Tamsin had never seen her before—not in real life, and not in a vision of the future, either. Which was strange, as power clung to the woman like a second skin.

  “How lovely to meet you in the flesh,” the fae woman practically purred, her voice smooth as silken bedsheets.

  Max’s smile turned polished, dangerous. “We’re at a disadvantage, I’m afraid.”

  “My name is Vaelora. I’m your hostess.”

  “It’s wonderful to meet ye,” Max replied, all charm. Tamsin’s jaw tightened. A minute ago, he’d been calling her his mate, and now he was playing courtier with a fae. Him being turned into a toad was looking more and more likely…

  “It’s lovely to meet you,” Tamsin said, ignoring her amphibious thoughts and dipping her chin. “I’m Tamsin Redthorne.”

  “I know.” Vaelora’s smile sharpened. “Your reputation precedes you.”

  There was irony in that statement, Tamsin knew.

  “Have you been enjoying the ball?” Vaelora’s words were solicitous, but her voice held a low tone that ruffled Tamsin’s emotions.

  The fae woman’s eyes dropped, not to Tamsin’s neckline—though instinct made her want to tug the fabric higher—but to the charms resting against her sternum. With delicate fingers, Vaelora lifted the golden one Tamsin had begun wearing after Nigel, her gaze tightening. “Although it seems as though you’re actively trying not to.”

  She let it fall.

  The charm struck Tamsin’s chest with a dull thud, echoing through her like a gong.

  “You can deny yourself love as much as you like. But that charm won’t keep the truth hidden forever.” Vaelora’s lip curled into a wicked grin as she took one step back.

  Max turned to Tamsin. “What is she talking about?”

  “It doesn’t matter,” Tamsin snapped, her own irritation prickling. She hated having her choices scrutinized, let alone condemned.

  “No, tell me. What did she mean?” Max’s voice was careful, as if he was worried about her.

  “I don’t know. It’s just a charm.” Tamsin slashed a hand through the air dismissively, trying to put an end to the conversation.

  “Tsk, Tsk, Tamsin.” Vaelora waggled a finger like Tasmin was a child. “You’re really going to make me interfere like this?” The fae’s gaze leveled on Max. “That’s not just a charm. It’s an anti-love charm. It prevents her from feeling love—and it from finding her.”

  Tamsin’s chest tightened. How did the fae woman know that? What kind of magic did she have?

  Why have I never seen her before?

  “What?” Max asked.

  “You heard me.” Vaelora glided past the two of them, her head held high and seemingly proud of the distress she’d just caused. “Enjoy your evening, my guests. I know I plan to.” Two men waited for her in the wings, each looping an arm around her intimately as she swayed between them, radiating power and peace.

  They disappeared into the shadows of the mansion, leaving Tamsin feeling…hollow. Empty.

  Max stared at Tamsin and she suddenly hated that she couldn’t read his emotions. That she had no idea what he was thinking. She wanted to rip the stupid glasses from his face so she could try and read every nuance of his expression.

  Tamsin wet her lips, for some reason suddenly needing him to understand. “After Nigel…I didn’t want to be persuaded by emotions anymore.” She held up the necklace. “This kept me safe from that risk.”

  Max’s eyes dropped to the charm again, his focus unnerving.

  “My eyes are up here, you know,” she tried to joke, but it fell flat under his darkened gaze.

  “Ye have been wearing that the entire time I’ve known ye?”

  “Yes.”

  In the next breath, his hand shot out. He yanked the chain around her neck, snapping it from her throat.

  Her hand rose in protest. “Ouch! Max! What are you⁠—”

  The charm dangled in his fist a moment before he dropped it to the marble ground and crushed it beneath his boot. Something shifted in the air, alongside the audible crack of the charm breaking—like a wall being shattered from the inside. Magic spilled through the break, sharp and hot and vicious at being caged.

  Tamsin staggered back, her hand clutching at her chest. “That was mine,” she whispered. The world blurred around her as the remnants of the spell dissipated; the music, the voices, the steady hum of her own thoughts receding into a quiet stillness that was unnatural.

