“I am a Domovyk! And I am her familiar now. You beware, wolf man. One word and I turn your balls to green dust,” he grunted and dove headfirst into the dumbwaiter, sending the ancient thing down to the basement with a crash.

  “Uh.” Jaxson scratched his head.

  “Yeah, that went well,” I muttered, covering my eyes.

  Jaxson’s husky little laugh had me right back to where I was before Ivan’s little entrance. Horny and impatient. I peeked through my fingers to see that panty melting grin of his and covered my eyes once more.

  “Come on out now, darlin’,” he growled softly.

  He peeled my hands away, then framed my face with his larger ones.

  “I was going to wait, but I don’t think I can,” he murmured, pressing his lips to mine.

  The kiss was perfect. Unbelievably soft, and undeniably passionate. The last thing I expected from a big, growly Shifter was tenderness. But he gave it to me. In spades.

  I moaned, parting my lips for him, and allowing his tongue entrance to my mouth. We stood like that, close as could be, just kissing for who knows how long.

  It was warm and wonderful. Like lying in the cool grass beneath a shady tree on a summer’s day. I liked it very much. Wanted it to last. But to my horror, my stomach grumbled.

  “That’s my cue to start the grill, darlin’.” Jaxson kissed me once more and turned me around to face my bedroom. Then, with a pat on my rear and a kiss to my neck, he gently pressed me forward.

  “Off you go, darlin’. Go on and get yourself comfortable, then join me in the kitchen when you’re ready,” he whispered against my earlobe.

  His warm breath against my skin tickled and aroused, but I managed to walk to my bedroom door without falling on my face. That alone was a miracle. I closed the door and leaned against it, eyes closed. I’m not sure how long I stood there listening to the heavy tread of his booted feet as he walked down my stairs and invaded my kitchen.

  “What the frig? Take it slow? Is he kidding me? This way too good looking werewolf is making me nuts,” I muttered and shook my head.

  OMG. I was talking to myself. The man had reduced me to a mumbling mess. I turned around and caught my reflection in the mirror.

  “Good Goddess!” I squeaked.

  What had started out as a rather cute outfit had wilted under the pressures of my job. And that was being generous. I was a hot mess. My once gorgeous locks were now a frizzy, dry bird’s nest.

  I didn’t want to be too hard on myself. After all, I’d been dealing with one thing or other the entire day. Exhaustion threatened to buckle me, but I was not giving in.

  No way.

  I really wanted to enjoy this dinner with this man. A man who cooked. A man who also turned into a wolf whenever he wanted to. It was time to put on my big girl panties, metaphorically that is, I fully intended to wear the see through lacy ones I had in my secret drawer. Anyway, it was time for me to address the real issue at hand.

  I wanted that werewolf downstairs. Period. And when I said I wanted him, I meant I wanted to jump his bones.

  Twenty minutes later, having showered, scrubbed, deodorized, and refreshed my whole appearance in record time, I walked downstairs. A myriad of heavenly aromas greeted me as I entered my kitchen and dammit, I almost stubbed my toe on the heavy wood table that had been in my family for ages.

  Jaxson had opened the sliding door leading to the attached wooden deck and my seldom used but enormous gas grill. He was currently placing two very beautifully seasoned steaks onto the heated grate with way more confidence than I had ever felt when using the gargantuan appliance.

  I was more a microwave it and pray for the best kinda gal. But this, this was something else. Forget about a stomach being the way to a man’s heart, this witch was a sucker for a juicy steak.

  “There you are, darlin’,” Jaxson said, smiling as he turned and took my hand.

  He was a very touchy, handsy, feely kinda guy. Typically, I’d zap a fucker for thinking he could put his hands on me. But with him, I wanted all the touches I could get. Biting my lip, I raised an eyebrow and allowed him to lead me to the outdoor table he’d set with my mismatched dishes and silverware. I blushed at my obvious deficiencies, but he didn’t seem to mind. Jaxson handed me a stemless wine glass and poured some of the good red he’d bought.

  “Thanks,” I replied and took a healthy sip.

