I lost myself in his mouth and hands. The swirl of sea water around us vibrated with magic. I was a water witch, and the heady combination of my fated mate and my element surrounding us had my vision sparkling.
“Tell me I can take you home,” Caspian said. “Fuck the family reunion.”
“Yes,” I managed to say. We could visit my grandmother later. She was the only one I cared about seeing anyway, and after what they did, I wanted nothing to do with my mother and sister. “Let’s go home.”
Caspian lifted me into his arms. Water streamed off our bodies, running down his chest. His silver hair dripped over his shirt collar and onto his coat slung over one shoulder.
I expected him to walk toward the cottage so we could retrieve my purse and call a rideshare, but he walked along the edge of the water.
“Where are we going?” I asked, breathless.
“My house, little witch.” I’d never seen his grin so wide. “I want you inmybed.”
Chapter 18
Bonding Time
Caspian
Juniper let out an adorable yelp when we left the beach and headed up the walkway to my beachside home. It was a slender two-story with a balcony to make the most of the ocean view. Ivory siding was trimmed in navy.
“Is this your house?” Juniper squeaked.
“Yeah,” I said, smirking. “You like it?”
“Mmhmm,” she hummed. She wasn’t looking at the house, but up at me with so much trust in her eyes, I could hardly contain the joy bursting out of me.
I’d hurt her so badly, and I thought for a moment that she would never forgive me. I’d already imagined a miserable existence watching my lovely mate from a distance, unable to have her after I’d screwed up beyond redemption. I didn’t deserve her, but she wanted me anyway.
The cord between us pulled tight. It stole my breath, sending a shock through me. Juniper’s lips parted in a silent gasp. She felt it too.
I shoved the back door open and headed for the stairs. It was a relief to find the kitchen and living room empty. I tossed my coat over a chair to dry.
We’d built the house with three master suites, and Malik had the downstairs suite, while Adrian and I were both upstairs. I scaled the steps quickly, holding Juniper tight to my body. Her tears had faded away, and she stared at me like she couldn’t believe I existed.
My bedroom door banged open, and I kicked it closed behind us. Juniper’s eyes widened, and her breathing quickened as I carried her into the walk-in shower and set her on her feet on the tile. Twisting, I turned on the water so the cool spray hit my back and washed away the sand and salt.
My clever little witch grabbed my shirt and worked the buttons, revealing my naked torso. I let it fall off my shoulders onto the floor.
The water turned warm on my back. Already, she was unbuttoning my pants and dragging them down my thighs. It was easy to step out of the rest of my clothes and kick them aside.
I dragged the straps of her dress over her shoulders and slid the wet fabric down her body. She stood, only soaking wet panties clinging to her body.
Starting at her ribs, I dragged my hands down, feelingthe curve of her waist, the fullness of her hips. My thumbs hooked in the panties, and I pulled them down. She stepped out of them gracefully.
She reached for me, but I gripped her hips and moved her under the shower’s spray. Her hair was the color of wet sand as it clung to her tan skin. The water slicked it down so it streamed down her back and over her shoulders.
Reverently, I hooked my index finger under her chin and tipped her head back so the rest of her hair was rinsed clean. Her hands splayed across my stomach, magic sparking at her touch.
“Caspian,” she whined, sliding her hands down as she looked at me through heavy-lidded eyes.
“Juniper,” I answered, turning her again so the water ran down her front.
She spluttered and tipped her head back to rest against my chest. Her hands went to my forearms as I ran my hands over her curves, making sure all of the sand and salt was washed away.
“Please,” she whimpered. My hands trailed lower. She squirmed against me, her nails digging into my skin with how desperate she was.
I dropped to my knees, rubbing my hands over her hips and ass before moving to her inner thighs. She let out a low moan, shifting so my fingers skimmed her core. Grinning wickedly, I tightened my hold on her legs, keeping her still.
