Page 90 of Hexed & Hazy

“Don’t move.” She wraps her arms around my shoulders, keeping me in place. I could probably break free, but I don’t want to. “Look at me. Eyes up here.”

The echo of my earlier words is almost enough to make me smile as I lift my head.

“Dom drop?” she asks.

Damn it. She really knows me too well—or maybe she knows the situation too well. I nod.

“It’s normal,” she says. “I’ve been there.”

“It’s stupid.”

“It’s not. It’s science. The feel-good hormones are wearing off. It happens to everyone.”

It feels like more than that, but I can’t put it into words better than she has. She releases me, and when she pushes me onto my back, I let her.

“Thank you for checking on me, but right now, I’m okay. And I’m more concerned about you.”

“Please. Don’t be.”

“Too late. I’ll be the one gathering snacks today. Water, too, and”—she looks at me over her shoulder—“I’ll be dishing out plenty of cuddles.”

My lips tug up at the corners. “Really?”

“Mhm.”

“Did you…?” I can’t even find the energy to finish my thought.

She hovers over me, her lips pressing to mine so softly. “Yes. I enjoyed myself, and I always do with you. I meant what I said. You’re good. The best I’ve ever had. You’re such a good boy, even when you’re dominating me.”

I don’t understand why the words make me sob, but her arms are around me before I know it. She sits me up and rocks me back and forth, and I bury myself in her hair, lost.

“I loved it when you spat in my mouth,” she says. “Gods. You made me come so many times. I think I lost track again.”

The heaviness in my body transforms into something pleasant. Grounding, almost. “And you can count higher than me, so that’s a big deal.”

“Don’t talk about yourself like that. I know you’re smarter than you pretend to be.” She kisses the top of my head. “I’m thinking I'll reheat some of the pizza. Yes? No?”

“Yes. Definitely yes.”

“Good.”

I stay curled up in bed as Rowan shuffles around the room, getting our snacks and entertainment ready. She holds me until I forget the feeling of guilt, of not being enough, of not doing enough. When we fall asleep together in that little motel room, I think I may actually deserve her.

At least for the night.

Chapter 29

Seth

Our weekend away is cut short. Obviously. One night in the dingy motel is enough for us, and while I wanted more time alone with her, it feels like a win to give her a single night of relaxation. When I find other ways to keep Rowan away from work. We spend some time with her sisters, drink at the tavern, and visit the greenhouse again.

Tomorrow, it will be back to work for both of us. Way too soon.

I can tell she’s stressed out. We spend the night at my place, and she tosses and turns next to me, like she’s trying to avoid sleeping. In the morning, she’s gone before I wake up. Her responses to my texts are short, but I know that’s just Rowan. She gets locked into whatever she’s doing. In this case, it’s work.

I have the day off, but I still stop by the flower shop. I’ve been surrounded by coffee and flowers for so long that it feels a bit like home when I approach the purple demon as he carefully places long-stemmed flowers in color-coordinated vases.

He beams at me. “I was hoping to see you today. Did you come to lend a helping hand? The gods know I need it.”