  “Ye hobbled yerself,” Max growled, his words pulling her back to reality. His voice had changed, was deeper, edged in an emotion she couldn’t identify. His chest rose and fell too quickly, his nostrils flaring as if scenting prey as his expression grew increasingly turbulent, untamed. “Take us back to the hotel. Now.”

  “But we need to stay—” She rubbed at her sternum, at the feeling of recognition that was turning her breathing ragged. She raised shocked eyes to his, realization slowly dawning.

  “Now.” He reached out, grabbing her forearm—his touch surprisingly gentle despite the tension riding his body; despite the barely contained power. “Take us there, now.”

  “But—” Her skin burned where it met his, like she was being tattooed by his touch.

  He leaned down, expression wild. “I’ll kill any man who comes near ye.”

  Tamsin’s stomach dropped, and her whole body ignited, like a match lit from within. The air around them was heavy, as if weighed down by fate itself. Then it hit her like a thunderclap, the overwhelming certainty settling deep into her bones, into her DNA.

  In that instant, two truths became clear in her mind: Max was on the verge of losing control; and the mating bond she’d never felt, hadn’t been able to, had sprung to life between them.

  Fuck. They were one breath away from someone dying.

  Barely thinking, Tamsin opened a portal. She had to get him out of there. Had to protect Max from himself. If a man approached her while the bond was new, fragile…after being denied for so long…

  Max grabbed her, lifting her up. He practically leapt through the portal, his arms circling her body tightly, like he was afraid she’d up and disappear otherwise. That she’d run from him.

  From them.

  But there was no more running; no more dodging fate. Tamsin had never felt anything so visceral before, so true that it had etched itself into the very marrow of her bones.

  They were truly mates.

  And she’d been the one who had denied their bond for five years.

  Tilting her chin up, she met Max’s furious stare and said the only words she could: “I’m sorry.”

  Chapter 10

  Max

  Max cupped the side of Tamsin’s neck, his breath sawing in and out of his chest like he’d run a marathon or two.

  Mates.

  They hadn’t said the word, not since he’d shattered the charm. But who needed to speak it when he was drawn to her like a sailor to a siren’s song. His whole world had gravitated to her, resetting his orbit. The moment they landed back in the hotel room, his breathing became easier. When the portal closed, it was almost like he could finally focus.

  It was just him and Tamsin. She was in his arms, steady and warm.

  No competition. No interruptions.

  “I’m sorry.” Tamsin gazed up at him, unshed tears in her eyes.

  He froze for a moment, then rubbed his thumb over her lower lip. “I dinnae expect an apology, Tam.”

  “You’ve got it, anyway.”

  “Do ye feel⁠—”

  Her pale wolf eyes were intent on his. “That we’re mates?”

  He nodded, suddenly at a loss for words. He let his hands drop to his sides. If she rejected him now⁠—

  “Yes. I feel it.”

  Better to get the bandage ripped off quickly, he thought. “Are ye going to reject me? That charm⁠—”

  “No.” She shook her head and closed her eyes, letting out a breath. “No.”

  Relief poured through him, filled him with hope that this may work. That she might want him half as much as he wanted her. At least I know why I was so drawn to her. Wanted to get under her skin.

  The damn charm had blocked the bond. Had fought against them every step of the way.

  Max moved closer. “I’m going to kiss ye now. If ye want me to stop, ye need to say it. Because I want ye too badly otherwise.”

  “It’s the bond—” Tamsin began.

  He shook his head before she could finish. “It’s ye. It’s always been ye.”

  Her eyes grew heavy-lidded and she wrapped her arms around his neck. “What are you waiting for, then?”

  Always challenging him, even in this. Even now.

  And he loved it.

  She whimpered as he leaned down and pressed his mouth against hers, gently at first. He didn’t want to give her an excuse to run away. Again. But her fingers splayed out over his shoulders, as if she was trying to feel as much of him as she could, as if she was urging him closer. As if she needed this as much as he did. He took his cue from her and deepened the kiss, opening his mouth and sweeping his tongue against hers. She smiled against his lips, and then he was falling.

