My lungs clench, and I have trouble inhaling. “When?”
“Before the mating.”
Before everything that happened between us. Did she tell her no and is now rethinking the refusal?
“I told her I’d think about it,” Blossom says.
“You did?”
The wood witch scratches her nails against my scalp in a gentle caress.
Even though she’s straddling my lap, Blossom isn’t close enough. I tighten my grip on her waist, dragging her flush against my chest, and bury my nose in her hair.
Apples, spice, and warm woman.
Much better.
“I think I’ve always wanted to come back here,” Blossom murmurs. “Once I realized I didn’t have to. That I could survive out in the world on my own. Without Papa and Heather hovering over me and treating me like the baby of the family, the town stopped feeling so suffocating.”
Every syllable out of her mouth gives me hope. I don’t need Blossom to move to Folk Haven for me. All I need is for her to give me a chance while she’s here. I’ll utilize this proximity to badger her into loving me. Craft jewelry for every part of her body. Race with her through every forest. Give her orgasms in every orchard.
“Made any decisions?” My voice is rough on the words as I keep my begging at bay. To distract myself, I focus on the soft press of her against my chest and the way her intoxicating apple-pie scent fills my nose and my lungs.
Blossom hums and fiddles with the collar of my shirt. “I have. But I’m worried about something.”
My stomach dips low. “What’s got you upset?”
She sighs, heavy and long. “That you’ll be completely insufferable when you find out I’m going to tell Heather yes. And that part of the reason is because I’m in love with you.”
She’s right. I will never let her forget this.
Cradling her cheek, I guide Blossom’s face so her eyes meet mine. So she sees the incandescent happiness spilling out of every pore of my being.
“Bud—”
“I said,partof the reason!” She tries to scowl and pounds a not-at-all hard fist against my chest. “There are other things I miss about Folk Haven. It’s not just you.”
I roll us into the grass, pinning her sweet little body against the ground.
“But I’m the biggest reason.” I pair the proclamation with a gentle, suggestive thrust of my hips.
My wood witch groans and digs her fingers into my hair, pulling until almost the point of pain. “See? This is exactly what I was worried about. You’re going to be impossible to be around.”
“Only when I open my mouth,” I argue. “There are plenty of ways to keep that part of me busy.”
Blossom’s cheeks go red, even as she smirks. “True.”
More snarky, teasing comments come to my mind, but I don’t let them out. There will be time in the future to get into verbal sparring matches with my witch.
Because she’s staying.
I hold her gaze, remaining quiet for long enough that understanding flashes in her eyes. She knows the next words from my mouth won’t be a joke.
“I love you, Blossom Fernmore.”
Her gaze softens.
“Please, let me be yours. I want to carry the heavy furniture into your new house, and feed you s’mores, and fashion you hundreds of pieces of jewelry, and run through the woods with you. Let me love you, whenever you’re ready. Let me in. Let me make up for every wrong I’ve done to you.”
