Broken Curse

23

“How’d it go?” Seeing them eased some of my anxiety.

See, Amethyst was right. They’re okay. Aidan intertwined his fingers with mine.

“Fine.” Coral yawned. “But it took a lot out of us. Granted, I’d rather be doing that than going through what you all did.”

“Oh, you guys saw that?” Honor sounded surprised.

“We aren’t blind.” Rowan smirked. “But we weren’t the ones nature was pissed at. I had to get an attitude with Finn, though, because he was determined to try to help you all from the onslaught like he could do something about it.”

“Either that or toss a wolf or two out as a sacrifice.” Logan sneered at him.

Finn’s breathing increased. “That’s not fair.”

“It kind of is.” I wished Logan had kept his mouth shut, but he wasn’t wrong. Finn had been combative since the day I’d met him. “You haven’t been the most welcoming.”

“While you were gone, I thought about what you said, and you’re right.” Finn cast his eyes down. “If the original witch found you all worthy, I should too.”

Beth walked around the room, looking down the hallway and in the pantry. “Where’s the recorder?”

“What are you talking about?” Aidan’s brows furrowed. “Why would there be a recorder?”

“Because he sounds sane for once, so it has to be a joke or a trap.” She kept searching the house. “None of this makes sense.”

Finn huffed and looked very uncomfortable.

“Okay, I think it’s time we blow up the air mattresses and get some sleep.” If he was trying, then her doubt would only hinder his efforts. “We’re all tired and a little out of it.”

“We were almost electrocuted.” Remus finally budged from his spot. “That took the little bit of energy I had left.”

“Let’s get moving.” Ivory headed toward the closet and pulled out the air mattresses.

“You two go ahead and take off.” Beatrice nodded toward Aidan’s and my bedroom. “I’ll help them get set up.”

I should have argued, but I was dead on my feet. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, go on.”

Aidan and I didn’t need any more encouragement to head to bed. Once I shut the door behind us, I almost collapsed. “Let me take a quick shower before bed.” I needed to decompress or I’d toss and turn despite exhaustion.

A grin spread across his face. “Okay, go get in. I’ll bring you a change of clothes.”

“I love it when you talk dirty to me,” I teased and made my way into the bathroom. I turned on the water and undressed while the shower heated.

Not soon enough, I stepped in. The warm water hit between my shoulder blades, releasing some of the tension.

The bathroom door opened, and Aidan stepped inside. “You doing okay in there?”

“Yeah.” I raised my head to soak my hair.

“Your pajamas are on the sink.”

“Thank you.” Instead of hearing the door shut behind him, I heard the unzipping of his jeans and them falling to the ground.

The curtain moved, revealing my delicious mate in all his glory.

“What are you doing?” Despite trying to play it cool, my arousal scented the air.

“Thought you might need someone to wash your back.” He joined me in the shower and moved forward, placing my back against the cool, white plastic wall as his lips claimed mine.

His minty taste filled my senses, and his hardness pressed against my lower stomach. A moan escaped as my hands slipped between our bodies, touching him. I stroked him, and a guttural groan vibrated in his chest.

That feels so good. His hand slipped between my legs, and his fingers circled on the spot only he knew about.

Damn. Every time with him felt better than the last, and I was already getting dizzy.

He increased the pressure, making me almost lose my mind.

God, you’re beautiful, he whispered in my mind.

I pulled his hand away from my body. I need you, please. All sense of fatigue was gone, and I wanted him more than anything in the world.

Well, I can’t say no to that. He grabbed my ass, hoisted me up, and slammed inside me.

I tightened my legs around his waist and wrapped my arms around his shoulders. He thrust into me over and over again, his lips never leaving mine.

The pleasure built, and I threw my head back, savoring the feeling of the water sliding down my face. He lowered his head, capturing my n****e and gently biting down.

My body bucked as the pleasure increased and pulsated throughout me. I rocked against him, riding it out.

He released my breast and grunted as he finished right after me.

We stayed in that position for a few more seconds before I stood.

That was incredible. He peppered kisses along my face and pressed his lips to mine.

Eh, it was okay. I couldn’t inflate his ego too much.

Liar. He sucked my bottom lip.

My body warmed again. Maybe.

As much as I’d love round two, you need to rest. He squirted shampoo into his hand. Now, turn around.

What are you doing?

What do you think? He rubbed his hands together, making the shampoo sudsy. Washing your hair. Now, turn around before I make you.

Maybe I want to be made, I teased as I turned around so he could work on my hair.

His strong fingers massaged my scalp, and my body sagged against his. They were like magic, releasing all of the pent-up stress from my muscles.

Let’s get you good and relaxed and get some rest. He kissed my neck and proceeded to take care of me.

After two hours of sleep, I found myself wide awake. An uncomfortable feeling pulsed through me, but I couldn’t put a finger on the cause.

Aidan snored beside me, sleeping deeper than he had in weeks. Our shower had been fun, and we’d had the bonding time we’d needed for a while. As soon as we’d mated, our life had been in turmoil, and we hadn’t been able to nurture our bond or spend time together like a newly mated couple should.

Not wanting to bother him, I slipped out of the bed, making sure I made no noise as I tiptoed to the door and opened it. Once the opening was wide enough, I paused before stepping through.

Loud snores, which the door had muffled, bounced off the walls. Between Beth and Logan, every single one of them had to be wearing earplugs. I scanned the room, and my eyes landed on an empty couch.

No.

My first instinct was to wake everyone up, but I’d hate for us all to descend on her again.