5. Luna

FIVE

luna

T he next morning, the bakery was empty as I kneaded my dough. My playlist in the background was playing what could only be described as angsty, in-my-feelings music. Was I being dramatic? Maybe.

He hadn't texted me yet. Maybe it was too soon.

It had only been a day, right? What did I expect? Either way, I found myself disappointed.

And I couldn't even talk about it with Willow because I'd told her to take the day off—spend it with her man. I'd been so wrapped up in Zain I'd almost missed them leaving in a hurry from the dance floor, hand in hand.

"At least one of us got lucky last night," I muttered to the dough in front of me. "Because I certainly didn't."

Even though I'd have let tall, dark and handsome do whatever he wanted to me. Swoon . He was hot. The kind of man women would definitely claim was their book boyfriend. Damn, was I salivating?

I finished my batch of cookies, plopping them into the oven with a wave of my hand, and stared at my locked phone as the minutes passed .

"Luna?" Eryne's voice came through the shop, the little bell I'd installed above the door ringing.

"In here!" I shouted—as if there was anywhere else I would be this early in the morning.

The smell of baking cookies filled the room—my favorite scent in the world.

"Hi." She grinned, her shoulder length ginger hair catching the light as she shuffled in, a broom behind her enchanted to sweep on its own. Her earrings today were cute little bats that matched her sweater.

"Hey." I used my magic to send all of my dirty mixing bowls to the sink. "How was your night last night?"

"Good. The boy and I had dinner and then snuggled with the cats on the couch. It was nice." Eryne yawned, and I was envious of her easy intimacy with her boyfriend. "What about you?"

"Willow and I went to Ghoul's Night at the bar. It was good to get out for once. Even if I was up way too late." With all the excitement of last night, I'd gotten maybe two hours after I'd finally fallen asleep. Then my alarm had gone off, and I'd hustled to get down here to start the ovens.

"That's fun, though. I keep meaning to get out more, but I'm such a homebody these days."

I snorted, thinking about how I spent most of my life in the same building. "Willow's always telling me I need to get out of here."

"You do." My friend patted my shoulder. "I keep telling you to take the day off."

"You shouldn't have to do all the opening prep and close. Besides, without me, who would bake everything?"

It might not have been the only reason people stopped in—plenty of folks stopped for Willow's cold brews because she made one hell of a cup of coffee—but we sold out of scones almost every morning. And when I made my pumpkin cookies, they sold by the dozen.

Still… I didn't think anyone would object too much if there was another person back here. Especially if I taught them my trade secrets.

I frowned. "Maybe I should hire another baker."

"Not a bad idea," she agreed. "I have a friend who's in college right now, but she's working part-time at a bakery up there. I could see if she's interested in starting in the spring after she graduates."

I nodded. "I'll definitely keep that in mind."

My conversation with Zain popped into my head.

About the future and how I'd been feeling unfulfilled lately. Maybe this was what I needed. Someone to share the load, so I could have days off. Or, maybe one day, we could hire a cafe manager and have someone else run the shop entirely. Would Willow be disappointed in me?

Would I be disappointed in myself?

And that didn't answer the big question… What did I want? What would I do if it wasn't this? Maybe I just needed to expand my dream. After all, I wanted more, but that was what everyone said. There was always something more to want. I just wanted to be content. Happy.

I worked for a few more hours in the back as Eryne took orders and made coffee. The delicious smell wafted back until finally, I gave in, getting myself a cup and sitting at a table near the windows. They looked out into downtown, letting me admire the decorated front of our store with the pastel bats and pumpkins I'd painted pink, along with lights and fake cobwebs.

The town was bustling with activity, even though Halloween was still a little over two weeks away. For a town of witches, we got really into it. I smiled to myself, thinking about all the All Hallows' Eves of the past. Ones with Willow and my parents, and then just us as we'd gotten older. They were memories I'd cherished.

Memories I hoped to one day share with a family of my own. If that ever happened.

Was that what I wanted? What I was missing?

Yes. I shut my eyes, trying to ignore how desperately that want surged through my body.

"I'm heading out," I said to Eryne as I brushed past her once my cup was empty. "You okay here alone?"

She gave me a smile and a nod. It wasn't very busy this late in the afternoon, and now that the rush was over, I knew she could handle it. The dishes in the sink were clean, now just needed to dry and to be put away later.

"Just call me if you need anything. I'll be upstairs."

Even with that, the idea of going back to my empty apartment was almost unthinkable.

Selene would cuddle with me on the couch, and we could catch up on one of my favorite shows, but that just sounded lonely. Maybe I'd curl up with a romance book for a few hours.

Even if I never found true love, at least I could experience it through someone else.

