Another wave of shame hit him until he wanted to vomit. “Cece.”
“Hmm?” She was wiping some drops of water off her shoulder with the edge of the towel, and he lightly touched her towel-covered knee.
“I’m so sorry.”
She looked at him, her brow scrunching up at the tone of his voice and the look on his face. Before he could stop her, she cupped his face and brushed her mouth against his. “Honey, I’m okay.”
“I lost control last night,” he said, trying to ignore the sweet call of her magic.
“We both did,” she said. “I don’t think that’s too surprising, do you?”
Her fingers lightly stroked the hair on his jaw. “Wait, do you regret it?”
“No,” he said quickly. “I love you.”
The smile on her face warmed him more than her magic did. “I love you, too.”
She took a deep breath. “Whew, I was starting to think that maybe last night…”
“What?”
“That maybe it was my magic that made you say those things.”
“No.” He turned his head and kissed the palm of her hand. “I love you. I will always love you, with or without magic.”
“Then why are you being so weird this morning?” she asked.
He couldn’t help but laugh. “I’m not being weird. This is me worried I’ve badly hurt my mate.”
“You haven’t, even with your monster dick,” she said tartly. “I was a little sore this morning, but the hot bath helped.”
He stared at the hint of cleavage he could see, itching to lean forward and lick away the droplets of water on her collarbone.
“Briggs,” Cece said softly.
The call of her magic was becoming increasingly difficult to resist. He didn’t want to resist it. His dick was fully erect now, the head of it brushing against his flat stomach, and he growled when Cece’s gaze dropped to it.
She licked her lips, and he groaned quietly. “Little witch.”
“Take me to bed, Briggs,” she said. “Give me what’s mine.”
“Yes, my mate.” He stood, pulled her to her feet, gave the towel a quick tug that left it on the floor, and then picked her up. The feel of her warm, naked skin against his sent another rush of heat and magic through him, and he carried her into the bedroom, placing her on the bed as tenderly as if she were made of fragile glass.
He stretched out beside her, resting his hand on her belly before brushing soft kisses against her mouth. He would take his time, be gentler, show his mate just how good he could make her feel. He wouldn’t let his need or Cece’s magic take control this time.
“Briggs,” Cece moaned when he licked her bottom lip before sucking lightly on it.
“Yes, little witch?”
“I need you.” She tried to urge him between her legs, and he chuckled before nipping her jaw.
“Not yet.”
“Yes,” she pouted at him, green light flaring briefly in her eyes. He looked up to see vines twisting and curling above them before they inched their way toward him. He growled at them, and they retreated, hovering above them as Cece giggled.
He gave her a mock scowl. “Behave, little witch.”
“I am,” she said sweetly.
