Total pages in book: 149
Estimated words: 139076 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 695(@200wpm)___ 556(@250wpm)___ 464(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 139076 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 695(@200wpm)___ 556(@250wpm)___ 464(@300wpm)
The witch was no longer meeting Winter’s eyes, and it was making him nervous. Very gently, Winter rubbed his fingers along Fox’s cheek in a tender caress before forcing him to tilt his head up. “What are you talking about?”
“Being near me means the ghosts aren’t bothering you anymore. It’s an ugly thought, but we have to at least consider that you’re just trying to keep me close, so you don’t have to deal with them anymore.”
Had the thought crossed his mind? Of course it did. But he wasn’t a completely selfish bastard. He wasn’t going to keep Fox at his side just to make his long life easier. He had to think about Fox and his happiness. What did the witch want out of life?
And that was what he wanted. He wanted to make Fox happy. Wanted to help him achieve his dreams and fall asleep each day with a broad smile on his lips. He wanted Fox to want to be with him because it made him happy, not because he was some ghost blocker.
Fuck.…Now that he was thinking about it, he was kind of shocked at how much he wanted all that. More than getting rid of the ghosts. Yes, they were a nuisance, but he’d mostly gotten adjusted to that.
The idea of Fox leaving? That hurt a lot more.
“I am extremely grateful for your gift. I’ll never be able to show you how grateful I am. But I also like being with you. I’ve never laughed so much in my life. I like how you make me feel—strong and powerful. Like I can do anything.”
“You can do anything,” Fox chimed in.
“You also need to realize that you’re special to me.”
“The magic—”
“I don’t give a shit about the magic or the prophecy. You’re so much more than the magic. You’re amazing, Fox. You’re brave and kind. I don’t know how long we’re going to have together, but I plan to show you every day that you’re not useless or worthless. You will learn to believe in yourself.”
Fox made his purring noise again, and Winter swore he could feel it in his cock. The witch tightened his arms around Winter, pulling him in close for a kiss. Winter closed his eyes and soaked in the touch of his mouth, the slow sweep of his tongue as if he had all the time in the world to explore Winter.
“A sexy vampire who is also sweet and considerate. Mr. Varik, if I didn’t know better, I’d say you were trying to get your claws in my soul,” Fox murmured.
“I wouldn’t mind a taste of your soul. I’ve got plans to taste all of you. While you’re here, you are mine.”
Fox shivered and suddenly pushed against his chest. Winter instantly released him and took a wobbly step away. Fox leaned heavily on the fridge, as if his legs couldn’t hold him upright on his own.
“Stop. We need showers now before we get stuck together.”
Winter sighed. “Yeah, that’s true.”
“And then we can figure out how we’re going to beat Damon and his evil minions.”
Winter shook his head. “I thought we’d go back to bed for a little while.”
Fox started tucking himself into his jeans and used his T-shirt to wipe at his damp stomach. “Later. If we take care of Damon, we’ll know I’m not going to destroy your family. I’ll be allowed to go home. And if I choose to stay here, you’ll know it’s because I trust you and want to date my Big Sexy.”
“I’m not entirely sure that logic follows,” Winter muttered as he straightened his clothes again.
“Don’t worry. It’ll all make more sense after a shower and food.”
Winter wasn’t sure he believed it, but Fox was right in that he needed to stop thinking with his dick and focus on helping his family once again. He retreated to his room for a quick shower and clean clothes. He was just finishing his glass of blood when Fox’s thumping footsteps down the stairs echoed through the loft. He rinsed out the glass but cursed himself. A drink of water wasn’t going to get enough of the blood taste out of his mouth and he refused to kiss Fox tasting of breakfast.
The witch popped into the kitchen, looking freshly scrubbed. His red hair was darker when it was wet and was sticking up in all directions in cute little spikes. He was dressed in jeans and an evergreen T-shirt.
“Sorry about your cereal,” Winter said, motioning toward the untouched bowl Fox had poured that had turned a disgusting soggy mush.
Fox snorted. “I know this might come as a shock to you, but if I’m faced with a choice of cereal and having you pin me against the fridge, you’re going to win every time.” He closed the distance between them and lifted up on his toes for a kiss. Winter managed to keep it to a closed-mouth peck that only made Fox laugh.