Always Practice Safe Hex (Stay a Spell, #4)

by Juliette Cross

When I took his hand, he immediately laced our fingers together and tugged me closer. Then he did something I’d never imaged the stoic ice man would ever do. He cupped my face with his free hand and kissed me tenderly.

“Hey,” he returned, swiping his index finger along my jaw, certainly noticing the blush heating my face. Clearing my throat, I stepped back and led him t...

I don’t know why I even bothered. He likely knew everyone here with his grim information hotline or whatever.

“She called you a cockwaffle. Or was it a twatwaffle?” she asked Charlie. My cheeks flamed. “You’re dead to me, Violet.” Gareth squeezed my hand and peered down at me, his expression warm. Not a hint of anger at all. “Whatever she said,” he held my gaze, “I’m sure I deserved it.” Holy hell. I could not handle this version of Gareth.

Cold, antagonistic asshole was so much easier to manage than this man who made my knees wobbly and my stomach fluttery.

Clara and Violet laughed at something Gareth said, which made me smile. He wasn’t exactly the charming type. And yet, he was, in his own way. He charmed me, that’s for sure. It was just an aggressive, forceful sort of charisma as opposed to the magnetic appeal of Devraj or the subtle allure of Ruben.

“I’ll fix you a plate,” I said quietly, feeling shy. Yes. Me. Feeling shy! It was ridiculous. This man turned me inside out and upside down. “You don’t have to,” he said, catching me gently around the wrist. “I want to.”

Clara turned a few shades of pink but then she lifted her head and said matter-of-factly, “That’s true. And since I plan to eventually kiss Henry Blackwater, quite often, I want to be sure the experience will give us both pleasure.” Gareth coughed, choking on his last bite of enchilada.

“But, Gareth,” whispered Clara, “you can’t tell Henry of my plans. I don’t think he’s quite ready to be wooed by me.” Gareth’s eyes met mine, widening at Clara’s confession, sheer astonishment blatantly pasted across his face.

Then he turned back to her. “How can you know he isn’t ready now?” “My magic tells me so. I’m just biding my time,” she said sweetly. “Till he’s ready for me.”

Clara gave me a glowering look. “Stalking is just rude, Liv. And wrong. No.” She glanced up thoughtfully. “I’m really more of a trapper than a hunter.” Gareth cleared his throat again, not quite having recovered from his coughing fit. “And you plan to trap…Henry?”

He was completely baffled. It was the most wonderful state I’d ever seen Gareth in. In total shock and awe. If anyone could do that to a person, it was Clara.

He clasped my neck and drew me close. “You’re wonderful,” he breathed against my lips before placing a soft kiss there.

I am so grateful for that day when you dragged a grouchy werewolf into our house and demanded that we help him.”

Mateo pulled Evie closer and nipped her on the neck. Alpha was more aggressive and possessive than he’d ever been before she was pregnant. We all knew it was simply the werewolf way and accepted it.

This was a shocking and wonderful revelation about the ice man. I suppose I shouldn’t call him that anymore. He no longer wore that persona. Not for me anyway.

“You’re going to kill me, Gareth.” “No, indeed, Lavinia. I’m going to take care of you.”

“For as long as you’ll let me.” I grasped his wrists to keep his hands there, not to pull them away. “Okay,” I said softly. “Okay?” He arched that dominant brow, using that commanding voice. “For as long as you want me.”

“Love seeing that smile on your face,” he said when I was finally right next to him. “Well, you put it there,” I told him.

He slid his hands around my waist and leaned close, whispering in my ear, “And I love what you’re wearing though I have to admit I’m a little jealous all these guys will be checking you out.”

Gareth’s mouth drifted to my neck, one hand skating down to my ass. “No need to be jealous. You know I’m going home with you,” I reminded him. His hands squeezed tighter, a hum rumbling in his chest as he licked along my pulse. “Let’s go now.”

Laughing, I pushed him back. “Impatient.” “Greedy.” His content smile was so unusual and stunningly beautiful, it nearly knocked me over.

“Playing matchmaker?” I asked Gareth. “So what if I am. You don’t approve?” He gave my waist a squeeze. “It’s not necessary.” “Oh, really?” I leaned in, tilting my head back to gaze up at him. “Does Henry have a crush on her already?” His smile warmed, his eyes shimmering darker. “Something like that.”

