Chapter 15

FIFTEEN

M ari felt lighter than air as she walked beside Arden, the cool night breeze carrying with it the lingering scents of spices and laughter from the festive girls' night. Her heart was full to bursting, the love and support of her sister witches a warm glow in her chest that rivaled the moon above.

Arden's hand brushed against hers, sending a delicious shiver up her spine. She glanced up at him, taking in the strong lines of his profile and the soft curve of his lips. Goddess, he was handsome. And he was here with her.

"So," he drawled, a hint of mischief in his voice, "I take it you ladies had a good time tonight?"

Mari laughed, the sound ringing out clear and bright in the quiet street. "The best," she confirmed, bumping her shoulder playfully against his. "Tabitha really outdid herself with the decorations, and don't even get me started on Ivy's palomas and Tabitha's margaritas."

Arden chuckled, shaking his head. "Sounds like a wild night. Meanwhile, us poor saps were stuck sipping boring old beer and talking about...well, I honestly can't remember. It all pales in comparison to your fiesta extravaganza."

"Aww, poor baby," Mari teased, fighting a grin. "Forced to endure the company of your bros and all that free booze. However did you manage?"

"Har, har," Arden grumped, but she could hear the smile in his voice. "Seriously though, I'm glad you had fun. You deserve it, Mari. More than anyone I know."

Something in his tone, soft and sincere, made Mari's breath catch. She stopped walking, turning to face him fully. His eyes met hers, the moonlight casting them in shades of silver and green.

"Thank you, Arden. For everything." She reached out, twining her fingers with his. "For being here, for believing in me, for making me feel like I matter."

Arden lifted her hand wrapped in his to his lips, his touch achingly gentle. "You do matter, Mari. So damn much. To me, to Molly, to this whole crazy, wonderful town." He leaned in, resting his forehead against hers. "I know we're still figuring this thing out between us, but I need you to know...you're it for me. You're my forever."

Tears pricked at the back of Mari's eyes, her heart so full it felt ready to take flight. "Arden..."

"Shh, it's okay. You don't have to say anything." He brushed a kiss to the tip of her nose, making her giggle. "I just wanted you to know where I stand. Where I'll always stand."

They started walking again, hands still clasped, a comfortable silence settling between them. As they rounded the corner onto her street, Arden cleared his throat.

"So, I was thinking...maybe we could do this again sometime? Just the two of us?" His thumb rubbed absently over her knuckles, betraying his nerves. "I mean, I love our group hangs, don't get me wrong, but I'd really like another chance to wine and dine you properly. Show you off a bit, you know?"

Mari's pulse quickened as a playful smile danced across her lips. The warmth in her chest unfurled, spreading through her body like a sip of fine whiskey, smooth and intoxicating.

"Why, Deputy Flynt," she purred, a hint of playfulness in her voice, "are you trying to get me all to yourself?"

Arden's grin turned roguish, his green eyes glinting with promise. He stepped closer, the heat of his body enveloping her like a cozy blanket on a cold night. The spicy, masculine scent of his aftershave made Mari's head swim in the most delicious way.

"Guilty as charged, Ms. Sinclair," he admitted, his voice a low rumble that sent tingles racing down her spine. "I've been thinking about stealing you away for a night of wining and dining. Just the two of us, no interruptions, no distractions..."

Mari arched a brow, trying to ignore the way her heart stuttered at his proximity. "Oh? And what exactly did you have in mind for this hypothetical night of ours?"

Arden's smile turned downright sinful. "Well, I thought we could start with dinner at that new tapas place in the town over. I hear their sangria is to die for." He reached out, tracing a finger along the delicate skin of her wrist. "Then maybe we could take a walk along the river, find a quiet spot to stargaze and... talk."

The way he said talk , low and intimate, made heat coil low in Mari's belly. She licked her lips, noting with a thrill how Arden's eyes tracked the movement.

"That sounds...nice," she managed, her voice coming out breathier than intended. "Very nice, actually."