  I was going to need it if the temperature between us got any higher. And let’s face it, it was looking fairly probable. I admired his tight-fitting jeans when he turned to tend to our dinner. Conversation flowed freely, and I have to admit I was shocked at how easy it was just to be with him.

  “This is nice,” I said when he set a full plate in front of me.

  “That it is,” he replied.

  “Wow! Where did you learn to cook?” I asked, digging into my fully loaded baked potato that dripped with cheese and homemade bacon bits.

  “My mama,” he said easily.

  “I appreciate a man who listens to his mama.”

  “That’s nice of you to say so.” He grinned and took an enormous bite of steak.

  Was it strange that I got chills watching him bite down in the juicy flesh? Oh well. There was no helping it. He had impeccable table manners, and I was pleasantly surprised. I mean, he was a werewolf. I didn’t know very many of them and couldn’t have said for certain whether he would snarl and gnaw on his food like some rabid dog.

  Okay. That wasn’t nice. So, sue me. I never said I was the epitome of kindness. Just a witch trying to keep her town safe. And dammit, that was the root of all my problems.

  “So, how did you decide to run for mayor of this little town?” Jaxson asked, pressing his back against one of my outdoor chairs.

  They could definitely use a strip and paint job. The chairs, not the man. Though, come to think of it, I would not mind stripping the smexy wolf and smearing myself all over him. Fuck. I had issues. Sexual frustration was at the top of the list.

  “I didn’t. This job more or less chose me.”

  “How do you mean?”

  He cocked his head to the side and looked at me, his eyes wide and guileless, a beautiful shade of silver-gray I’d never seen on a man before. Probably because he wasn’t a man. He was a wolf. But that did not make me want him any less.

  “Castor’s Corner is named after my great grandfather, who founded the town. He was a warlock, and his wife was a witch. They came from Italy, fleeing their village after a bunch of humans decided they were the reason the harvest had failed for the sixth year in a row,” I began, sharing my family history with the gorgeous stranger.

  I probably scared him off in the process. But it was all for the best, really. If being mayor taught me anything, it was I had no time for a love life.

  “The mausoleum said Castorini. I take it that is your family name?”

  “It was. Like most immigrants, it was shortened when they got here by people who couldn’t spell it or were just not interested in learning how.”

  I shrugged. History was full of little quirks like that. Humanity was a puzzle, for sure. Not that the supernatural world was any better. I’d found that prejudice and ignorance ran amok regardless of species. My Nonna always said it was up to each person to do their very best in this life. She was right, too. It was all any of us could do.

  “Your Nonna was a wise woman,” Jaxson said, thoughtfully.

  “Did you read my mind?” I asked, the smile falling from my face.

  I’d only spent a few hours in the werewolf’s company and already I felt my entire world shift. Shit. What if I was right and the lemon basil scented Shifter was mine? I almost started hyperventilating, but Jaxson reached out and grabbed my hand, squeezing it tight.

  “You know why, darlin’. But I don’t want you to be scared. We can go as slow as you want.”

  Well, fuck. Any ideas I had about waiting flew right out the window. How could I resist a man willing to wait for me?

  “What if what I want is fast and hard?” I asked, barely above a whisper.

  “Then I’ll give it to you, darlin’,” he drawled, standing up and tugging me to my feet. “Just as fast and hard as you want it.”

  Turns out, I wanted it all. Fast, hard, slow, and thorough. But only with him. He kissed me once, then handed me my wine and started to clean. Everything the man did was magic, I thought, and took a healthy swig of the delicious red. Jaxson tidied the kitchen, leaving a plate out for Ivan at my instruction. He locked the screen door and turned around to see me watching him.

  I’d changed into a simple button down dress while he’d been preparing our meal, and I was glad now that I went commando beneath the soft folds of the skirt. My heart was beating me to death, but never before had I felt so brazen. It was delicious. He made me feel ultrafeminine and desirable. Made me feel wanted in the heated way he stared.

  “What now?” he asked, throwing the ball firmly in my court.

  “Now? I was hoping you knew, wolf man.” I grinned, and my hands went to my buttons.

