Assassin's Kiss (38 page)

She’d made the move to HQ with him, eager to work with Whysper, Melixa, and the rest of the spell department. And because transportation amulets were as common as candy here, she and Scorpio traveled back to Bronwy every week to see her dad and help out with making blades or holding special training sessions. And when Whysper came along to check on the buffer around the dark ley lines, they traveled with Johanna the porter. Now
that
was luxurious travel.

The entire coven had forgiven Scorpio after Damien’s fall, and Bronwy was now officially allied with the Watchers. Many of the witches who’d defected to Vespera from Bronwy returned, while others simply left and scattered across the realm.

Zeebi was part of the latter group, though no one knew where she was. She just disappeared one night, soon after she healed from Damien’s blow. Tessa missed her, but knew deep down that her girlhood friend had departed, emotionally, a long time ago.

A small warm body pressed up against her back and tiny paws pushed at Tessa’s shoulder blades. Crap! Jinx.
Go away. You’ll make me wake him up.
The cat had made herself right at home in the sprawling compound, asking just about anyone for attention and treats.

“You’re awake,” Scorpio rumbled, tightening his grip on her ass.

“I wanted you to have a few more minutes to sleep,” she said.

“Don’t need sleep. All I need is you.” He rolled to his back and dragged her to lay atop him.

She bit down on her lower lip as his erection pulsed at her belly and his hands caressed lazy circles on her back. Heat radiated from his skin. With him, she would never need a blanket. She rested her chin on his pecs and gazed up at him. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” He pushed an arm behind his head and looked at her, golden eyes full of adoration and desire. “And I love that the whole world knows it.” He reached toward her hair, finding the lock that had changed color to match his and sifting it reverently between his fingers.

Right in the center front of her hairline lay an inch-wide streak of perfectly mixed chestnut and gold. It was beautiful, and had caused a stir as all the Watchers learned Scorpio’s true hair color. Tessa loved it and made sure it was obvious, no matter how she styled her hair.

Scorpio had a matching lock, as all mates did, though he had gone back to shaving his head. But whenever he let it grow for more than a few days, a startling segment of black became visible at his left temple.

Just like right now. “No one would recognize you if you let your hair grow out. It’s got so many colors in it now,” she teased.

No
, he spoke in their mental link, another aspect of the mate bond.

She giggled. They’d had this conversation nearly every day. Inching her way up his body, she dotted kisses at his throat. Each sliding motion of her skin across his cock was a heated caress that sizzled through their bond. They felt each other’s emotions at all times, and could project thoughts when they were near. It was amazing every time she grasped the depth of his love for her.

And it made it hard to keep secrets. But with a little help from Ria, one of the other Watchers, Tessa had learned to build a temporary wall around today’s plans.

It was her warrior’s birthday. And he had no idea she knew.

She abruptly changed direction and moved south, licking a line down his sternum and lower, exploring his hard abs. There were times she still couldn’t believe a male this perfect was hers. And there were times she knew, his flaws made him hers in a way that couldn’t have happened with anyone else.

He hissed out a breath as she moved past his belly button and his grip in her hair tightened. She backed up onto all fours and shifted to straddle one of his muscular thighs. His cock jutted straight up, engorged and throbbing for her.

Holding him at the base, she licked slowly up to his tip.

He gritted his teeth. “Fuck, Tessa. You’re so good.”

“Look at me,” she whispered.

Golden eyes flared with light as he met her gaze. She circled him with her tongue, giving extra attention to his sensitive underside, never breaking eye contact. Her own body pulsed with responding need as his lust poured through to her.

He flexed up. “Suck it,” he demanded.

She kept licking him, determined to make him insane. At least keep up her oral play until she coaxed a drop of liquid from him.
I want to taste you. Give me a little.

Witch, he growled. You’re two seconds away from being pounded into this bed.

Mmm.
She closed her lips over his swollen crown, finally getting the sweet-salty taste of him she wanted.
You’re delicious.
She took him deeper as his hand fisted in her hair, encouraging her to fit him all in.