“Shit,” I muttered. “Don’t do anything, Gareth.” He didn’t respond, his stance was like a stone-cold sentinel at my side, a possessive arm wrapped around my waist, holding me tight.

I could feel the anger vibrating off of Gareth who’d pressed my body to his. Richard stopped in front of us.

“I’d never treat a woman like that.” I snuggled closer. “Which is why you’re the kind of guy who actually is welcome in my bed.” “I’m the only guy welcome in your bed,” he grumbled, sliding his hands to the small of my back and pressing me closer. “Or girl. I don’t share.”

“That sounds like you’re asking me to be your girlfriend, Gareth.” “I’m demanding it.” “Or what?” I laughed. He lifted his head to look down at me. “Or you’ll break my heart.” No teasing at all then. Nothing but hopeful sincerity and a hint of pain shining in those obsidian eyes.

I lifted onto my toes, holding his gaze as I pressed a soft kiss to his lips. “Then I’m yours.” His eyes slid closed on a groan.

He took my mouth with crushing need, one hand coming up to cradle the back of my head so I wouldn’t go anywhere. I wasn’t going anywhere. I was right where I wanted to be.

Smiling, I shoved out of his arms. “Best not get your scent on me.” “Why? You got a werewolf boyfriend that might get pissed?” Nico grinned. “No. But she’s got a grim boyfriend who will rip your head off without even touching you.” “Which one?” “Gareth,” answered Nico. “Yikes. Yeah, I remember him. Scary fucker.”

Shane ran a big hand down his chest and took a step back. “I’m attached to my pretty head.”

I have no idea why but Shane—big, bad leader of the Blood Moon pack—being intimidated by my gri...

My tummy fluttered with giddy excitement at the fact that I was indeed his girl. Not a shred of doubt or wonder.

Funny, because this is the moment in a relationship I typically analyzed if getting attached was the right course for myself and whatever girl or guy I was dating. But with Gareth? All I felt was the repeated word in my mind, my heart, my soul…yes.

Strangely, I didn’t have a big urge to rip their eyes out of their skulls. Well, maybe a small urge. It was the breathy words she gave me just a few minutes ago that had me settled and content. Then I’m yours.

The intensity of emotion surging through my veins threatened to undo me altogether. I’d only just experienced this heady feeling of belonging to her, of her belonging to me, and I was already addicted. It was both foreign and familiar at the same time.

When I had a home and knew bone-deep that I was loved. Lavinia hadn’t used such deep words of attachment, but I felt them shining from her eyes. It was…world-changing. With a few little...

then he hooked an arm over Clara’s shoulder and walked back toward the exit. Sure enough, Henry watched with a murderous glare from where he stood next to Bentley even though Clara had untangled herself from Rhett before he left the stage.

But he needed to get his head out of his ass and do something if he didn’t like it.

He still hadn’t done the favor I’d asked. I knew why. I got it. The part of his magic he’d blocked off pained him. But it was a gift, no matter how he tried to pretend it was a curse.

But I didn’t push him when I’d asked if he’d started for me yet and his response was a grumbled, vehement, “No.”

“You would like to meet on establishing a supernatural foster program.” “Yes,” she smiled wider, obviously sensing my unease and shock despite my attempts at hiding what I was feeling.

“Including werewolves?” I couldn’t help to ask.

I’d thought that I’d need to win the contest to gain the attention needed to attract the awareness of the Guild Coven. But no, Lavinia had done it without me even knowing.

This beautiful, brilliant woman had fulfilled my dream of saving supernatural orphans from the tragic fate I’d endured. She’d done it without me asking it of her, but because she saw the need, compelled by her heart to act. To do what I’d never been able to. I fucking loved her. My chest ached at the intensity of it.

suddenly needing her all to myself. But I could be patient. Perhaps.

It was a strange sensation this time. Abnormal to the usual cravings of the beast lurking inside me. It didn’t want to hurt or crush or kill. It wanted to seduce and own and dominate. I let that feeling ride, fantasizing of the ways I’d fulfill the monster’s yearning desires. And in doing so, sate my own.

Lavinia belonged to me. The monster wanted to stake his claim with animalistic and carnal finality. For once, I was in complete agreement.

With a shuddering breath, I came to a conclusion. Something I needed to do. To be sure of her. I’d show her the beast tonight. If she welcomed him, the basest part of...

She’d decided she’d take a seat for the show when her ripped, gorgeous werewolf boyfriend strutted onstage.