I give myself over to the moment, to Diego. To the feel of him driving into me. To the connection between our magics.
We’re both alchemists, after all. I work with fabric and he works with food, but it’s the same process. Our magic has always understood each other, even when we didn’t.
Our climax is quick and explosive, and does a lot to calm me down.
I give him a sleepy smile over my shoulder. “Thanks for that.”
“Anytime.” He presses a kiss to my spine, then lowers my dress.
When I stand, my knees wobble a little, and he steadies me with an arm around my waist. I cup his cheek with my hand, and he leans in.
“Be careful today.” He murmurs the words against my lips.
“You too.”
“I mean it. I’ll be lost if something happens to you.”
“I know. You need me for the spell.”
“Cat.” His voice deepens. “I need you for more.”
His serious expression scares me a little, but instead of brushing him off or making a joke, I embrace the tension and say what’s on my mind. “Diego, I…I want more too.”
The strain around his eyes eases, and he nods. “Good.”
Before he leaves for La Casa de Paz, we layer every kind of protection charm we can think of on ourselves to keep us from falling under the cameras’ spell. And then there’s nothing left to do.
After one last kiss, Diego’s gone.
I miss him already.
CHAPTER EIGHT
It’s showtime. Since Caro’s dress is finished, I shower and do my makeup, then put on my bridesmaid dress. My dress is black and lacy with skinny straps and a plunging neckline. I’m a little sad Diego won’t get to see me in it until the ceremony, because I look hot . Once my hair is secured in a low bun, I teleport to Casa Cartagena to fulfill my Maid of Honor duties and help my sister prepare for her big day.
Casita has converted one of the spare bedrooms into a bridal suite, and I’m packed in with my four sisters, my mom, and my grandma. Three generations of brujas in one place, and even though most of them are caught in the demon’s spell, it’s still pandemonium.
Abuela pulls me aside and pats my hand. I feel a flare of protective magic from her. “Ay, qué bueno. You look so relaxed, my dear.”
I am sure she can tell that Diego and I just had sex, and if she didn’t already know, my blush gives it away. “Just looking forward to the ceremony.”
Her dark eyes sharpen. “You’ll make sure it goes well, sí?”
I nod. “I will, Abuela.”
She looks over at my mother, who is making a show of primping in the mirror for the cameras. With a deep sigh, my grandmother shakes her head and goes to check on my youngest sister, Corinne.
I’m a bundle of nerves by the time we all troop downstairs to meet the Paz boys. Diego, his two younger brothers, and a cousin make up Matteo’s groomsmen. Matteo looks alert, but strained, as relatives pepper him with their opinions about the wedding. I thank Luna for the distraction.
Diego appears at my side, and I am truly unprepared for the sight of him in a tux. It accentuates his long lean lines and the breadth of his shoulders. His hair is styled back and he looks like a model.
I give him an appreciative once-over. “Hey nerd. You clean up pretty good.”
“Not so bad yourself, Salutatorian.”
He says it fondly, like it’s an inside joke between the two of us. Over the last few days, the word has lost its sting. That, plus the sharp look in his eye, lets me know he’s still himself.
I grab his lapels and pull him in for a kiss. “You’re my valedictorian, got it?”
