Chapter Twenty-Two: Cassie

“Another successful trial,” Cassie said as she and Byron walked hand in hand back to The Fickle Cauldron. It was late afternoon, and Wishing Moon Bay was filled with people going about their business, but she only had eyes for Byron.

They had started this competition as strangers, but over the course of the trials, they had grown closer. Helped, of course, by the fact they were mates. There was no telling how much that soul-deep connection was responsible for the way they felt for each other.

But Cassie liked to think that even if they were not connected by some invisible bond, if he were not a dragon shifter, they would still have found each other and fallen in love.

“How many more do you think there are?” Byron looked troubled for a moment, but then his expression cleared.

“Have you grown tired of competing with me by your side?” Cassie asked.

“No.” Byron squeezed her hand and smiled, but she was sure he was holding something back. Something important. “Never.”

“Well, I would like it over so I can receive my life-changing, sagely advice,” Cassie said as they reached the store, and she unlocked the door.

The store had remained closed all day since Cassie had not realized they would be doing an all-nighter challenge. She could open it for a couple of hours now, but she would rather go upstairs with Byron…

And have coffee.

She unlocked the store door and went inside. Coffee was the last thing on her mind.

There, she’d admitted it. She would rather go up to her apartment above the store and spend the rest of the day in Byron’s arms.

She yawned.

“You need to sleep,” Byron said.

“Come with me.” She took hold of his hand and drew him inside the store.

“All right,” he whispered. His eyes were hesitant, but he allowed her to lead him through the dimly lit shop with its weird and wonderful magically malfunctioning items.

She could feel Byron’s gaze on her back as they climbed the narrow stairs leading to her apartment.

As they entered, she turned to face him. His eyes were fixed on her with an intensity that made her breath hitch in her chest. She moved closer, reaching up to touch the side of his face. He burned hot beneath her fingers, a reminder of the beast that lay beneath his human facade.

“I want you to stay,” she said, her voice barely more than a whisper.

Byron’s gaze darkened, and he cupped her cheek with his warm hand. He was silent for a long moment before finally responding.

“I’ll stay,” he said, his voice raspy, as though the words were scraped from the bottom of his throat. “If that is what you want.”

Cassie ducked her head as color crept across her cheeks. “It’s not what I want. It’s what I need.” She raised her eyes to meet his. “I need you, Byron.”

“And I need you, Cassie. More than life itself.” He slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her close, his lips capturing hers in a searing kiss.

She curled her hands around the fabric of his waistcoat and leaned into him. Her body ached for him.

But they’d been out all night, and she smelled of musty, damp earth and sweat.

Cassie wrinkled her nose and pulled away. “I need a shower.” Byron stood still, transfixed, as she headed along the hallway and opened the bathroom door. “Coming?”

Byron cracked a smile. “Are you insinuating that I need a shower?”

“I was hoping you might help me scrub back.” Her cheeks flamed red as she added, “And other places.”

Byron raised one eyebrow, and she turned away, suddenly shy. But he caught her hand, tugging her back toward him.

“Then I guess we should get started.” His smile deepened as he captured her lips once more.

She ran her hands across his chest, her fingertips stroking him through the fabric of his waistcoat. Then, one by one, she unbuttoned it. As the garment fell open, she slipped her hands inside. His skin was hot to the touch, and he moaned softly as she slid her hand down his muscled chest.

His shirt was next. As she unbuttoned it, he kissed her jawline and down her neck, his breath caressing her sensitive skin. She arched her back, her breathing ragged and shallow as she lost herself in the moment.

Then she dipped her head and nuzzled his chest, licking and teasing his nipples until they pebbled beneath her tongue. His moan grew louder as he tugged at her shirt.

She stepped back, glancing down at his chest, and then up into his eyes. She smiled. “I thought you were supposed to be helping me wash?”

Byron chuckled softly. “You are distracting me.”

She turned and flicked on the shower before reaching to unbutton her jeans. “I don’t know what you mean.”

Byron chuckled again and hurried to follow suit. He stripped off his clothes, dropping them on the floor before reaching for her. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her flush against him, his hardness pressing into her thigh.

He stroked her hair and tilted her face up to his, their lips meeting in another passionate kiss. She clung to him, feeling every inch of her body respond to his touch.

As he led her into the shower, the warm water cascading over them, she sighed with pleasure. He reached for a bar of soap and rubbed it between his hands, forming a lather. Then he worked it over her shoulders and back.

She closed her eyes as he massaged her sore muscles. His hands were strong and capable, and she relaxed into his touch.

As he moved around to her front, his hands swept up over her breasts, and then down her stomach. His fingers stroked between her thighs, teasing her flesh, making her shudder with desire.

She bit her lip. Her eyes locked on his as he sank to his knees. He lifted her leg over his shoulder, parting her folds with his fingers. And then his mouth found her.

His tongue was gentle and playful, caressing her soft skin and then thrusting inside her, filling her with liquid heat. She gasped and cried out, her hips rocking against him.

She placed a hand on his head, holding him steady as she rocked faster and faster. She felt her release building, coiling like a spring inside her, waiting to be set free.

