Page 67 of Of Magic and Murder

He lifts me, and I wrap myself around him without thinking, trusting him to lay me out on the bed. By the time he’s fumbling to join me on top of the comforter, I’m laughing against his mouth, and Riordan is looking at me with such stunned happiness that something inside me finally gives way.

Screw magic. When you have a love as predestined and undeniable as ours, that’s the true magic.

And that’s when I realize that, while we’re both suddenly naked, Riordan is drawing away from me.

I’m flat on my back, legs folded at the knees, my top half propped up on a couple of pillows. My normally suave wolf shifter partner scoots backward awkwardly on his. He’s upright, watching me as I stare up at him, unable to help wondering what the hell is going on while my anxiety shouts that he’s having second thoughts about Fate and me and all of this. I’m as vulnerable as I’ve ever been—and suddenly very aware that I’m very naked—and he’s taking the sight of me spread out in front of him as though he can’t believe I’m real… or that I’ll actually let him fuck me.

One hand is curved around his erection, stroking it lightly as thought petting himself and telling his cock he has to be a good boy and wait.

His other hand reaches out, landing on my nearest knee. It takes a single touch before I trust my own instincts and let my legs fall open, revealing a glistening patch of red curls and my swollen pussy to him.

His eyes flash so brightly, I choke on my next breath. At this moment, I’m not sure if I’m looking at Riordan the male or Riordan the wolf as he gazes at my sex. Thankfully, when he inches reverentially toward me, reaching for me with his free hand, I don’t see claws.

Good thing, too, or when he reaches for my center, running two fingers down my slit, it wouldn’t be half as pleasurable if his wolf made an appearance. Same as when his eyes flutter closed, the big male muttering about how soft I am, how hot I am, how wet I am… one finger dips inside of me, gathering up enough moisture to satisfy his male need to know I want him.

The delighted squeal I let out at his first penetration doesn’t hurt, either.

Riordan cracks open his eyes, lifting his fingers to his mouth. He laps at one, then the next, grumbling softly as he grates out, “You are fucking delicious, witch. I could eat you for breakfast, lunch, and dinner if you left me.”

“For every meal if that’s what you want,” I agree huskily. “Only, I don’t know if it’s this mating dance thing or if I’m finally letting myself admit how much I’ve been dying to find out what your cock feels like ever since you shifted in front of me and I got my first peek of that monster between your legs, but I don’t think I can wait much longer.”

He chuckles. “That wasn’t the first time I caught a hint of your arousal and knew it was for me, but it was the first time I let myself think… maybe. Maybe we had a chance. Maybe I’d finally find out for myself what it was like to bed my mate.”

I dig my fingers in the sheets beneath me. “This is your chance, Chief Deputy Lobo.”

He gives me a look.

I smile breathlessly in return. “Mate me, Riordan. Make me yours. Then we’ll both find out what it’s like, won’t we?”

I don’t have the ability to give an order and make someone listen. I didn’t think I would have to when it comes to Riordan, but instead of moving any closer, he stays at my feet, suddenly hesitating.

I swallow roughly, casting aside my very obvious arousal for the moment to look up at him with concern. “Riordan? If you don’t want to⁠—”

“No. No. I want to… it’s just. I don’t want to hurt you, Pen--”

“You won’t.”

He gives his cock another, rougher stroke. “You called my cock a monster. You’re smaller than me, witch. What if--”

“I promise you, we’ll fit,” I tell him, cutting him off. “Isn’t that how it works? I’m your mate. Your fated mate. If your goddess picked me out for you, then I have to be able to take you.”

I have no doubt about that.

His face shadows over. He’s straining toward me, his big body wanting nothing more than to climb up on me, but for some reason, he’s still holding back.

And, suddenly, I know exactly why he is.

“I’m not afraid of you, Riordan,” I tell him, pushing myself up so that I’m resting on my elbows. My stomach is tight, my chest heaving enough that my boobs are super obvious, and Riordan is gobbling me up with his gaze as I keep my legs open to him. “I want this. I want you.”

It must finally sink in, too, because that’s the last thing I have to say before he murmurs my name like a prayer and moves like the predator he is. Before I know it, he’s on top of me at last, my arms are wrapped around him, holding him tight, and while he fumbles at first, inserting himself inside of me, mating is instinctive and, suddenly, he’s breaching my entrance, giving me everything he has in one possessive thrust that has me crying out his name to Hecate herself.

Just as our bodies finally come together as Fate has suggested and we both know it’s right, there’s a moment when everything inside of me believes that, for the first time in my life, this sort of magic is something that actually comes easy.

Then again, mating is easy when you have an attentive partner that is both gentle and consuming at the same time. Loving is easy when the male flicking your nipples and kissing your neck and fucking you so intently, you forget everyone who’s ever comes before him and will never come after is Riordan Lobo.

My lover.

My mate.