Read The Witching Moon: The Witches of Redwood Falls - Book 1 for Free Online Page B

body ached, pleaded for more of his
gentle assault. But it was more than how he made her feel. She
wanted all of him. “Yes.” She shook her head, remembering. “No,
wait. I have to work. A client needs more stock.”
    “What do you need to do?”
    “I need to make more bath products. Lotions,
soaps, shampoo.”
    “Well, can I help you?”
    A smile curved her lips. “I’d like
that.”
    He nuzzled a soft kiss against her lips.
“I’ll be here.” Setting her away in degrees, he released her.
    Walking to the door, the hairs on the back
of her neck stood on end. She turned, catching his eyes devouring
her in greedy gulps. It helped soothe the ache in her heart now
that he’d let her go, but just barely.
    “Keep walking, sweetheart. If you stop, I
might not let you go again.”
    Her heart thrilled at his words, at the
truth she saw echoed in his eyes. She crossed into her house,
closing the door quietly behind her and listened as he drove
away.
    All she could think about were his words,
his praise, his kiss. They were drugs to her, and she flew high off
of him.

Chapter 5

     
     
    Waking with the sun, Poppy still glowed from
Drake’s kiss. Sleep had come easily, and she’d savored the wicked
dreams she’d envisioned during the night. But with morning came
unpleasant thoughts as well. As wonderful as last night was, as
much as she’d enjoyed being with Drake in that way, he wasn’t her
mate. No matter how much she cared for him, longed for him, nothing
could change that fact.
    Drake’s proposal was sound. She didn’t know
who her mate was, how to find him, not even what he looked like.
Until she did, she’d enjoy her time with Drake, because for once,
she’d do what she wanted. Something selfish. Something that wasn’t
dictated by a cosmic force. After years of fighting it, this was
her chance to be with Drake.
    Not wanting to think of it any more, she set
a kettle on the stove for tea and organized all the ingredients
she’d need to make lavender lotion. She’d been gifted in herbs, and
she’d worked to hone their uses, not only in magic but in therapy
as well, since she was a girl. If she happened to add a
regenerative spell, or a touch of something for relaxation to aid
the herbs, well, so much the better. She financially supported
herself with her concoctions and was grateful she’d been able
to.
    By the time Drake arrived, the ingredients
lined her counter as neat as any surgeon’s tools. His muscled body
leaned against the door frame, a brow raised at her supplies. She
tried not to drool.
    “I thought you were going to wait for
me.”
    She shrugged playfully, lightening her mood.
It was either that or jump him. “That’s what happens when you sleep
in.”
    He snorted. “I hardly think 8:30 in the
morning is sleeping in since I’m here and dressed.”
    “Have you eaten?”
    “I was hoping you’d feed me.” He grinned
wolfishly, stalking toward her. “I can tell you exactly what I’m in
the mood for.”
    She gasped when he lunged for her, wrapping
her in thick arms. His kiss was hot, possessive. Everything she’d
dreamed. Everything that had tormented her during the night.
    She arched against him, relishing his touch,
his taste.
    He came up for air, tucking her head under
his chin. She grinned at his racing heart. “Now that’s the way I
prefer to say good morning.”
    “Good morning,” she breathed out.
    He released her, even if he did so
reluctantly. “Come on. Let’s get started or else we’ll never get it
done.”
    A grin cracked her face. He was adorable. He
valued her for who she was, not just for how she made him feel
physically. After being friends for so many years, she’d known
this, but loved that nothing had changed in the last few days.
    “Where do you want me to start?”
    She tossed her head to the counter. “Slip
around to the other side by the pestle. I’ll have you start on the
lavender sprigs. I’m running low on lavender oil, and I’ll need to
replace