Page 69 of Only You, No One Else

Caster’s breath tickled his ear, his cock softening inside him after their third explosive orgasm together. “I know.”

Mark turned in his arms, hating a loss of their physical connection, but needing to see his face. “I love it here.” Memory of the first time they’d been together here crossed his mind, and Caster smiled.

He reached for his hair, the caress reminiscent of the first time he’d touched him, the first time they’d encountered the witch’s demons. Caster shook his head. “No. Give me carefree you for a moment longer. We will be back in battle mode soon.”

Mark nodded and pushed even closer, leaning forward so there was not an inch of space between them. “Our best memories are here.” Past encounters with the witch had proven her magic was destructive enough that he didn’t expect the cabin to remain standing when the battle was done.

“I’ll build you a new one. Bigger one?”

He mirrored Caster's smile, the remnants of their pleasure sending thoughts of Ethel to the back of his mind. “Right here?”

“Wherever you want.” His hand sailed through Mark’s hair, drawing a moan from him. “I loved your home. Only got to see a tiny bit of it. We can go back there if you want.”

Memory of the place he’d called home and its destruction threatened to infect his contentment with sadness. But he’d long determined Caster was his home.

“You are mine too.” His fingers tickled the back of Mark’s head, and he closed his eyes, sighing at the way his touch enhanced his pleasure. “But we will be homeless after today.”

They both chuckled even though it was not funny. It was a small price to pay, really, to rid the world of the powerful, evil entity that Ethel had become.

Caster kissed him, slow and exploratory. The desperate need for each other was effervescent in the tangle of their lips, but so was the quality of tenderness that had infused their intimacy in recent days. They were both breathing hard when they pulled apart. “I love you!” The whispered declaration called on Mark’s whole being.

“I love you!” His voice cracked on his whisper. His fingers traced Caster’s face, trying to commit it to his soul’s memory. “We have to survive today.”

“We will.”

He smiled. “You seem so sure.”

“I know the Goddess brought you to me for a reason. And I’d like to believe her goodness is enough to overcome whatever evil we will face today.”

Mark heard and felt the conviction in his declaration, and his courage was bolstered. “Then I want our house to be here. In this spot.” He inhaled the myriad aspects of Caster's scent that were infused in the room, and his wolf howled out his appreciation. “This is where I knew I was fully yours.”

Caster’s nod was devoid of any doubt. “Then this will be our home.”

Subdued sounds of the small army waiting somewhere in the house reached his senses, and his belief in a forever he never once allowed himself to think about brought relief. He snuggled deeper into Caster’s embrace, one his soulmate was only too willing to give. His mind tried to go over the plan again, but he shook those thoughts away from his awareness. This was the only thing he wanted, and he was prepared to kill to keep it.

Caster’s tightening embrace reinforced that conviction. Mark was impatient to shed his past and accept his future, but for now, all he wanted was to bask in a love he didn’t think he’d ever find.

CHAPTER 45

His wolf’s warning howl startled Mark awake, but there was little urgency when he opened his eyes. The animal in him was often privy to threats he wouldn’t become aware of for quite some time. That he’d felt safe enough to fall asleep in the midst of the impending danger was a testament to how much security Caster’s presence brought.

He reached for him on the bed only to find empty space where he’d been. The covers were still warm. Perhaps his absence had necessitated the wolf’s warning. He closed his eyes and used the combined strength of both sides of him to track Caster’s scent, finding it downstairs. He pushed off the bed, found his clothes and dressed, impatient to be with Caster.

The sun was high, indicating midday. Good. He hadn’t slept too long. His muscles thanked him for that bit of rest as he followed Cy’s voice to the living room he’d only briefly seen on his last two visits to the cabin.

Caster smiled when he saw him and nodded towards the space next to him on the couch.

“Why is it taking so long?” The impatience in Cy’s tone was understandable, but the plan could not be rushed. Even in his desire to be rid of this threat and return to the safety Caster’s love promised would not allow him to deviate from the plan. Their enemy was formidable. They couldn’t forget that if their goal was to survive this.

Cy’s mocking smile made him wince. He’d forgotten to fortify his mind again. The sigh from Caster catalyzed his desire to pull up the wall with expert precision, ensuring its fortifications were reinforced. There would be hell to pay after this, and a tiny part of him was looking forward to Caster’s punishment even as he dreaded it.

“They can’t teleport, or Ethel would sense them coming,” Riley said.

“Are we sure Zeke cannot take control of my mind?” Mark glanced at Riley for an answer.

His nod was as emphatic as usual.

“Let’s make sure,” Dean said. “I’ll try to take control of your wolf. If I can’t, he can’t.”