  I could’ve used magic, but why rush things? The delicious rumble coming from his chest sent spirals of pleasure straight to my girly bits. I wanted him and lifted my gaze to his. Jaxson’s eyes were back to that deep steel color that told me he was aroused. If that wasn’t evidence, then the bulge in his tightly fitted blue jeans sure as fuck was.

  So much for just talking, I thought with a smirk. Looked like the wolf was big and bad after all.

  Thank the Goddess.

  CHAPTER 6

  My fingers started with the top button, and I flicked it open. Then the next one. And the next. Jaxson’s stare followed the descent of my fingers, intense and focused. His breathing increased.

  “I was thinking we should have dessert now,” I said.

  “I made a chocolate mousse with freshly sliced strawberries,” he murmured.

  “Sounds wonderful,” I said. “Will it keep?”

  I shrugged out of the dress, letting it fall to the floor in a woosh of material. I bit my lip, wondering how long I was going to stand there naked as the day I was born. Trepidation filled me for an instant. Had I misjudged? Was all this just flirting between us?

  I didn’t have to wonder for long. Jaxson crossed the floor on his long legs in two strides and pinned me to the wall. His mouth crushed mine, and I moaned at the intensity of our kiss.

  “You sure about this?” he asked gruffly.

  “No, but let’s do it, anyway.”

  “If I take you, I won’t want to give you back.”

  “We’ll see about that,” I moaned as his tongue found my ear.

  Heat pooled between my legs, and I moaned when he nipped my earlobe between his teeth. A growl tore from his throat as he lifted me in his arms and jogged up the stairs to my bedroom. The man moved with a ferocious speed that had me wet and willing, as if I wasn’t already that.

  Jaxson dropped me on the bed, and I was fully aware I jiggled. But the werewolf didn’t seem to mind. In fact, if anything, his growl got louder.

  “You are so beautiful, Evie darlin’,” he growled, kissing me like his life depended on it.

  Mine sure fucking did. I knew I was pretty, even if curvier than the average witch, but I preened under his praise. Stretching and licking at his lips. He pushed away, and I moaned at the loss. Sitting up when I saw he was undressing.

  “You see anything you like?” he asked, flashing me a wicked grin as he disrobed.

  I, however, was beyond speech. When I say the man had muscles on his muscles, I mean it, with sexy dark brown swirls of hair on his massive chest.

  “Ohmygawd! You have the V!” I said excitedly.

  “What?” Jaxson’s head snapped up, his jeans open and down on his hips.

  “That right there! The sex lines,” I said, grinning madly.

  I sat up, fingers reaching for the masculine musculature of his body. There was nothing sexier to me than a man rocking a solid eight pack that tapered off into a sexy V, leading straight to his manhood.

  Shallow of me? Maybe. But if guys liked big knockers, I could like a V cut. In fact, I was a total slut for his, and I dipped my head and pressed my lips and tongue to that sexy part of him.

  “Fuck baby, you keep kissing me there and this is going to end a whole lot quicker,” he growled.

  There were things in life I couldn’t control. The fact I was born, lived, and would probably die in Castor’s Corner. That I was mayor of the tiny Jersey shore town full of supes. That my best friends were witches and my admin assistant had better taste in clothes than I did. And that newcomers were not welcome.

  But here and now, I could control this. My body was on fire for the smexy wolf with the silver eyes and I wanted him. Badly.

  “Show me more,” I demanded, suddenly ravenous for him.

  Jaxson growled, the wolf seemed to like it when I got bossy. I could do that. No problem. He took my mouth with his, kissing me till I was panting and shaking with need.

  “Cheater,” I said, grinning despite myself.

  He’d pulled off his pants while he was kissing me senseless. Robbing me of the opportunity to watch him undress. Oh well. Maybe he’d do it again later. If I asked nicely. Jaxson grinned and laid down on top of me. His hard body was the perfect foil to my soft one. Everything about him tempted me.

  The rumbling in his chest was a major turn on, as was the feel of his massive frame pressing down on me. He was so hot. Like literally. Was he running a fever? I had to wonder.

  “No fever, darlin’. I’m just hot for you,” he said, nipping my lip.

  Wowza.

