10. X

X

T he giant white canopy of a party tent stands in the centre of the park. Dance music carries through the air and the sweet, sugary aroma of cotton candy and candy apples fills my nose.

Carved jack-o'-lanterns, orange and black pulsing lights, and people in Halloween costumes laugh and dance all over the park. I dressed all in black and wore a t-shirt that says, ‘ This is my costume .' Clark isn't big into costumes either, and he also wore black except his shirt is mesh and cut off at his navel. Right where a delicious trail of dark hair leads downward. When I asked him what he was supposed to be, he shrugged and said he never gets to wear the shirt anymore.

"I didn't know people went to such lengths for Halloween."

A woman with a pointed hat and flowing black dress walks by us. Her rubber nose with warts jiggles as she speaks to her friend, and I grip Clark's hand.

"We don't dress like that. Ever. And I don't know where the idea of a warty witch's nose comes from."

Clark's throaty laugh warms me all over as he peers at me.

"You didn't grow up with ugly witches, then?"

"I did. But their ugly was inside." I tap at my heart. "I don't think humans really understand how magic works."

If you were powerful enough, you'd never be ugly on the outside. Over the years, humans painted us all as ugly, evil things, but many of us were good.

"I sure don't understand it, but I hope with time…you might teach me?"

The sparkle in Clark's eyes is earnest, and his aura flares again. It's so strange how his aura differs from any other human I've met. Not a single part of his aura flashes anything sinister. He's genuinely signalling that he's a good man, and he doesn't even know it.

Without testing him, I know I can trust him. Fully and completely.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Clark's thumb brushes across my cheek.

"Uh…it's complicated. But…I feel like I've known you my whole life, and we were meant to be here like this. And…" Good grief, I need to rein it in. Now is not the time to wax poetic. "Could we get a drink?"

"Of course."

Clark pulls me across the grass to the bar inside the tent, and, after queuing in line, he hands me a green drink in a mug shaped like a cauldron. When I raise an eyebrow in question, his rumbling laugh sets me at ease.

"I couldn't resist just to see your face. I honestly don't know what's in it, but I can get you something else if you prefer."

Taking a sip, I grudgingly admit it's not terrible. "It's sour apple something and isn't horrible." Grabbing his hand, I lead him away from the music and we lean against a tree in the shadows of the party.

"I can see your aura right now, Clark. That's why I was looking at you like I was."

"Is that good?"

"For me? Yes. Sort of. But…" Do I just blurt it out that he needs to be in love with me and my life will be normal? Do I tell him he's the key to me sleeping and hopefully practicing powerful magic again?

Clark sets his drink down before reaching for mine and doing the same. He rests them next to a small bush, making sure they stay upright, and even that makes me smile.

"Let me tell you something first if it's easier for you?" Clark takes my hands in his, his thumbs smoothing across my knuckles. "The moment I saw you watching me in the club, it felt like a string connected us. A short one that was so tight I never wanted you out of my sight and I never wanted it to break. But people have hurt me in the past. The men I've dated didn't respect my love of witchcraft or felt embarrassed about my business devoted to it."

He pauses and bites his lip. "When we kissed, I swear there was magic happening because I've never felt like that after a single kiss." He laughs softly. "It sounds so corny when I say it out loud."

"I felt it too. But you're my first kiss. I have nothing to compare it to."

"How can someone as beautiful as you have never been kissed?"

My neck heats, and the warmth of his words wraps around me.

"Am I? Nobody has ever told me I'm beautiful."

Clark pulls me to him and curls his fingers into my hair. With a frustrated growl, he pulls the band from my bun and my hair tumbles down. He gathers it in a fist before bringing his nose next to mine. My fingers curl into his shirt as I lean into him.

"I don't know if it's a love at first sight thing or what, but there's nobody I want more than you. In my arms, in my bed." His lips trail over to my ear. "In my whole fucking life. I want you here, X. And you are beautiful. You say you see my aura, but I feel your soul. We were meant to find each other, I know it."

My knees tremble as Clark pulls back. "To break the curse, someone needs to love me, believe in witches, and be okay with a virgin. Enjoying the same kink as me is a bonus. But those other things? Non-negotiable." Shaking my head, I look away. "Falling in love is bigger than believing I'm an actual witch. That's why I've shown you everything so quickly. Magic and witches seem easier to believe in than love. I left the hard part for last."

Again, Clark's aura pulses so bright it physically hurts to look, but he tilts my chin up so I'm gazing into his honey-brown eyes.

"I believe in you and anything other-worldly, okay? That's not an issue. And I definitely don't have a problem with you being a virgin." He licks his lips. "Love is…harder. But I believe I can love you. It just might take me longer to get to that part."

