Grayson's Vow

by Mia Sheridan

She was a princess, but oh yes, just as I’d thought, she had a little witch in her too.

She had a dimple. The little witch had a dimple. And what it was about that small feature that made my pulse quicken, I couldn’t have explained if my life depended upon it.

He looked like every hero in every fairy tale I’d ever dreamed come to life. And God, I wanted to believe in heroes again. But sometimes, I supposed, a girl just had to be her own hero.

“Wait, were you uncomfortable because…you find me…appealing, little witch?”

“Pro: He’s an ass, but his actual ass is easy on the eyes.” He lowered the paper and looked at me over it. “So you do like my ass, little witch. You should have told me. I warned you not to develop feelings for me. But I suppose it’s okay to admire my ass, if you do in fact find me…appealing.”

“And by the way, my dear,” Charlotte said, resting her hand on mine on the counter, a glint in her eyes, “forget the prince and princess. I always imagined the most interesting story was between the witch and the dragon.” Her musical laughter rang through the kitchen.

“For some reason, with you I’m especially…” He paused, seeming to be searching for the right word. “Reptilian?” I offered, standing up straight and trying to shake off his effect on me. “Temperamental,” he corrected, giving me a lopsided grin meant to disarm me, I was sure. It didn’t work. Mostly.

“Sweet, beautiful witch,” I murmured, pulling her down to me so I could kiss her. I wrapped my hands in her thick, silken hair as our lips met.

She cried out, pulling at my hair. “Oh God, Gray,” she groaned. “You, we have to—” “Shh, little witch,” I soothed, taking the other nipple in my mouth and sucking gently before pulling back. “Let yourself enjoy this.” There was no reason we shouldn’t. No reason in the world.

“It’s okay,” I said. “I’m here. I’ve got you.” “Said the Dragon to the witch,” she said softly, a small twinkle in her still-teary eyes. “There’s my girl,” I said.

What was sexier on a man than great abs and a heart full of hidden torment?

She was the most beautifully wild thing I had ever seen.

“Hi, little witch.” His voice sounded raw and as I stared into his eyes, seen only through the holes in the mask, I swore I saw longing. “You look beautiful. No…ravishing.” “Hi, dragon,” I breathed. He was devilishly gorgeous as he again smiled down at me, and my heart flipped once and then twice inside my chest. “So do you. I can’t believe you did this.” I grinned. Whatever barriers stood between us, he’d done this for me. To make me smile. “Oh I did,” he assured me. His grin faded as he took one step forward. “I missed you.” “You did?” I whispered, taking one step forward as well.

“You bring me peace, little witch, and you put a fire in my blood.”

“If you’re going to be the proper wife of a winemaker, you need to know about the variety of grapes we grow so when people ask, you can answer them with knowledge and confidence.” “Ah.” I attempted to open the basket, but he snapped it closed, making me laugh. “Patience, little witch. First, I’ll need you to undress.” I raised a brow. “This lesson requires nudity?” “As all good lessons do. Obviously,” he said, the glint of dragonish devilry in his dark eyes.