She licked and sucked and swirled up and down his cock, pumping at the base and using her other hand to tug at his balls. His need built with every teasing stroke and liquid heat pooled between her thighs as she let his lust carry hers higher. She rubbed her body on his leg, unable to help it.

Baby your mouth feels amazing, but I want to come in your hot body right now.
He bent his knee, tilting her forward. She released him with a pop of her lips and settled on his chest.

“I want to make you feel good.” She braced her hands on his pecs.

“All you have to do is stand there and you make me feel good.” Strong hands at her hips scooted her forward. “But you start grinding on me like that? Playtime is over. I need to fuck you hard.”

She gasped as he cupped her breasts, running each finger across her aching nipples. “Okay.” A shiver of pleasure zipped down her spine.

His cock was slick and now even thicker, thanks to her efforts. She lowered herself down. No need to go slow anymore. She was addicted to sex with her mate.

He stretched her perfectly, each ridge of him stroking a spot inside her that made her body hum with pleasure. His hands were everywhere, playing with her breasts, her hips, her ass.

Smack!
He spanked her, just hard enough to make her moan.

The mix of sensation pulled her higher, and when he dipped a finger between her legs to slick across her clit, she shattered. He pumped harder, giving her everything she needed as she rode out her intense orgasm. She panted as she came down from the euphoric cliff, lost in the pure gold of his eyes.

“Hang on.” In a blur of motion, he pulled her off him and flipped them around so she was back on all fours. He moved behind her.

“I’ll never get used to how fast you do that,” she gasped. Her breathing was still choppy, but even through her own sated bliss, she felt his need to take her hard.

“You don’t have to. All you have to do is enjoy what I do to you.” He placed a kiss on her spine, then teased her core with his hard length dragging along her hypersensitive skin.

“I want you.” She pushed back, seeking him.

One hand moved behind her, and with a deep thrust and a groan, he buried himself deep.

Ohhh.
She arched her back and tilted her head back at the sensation of being so very full of her powerful male.

You like this, baby?

“Gods, yes,” she moaned.

His hands gripped her hips tightly, holding her in place as he pounded into her. His balls slapped her clit. His hips slammed her ass. She peeked over her shoulder, eager for a glimpse of her man so wildly out of control.

He sent her a heated stare, lips parted as he worked them both into a frenzy.
Wanna see how sexy you are?

She nodded, and was instantly rewarded with a visual of what he saw. His hands at her hips, her bare back and ass. Him sliding into her, his whole huge cock disappearing as she accommodated him. So perfect.

She felt his hormones spinning wildly out of control at the image of her body open to him. But twined with his lust was the knowledge she belonged to him and awe at the depth of her love.

He roared as he found his release, pistoning furiously and bringing her over the edge with him. His breath sawed in and out, skating hotly across her back as he fought to regulate it. She dropped her head to the mattress as she did the same.

Gently, he moved them down, him on his back and her tucked alongside. “I don’t know how you do it. You keep getting more incredible.” He kissed her lips. “What a great way to start the day.”

She popped up on one elbow and grinned. “It’s going to get better.”

He slid her a devilish glance. “The sex, or this day?”

“Mmm, I was thinking of this day, but it could apply to the sex too.”

He studied her, his grin turning into a sexy frown. “What are you thinking right now? I can’t tell.”

She couldn’t suppress a huge smile. “Happy birthday!” she shouted.

He snorted. “Oh. You found that out, huh?” He leaned up to kiss her. “And thank you.”

“I have my ways of finding stuff out.” She traced a finger along his collarbone.

“Let me guess, Kira spilled?” He arched a brow.

“Maybe.” Tessa smiled. She had been spending hours with Kira. The demoness was sweet, funny, and had quickly become like a sister to Tessa. Raff, too, had been an instant, caring brother. Both had been eager to do something for Scorpio’s birthday, since they reported he usually refused any acknowledgment of it.