Two nights later, I once again sat at the bar, nursing another cocktail. Though this one didn't have a fun Halloween name, at least it still tasted good. And it was strong. Plus, it was as close to pink as I was going to get.

He'd never called or texted. Maybe he'd lost the piece of paper? The other thought that flashed through my mind sent disappointment surging through me. Maybe he hadn't felt the connection that night the same way I had .

So, I was giving myself one last night to wallow on it, and then I was moving on.

I was tough—it would be okay. I'd been alone for this long. I'd survive a little longer.

"Pretty girl like you sitting at a bar all alone makes a guy wonder," a deep voice said from behind my back.

My body warmed at his presence. I couldn't see him, but I knew . There was no mistaking that baritone. The little sparks that danced on my skin whenever he was around.

"Wonder what?" I murmured, not turning around.

He didn't respond to that, just slid onto the barstool next to me.

"You came back," I finally said. I was aware I was staring at his face, eyes focused on the dark hair of his trimmed beard, but I couldn't look away. He was here.

Zain was here .

"I told you I would." He waved over the bartender, ordering a glass of scotch. He was dressed more casually tonight, in a pair of dark wash jeans and a different black button-up.

I shrugged, trying to look casual, even though I felt like beaming . "I know. But you didn't call me or text me, and I didn't know…"

"Sorry." He smoothed his hand over his chin. "I had to work. Things got busier than I expected with the… company. I couldn't get away."

"Ah. I'm sorry." I shook my head, feeling guilty. He'd been busy, and I'd been… what ? Moping? Waiting for him to come back around like a sad girl? That wasn't like me.

I'd just wanted to see him again.

"No, it's my fault. You don't have to apologize." His pinky brushed against mine, sending a jolt of electricity up my arm. Down my body. I was suddenly so aware of his presence next to me. How much larger he was .

"Okay," I whispered, not sure how to protest to that.

"I wanted to take you out," he frowned. "That's what you wanted, right? A… date?"

"I'm not opposed to it." I tried to sound cool, even though just the idea sent a rush through me. Dinner and a fancy evening with just the two of us would be nice . It had been a long time since I'd been on an actual date. But I was happy with this, too. "Maybe we can do that next time."

I wanted to keep him to myself for now. If we went out to dinner in town, we'd be the biggest gossip. At least at the bar, I could keep my handsome stranger to myself.

He smirked. "What have I already done to earn a next time?"

"Show up. Apologize." I gave him a shrug as I finished my drink. "Buy a girl a drink."

"That's kind of the bare minimum, you know?" Zain quirked an eyebrow.

I laughed, the nerves melting away. "I know. Doesn't mean most guys I know deliver it." Especially the ones in this town.

"They're fools." He had that right. Zain looked at my empty glass as he sipped on his. "So, are you going to let me buy you another one?" He spoke low, the deep timbre of his voice sending shivers down my spine.

I fluttered my eyelashes. "Of course."

After the bartender had made me a second vodka cranberry, I happily took a sip.

"You never told me what it is exactly that you do," I said. I'd told him I was a baker, but I didn't know that much about him, even after our questions game.

"I make a lot of deals. For my father's company." I watched the line of his jaw as he swallowed, fascinated by the movement of his Adam's apple .

"Business deals?" I clarified. "What type of business does he do?"

"He has his hands in a lot of different dealings," Zain muttered. Vague, but alright, I was technically still a stranger to him, too. I couldn't blame him if he didn't want to share the nitty-gritty of his life with me.

I didn't even know his last name, after all. And I'd never told him mine.

"Where are you from?"

He clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth. "I think it's my turn to ask a question, Moonbeam."

There was that nickname again. I blushed. "Okay. Ask away."

"Did you wear that for me?"

I blushed, tugging at the neckline of the tight fitting dress. Had I? Yes.

Between it and the thigh-high boots, it was a little sexier than what I'd normally wear to get a drink at the bar in Pleasant Grove. The front dipped down, showing off a bit of cleavage, and the fabric hugged my hips. I crossed my legs, pressing my thighs together.

"I mean, I'd hoped to see you again, so…" I pushed a strand of hair behind my ear, looking up at him through my lashes. It was a little insane, but I couldn't deny that I'd wanted him to come back.

"Me too," he said, unable to take his eyes off mine. I liked that. It made me feel wanted—seen.

By the end of the night, the bar was empty, and I had learned little more than I'd known at the beginning of the night. His favorite color—was black, he didn't have a great relationship with his dad, he'd never had a pet (though I supposed that wasn't that big of a surprise), and I suspected he was very out of touch with the modern world .

"I'm glad you came back," I admitted instead of asking another question.

"Me too," he murmured, interlacing our fingers and kissing my knuckles.