  Falling?

  A second later, his back was pressed to a soft mattress. He broke the kiss, dazed. “What the⁠—?”

  “A little portal from there to the bed.” Tamsin pushed herself up, tugging at her skirts so she was able to settle astride his hips. He stared at the smooth expanse of thigh that was now exposed.

  Fuck.

  He shut his eyes, the pressure of her settling on his groin making him grow harder than he’d ever been in an instant. “Holy hell.”

  Tamsin smiled and leaned forward, splaying both of her hands over his chest. “I guess I’ll get to see what you’re wearing under that kilt of yours, after all.”

  He swallowed and counted to ten. Then to twenty.

  “Come now. Ye havenae even bought me dinner yet.”

  “Dinner? Hmm, that’s a good idea.”

  “Wait, what⁠—”

  She swooped down, taking his mouth in a kiss that quickly turned ravenous. One of his hands cradled the side of her face, while the other stroked down her shoulder, curving inwards across her chest. His palm delicately traced the side of her breast, his hips arching as he spread his hand out to rub his thumb over one of her nipples, only for him to groan softly in frustration when he felt nothing but fabric.

  He pulled back slightly. “While ye look amazing, that damned dress⁠—”

  Tamsin grinned, then sat up, shimmying her body in a move he was sure intentionally had her core further pressing up against the hard length of his cock. She shifted one hand behind her back, and in the next breath, the shoulders of her dress fell. She’d unzipped the gown. But hadnae she needed my help to zip it up?

  He was soon distracted by her bending forward, by her breasts spilling out of the dress. His mouth went dry at the sight.

  “Gods, Tam. Ye are so beautiful.”

  She bit his lip.

  “Hey!” He raised a hand to his mouth in surprise.

  “Stop talking, more kissing.”

  He wasn’t about to argue with that, even if his lip did hurt a wee bit. He tugged on the back of her neck and she came easily, moving forward, their lips meeting in a clash of passion. He slid one of his hands along her waist, curving inwards once more to cup one of her breasts—gloriously bare this time—his cock jerking as her nipple hardened in response.

  She moved slightly, tilting her head to press small, wet kisses in a slow and agonizing path from his mouth to his neck. His body was on fire, and Tamsin was intent on making it worse. Or better. It was difficult to say at this point.

  He pushed up with his hips, earning a breathy moan from his cranky witch. She sat back in response, pushing his shoulders against the mattress. “Max. Stop it.”

  He repeated the movement, gasping as he felt her heat through her clothing and his kilt. His hand tangled in her hair while his other hand cupped her hip, trying to press her down further.

  Tamsin gave him a nonplussed look. “I am in the middle of something.”

  Max debated his next move. He could let her have her way with him…which seemed like a long and drawn-out process. Or, he could hasten things, just a bit.

  “Stay still,” she muttered.

  He shook his head sadly. “Nae can do.”

  Then he phased out of his physical form. Tamsin’s hands dropped to the mattress, and she faceplanted in surprise at the sudden absence of his body. He reformed next to her in the bed, under the comforter, head lying on a pillow. He folded his arms over his belly, giving her a genial smile.

  He was still hard as a rock.

  Tamsin looked over at him, hair falling across her face. “Did you just turn phantom?”

  The way she said it, it sounded like he’d done something bad. But she’d portalled them to the bed. So fair was fair, right?

  “I might have.”

  She yanked on the comforter, and Max gave a slight yelp as cold air lashed at his naked body. “Tam!”

  He reached for the blanket, but she was there, shoving at him, pushing him back against the pillows. Then she threw the blanket off the end of the bed. “Stop ruining the view!”

  Her darkened gaze lingered on his body, and his blood scorched his veins, all the fight leaving him. “When ye look at me like that⁠—”

  Her voice was a low growl. “Stop. Talking.”

  Suddenly, Tamsin’s hand cupped his cock, pressing her palm along his shaft as she rubbed up and down its length. His breath sawed through his chest at the sight of her touching him, at the feel of Tamsin’s hand wrapped around him.

