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Part of Zeke wanted to stop her now. He didn’t want to hear any more of this disgusting story and the cruelness she endured, but he wouldn’t dare interrupt her. He kept his mouth shut as she continued, “A few days ago, Layton sat me down and said he thought it was best if I quit my job and stayed home. He said his woman shouldn’t have to work.” She snorted, shaking her head. “Before, I would have agreed, but it was in that moment reality hit me.”
At the tears welling in her eyes, Zeke shoved his hands into his pockets, fighting off his desire to hunt Layton and rip him apart. “What did you realize?”
She wiped the moisture off her cheek. “He didn’t want me out in public anymore. My flawed magic embarrassed him. Just as my parents wanted no association with me, he wanted to hide me away too.”
Now Bryanna made perfect sense to him. Every piece of the puzzle fitted into place and explained what led her to be such a wounded witch. “So you ran?”
She gave a firm nod. “Yes, I got in the car and never looked back.”
Zeke didn’t know what to say. No words could erase the damage that had been done. For the first time in his immortal life, he believed in the existence of a horror far worse than a demon stealing a soul.
An innocent soul crushed and buried by deceit was the cruelest of all evils.
“Oh, wow,” she said, snapping him away from his thoughts. “This must be it.”
He glanced toward the stone house that had captured her attention. Wanting nothing more than to protect her from those who had harmed her, he looked back at her. “Yes, this is now your home.”
Bryanna gazed over the brick house that looked like a little piece of heaven tucked in between thick trees and her breath caught in her throat. Round stone blocks made up the exterior, but vines had grown over the tops. No grass covered the lawn and instead the grounds were filled with every flower she knew of and even some she didn’t, all rich in bright colors.
At the nudge of Zeke’s hand on her back, she inhaled and the sweet scents from the wild flowers made her smile. Moments ago, emptiness had filled her over memories of the past. Now with the beautiful home in front of her, she wouldn’t spoil the moment with a somber mood. “This is really mine?”
Zeke nodded with a gentle grin. “All yours.”
While the inside of the house tempted her, another part of the home held more importance. “Can we check out the backyard first?”
“This is your house.” He urged her on with a gentle push on her back. “Go wherever you please.”
Right, why did she ask his permission?
An old habit she clearly needed to break. With a little stomp to her step, enjoying the freedom, she marched along the flat rocks that marked the path to the backyard. When the path ended to a wooden gate, she unlatched it and stepped through, then she gasped.
A small path made of limestone wove its way through the garden of dahlias, freesia and orchids, to name a few. The wooden fence surrounding the house was well over ten feet high, and so overgrown with flowers and vines, she’d swear she was in witch heaven.
“You’re happy?” Zeke asked softly.
Could happiness describe what she experienced now? No, certainly not; her emotions lingered on euphoric. Either a fae or another Earth Witch had resided at the home before her, because only a creature who loved earth would go to such lengths to build this sanctuary.
“This is…it’s…” She drew in a deep breath. “I couldn’t want for anything more.” At Zeke’s smile, she turned back to the square garden. Weaving her way through the grounds, she scanned over the flowers, leaning down every once in a while to sniff one. As the garden curved, she noticed an old wrought iron swing, creaking and swaying in the light breeze.
Once she reached the swing, she sat down on the cream-colored cushion. This is all mine? She’d never experience anything quite like this—so serene. As she lifted her gaze from the garden, she noticed something else that made this moment a little more special.
Zeke strode toward her along the path and trailed his fingers from flower to flower with a soft touch, wearing a grin holding so much mystery. Following his every step, she gazed over his fingers, wondering if they’d be as gentle along her skin, cupping her breasts and caressing her clit. Would he touch her as carefully as he did the flowers?
He plucked a fuchsia dahlia out from the garden and she lifted her attention to his face. With a slowness nearly paining her to watch, he raised the flower to his nose and drew in a long breath. His eyes closed and the furrow in his brow suggested the scent overwhelmed him.
By the elements, she’d never seen anything so sexy in her life and she’d seen a man smell a flower before. But when Zeke drew in the aroma from the flower, the move appeared so sensual that she could only grip the cushion below her and gulp.
When his eyes opened, he caught her gaze and she couldn’t hide her arousal. He might be a demon, but right now, she didn’t care. Besides, she deserved a little fun after what she’d been through these past days, didn’t she? She’d had casual sex before and using him as an outlet to bring some happiness into her life wasn’t something she would feel bad about.
Lowering the flower from his nose, his
head tilted as he regarded her, then he gave her a knee-wobbling smile. In only a few strides, he closed the distance between them, knelt down in front of the swing and raised the dahlia. “You know, I’ve never been one for roses. Nothing feels as sensual as a dahlia.” He trailed the flower over the back of her hand and she shuddered. “The petals feel like gentle fingertips along your skin.”
He slowly ran the flower up her forearm and moved the petals over her flesh so gently, but intent and focused. As if he knew exactly where to place the flower to rouse her. By the time he reached her shoulder, her eyes had fluttered closed, her breath had deepened and when he tickled her jawline she moaned.
After he slid the flower over her lips in a slow sweep, he withdrew the petals and she opened her eyes. His face was mere inches from hers and he stared at her mouth. When he looked into her eyes, he grinned. “Very nice, don’t you agree?”
“Yes, incredible.” He offered her the flower and she accepted the dahlia, raising it to her nose and inhaling the sweet aroma without taking her eyes off him. Under his wicked stare, heat burned through her veins, pooling low in her belly. She did nothing to hide her desire for him.