Last call was announced, and instead of staying until the bartenders kicked us out, he tugged me to my feet and headed to the door. Leaving the bar behind, we headed out into the darkness of the night.

I'd forgotten how tall he was. It was easy to forget, sitting side by side with him on the bar stools, but he had to be almost six and a half feet tall. Compared to my measly five-foot-five, he was practically a giant. I thought about the other night, how when he'd stood at his full height, I'd barely hit his shoulder.

"You're so tall," I murmured into his back, hearing his chuckle. "It should be illegal. Freaking giant." My hand flew over my mouth. Shit . I hadn't meant to say that out loud.

A deep chuckle came from the man in front of me.

Then we were standing on the street, facing each other.

"Can I ask you something?" I blurted out, crossing my arms over my chest as if that would keep out the cold. One day, I'd remember to bring a jacket with me.

A smirk crossed his lips. "Isn't that what you've been doing all night? I thought that was the whole point of our game."

"Yes, but…" But that was different. "I just wanted to know, the other night when you came up to my apartment… Why didn't you kiss me?" A soft murmur escaped my lips. "I wanted you to. But you didn't."

He brushed a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "You didn't ask. Maybe I was trying to be a gentleman." His lips were so close as his handsome face dipped down to meet mine. "It's been killing me that I didn't. "

"And if I'm asking now?" It felt like all the air had been removed from my lungs.

I wanted it. More than I'd ever wanted anyone to kiss me, ever. Couldn't explain the heat in my body, the way this man garnered a reaction in me.

"Then stop talking and let me kiss you, woman," he growled, his hands coming to my hips to pull me against him.

And then the rest of the world faded away.

Because his lips were on mine, and I didn't even care if someone saw us on the street because Zain kissing me was everything. His lips were soft, and they moved in gentle motions against mine like he was memorizing the feel of them. I knew I was.

If I never got kissed like this again, I wanted to remember every moment. He coaxed me open for him until his tongue pushed against the seam of my lips, seeking entrance.

And didn't he know that I'd give him anything?

My hands clutched onto his shirt, needing him closer, and he must have had the same idea because he was using the hold on my hips to pull me up onto him, my legs wrapping around his waist as we continued making out like teenagers.

Right in front of the Enchanted Cauldron.

"Damn, handsome. That was one kiss." I gasped as his erection pressed against my core and pulled away, panting roughly. Big. Wow, he was big. I'd assumed he was because you didn't just have that sort of cocky confidence without being well-endowed, but… whoa.

"I think we can do better," he said, giving me a smug smirk.

"Do you remember where my apartment is?" I asked breathlessly.

There was no way I would survive him. Not when the glint in his eye promised that he'd deliver on every promise he made to me .

A chuckle. "Of course. How could I forget?"

"Let's go. Now." I ordered, because if the hardness pressing against me was any sign, he wanted this as much as I did. And I was very much trying not to grind against him .

And then it felt like we practically teleported back to my apartment.

I handed him my keys, not wanting to relinquish my hold on him—or the way he was capturing my mouth with his—for one second to unlock the door.

"Luna," he groaned as soon as the door was closed behind us. His hands were pressing me against his body, my legs around his waist as I rubbed against his crotch.

Desperate. Needy. Wetter than I'd ever been before. It was all him . What he did to me.

"I need you," I said, working my way down the buttons on his shirt, desperate to see what he looked like with nothing on at all. "Please."

"Should we move to the bedroom?" Zain murmured, helping me unbutton him as I guided us towards the kitchen.

Shaking my head, I let him tug my dress up to my waist as his gigantic hands massaged my ass. "No. Just want you."

He pinned me against the kitchen counter, his erection pressing into my hip, and okay— yes. I wasn't making it up earlier. He was big. Thick. Possibly the biggest I'd ever encountered, but I wouldn't complain.

"Zain," I moaned. "Please, I need?—"

"Fuck , I like that." His voice was a growl, and then I was back in his arms. Being lifted like it was nothing. Like my weight didn't faze him at all .

"What?" I asked as he set me on top of the cold granite countertop.

"The way you say my name." His hands slid up my bare thighs, creeping towards the waistband of my panties.

"Oh." Our eyes met, and he raised an eyebrow. Like he was asking for permission. I nodded, not able to take my eyes off of him as his fingers ran up my skin. My whole body shivered from the sensation.

His thumb pressed against my clit, rubbing me through the fabric. "You're so wet," he mused, pressing a knuckle into me. My back arched from the sensation, and I couldn't hold back my whimper.

He slid my underwear down without preamble, lowering his head between my legs.

"What are you doing?" I grabbed at his hair, forcing him to look up at me. He kneeled in front of me, bringing his head to the same level as my slit.

