Spookily Yours (Witches of Pleasant Grove, #1)

by Jennifer Chipman

I’d always been taught that black cats were a sign of good luck. Maybe that just came with the territory as the daughter of a witch, but every time I’d seen one, life seemed to look up.

he licked his paw, like he didn’t have a care in the world. Though I supposed he didn’t. I sighed to myself. The life of a cat. “If only we could all be so lucky to laze around all day like you,” I said with a snort.

I loved every bit of this season—when the air turned crisp and you could pull all the warm sweaters out of the back of your closet. It felt like the equivalent of wrapping yourself up in a warm, cozy blanket with a cup of hot apple cider in your hands.

I’d had that once before—with my first cat, Binx—a big fluffy gray thing. The moment they had placed him in my arms at six years old, it was like I knew. He understood me, down to my soul. We had a connection that couldn’t be replicated. He’d been my familiar, my lifelong companion, and the creature of my heart.

There was nothing quite as magical as getting lost in the pages of a good book. I’d always loved that feeling—looking up, and realizing I’d just spent the last three straight hours reading without a break.

Preach🙌

“You want the demon cat?” I held him against my chest, frowning. “Yes. And he’s not a demon.” I scratched between his ears, and he looked up at me. “Are you, beastie?” If only I had known.

🤭🤭

“I’ll have to clean up when I get back. Geez.” I flicked my ears back in amusement as the human talked to herself. “Gods, Willow,” she muttered to herself. Willow. I liked that. “You have got to stop talking to the cat like he’s going to respond.” If only she knew.

“I still can’t believe they called you a demon cat. You’re such a sweet little boy, aren’t you?” My witch scratched under my chin, and I let out an involuntary purr. Damien, I thought, hoping whatever bond she seemed to feel between us would communicate that. My name is Damien. I’d never willingly given my name to a human before, but… I didn’t think I minded her knowing it. Didn’t mind being here, even if they’d trapped me in this feline body. Willow’s lips tilted up into a smile. “Damien?” Yes! I meowed excitedly, brushing back and forth against her legs, nuzzling my head against her skin.

Meow. It was crazy to me how even though he was a fairly quiet cat, I almost felt like I could tell what he was thinking. What he was saying, even with a simple meow. Good morning, human.

“Are you going to pace like that all day?” I blinked. Stared at the black cat as he flicked his tail. “What? You’ve never seen a talking cat before?” “Willow, you’re losing your mind,” I muttered to myself. “That cat is not talking to you.” “No, I am.” He jumped off the table, coming to sit at my feet. “But I’m not technically a cat.”

“Well, I’m certainly aware that I look like a cat.” He licked one of his paws. “But I’m not. I’m just stuck.” “Stuck?” Did he just narrow his cat-eyes at me? I’m going crazy. That was the only logical answer to this. I’d lost it. “Yes. I can’t shift back to my normal form.” “And your normal form is?” “A man. Mostly.” “Mostly? What the hell does that mean?” “I’m not sure you’re ready for that.”

Oh my gods. “A cursed talking cat? What is this, Sabrina the Teenage Witch?”

“I’m sorry. I just can’t take you seriously. You’re so cute.” I booped his nose in demonstration, watching as he wiggled his whiskers. “Willow.” His eyes narrowed into slits. “I’m serious.” “So—” I couldn’t stop giggling. “—am I.” He climbed up, putting one paw in the center of my chest so he could put the other one over my mouth.

For whatever reason, I didn’t like other humans talking to my witch. Huh.

I found I didn’t like that, either. I wanted to stay by her side. Protect her. Even if I weighed ten pounds, I still had sharp claws. And pointy teeth. If anyone threatened her…

Besides, the only demons that had that ability were ones who had found their mates. That mind-link between a bonded pair. I wasn’t one of the lucky ones who had.

“Is it dangerous?” “What?” “Going after the witch who cursed me.” What if you get hurt? I didn’t like the idea of her risking herself for me.

She gave me a sad smile, and I instantly wanted to make it better. To soothe her fears. I couldn’t do that as a cat. Couldn’t take her beautiful face into my hands and promise her everything would be okay, not yet. But after she fixed me, I could.

He’d been laying in the patch of sun that came through the library windows earlier. It made me snort, because only this demon could sunbathe, still claim he wasn’t a cat, and make it endearing.

“He’s friendly.” Damien chirped in response, rubbing against Luna’s ankles happily. Except for when a man is around, I thought with a snort, and Damien’s head whipped around to look at me. “Oh, yeah,” I finally agreed. “Definitely friendly.” You know, I could still bite you, Damien thought into my mind. I do have teeth.

How can she be lonely, Damien thought to me, puffing up his fuzzy chest, when she has me?

“I’ve got you,” he promised. “Nothing will happen to you as long as I’m here, Willow. I vow it.”

The second I’d gotten my form back, when all of my powers had drawn back into my body, the truth had clicked in place. Her scent hit me like a lightning bolt to my system. Mine. She was—mine.

“You’re not a cat.” “I told you I wasn’t.” My lip twitched. It was hard not to give her the same expression back. “Still, I couldn’t be sure. Who would believe a talking cat?” I chuckled. “Nothing gets past you, little witch, hm?”

