movements, as she ran light touches over his shoulders and arms. He was hers and she was his.

  “I see you. I see it all and you are divine, my darling, absolute perfection,” he whispered into her ear.

  She took in what he said, noting how full of life his words were. “You’re mine and I’m yours.” As soon as her words bloomed into existence, her senses expanded exponentially. “Do you feel that?” she asked him, wondering if she might be hallucinating.

  “Aye, I do.”

  “What is that?”

  “It’s you, love. You’re waking up to your fullness.” He bent down to kiss her lips with a tender graze as he continued, “Don’t you know?”

  “Know what?”

  “You opened your heart to receive me. You love me.”

  “Yes, but you don’t have to be so damn smug and cocky about it.” He laughed. “What, why are you laughing at me at a time like this?”

  “Because you are so amazingly beautiful in your innocence and purity.”

  “But I’m not a, you know, virgin.”

  “I know, but you are when it comes to unlocking your power.”

  “What? I’m not following you.”

  He leaned back, a hint of something akin to disbelief skittered across his expression. Yes, her eyesight had improved that much. She could see, feel, smell, hear, and even taste everything to a greater degree. The air tasted of anticipation and she wanted relief and consummation.

  “You mean your mother never told you this?”

  “Evidently not. I’m clueless about what you’re talking about.”

  He came back close, wrapping arms around her as he spoke. “When a witch finds her mate and completely opens her heart to him, Mother Earth and all the wisdom of the universe blesses the union. Her reward for this sacrifice of selflessness is to be imbued with the fullness of her true potential and power. You, my love are an extremely powerful witch and at such a young age. I’m in awe of your presence in my life.” He looked at her again, nodding. “Yes, I saw it the first time I spotted you, I just couldn’t see you because you shielded yourself so well. You’re my love and I honor your gift of love. Know that I support and respect your calling and will do what I will to help you in whatever way I can.”

  “What? Wait…” She had to get out of his embrace. This was too much and she couldn’t understand, let alone accept the words that tumbled from him. “You’re trying to tell me that I’m some sort of witch? I told you, that’s just some wives’ tale from my family. I’m—we’re—not witches. That’s crazy.”

  “But you are, and you are extremely powerful. I don’t think I’ve ever encountered someone as powerful as you at your age. Sure, there are some from back in the old country that had amazing power, but they were very old. But you…” he said trailing off and looking at her as if he was seeing her for the first time, “Are truly amazing.”

  “What the hell, Owain? And here I was thinking I was about to have mind blowing sex and you swerve into left field, past Woohoo land. This is some shit. I’m not a witch and this is not funny. Get off me.” She pushed up against his chest, sending him flying through the air to land on the other side of the room. “Oh shit!” She jumped out of bed to go to him. He was still crumpled on his side against the wall when she reached him.

  Helping him to stand, he looked down at her, smiled and said, “Now do you believe me?” Before she could answer, he swooped her back up into his arms and carried her right back over to the bed, plopping her down in its center again. “You know, this is sexy and I really do enjoy a great hunt, but tonight, that’s not going to fly. I want you and you want me. We do this now!” His words sounded more like a bark than ever.

  Celia smiled in spite of herself. Deep down she had to accept that he was speaking the truth, about all of it. It was just too hard to accept. She’d deal with it later. Now, she wanted her mate and he wanted her. Without speaking, she lie down on her back, opening her legs wide and reached out to him. He dived into the bed, more than landed, coaxing a giggle from her.

  Owain climbed up the length of her to settle between her legs.

  “Kiss me love,” he said, capturing her mouth with his.

  This kiss was like no other she’d ever shared, even with him. He took her mouth in savage hunger, pulling, sucking and loving her, fiercely and with abandon. Celia needed air, but pushed the need back taking more and more of what he offered. When he finally surrendered to the necessity of breath, she saw his eyes gleam with new light, as if illuminated.

  “That’s you my love. You’re glowing.” Sure enough, he spoke truth. Celia lifted an arm to pull him back down to her and noticed the faint luminous glow to her skin. His smile was broad. “My wolf knew you were a daughter of the moon. That’s why, no matter how you tried to hide, the moon revealed your location to me at the Scenting Ceremony. Don’t you know, my love? You will always be a beacon of light to me. I will always be able to find you. We are joined through love, magic heaven and earth. Now I join with you.”

  “Join with me inside of me—now,” she said, half-way moaning it. “I can’t wait any longer, I’m begging you. Please… and thank you.”

  He halted, looking deep into her and with a quick sly grin said, “I told you I’d make you beg for it, when the time was right.”

  The right hook she landed on his shoulder made an impressive thud, filling the room with sound. She heard the crinkle of a wrapper as he turned away from her. Her heart leaped in anticipation as she waited for him to quickly don the condom. Owain returned as fast as he’d initially turned, cinching her to him. He stole a quick kiss and locked eyes with her again, plunging deep into her, to the hilt. There was no preamble or birds chirping or some other big to do. Owain joined with her in one swift movement, enticing a gasp and then a quick moan of satisfaction from her. They found each other’s rhythm, moving in time, as they allowed their bodies to mold into one another. Celia opened even more to him, wanting to sate her insatiable hunger for her mate, as he played her body, loved her mind and worshipped her soul.

  “You’re truly my heart. I’d promised I would taste you first and look how you already command me to obey your will?” he said against her ear, never stopping the mounting pace of their joining.

  She thrilled at this, loving how he surrendered as much to her as she did to him. They made love, through the night, exploring
and learning new things about each other. Over and over Owain took her over the cliff of desire to plunge into ecstasy, never fully climaxing himself.

  “You’re a man of your word. I know I’ve never come this hard before. But, you…” even this close to him, she felt shyness attempt to steal her truth, “Do I not please you? You have yet to orgasm. You can tell me, it’s all right.”

  “Don’t ever do that.” He said, taking her into a firm hold within the circle of his large arms. “I have a hunger for you that frightens me. My wolf desires you like none before. I wanted to go slowly with you. I don’t want to hurt you… I love you. We have time for that. Tonight, it is about you.”

  “Hell naw!” she said, allowing a bit of her Chicago heritage to spring up. “This is about us. Now bring it—now!” Celia had to admit, even she felt the power behind her words.

  Until then, she hadn’t thought she had another orgasm left. But when he touched her, pushing deep inside, she burst with new vigor and mounting arousal. The other times with Owain had been mind-blowing. This was transcendental. She felt like she’d left her body and joined him in some other dimension that could process the height of their love and desire for each other. Over and over, he drove her and she edged him closer to a new level of pleasure.

  “Give it to me—all of it,” she moaned, needing to feel his pleasure burst within her. She clung to him, needing to feel him fulfilled as much as she was.

  Their bodies now collided into one another as they crested another peak to form a bond that she instantly knew would never be broken.

  Yes.

  Her soul rejoiced as her body began to involuntarily tremble from the impact of the new orgasm that ripped through her. Celia clung to Owain as her body arched into him at an impossible angle. His own moved in and out with inhuman speed, taking everything she gave. She felt the powerful sting of his fangs sinking into her flesh as he latched on, driving his powerful thrusts into her willing body. She held him tight, loving the experience of becoming a true mate. He continued to hold her immobilized as his own body navigated through the powerful transference of his life spark into her. Celia felt the power and yes, magic flow between them, as his mating bite sank even deeper into her shoulder. Her body absorbed and milked him for everything he could give her as he climbed an impossibly high plateau of climax.