She whimpered his name as she came, her body shaking, her heart thundering in her chest.

Byron held her tight, his fingers digging into her hip, his lips pressed against her throbbing pulse point.

As her climax receded, she sagged against him. She dropped to her knees and kissed him fiercely. She was his. He was hers. Fate had decided for them, and she was not going to complain. Not one bit.

As the hot water trickled over them, she leaned back, her breathing heavy. “We should probably finish cleaning up,” she whispered.

“Probably,” Byron said with a grin. “I’m ready for bed.”

“Bed?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes, bed.” Byron helped her up and reached for the soap. “I want to lay you down and make love to you properly. Without the shower spraying in my eyes.”

She giggled as he lathered up the soap and ran his soapy hands over her body. She returned the favor, running her fingers over his chiseled abs and around his muscular arms.

She couldn’t resist reaching lower and curling her hand around his hardness, stroking him gently as he moaned into her neck.

“You drive me wild.” He pressed her up against the wall, kissing her as his fingers slid inside her, drawing a gasp from her lips.

“Show me,” she dared.

He pulled back, his eyes dark and intense. “If you insist,” he growled. “Bed.”

“If you insist.” Cassie smiled and followed him out of the shower, snagging a towel from the rack and wrapping it around her wet hair.

Still naked, they made their way through to her bedroom, neither of them bothering to dress.

Byron lay her down on the bed and settled above her. His weight pressed her into the mattress, making her feel secure and safe.

She looked up at him, her heart melting at the look of tenderness and love in his eyes.

He kissed her forehead and down her neck, his fingers tracing her skin, his touch featherlight.

She reached up and ran her fingers through his damp hair, his breath warming her skin as he traced a path to her nipple with his tongue.

She arched her back, a groan of pleasure escaping her lips as he suckled her. His tongue rolled over her, sending shivers of pleasure down her spine.

He shifted, his lips trailing down to her stomach, his tongue tracing patterns across her skin. “You are beautiful,” he murmured against her bare skin. His voice was husky, full of desire and tenderness.

Then he moved farther down, his lips leaving a trail of fire as they drifted over her stomach and down her thighs.

She tensed with anticipation as he positioned himself between her legs. He paused to look up at her, his gaze searing into hers.

Then he parted her folds, his tongue finding her sweet spot and teasing her until she thought she might explode. Slowly, leisurely, he explored her, his motions unhurried, as if he had all eternity to know her. His tongue danced over her sensitive flesh, teasing her until she was writhing in delight beneath him. The world narrowed to just them—the feel of his warm mouth on her, his hands gently holding her open for his ministrations, the electrifying flood of sensations coursing through her veins.

“Byron,” she moaned, and he hummed in response, the vibrations intensifying the pleasure coursing through her. He lifted her legs over his shoulders, bringing her closer, going deeper. She gripped the sheets, her back arching as she gave herself up to him, letting him take control.

Her orgasm hit her with a rush, making her cry out as she spasmed and bucked against him.

As her climax receded, Byron sat up. She knew what was coming next, and she ached for him.

“Kneel for me,” he commanded softly.

Cassie obeyed, rolling onto her hands and knees. She felt him move behind her, and then he slipped his fingers inside her. She gasped with delight, pushing back against him, desperate for more. And he gave her more, probing further, his pace relentless as she felt herself teetering on the edge once more. His fingers curled within her, stroking that sweet spot and drawing another cry of pleasure from her lips.

Suddenly, he paused, his fingers still buried within her. “Are you ready?” he asked, his voice rough with desire.

She could only nod, her breath caught in her throat. He withdrew his fingers slowly, and she whimpered at the loss, feeling empty. But then he was there, pressing his hardness against her.

Byron guided her, moving his hands to her hips and adjusting her until he was right where he wanted to be.

She trembled with anticipation as he entered her slowly, filling her completely.

She groaned his name, her breath catching in her throat as he began to thrust. His movements were slow and steady, each one driving her closer to the edge.

She pushed back against him, urging him to go deeper, her breath coming in short, sharp gasps.

He took her slowly, reaching around her to rub his palm across her nipples. The sensation was electric, and she moaned, rocking back against him harder.

He cupped her breast, squeezing it gently before he tweaked her nipple between his finger and thumb, sending shockwaves through her body.

She could feel her release building once more, and she rocked back harder, taking him as deep as she could. He moved his hand from her hip and slipped it between her legs, finding the sensitive bud of nerves and circling it with his fingers.

She was teetering on the edge, the pleasure building as her walls clenched around him, her body begging for release. He kept a steady rhythm, pushing into her over and over again as his fingers worked their magic.

“Byron,” she gasped, her fingers digging into the sheets beneath them.

“Yes, Cassie,” he murmured, as with one last thrust, he exploded inside her, his hot seed filling her as she came, her body shaking with the intensity of her climax.

As the last wave of pleasure subsided, Byron collapsed beside her, pulling her into his arms. She nestled her head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat.

“Shall I make you something to eat?” he whispered against her ear.

“No, I want to stay right here. Like this.” She closed her eyes as he stroked her skin, exploring every inch of her body.

And her body responded, ready to be claimed by this man again. And again.