12. X

X

W hen my thigh burned, it felt like lightning struck me. A lingering zap coursed through my body, and I hoped it was good when I could finally bring myself to look.

And it was more than good. At least I thought so. I'm not sure what Clark thinks.

"You think this happened because of me? I don't understand."

"It's a lot to take in, I know, but remember when I said the mark would only be complete when the curse breaks?"

He nods and sits up further. "What are you saying?"

My hands fidget and I feel like this is the moment my life may actually end if he rejects me. There's no way I'll find anyone else as perfect as him.

"I'm saying that you're falling in love with me. And I know it's weird that I know that before you might, but this," I pull his hand over and place it over my mark, pressing him to my skin and he swallows hard. "This doesn't lie."

"Someone breaks the curse when they love you and you can live as a witch with your powers. Practice magic without screwing up. Live as you want to." Clark smiles a shy smile and his dark eyelashes flutter as he meets my gaze. "I was listening."

His voice is soft, but his fingers still dust over my mark.

"Are you freaked out?"

The stray curl on his forehead sticks to his skin, and I brush it off with a fingertip.

"A little. But…how can I possibly doubt what you're telling me? I've spent my whole life trying to practice spells like you do. I've believed in magic, real shit, forever, and now I'm living it." He huffs a shaky breath. "The love part is new to me, though. I've never been this close to anyone before."

"You already know I haven't either. So…can we learn as we go? Figure it all out together?"

Clark slides to the edge of the bed. After tracing his finger over the belladonna blossom on my thigh one more time, he stands and pulls me to him. His voice is thick and gravelly.

"We'll definitely figure it out together. I already know I want more of you in every way." He kisses me slow and deep, making my knees wobble. Clark smiles against my lips and curls an arm around my waist.

"Let's shower off the mess and talk more."

"Just talk?" I pout as he leads me to the bathroom.

"Insatiable, are you, my sweet?"

"I love it when you call me cute names like that."

His beaming smile stops my heart.

"Then I'll be sure to think of more just for you."

He might not know he's falling for me, but I know I've already fallen for him with lines like that.

"What are you doing home already?"

Dave plunks into the recliner across from me with one of the cookies Clark gave him last night.

"I'm surprised you didn't eat that entire bag yet."

"Me too." He motions for me to talk as he chews.

"Clark had to work, and I didn't want to hover all day. What else do you want?"

He raises an eyebrow as he swallows. Disappointment on his face.

"Uh…I want all the details, X. You spent the night." He leans forward, holding his face in his hands. There's still cookie crumbs on his lips. "Is he a good cuddler?"

Dave's breathless whisper draws a bubbling laugh from my lips. While I didn't think I'd want to share, the fact he's asked me about cuddling and not sex makes me change my mind.

"Dave…he's the king of cuddling. I…I slept for three hours at his place. In a row!"

Dave jolts upright with a gasp.

"Shut up! X, that's amazing. That's never happened, right?"

"Not since I was still with the coven. It's…" Tears prick behind my eyes, the enormity of all this finally bursting through. "He's the one, Dave."

"How do you know?"

Without a word, I stand up and drop my pants to show him my mark. "This happened this morning after we, ah—"

"You had sex! Why didn't you lead with that?"

"You asked about cuddling and it didn't feel right to talk about him like that when he's not here."

Dave stares at my mark. "That looks like a flower."

"It is. It's belladonna."

Dave's gaze meets mine. "Like his store? Your mark is the flower in the name of his store?"

"Yeah and…it showed up after we, um, fooled around."

Dave's sly grin makes my cheeks burn. Jeez, when did I get so shy about talking with my friend about sex? We've had these conversations dozens of times over the last year. Maybe it's different because this time it's me. This time it's a story that's incredibly personal.

"You go, X." He holds a fist for me to bump and I return it with a shaky laugh.

After pulling up my pants, I perch on the edge of the couch. My knee bounces and Dave's expression softens.

"You can talk to me, you know. This is a big deal for you."

"I'm at a disadvantage." My hands twist at the hem of my T-shirt. "He's human, so he doesn't see what I do. I showed him the mark, and he understood because he felt when it changed. We both did. But, Dave…it's…I'm literally at his mercy until he figures out he's in love with me. And it's scary shit. Because what if something happens to him before then? What if he changes his mind? What if—"

"X, stop." Dave's large hand on my jittery knee draws me away from my spiralling thoughts. "He had dinner with two demons who threatened him if he hurt you. And my dad went to great lengths for you to meet him. He's not changing his mind. Hang in there. Good things will come."

And I know Dave is right. But there's this itchy thing just out of my reach that keeps me on edge.

"I'll try. He's coming over again tonight. We talked about gardens, of all things, this morning for hours. I'm going to show him ours. I know it's fall and not much is in bloom, but it just felt…right."

"I'm happy for you. But I have a serious question. When you two get together, will you still bake cookies for me?"

I throw my head back with a laugh. Leave it to Dave to think about his cookie addiction.

"Of course I will. It might not be as often if I finally get to sleep, but I'll always do that for you."

He nods and slaps his knees before standing. "Thank you. And I'll tell Charles to keep his naked ass inside tonight if you'll be having a guest." He holds up his hand when I try to speak. "I know we have a privacy fence, but you know I hate it when anyone else might see or hear him. He loves it, but it makes me all…" He clenches his hands at his side.

"I know you get all growly and possessive. I'll make sure we stay in the garden or away from your fence."

Dave says his goodbyes when his phone rings and he leaves me alone again with my thoughts. What I didn't tell Dave is what's really bothering me. While all these signs that Clark is falling in love with me are there, there's one thing that terrifies me.

My brother.

I know Faustus said he took care of it, but someone lifted the cloaking spell on Clark's store. It was there for me because my brother knew Clark had the power to break my curse. But who did Faustus enlist for help?

If my father had a deal for his firstborn, who should I be more concerned about harming Clark? Maybe my dad is dead. I just don't know. Faustus was pretty lean on the details.

Until Clark realizes he loves me, I don't have all the power I need to protect him.

I'd rather die than go back to the life I had before meeting Clark.

Especially if something happened to him because of me.