Arden's smile softened, his hand drifting up to cup her cheek. His palm was warm, slightly rough with calluses. Mari couldn't resist nuzzling into his touch, just a little.

"Is that a yes, then?" he asked, his thumb stroking along the arch of her cheekbone.

Mari's heart swelled, a rush of affection mingling with the simmering heat in her veins. She turned her head, pressing a lingering kiss to Arden's palm.

"Yes," she murmured against his skin. "I'd love to go out with you again, Arden. Tapas, sangria, stargazing...the whole package."

Arden's grin was a blindingly bright, boyish delight and smug satisfaction mingling in the curve of his mouth. He leaned in, his breath ghosting over the shell of her ear.

"Careful, sweetheart," he purred, his voice a dark caress. "You keep saying yes to me like that, and I might start getting ideas."

A shiver rippled through Mari, desire a molten ache in her core. She tilted her head back, meeting Arden's heated gaze with a challenge in her own.

"Maybe I want you to get ideas," she breathed, feeling bold and reckless and alive. "Maybe I've got a few ideas of my own."

Arden growled, actually growled, the sound vibrating through Mari like a plucked guitar string. His hand slid into her hair, fingers flexing against her scalp.

"Careful what you wish for, Ms. Sinclair," he warned, his eyes glittering with unnamed promises. "I bite."

Mari grinned. "Promise?"

The groan that tore from Arden's throat was positively indecent. He rested his forehead against hers, his breathing ragged.

"You're going to be the death of me," he rasped, nipping at her bottom lip. "But, gods, what a way to go."

Mari laughed, the sound bright and carefree in the moonlit street. She looped her arms around Arden's neck, pressing the length of her body against his.

"Not if I have anything to say about it, Deputy," she purred, rubbing her nose playfully against his. "I've got plans for you. Big, big plans."

Arden's answering chuckle was low and dark, full of wicked promise. "Is that so?" His hands settled on her hips, thumbs stroking over the jut of her hipbones. "Care to give me a little preview?"

Mari hummed, pretending to consider. "I suppose I could be persuaded to offer a sneak peek." She leaned in, her lips just barely brushing Arden's.

They were at her front gate, the honeysuckle twining around the white picket fence perfuming the air with its sweet scent. Mari stepped back from Arden, reluctant to let the night end.

"I had a really great time tonight," she said softly, looking up at him through her lashes.

"Yeah?" Arden's voice was low, rough with some emotion she couldn't quite name. "Even though I wasn't there to liven up the party with my sparkling wit and boyish charm?"

Mari huffed a laugh, swatting at his chest. "Somehow, I managed to muddle through." She sobered, holding his gaze. "But...I'm glad you're here now."

Something shifted in Arden's expression, his eyes darkening as they dropped to her mouth. "Me too," he murmured, swaying closer. "Mari..."

She didn't let him finish. Rising up on her toes, she pressed her lips to his, the contact sending a jolt of electricity dancing down her spine. Arden made a rough sound in the back of his throat, his arms coming around her waist to haul her closer.

The kiss quickly deepened, Mari threading her fingers through the soft hair at Arden's nape as she opened to him. He tasted like mint and something uniquely him, warm and addictive. She lost herself in the gentle push and pull of their lips, the hot slide of his tongue against hers.

When they finally broke apart, Mari was pleasantly dazed, her lips tingling and heart racing. Arden looked equally affected, his eyes heavy-lidded and chest heaving.

"Would you...would you like to come in?" The words were out before Mari could second-guess them, her voice breathless but sure. "I could make us some coffee, or..."

"Or?" Arden's thumbs stroked over the small of her back, setting off sparks beneath her skin.

Mari shivered, desire a molten curl in her belly. "Or we could just...see where the night takes us."

Arden's smile was slow, devastating in its intensity. "I like the sound of that," he murmured, dipping his head to nip at her bottom lip. "Lead the way, sweetheart."

