Page 90 of The Witch’s Daughter

“I am.” I panted as he resumed the pace. “But I can’t show back up with a mating mark. Vincent will know.”

Jaxon propped up onto his hands so he hovered over me. “That argument doesn’t make me want to stop.”

It didn’t sound very good to me either.

Because it isn’t. My wolf sighed.

When Jaxon moved his hips, I forgot what we were talking about. He felt so right. So good. Every time he touched me, it was like he’d been doing this all along. My body responded easily to his, just as his did to mine.

We belonged together. I knew it like I knew my own name. What I didn’t know was why it’d taken me so long to figure this out.

Jaxon reached between us to stroke my clit, bringing me right to the edge again. I opened my legs wider and locked my ankles behind his thighs, trying to accept him deeper, as deep into my soul as he could go.

“That’s right.” His teeth grazed my neck, not hard enough to bite, but enough to remind me of the pressure there. “Who do you belong to?”

“I’m yours,” I panted again, knowing he needed to hear it. And the way he gathered me to his chest, the flex of him inside of me as he thrust once, twice more. That groan of his that I felt deep in my core. His hot seed filling me within…

I cried out my orgasm as his lips crashed over mine, drinking in the sound. Jaxon rolled us both to the side and gathered me into his arms, holding me steady as our frantic hearts slowed in tune to each other.

“I can’t…” Jaxon panted, catching his breath as he gripped me tighter and nuzzled my neck to scent mark, “…let you go.”

I didn’t want him to.

The loss of what could’ve been had we sealed the bond was a growing ache in my chest. It pulled at the primitive parts of me, begging to be whole. Once our bond was completed, I wouldn’t have to struggle to find the words. He’d be able to read me, to sense my emotions and see my memories as if they were his own. And I needed that. I needed him to know what he meant to me.

I wiggled in his arms, getting loose enough to look up at his handsome, sleepy face, and despite wanting to bare my soul to him, I could only think to say, “I screwed up.”

Jaxon chuckled as he kissed the tip of my nose. “We both did.”

“No, you didn’t mess up,” I rushed to defend him. “I’m the one with the issues. The one who thought I wasn’t good enough for you, and the one who thought I was dragging you down.”

“How could you think that?” He scoffed. “I’m clearly the only one who wasn’t good enough here.”

“Will you stop?” I couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re the powerful Alpha wolf-witch. I’m the broken reject with serious family issues.”

“Your family is a bit much,” Jaxon agreed, and I realized he’d seen more of my own family than I had over the past few days.

“They are. And I’m sorry in advance for whatever they’ll do to you and for all that I’ve already done to you too.” Tears burned behind my eyes as I admitted that. It was hard to realize out loud how messed up I really was. “I’m a selfish asshole.”

“You’re the most selfless person I know,” Jaxon growled. I was ashamed to admit that sound did a number to my lady bits. “None of this is your fault.”

“Of the two of us, I’d say this is most definitely my fault.” I knew I was rambling now.

“Then it was equally my fault.” He rested his hand on the side of my face, gently turning me so we were staring into each other’s eyes. “I knew your family was close, but I never realized how much that smothered you. It was always my job to give you what you needed, and maybe you needed freedom. I just wish Lisa hadn’t made you promise to take care of your sisters. I know you gave everything up for them.”

He couldn’t know that. Not even I really did. It was something I’d need to unpack… probably with years of therapy. But speaking of my gram’s promises brought a niggling feeling in my chest.

I needed to get back.

Five more minutes.

I smiled. “You know the worst part was that I always hoped you’d find your mate. I knew I’d hate her, but I couldn’t stomach the thought of you being alone. That’s why I wrote you letters and tried to keep up our friendship even though I always wanted you and could never have—”

This kiss wasn’t as urgent as the ones we’d shared throughout the night, but he always knew the right thing to do. His lips were a tender caress, shutting me up and hinting at promises for a better future despite our troubled past.

And it was the most painful thing I ever pulled away from.

“I have to go,” I whispered.