Even though her scent was intoxicating to my system. I wondered if I was already addicted to it. If the way I craved her, down to my being, was normal.

“That was easier than I thought.” “What?” “To have you begging me.” You’d like that, would you? Me on my knees for you. “All you have to do is ask, witch.” “Mm. You’d like that, would you, demon?” My hand curled around her bicep. “Be careful what you ask for.”

How was it possible that I could find his very nearness so comforting after only a few days? He was a stranger to me, in every way, and yet it felt like there was nowhere else I would rather be.

What?” Damien’s lips curled up into a smile. “Has anyone ever told you how your face lights up when you’re excited about something?” “Oh.” Was my whole face on fire? It had to be.

“So, what’s the story here?” “What story?” Damien raised an eyebrow at me as I gestured between us. “How we met. Why I’m wandering around town with a handsome stranger that no one’s ever seen before.” His voice popped into my mind. You think I’m handsome? “Stop doing that.”

“One month.” I blinked. “What?” It was eerie how that was the same time frame I’d given Willow this morning. Narrowing my eyes, I stared at my brother. “Whatever you’re doing that’s distracting you… You can have one more month. And then I expect you to bring her here, to me, and return to my side.”

all I could think about was her lips. Soft, pink, and ever so sweet. I wondered what she’d taste like. If the taste of pumpkin would overpower the vanilla-and-coffee scent that always followed her around.

I loved her smile. It made me wonder what lengths I would go to earn it, over and over again.

“Willow,” his voice rasped out. “Don’t look at me like that.” “Like what?” Mine was hardly a whisper against the wind, but I hadn’t needed to say it at all. My tongue ran over my lips, moistening them as we stared at each other. If we moved just a fraction of an inch, we’d be kissing. All I had to do was lean up, and⁠— “Like you want me to kiss you.”

“Little witch…” He warned, a pained expression forming over his features, even as I gripped his jacket tighter. “I don’t think you know what you’re getting yourself into.” I did. But… I don’t care. The realization struck me, hard and fast. I didn’t care what I got into with this man, this demon, as long as he kissed me. “Kiss me,” I whispered. “Please.”

I’d never felt like this kissing anyone before. Magic, my brain wanted to say. But I knew magic, and this was nothing like my powers. Not when every movement of his tongue in my mouth, every press of his lips against mine had me dizzy, my mind blurring. I wanted more. I wanted him to kiss me like this forever.

“What, two hundred and eighty-seven years wasn’t enough to figure out what you wanted to do with your life?” Damien brushed a hair behind my ear. “It didn’t feel like much of a life until I met you.”

I was trying so fucking hard to be good. To not tarnish her sunshine with my darkness. But I couldn’t help it. When she’d looked up at me with those big green eyes—I’d lost any semblance of self control.

Turning back into my cat form, I waited until she’d turned her lights off and gone to sleep, and then I slipped into her room, curling up at her feet. Where I could protect her—my small, little witch—from harm.

Abs. Muscles. Towel around his waist. Oh, Goddess.

I watched as her cheeks pinked. Fuck, I liked that. How had I gone this whole week without touching her? Without taking her lips in mine again?

“But I’m tired of holding back. Pretending I don’t want you. Pretending I don’t know what your mouth tastes like. Pretending I don’t want to do it again.” Willow’s eyes flew open, her hand on my shoulder moving to grip my jacket instead. “You do?” My lips ghosted against her neck, the faintest press of a kiss to her perfect skin. “I do.” When I stared back down at her, there was a spellbound look in her eyes. “Oh, good.” She let loose a giggle. “Because I do as well.”

“Should we go home?” Willow whispered, her eyes bright. “Because I really want to kiss you right now.” “Yes.” And fuck, I liked the sound of that. Home. Her place felt more like home than anywhere I’d ever been before.

For me. This man—this demon—wanted me.

“Spread your legs for me,” Damien murmured, bending down to capture my lips once more as his fingers dipped below the band of my panties—seeking, searching. I was happy to comply. When was it last? Months. Maybe years. “So wet, baby,” he crooned, rubbing his fingers against my slit. “Did I do this to you?”

Now, be a good girl and let me lick your pussy, Willow.”

“Damien,” I begged, as he swirled and licked and drove me wild, not giving me the pressure that I needed. “I need⁠—” “Shhh, baby,” he soothed, slipping his fingers back inside of me. Those apt fingers moved against my walls while he continued giving my clit attention with his mouth. “Gonna take care of you.”

“Want you to come for me, Willow. Let me feel it on my tongue.” This time, his tongue darted inside of me, tasting me directly, and he brought his thumb to my clit, rubbing it in circles as his tongue explored my insides. “Oh, Gods.” He gave me a wicked grin. “No Gods here. Just your Demon.”

My demon. I didn’t care what anyone thought—he was. Mine.

“You feel so good inside of me,” I encouraged, feeling him growing harder inside of me, knowing he must be close. I wanted him to let go, to lose himself. Tightening my muscles, I clenched myself around him, squeezing his cock. “Willow. Shit.” He grimaced. “Fuck. I’m going to come if you don’t stop that.” “Do it.” I wasn’t above begging for it. His cum—I licked my lips, rocking my hips in time with his movement. “Fill me up, Damien.”

She was an angel, a goddess. A gift I didn’t deserve.