Are they hanging a sheet on the side of that barn?
The approach of a large form distracts me. The figure is shadowy in the dusk, but I know that body just from the outline.
Mahon.
He steps into my headlight beams, and I catch my breath at the sight of him. Tonight, he’s dressed himself up in a pair of dark pants, a crisp white button-up, and a set of suspenders that stretch over his broad chest. The change in his normal casual appearance eases my nerves about my own outfit choice. I smooth a hand over the silky skirt of my black dress. The material falls far above my knees and plunges in the back, leaving plenty of room for my wings.
Then, there are the boots. This morning, I crawled into the attic and pulled out all the boxes labeledMomma’s Shoes. When she passed, I knew I should donate them, but I couldn’t find thewill to let go of her little treasures. Tonight, I’m glad I held on to them.
Collecting the gift bag from the passenger seat, I turn off the headlights and climb from the car, taking a moment to straighten my clothes. Then, I hear a wheeze and glance up to find Mahon staring at me, his mouth as wide as his eyes.
I guess the thigh-high heels are doing their job.
Thanks, Momma.
“Since you gave me zero direction, I hope this outfit works,” I tease as I approach the stunned man.
In answer, Mahon stumbles forward and hooks me around the waist, fusing our mouths together. His heavy hands explore the many exposed parts of my body until my scales tingle with needy pleasure. When his thumb brushes under the short hem of my skirt, I wonder if he’ll skip all the preamble and just fuck me on the hood of my car. The shifter wouldn’t hear any complaints from me.
Instead, Mahon rears his head back with a gasp. “Gods, you are fucking perfect. I’m jealous of your dress. The thing looks better on you than I ever could, but damn, I want to be on you all the time. And your shoes. I never want you to take them off. But also, I need to peel them off slowly. Kiss all your scales as I go.”
My nipples harden, pointing through the thin fabric, and he groans when he notices. But before the bear can get any more dirty talk out, I shove my gift bag in his face.
“Happy birthday!” My words come out breathy.
Mahon loosens his hold, putting enough space between us to hold the gift in front of his chest. “You didn’t have to get me anything. Anything other than a night with my face between your thighs, of course.”
When I let out a scandalized gasp, the bear chuckles. Despite protesting the need, he digs past the tissue paper, and I suddenly find myself self-conscious. In a short amount of time, I’ve letdown most of my walls for this mythic, but we still know so little about each other. I wasn’t sure what kind of gift he’d like, so I had to guess.
“It’s not much. Since I only had a few days. I can get you something better with more time.”
He pauses in his digging to swoop forward, stealing a quick kiss. “I love it.”
“You don’t know what it is.”
His broad shoulders shrug under the dress shirt. “It’s a gift from my Satine. So, I love it.”
When he pulls the first item out, I’m busy, rubbing my chest, just over my heart because the organ is about to bust out of my rib cage and tuck itself in his pocket.
“Honey?” He holds up the mason jar, a delighted curl to his lips.
“Well, you’re a bear.”Good job. Way to sound super caring and smooth.
Mahon’s expression freezes, and his nostrils flare. I brace myself to discover I’ve made a misstep. That gifting honey to a bear shifter is offensive in some way.
With jerky movements, Mahon unscrews the lid and practically shoves his nose in the golden goo, sucking in a deep breath.
“Is something wrong?” I hold out my hands, ready to take the gift back and hide it in the SUV in shame.
“Is this honey from Violetta’s hives?” He names the witch who is also Levi’s mother.
“Yes. Can you tell that just by scent? Is her honey okay?”
“Is it okay?” The question gasps out of his throat. “H-how did you get this? Shenevershares.”
Really?
“She gives me a jar sometimes. Violetta and my mama were friends.” Two women with monsters for children. “She looks out for me.”