  I appreciated a good kisser. And Jaxson was that. His lips were tender and generous, his tongue teasing me to madness. He tasted so good. The lemon basil flavors of him intensified in our passion and I was desperate for more. Starving for him, truth be told. He seemed to know everywhere I wanted his touch, each nook and cranny that craved his attentions, and he gave them. Boy, did he give them.

  Jaxson’s lust was as insatiable as my own. I recognized the hunger in my wolf’s eyes as if it were my own.

  Hold on. Back up. Eeek!

  Did I say my wolf?

  The idea that he was mine was as thrilling as it was impossible. Jaxson’s tongue flicked over my nipples, he squeezed and kneaded the mounds of my breasts, teasing me until I was desperate for more. More of everything. More of his mouth, his body, the feel of his callused hands on my skin. That crazy good lemon basil scent that I wanted to wear like perfume.

  I wanted him to be mine. But I couldn’t. I shouldn’t. Wanting things did not mean getting them. I should know that. And it was foolish to trick myself. Especially in the heat of the moment. I was not like other witches. Free to take a mate and devote myself to him and our future kids. My job was too demanding.

  Wasn’t that why Dick had left? And Mike before him? Jaxson’s fingers spread my thighs, exploring the soft flesh waiting between them, deftly and accurately finding that special, secret place that made me cross-eyed with need. No man had ever touched me with such focus, such supreme tenderness. Fuck. It felt so good.

  No, sadly, Jaxson was not mine, but I wanted him to be. My wolf. I admitted, if only to myself.

  “Yours, darlin’, only yours,” he growled, rearing up and pressing into me with one hard thrust.

  My plush body welcomed his hardness, and I moaned out loud with joy at our coming together. Jaxson’s own responding groan was throaty and deep, ending in a chuckle that I almost punched him for until I saw it was a reflection of his own true happiness.

  “You feel so good,” he said, kissing my mouth with such ardor it left me aching for more.

  “Evie, my Evie,” he said, repeating my name as he began to move in earnest.

  Holy fuck. The man had moves. Swivel, swirl, plunge, withdraw. His too handsome face widened in a sexy grin and then he moved faster, harder, deeper, hitting every spot so good he made my legs shake.

  “Ohh,” I moaned, unable to speak or think clearly.

  I was like one big nerve ending, wanting more of what he was making me feel. Our breathing grew rough, uneven, but our bodies didn’t seem to care. We moved like an orchestra elbow deep in a symphony. Born of passion, mutual need, and something else I was not ready to put a name to.

  I scratched at his shoulders as the tightness in my core grew. The flat of my feet found the mattress as I met his every thrust with a flex of my own. Searching, racing, careening towards the edge of that beautiful crest of pleasure, until finally it peeked.

  I wasn’t sure which was louder. My scream or his roar. Both filled the air, and I tried not to worry about the aqua colored sparks of magic that flew from my fingertips, zapping my lover on his delectable bottom.

  “Ouch,” he mumbled, crushing me beneath his weight, since neither of us was ready for him to move.

  The room glowed with the aftermath of our coming together, or maybe it was my magic or some Shifter powers that bathed us in soft, warm light. Whatever it was, I welcomed it.

  Finally, an eon, or maybe minutes later, he rolled to the side, pulling me with him. I was still trying to catch my breath, certain I was ruined for all other men.

  “There won’t be other men, darlin’, otherwise as mayor, you will have one hell of a killin’ spree to clean up after,” he grunted, breathing only slightly easier than myself.

  “What are you saying?” I asked when I could finally speak.

  “I was right the first time. Evelyn Castor, you are my mate.”

  Well, fuck me sideways.

  “Whatever you want, darlin’,” he growled.

  And then he did…. until my toes curled and I’d left scratch marks all over his back. But I didn’t let him give me the claiming bite. Not yet.

  Afterward, he went to the kitchen and got a huge bowl of chocolate mousse and strawberries and fed me in bed. When he left in the early hours of the morning, I damn near begged him to stay. Stopping myself was one of the hardest things I had ever done. But I managed it.

  Barely.

  It dawned on me then that my destiny was not exactly my own. I never asked to be mayor. Never asked to be the protector of this town. Was it bad of me, selfish, to want to hold on to the first bit of real happiness I’d had in a long time?

 

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