My handsome stranger gave me a devilish grin. "Tasting you."

" Oh ," I squeaked, unable to hold my voice back as his tongue connected with my entrance for the first time. He plunged inside, lapping up all of my wetness.

"Is this all for me?" Zain swirled his tongue around my clit. "I think I'm going to be addicted to this after one night." His eyes closed as he kept up the motions, circling around the nub, driving me wild.

"Keep doing that," I begged mindlessly.

He slipped a finger inside of me. "You're so tight, baby. I gotta get you nice and wet for me, huh? Stretch you so you can take my cock?"

"Yes," I agreed. I wanted that. "Yes, please."

He added another finger, and I already felt so full. His hands were so big, and his fingers reached farther back than mine ever could. Making a scissor motion with his hands, he kept true to his word, loosening me up as his tongue fluttered and flattened against my clit.

"Come on, Moonbeam. Give me what I want, and I'll take care of you, I promise."

He didn't stop massaging my insides until I cried out, my eyes flying shut as my fingers dug into his shoulders as my orgasm ripped through me.

"That was… unreal," I finally said as I cracked my eyes open, watching him slide those two fingers out of me and plop them into his mouth. He licked off every trace of me from his skin before standing up and pulling me back in for another kiss.

Zain's tongue swiped across my lower lip till I opened for him, and even though I could taste myself in his mouth, I still panted into it.

"Inside," I crooned, my hands scrambling for purchase until they landed on his belt.

He chuckled against my mouth, never stopping devouring me even as we both got his belt off and it dropped onto the floor with a loud thunk.

Unzipping his pants, I wrapped my hands around his cock, moaning at the size. "You're so big, handsome." No amount of foreplay was going to make it easy for me to take him.

"It'll fit," he promised, kissing me again as I moved my hand up and down on his length. "You're going to take me so well."

Pulling his cock— because there was no other name decent enough for his magnificent length—out of his pants fully, I watched as he fisted himself a few times, swiping off the bead of pre-cum that had pooled at the tip.

I licked my lips, already ready to feel that inside of me .

He notched the head against me, pressing in slightly, and something occurred to me.

"Condom?" I said, breaking out of my haze. What was I thinking? I wasn't even on birth control. Hadn't needed to be, because the last time I'd had sex was, well… a while ago.

Zain froze. "Shit." He dropped his head to my shoulder. "I don't…"

"I think there's some in my nightstand." Just as I was about to get off the counter to search for them, his hand gently restrained me.

"I'll go. You stay here."

"I—" My knees were weak, so I didn't protest.

I closed my eyes as he sauntered off toward my bedroom, leaning my head back against the cabinets as I tried to catch my breath.

"Luna?" My eyes were still shut, and I just hummed in response. "What is this ?"

"Hm?" My eyes flew open and—oh. Goddess . Zain was standing in front of me—holding my purple vibrator in his hands.

Was it possible to die of embarrassment? If yes, at least I'd had one last orgasm. One amazing, mind-blowing orgasm with the most handsome man to have ever walked this planet, but still.

"Can we rewind to a few minutes ago when you had your tongue buried inside of me and forget all about that?" Mortification flooded through me.

I'd never shared that aspect of myself with anyone before. I didn't think it was dirty or wrong, but it felt strangely… intimate .

"Nope." A cocky grin spread across his face as he stepped closer to me. "Let me see how you use it."

"No. That's definitely… no. No way." I knew if I'd looked in a mirror my entire face would be bright red, and I couldn't even blame all of it on the orgasm he'd just given me. I buried my face in my hands, not wanting to look at him.

He laughed, those hands grabbing mine to expose my face, bringing his back down as if he was going to kiss me again, when?—

A knock sounded on the door.

"No ," I practically cried. It was just our luck, us getting interrupted now.

"Luna?" Willow's voice sounded, knocking once again. "Are you there?"

"Shit." I leaned my forehead against Zain's chest.

"You should get that." He tucked himself back into his pants and looked sheepish as he zipped them up.

"She'll go away if we ignore her," I whispered.

But Zain just kissed the crown of my head. "It's okay. Talk to your sister." He tilted his head towards my bedroom. "I'll be in there."

I didn't think about how he knew it was Willow when I was pretty sure he'd never heard my sister's voice before tonight.

"Thank you," I said, pressing my lips against his for a moment before hopping off the counter. I shimmied my dress back down my hips and found my panties on the floor. There was no time to tug them on, so I shoved them in a kitchen drawer.

I eyed the vibrator still in his hands. "Put that away while you're in there."

He smirked, saying nothing, and I walked to the door, hoping my sister wouldn't notice the sweaty sheen on my skin.

I took a deep breath and opened the door.