Resting Witch Face (Stay a Spell, #5)

by Juliette Cross

No one had ever looked at me the way Ruben Dubois did. He saw past my solemn mask and cool exterior to the warmest, brightest heart of me.

“You’d fire her and kick her out on the streets if I told you to?” “You have no idea what I’d do for you.”

“I’d do anything you asked,” he whispered hoarsely. “Anything.”

“So you have a strict no-fraternization policy among employees?” “It’s a good one to keep, yes.” “And have you always kept it?” He crowded me against the bar. “Except when I dated my boss once upon a time. I’d break every rule for her.”

Obsessed, stupefied, besotted. None of them quite measured up to the truth, to the emotion that had wrapped an iron fist around my heart at the sight of her tonight. I wasn’t sure there had been a word yet created that could define what I felt for Juliana. The worst part of all is she had no idea.

But it meant more to me because it was an excuse to hold the woman who belonged to me and who’d rejected me twelve years ago.

I was done waiting for her to realize she could trust me. As her only lover. As her partner in life. As her devoted mate. It was time to erase the space between us and hunt her, woo her, worship her the way she was meant to be as my one and only.

“Time’s up, Juliana,” I whispered, grazing my lip against the top shell of her ear.

When her heart rate sped up even faster, and the hypnotic scent of her desire warmed the air between us, I knew I was right. It was finally time to make Juliana Savoie mine.

“She means nothing to me. And you mean everything, so yes, I fired her. She’s out of the picture. So if it was her, she’s gone now and won’t get in between us again.”

You’d broken up with me. But I’d never broken up with you.”

It was perfectly fine if she took her time getting used to what was happening, only so long that she understood I wasn’t backing down or playing nice anymore. I’d given her space—twelve years of it. That was goddamn long enough.

Those few months we’d spent together were the happiest of my life, her laughter one of the sounds that brought me the greatest joy. Equal only to the sound of her screaming my name as she came on my cock.

Unlike werewolves and grims, whose beasts dwelled deep within them, vampires simply were the monsters in the dark. But what was worse, our monsters wore the mask of seductive beauty. Better to lure our prey closer so we can catch them. It was a macabre truth that few realized.

I’d like to be the one at your side when you do all the things you’ve always wanted to do.”

“You’ve always been my queen, Juliana. You always will be.”

“A red camellia.” I smirked at the pinprick in my chest. “How appropriate.”

“There is one thing you cannot ever do again,” I growled, trying to rein in my temper, “and that is question my loyalty. There has been no one since you. And never will be again. No one.”

“But we’d broken up,” she whispered, panic seeping into her gaze. “That makes no difference to my hardened heart. Or my fucking immortal soul.”

Closing my eyes, I told my lonely heart to keep beating, as I had so many, many nights before. She’d be ours again soon enough. She had to be.

“Stop that,” I warned. “What? Flirting with you? Never.”

“I don’t want your fucking power. I want you!”

“I’ll take anything you’ll give me.” Maddening desire radiated from every part of him. Then he dropped to his knees, his hands gripping my hips. “I’ll beg at your feet for a pathetic glance, a simple touch.” He coasted his open mouth across my belly, searing me through the thin fabric of my gown. “I’ll be your slave. Anything you want, Juliana. Just put me out of my goddamn misery.”

But there was no way I could pretend for one second longer that she wouldn’t always be mine from this moment forward.

She’d let me back in, and I’d kill any man who tried to take her from me now. I’d die myself before I let that happen.

“Ruben Archibald Dubois, you may not seduce me on this plane.”

I wanted a partner. An equal. I wanted my soulmate. My deep, true love. And I wanted him at my side, always, from this day forward.

But if you let me, I’ll never let you forget how special you are, Juliana.”

Smiling, I opened my parents’ door and led inside the only girl I’d ever wanted to bring home.

I wanted to take care of Ruben. Like I wanted him to take care of me.

“Trust me when I tell you, Gabriel, that Ruben means everything to me. And I don’t plan on leaving him again. Not ever.”

“Since the day I realized you were my whole heart, I’ve never stopped loving you. Not for one painfully paralyzing minute.”

You’re my mate, and I’m yours. The Goddess wouldn’t have paired us together if we couldn’t join in every way.”

“But your blood.” A flash of silver in the dark. “Your blood is a siren song to my heart.”

My partner. I smiled, liking the sound of that. Though wife would sound even better. One day.

“I love you, Juliana.” She smiled, sincerity and deep affection shining on her face. “I’ve always wanted to hear you say that.” “It’s true, darling,” I promised her.

“You’ve had my heart in your hands from the very start. You always have.”