"I understand. I do. And I don't give up, Clark." Stepping closer, I whisper in his ear. "We have lust though, don't we? And there're hundreds of people here to watch. Do you want to put on a show?"

Clark groans and grips me closer. "It's a public place. I don't want to get arrested."

"But you didn't say no."

He laughs as he brings his lips to mine. "You're right. Follow me."

Clark kisses me once, hard, before turning and pulling me after him into the trees. We weave through low-hanging branches until we're far enough from the party so the lights don't give us away. Dressed in black, it's not like we stand out either. But voices drift over the night air and all it would take is a single person looking for a place like ours to be caught.

He releases my hand and leans against a tree. Fuck, he's gorgeous. This excites him and I'm here for it. He runs one hand up his chest and teases his nipples through the mesh of his shirt while the other rubs against his zipper.

"You're so fucking perfect, Clark. Pull your shirt up. Let me see you pinch your nipples. "

"Fuck." He does as I say, and I spread my legs to lean against the tree across from him. It's the first time his aura has pulsed like a living thing. Not a flow like a lava lamp, but a pulse like a heartbeat. Another unique thing with Clark, which only makes me impatient for love to bloom. He's the one and the proof literally surrounds him.

But I've waited this long already. I can be patient. I think.

Clark's hand dusts between his nipples and down his abs and back again. His other hand rests over the bulge in his pants, waiting for me.

"Unzip and shove your pants down so your balls rest on the waistband." His breath hitches with the order and he complies. He's rough in his hurry to obey and he doesn't seem to mind. But I do.

"Be gentle, Clark. We have all the time we need." His shoulders relax as his hand grips his cock with a lazy tug. "There're hundreds of people a few steps away who could see you. Do you like that?"

His eyes close as he drops his head against the tree. It may be dark, but it's not dark enough for me to miss the shine of the pre-cum on his dick.

"Y-yes."

Oh boy. Cute Clark, all breathy as he shows off for me in a private show, is…well, one I'm happy to have front-row seats to.

"Stroke your cock how you like it. When you're home alone and wish someone was watching, what do you do? "

He licks his lips as he raises his head. Honey-brown, lust-filled eyes lock on me as he slides the palm of his hand across the head of his dick and back down his shaft.

"If we weren't out here and I could have you naked, I'd make you put a finger or two in your ass. Maybe even a vibrator." His hand moves faster on his cock and his loud moan has me check around to see if anyone heard.

"If you're not more quiet, someone might find us, Clark. Anyone could wander through those trees and see what you're doing." His chest heaves as I talk, so I keep going. "Tug on your balls and be quiet."

Clark bites his lip so hard that I'm worried he might draw blood. But he still pins me with that stare as he does what he's told.

"Can I come? I'm close." He grits out and the speed of his hand increases.

He's beautiful in his uninhibited way out here. He's shuffled his feet a little farther apart and his harsh pants are a compromise to the moans I'm positive he'd rather make.

Stepping closer to him, I trace a finger around one pebbled nipple. Goosebumps race across his skin as his heated gaze begs for more.

"Will you come if I kiss you?"

"Probably."

"Good."

Leaning in, I seal my lips to his, and he opens with a needy whine. The same jolt I felt when we kissed at his shop travels through me and Clark's body shudders as he spills over his fist.

"Don't stop," he murmurs against my lips. "Keep kissing me. Please."

I can't say no to that. He has the softest lips, and it's hard to stop, anyway. Eventually, his laboured breathing returns to normal and the hand stroking his cock comes to a stop, but he doesn't let me pull away.

"Babe…" He nips at my lip, and I smile against his kiss. "We need to clean you up and we should probably enjoy the party a little."

Clark kisses me again before resting his forehead on mine. "I guess we should. But…" He holds up his hand coated in his spunk. "I don't know how we can deal with this and sneak back."

"I can help with that."

Gesturing for him to give me his messy hand, he does, gasping as his eyes widen when I flick my tongue for a taste.

"X…don't. Not here."

With a laugh, I pull a few napkins from my pocket and wipe him off.

"I just wanted a taste."

"Are you sure you want to go to a Halloween party now?" His voice is ragged as he tucks himself back into his pants.

"Well, my first choice is obviously to go home with you and continue this. But I want to see what all the hype is over Halloween."

His smile wraps around my heart like a beam of sunshine on a winter's day.

"I hope you have a sweet tooth. It's all about candy for kids more than anything."

"Oh! Really? I love candy."

"Me too. Let's go before we miss all the contests."

He pulls me along behind him, heading back to the party, but I plant my feet and make him turn.

"Contests?"

His grin couldn't get any bigger.

"All fun. Promise."

And that's how I find myself half drowning in a cold barrel of water, trying to grab an apple with my teeth.

His idea of fun and mine are going to need a realignment.