“With you,” Kira had said, “we can finally plan something. He’ll never say no to you.”

Scorpio chuckled now. “I’m glad you girls are so close.”

“That’s not all. Wait.” Tessa got out of bed and crossed the room to her dresser. “I have a present for you.”

Scorpio sat up and she felt his hungry eyes on her back. “Just looking at your naked body is a present.”

“No, silly.” Tessa pulled a box from a drawer and returned to bed. “A real present.”

Scorpio hooked her around the nape with one arm. “You are a
real present
. Never forget it.” Searing honesty flowed through their bond.

Tessa melted into her man. “You’re amazing,” she whispered.

“How did you keep this a secret?” He released her and turned the wrapped box over in his hands. Jinx, who had been snoozing in a sliver of sunlight, jumped up to investigate.

“Ria gave me some tips. Just for special occasions like this. She said Arawn surprised her with a few things.” Tessa had met the intimidating Lash leader. He’d been polite, but the power radiating off him was too intense for her. Ria, his mate, was much more approachable, in Tessa’s opinion.

“Huh. Okay, let’s see.” Scorpio tore a section, deliberate and slow, and held it up for Jinx. The cat gave it a disinterested sniff, then stepped close to arch her back against Scorpio’s chest.

“Go faster!” Tessa giggle-yelled. “I might accidentally send you a mental picture of what it is. I want you to see it for yourself first.”

He winked at her. “You can tell me to go faster later tonight.”

She smacked his arm. “Open it.”

He made quick work of the wrapping to reveal a brown leather rectangular case. Lifting the lid, he blinked. And stared. Golden eyes flicked up to her and he reached into the box.

Tessa was ready to jump out of her skin, studying every nuance of his face as he lifted the heavy dagger.

He tested its weight in his hand. “This is beautiful. Did you—”

“Yes!” she shouted, unable to contain herself any longer. “It has my magic in it. Normally I need the blood of the person who will use it most, but because we’re mated, I used mine, and it will work just fine for you. Gage did the bulk of the forging, though.”

“He was in on this?” Scorpio frowned, but a smile quickly replaced it.

Gage, the head weapons guru at Watcher HQ, had been on board ever since Tessa proposed the birthday idea. Having made weapons for Scorpio before, he knew what size and weight would suit him best. “I was there for every step,” Tessa murmured. “Adding my spells and just a drop of blood. It will always fly true for you.”

Scorpio examined the hilt, where Tessa had asked Gage to carve the initials
T
and
S
, surrounded by rowan leaves. “This is…” he shook his head. “This is perfect.” He placed it back in its box and pulled her close. “Perfect gift, perfect magic, perfect girl.” His mouth covered hers in a kiss that liquefied her veins with so much love, it made her dizzy and insanely happy at the same time.

With every ounce of her being, she knew she belonged at the side of this warrior, this most unlikely of heroes. The one who had shown her that real love doesn’t manipulate or dwell on the past, but relishes the present and pins hope on the future.
I love you so much
, she told him.

I know, baby.
Affection and passion hummed in the air around them.
You’re mine, and I’m yours. Forever.

The End

I sincerely hope you enjoyed
A
SSASSIN’S
K
ISS
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G
LOSSARY

Atropa Sword –
a sword that many believe to be a myth, it is magically enhanced with one seed of deadly nightshade embedded in its creator’s blood. When used by him or his kin, the blade coats itself with nightshade (Atropa belladonna) poison.

Black lily
– a plant native to Evena. Liquid can be extracted from its leaves and stems that if ingested, will provide temporary added strength, speed, healing, and sensory perception. Control of the plant was the cause of a war that took place four centuries ago on Evena between the Serus demons and the Kentini demons. The plant survived the toxic breath of the Serus demons, but many other vegetation did not, and neither did the humble brown bee. This bee was the sole pollinator of the lily, and the entire crop became extinct.

Bloodspire Mountains
– highly treacherous and inhospitable mountain range

Carapace Mountains
– a mountain range full of limestone formations resembling weapons