A Werewolf, A Vampire, and A Fae Walk Into A Bar (Book 1 of The Last Witch Series) novel Chapter 22

With a sigh and some nervousness, I unclasp the straps and hand the bundle--baby included--to Rune’s outstretched arms. His silver-blue gaze drops to Rain, and his expression is so gentle, so loving, so full of awe and hurt for what he’s lost, that the wall I built around my heart cracks just a little. “Go. Before I change my mind.”

He nods and with fluid speed, hastens upstairs.

I pause a moment, trying to will my broken body forward, when I feel strong arms lift me up.

Zev flashes a cheeky smile. "You don't look capable of making it up those stairs, love. Let me help."

I'm about to argue, but he's probably right. Everything in my body hurts so much I feel tears coming, though I refuse to let them fall. I will not show weakness, but dear heaven I could use a bath.

Using that magically heightened intuition, Zev carries me to the bathroom and gently places me on the toilet as he runs the hot water. Rune appears with a vial of herbs and dumps it into the bath. "It will help with your pain," he says, softly.

I can see more words unspoken in the depths of his eyes, but he turns to leave before I can ask. Zev raises an eyebrow but leaves as well, allowing me to undress in private.

As I slink off my clothes and sink into the tub, I groan in pleasure. Worry for Rain still filters through the relaxation, but the scent of lavender and rose and the feel of my muscles unknotting does a lot to calm my mind.

My mind is drifting when a knock at my door pulls me back. “Uh, yeah?”

Zev walks in holding a small jar of oil as I try to strategically place bubbles to allow for some level of modesty. Though, the werewolf doesn’t seem concerned about such things, and maybe it’s just my prudish puritan culture getting in the way of things.

“Your back was bothering you. I thought I might offer my massage services to alleviate a bit of that discomfort,” he says, his gaze taking in the parts of my body that are still exposed, and lingering on the parts that aren’t.

His words send a promise directly to my body, which responds before my mind even gets a chance to talk me out of it. I pull my knees to my chest and lean forward, exposing as much of my back as I can.

Zev shrugs out of his shirt, revealing his perfectly sculpted abs of steel before taking a seat on the edge of the tub. I raise an eyebrow at that and he shrugs. “Wouldn’t want to get it wet.”

“Sure,” I say, shaking my head. “I think you’re just allergic to clothing.”

He lays his large hands on my shoulders, the heat from his skin seeping into my perpetually chilled body, and I moan at the simple pleasure of it.

Zev leans in, his lips coming dangerously close to my ear, his chest pressing up against my naked back. “Not allergic,” he whispers. “But clothes do get in the way of some of life’s most delicious moments, don’t you think?”

“They can be cumbersome at times,” I agree, trying to keep my voice steady as he begins to massage the tension out of my muscles.

As he works his way down my spine, I’m lost to his touch. He knows every tender muscle and how to coax the pain out of my body. I try not to sound like I’m having an orgasm over this massage, but it’s damn hard, and I can tell my attempt at silence isn’t fooling the werewolf.

“I can smell your arousal,” he says, once again bringing his mouth to my ear.

In a bold move that feels more like AJ than myself, I reach back with my hand and graze it over his pants. “And I can feel yours.”

Even just the hint of my touch inspires a deep growl low in his chest. The timbre of it resonates through my body and ignites a fresh wave of desire that I do my best to fight.

So I ask a question that could definitely kill the mood, and most likely will.

“Do you have someone? Back home?”

I let my hair fall over my face as I turn from him. Whatever his answer, I don’t want to wear my heart on my sleeve right now.

He clears his throat and pulls back, his hands lingering at my side, lightly grazing the sides of my breasts. “No, no mate at home.”

“Never?” I ask.

His fingers dig into my flesh and he moves against me, his mouth hovering over my shoulder. “Wolves mate for life, love,” he says, his voice cracking with emotion. “And you don’t know how dangerous these questions are for you.” His lips brush against my shoulder, then his teeth nip my flesh, followed by a soft kiss.

And then he stands and leaves, pulling the door closed behind him firmly.