Winter Fire (The Witchling #3)(54)

When she tasted him again, the fire ignited in her blood. She withdrew, afraid of what that meant or what might happen.

“Trust me,” he whispered again.

She couldn’t tell him she was scared. It would sound childish or stupid, and it might scare him off to know she was afraid of a tiny kiss!

When she didn’t respond, Beck kissed her once more. This time, when his tongue flickered between her lips, she didn’t back down. Morgan felt the fire and hunger rise again and squeezed Beck’s hand hard. His earth magick calmed her while he deepened the kiss.

His arms wrapped around her, and she leaned into him, overwhelmed by the sensations of his strong, warm body, the way he tasted and the feel of his arms around her. When she realized he wasn’t going to let her fire sweep her away, she released her hold on her magick, trusting him to guide it.

His kiss was nothing like she expected. It made the flames around them dance far above the treetops and her blood burn. She wanted more of him, to feel the smooth skin and taut muscles of his chest beneath her palms and to know what it was like to have his large, strong hands travel over her bare skin. Desire was carried across her magick to him, and his kiss grew hungry.

Beck withdrew, breathing hard.

“You’re shaking,” he whispered, his lips pressed against her temple.

Morgan clung to him. Her body had melted under the unexpected heat of their desire. Beck’s arms tightened around her, and she buried her face into his shoulder, breathing his scent deeply. Her mom used to hug her when she was little, and she hadn’t let anyone touch her since The Incident, outside the sparring ring.

This was different, primal. Natural. She belonged in Beck’s arms. He made her feel whole once more, like she did before her world shattered on her fourteenth birthday.

For the first time in four years, she wasn’t afraid.

“Are you okay?” he asked, nuzzling her cheek.

“Yes,” she replied.

He slid a finger beneath her chin and lifted her face enough for him to kiss her cheeks. His warm lips were gentle. She listened to the sounds of their breathing, lost in her senses.

“Glad you didn’t toss the stick,” he said with a smile. His eyes danced.

“Me, too,” she admitted.

He traced the tips of his fingers around her face, taking her in with warmth that made her body burn hotter. His other arm remained securely around her. His hand dropped, and he hugged her again.

“Not to complain, but I’m burning up,” he said. “No pun intended.”

She laughed. She was accustomed to the fire magick’s heat, but could imagine its intensity would probably scare people. Beck released her, and she found her balance once more. He led them out of the bonfire. Cold night air made her shiver, her ultra-sensitive skin sending tiny sensations of pleasure through her as it pricked.

“You look like you’re still on fire,” Beck said, glancing at her.

Morgan flushed. Her insides sizzled with desire she didn’t know what to do with.

“That happens sometimes,” she managed, not about to tell him she was going to glow every time she thought of him from here on out.

The intensity of his gaze made her look away. She held his hand tightly as they returned to the bonfire where Ben and his family were seated. Ben gave them a knowing look, and Morgan’s face grew warmer.

Beck sat down, tugging her down beside him. He automatically wrapped an arm around her to keep her against him. She hesitated then rested her cheek on his shoulder, reveling in his scent and warmth.

Accepting the stick seemed to have given him blanket permission to touch her. She only tensed once, when he rested a hand on her thigh. His quick glance was warm, his smile reassuring. Morgan relaxed, though every time he touched her, she was completely disoriented by the sensations in her mind.

Energized by desire and excitement, she didn’t notice the night pass. Beck didn’t leave her side, and some part of him was in contact with her the whole night. Though they shared no more intimate moments, their magicks restored the feelings from the bonfire, each time they touched.

Morgan wasn’t certain when she fell asleep or how she was so comfortable with him to do so. She awoke to the sound of a vehicle starting and roused herself. Her eyes opened. The fire had died down, and it was the lightened sky that provided light for the clearing.

She was wrapped in Beck’s arms on the ground beside the fire. Her body was molded against his, their spooning bodies fitting together like they were made for each other. Sensing she was awake, Beck squeezed her then kissed her temple.

I like this. She didn’t voice it though. How did she tell him she liked waking up in his arms without telling him why she wasn’t ready to sleep with anyone yet?

“It’s gonna be a long day,” Beck murmured. He nuzzled her neck, and she laughed at the tickling sensations. “Class starts in like, half an hour.”

Morgan groaned.

“I’d rather spend it with you,” he added.

“Thank you,” she whispered, uncertain how to respond.

“You’re welcome.” Beck laughed. “You okay with all this?”

“Yeah.”

“Seriously?” He pushed her onto her back, and she met his gaze.

He was even more handsome with a day’s growth of hair shading his jaw and his hair mussed. Morgan wondered how she ever deserved to end up in the arms of the hottest guy she’d ever meet. He smiled and touched her face again.