  My mate.

  The bond hadn’t solidified yet. But once he was inside her body, it would permanently tie them together. He couldn’t fucking wait.

  “You feel so soft, so smooth,” Tamsin muttered. Then she moved down his body, laving the length of his cock with her tongue teasingly. His head lolled back on the pillow, his body completely at her mercy. She continued to work her hand over him, before she kissed the head of his erection.

  “Fuck.”

  “We aren’t doing that just yet.” She gave him a teasing smile and ran her tongue over the head of his cock once more, licking the slit and tasting his precum. “Mmm. I think I’ve found my dinner.”

  Max cursed, his hands rising to her hair. She swirled her tongue around the head of his cock again before the heat of her mouth finally, finally closed over him. Ecstasy beat a sharp rhythm in his blood as she bobbed her head down, taking him in, right to the base.

  “Holy hell!”

  He bucked into her mouth, groaning as she sucked him deeper, her cheeks hollowing as she did so. “Tam, stop!”

  But she didn’t.

  His damned stubborn mate. Two can play at that game, he thought.

  Once again, he phased out, but this time—this time he appeared behind her. On his back.

  She went upright, still on her knees. “What the⁠—?”

  He shoved her skirts over her hips and positioned his head between her legs. Fuck. Yes. This was what he wanted. His mouth was a mere whisper away from her soaked panties. Tamsin reared back, and he grabbed onto her thighs. “Take yer dress off.”

  He could hear her breathing, her thinking. “I wasn’t finished.”

  “Ye were being greedy. It’s my turn. Take yer dress off.” He thought for a second. “Or not.” He tugged her hips down and swiped his tongue across her panties, teasing. She let out a breathy moan—it sounded even better than the one he’d imagined earlier—then lifted off him.

  “Tamsin—” His voice was a low growl.

  But she simply tugged her dress from her body and shucked off her panties. He watched as she turned back toward him, desperate to taste her. But she moved at the last moment, coming astride his face, while positioning herself so she could take his cock in her hungry mouth.

  Which she did.

  Shit. His head lolled back, giving him an excellent view of her pussy, which was swollen and glistening above him. He tugged at her hips, pulling her against his mouth as he swiped his tongue across her pussy, spreading her lips so he could taste her properly. He licked again and again, his tongue lingering on her hard clit. Her moans filled the air, vibrating against his cock as it slid in and out of her mouth.

  “Ye taste so good,” Max groaned against her, thrusting his cock into her hot, wet mouth. With each lick, her taste branded him; made him crave her. Want more. Need more.

  He sucked on her clit, drawing it into his mouth, flicking it with his tongue. “Fuck! I’m going to come.” Tamsin’s body grew taut, and his cock popped out of her mouth as she threw her head back, bucking against his face. His fingers clenched on her hips, and she shuddered, riding his mouth as her body exploded in pleasure, and he greedily drank her in.

  Max shut his eyes, doing everything he could to not come over his legs like a teenaged lad. But the feel of her pussy clenching against his mouth, the soft cries as she orgasmed against his lips…

  He barely held on.

  He was panting as she lifted off his body. “That was—” Then she looked at him, at his clenched fists, tight jaw. “Max, I can⁠—”

  His gaze wild, he swallowed, the taste of her still in his mouth. “I need to be in ye. Now.”

  Her eyes dropped to his cock, to its swollen length, and her eyes darkened. She reached out and leaned down, as if she were about to suck it again. “Nae yer mouth,” he bit the words out as his hips jerked in response to her holding him.

  She shot him a wicked look. “Mmm. My pussy, then?”

  “Hell yes.”

  “You want to become mine?” She moved so she was astride him, facing him. She guided his cock to her soaking pussy, where she rubbed herself over his length.

  He almost wept in frustration. “Ye are a tease.” He didn’t know how he was still capable of thinking, much less speech.

  She tilted her hips, causing his cock to slide deep into her warm, wet heat. “Oh, hell.” He could come from this alone.

 

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