Mari had been dreaming of being back in Arden's arms since their first night together. She guided him inside the house. Tonight, he wasn't going anywhere. She was done waiting.

She closed the front door and continued walking past the living room and to her bedroom. The moment they entered, she pressed her mouth to his, ignoring the alarms going off inside her telling her to take things slow. Instead, she yanked at his shirt, the sound of material tearing one she'd never heard before. Who knew that ripping his shirt off would be something that turned her on?

He growled into the kiss, swooping in with his tongue and taking charge. Passion flared between them. She groaned as his hand moved to her back, lowering the zipper of her dress and pushing it off her body until it was pooling down by her feet. The kiss turned savage. He removed her bra, immediately cupping her breast and thumbing her nipple with enough pressure to make her gasp. She pressed her body into him, moaning at the hand he lowered between her legs, wanting his fingers inside.

He glanced down at his torn shirt and chuckled. "I like this side of you, witchy witch. Got any more tricks you want to share?"

She smiled and whispered a simple spell to make his clothes disappear. She laughed at his surprised look. "I like this a lot better."

He sucked a breath when she grabbed hold of him, pumping him in one hand. "Mari," he groaned, his voice churned gravel. "You sure about this?"

The way he looked at her. Like she was so hot. So beautiful. It took her back to that night at the hotel. Was she sure? No. She wasn't sure of anything anymore. She had several years on him, but boy, did she want him. He made her feel young and alive. It was addictive how badly she wanted to be with Arden. She pressed a kiss on his chest and sighed. Warm, smooth skin met her lips. It should've been illegal to have a body like his. So big and sexy with all those muscles calling her to touch. "You taste good."

"Ah, hell. Don't say that," he muttered, ripping at her underwear and pulling the torn material off, leaving her bare for his touch.

"You do," she whispered.

He cursed under his breath and kissed her hard, bruising her lips with the harshness of their kiss. She groaned and wiggled her hips on his fingers. He pressed on her, fondling her tight little nub and her body blazed.

She clawed at his arms. She wanted more. Needed more.

He pulled her forward, pressing her body flush on his. She curled a leg around his waist and clung to his shoulder, waiting for him to get the picture. He didn't waste time. He lifted her by her backside, squeezing her cheeks, and turned her to the bed.

She spread her legs wide on the bed and leaned back to push her pelvis forward. He curled his arms around her thighs and pulled her closer to the edge of the bed. She watched his body grow taut with tension. "You are hot."

He rubbed between her slick folds. Up and down. Fire burned in her blood and her muscles ached from waiting. She dug her nails into his shoulder, raking them up to the back of his neck. Then he was there, sliding into her, deep. With a hard thrust, he was inside her.

They both groaned at the feeling of his body invading hers. Her body clamped tightly around his length. She gasped and moved closer to press her lips to his. They kissed and he drove in and out of her. Her back arched and fireworks sparked around the room.

He pulled back and drove in harder, deeper with each thrust.

"Do you like that, my pretty witch?" he asked, his voice a low rumble. "Like watching us?"

"Yes." She had no shame. None. He brought out a side of her she never knew existed.

He plunged deep and licked around her neck. "When you're ready, Mari. You're going to be mine."

She gasped as the beginning of her orgasm took hold. "Arden-"

He thumbed her clit with quick strokes. "It's okay, beautiful. I won't rush you."

He curled a hand around her neck and made her look at him. The link between them grew with each thrust, with each sigh, with each moan. She groaned, clinging to him, digging her nails deep into the back of his neck.

The tension inside her unraveled so fast, she was left breathless. A loud scream tore from her throat as her body shook with the strength of her climax. His cock pulsed inside her. His thrust slowed until he became stiff between her legs. He roared her name loud and came.

He pulled her up on the bed, holding her close to his body. She sighed and grinned. She really wanted to believe there was a chance for her and Arden. But for now, she'd take these moments with him. Every second of being in his arms became a precious memory she'd relive later.