A Mistletoe Wish, page 10
"Ben," she responded softly.
He dipped his head down to brush her lips in a feather-light kiss. The kiss was tender, sweet, like the taste of sugar plums on a frosty winter's eve. The zing of connection thrilled through him again.
Ben pulled back and looked into her eyes, searching for any sign of hesitation. He saw none, only desire burning in her gaze. Without another word, he kissed her again. She responded eagerly, her hands tangling in his hair as she deepened the kiss. Ben’s hands roamed over her body, caressing every inch of her as he explored her mouth with his tongue.
Ben forgot about everything else. It was just the two of them, lost in the heat of the moment. But eventually, they pulled back, gasping for air.
“Is this going where I think it’s going?”
She smiled back at him a little shyly. “Yeah.”
“Excellent.” Ben pulled her close into his embrace, feeling the warmth of her body against his. She smelled of lavender and vanilla, a scent that was unmistakably her. He leaned in to inhale deeply, relishing in the sweet fragrance.
“I want to make you feel good,” he whispered, his lips hovering over her earlobe. “Let me take away all your worries.”
She let out a soft sigh, her eyes fluttering closed as he trailed kisses down her neck. He traced his fingers down her spine, feeling the curve of her waist. She shivered at his touch, and he burned for her.
Their moment of bliss was abruptly shattered by the door to the office flying open.
Selena turned, shielding his body with hers. Her sword was drawn and vibrating with power. But it was only Rahl. Ben was going to kill him.
“We’re under attack! Witches and vampire hunters have descended upon Hope," Rahl gasped out. And now that he was listening for it, Ben could hear the sounds of battle outside.
“She was supposed to have given us a week,” Selena raged. “It’s barely been twenty-four hours.”
Without the werewolves, they were vulnerable.
"Protect the town,” Ben ordered. “But remember, we need prisoners."
"Stay behind me," Selena said, following Rahl out the door.
Not likely, but he would stick close to her. The people who dared attack his town and the beautiful moment he had just shared with Selena were going to pay dearly.
Chapter Twelve
Selena
They burst through the town hall doors and into the chaos before them. Witches on broomsticks hovered above, casting spells that rained destruction onto the streets while they dodged the gargoyles’ sharp teeth and talons. Vampire hunters charged through the fray, their sharp stakes brandished. Some of the tips must have also been brushed with silver because the werewolves were wounded by them. The tourists screamed and scrambled for safety, fear etched on their faces. But the townspeople were rallying their own defenses.
"Guard your stores," Ben yelled to them over the cacophony. “We’ll draw them away as best we can.”
Focusing her senses, Selena allowed the connection with Artegenos to deepen. She could sense the sword's eagerness for battle, its desire to protect the people of Hope. In perfect harmony, Selena darted forward, gracefully dodging an incoming fireball before leaping into the air and striking down an attacking witch with a decisive slash.
"Watch out," Ben called, taking out a vampire hunter that had been sneaking up behind her with a swift kick.
“You watch out. In fact, you should go inside and barricade yourself in your office.”
“Never,” he snarled.
As the battle raged on, Selena's movements became a fluid dance, each strike landing with precision and grace. She fought back-to-back with Ben, their shoulder blades brushing. Artegenos warned her if a vampire hunter got too close to him on her blind side.
But then, Selena's bad luck kicked in. The vampire hunters fired a volley of arrows into the crowd. It was impossible to deflect them all. She tackled Ben to the ground and heard his ankle snap like a dry tinder.
“I’m so sorry,” she said. “Stay down.”
“Sykes!” Ben roared as she sprang back up.
“Get the mayor to safety,” Selena ordered Rahl and Sykes, who were fighting their way toward them. She planted herself in front of Ben, acting as a shield.
She saw a gargoyle miss a veering witch. The witch cast a ball of energy out of her outstretched hand. There was no way to dodge it without leaving Ben vulnerable, so she stood her ground. It would hurt, but it shouldn’t kill her.
But at the last moment, the spell unbelievably veered off course, striking a nearby werewolf guard instead. He howled in pain, collapsing to the ground as the witch cursed and peeled off for another strafing run. Two gargoyles appeared on the witch’s tail, shredding the back of her broom with their talons. She spiraled as she went down and hit the ground like an arrow thunking into a target.
Sykes and Rahl finally got close. They hiked Ben up and dragged him to a nearby storefront. She spared them a quick glance. Sykes was feeding his master blood from his wrist. The hard stone of guilt and worry in her gut lessened. The blood would heal him. Rahl would keep Sykes and Ben safe until it did.
"Take out the vampire hunters," Artegenos urged in her thoughts. "They’re the lethal threat to Ben."
Selena gritted her teeth and continued the fight alongside the werewolves. But as she deflected a stake, it ricocheted off her blade and struck a human ally, leaving him writhing on the ground. She winced, cursing her luck under her breath.
"Man down!" she yelled out, hoping there was a healer that could treat him. At least he didn’t turn to ash like Ben would have if the stake hit him. When this was all over, they had to discuss better battle tactics.
Selena swung Artegenos high to cut at the broom of a low-flying witch, but the sword inadvertently sliced through a support rope, causing a heavy banner to fall onto a group of unsuspecting vampire hunters. They crumpled beneath the weight, temporarily incapacitated.
Not all her luck was bad.
The gargoyles chased off the rest of the witches. The werewolf guards disarmed the hunters of their silver-tipped stakes. And just like that, the battle was over. Ben stormed over to her, his expression thunderous.
"Are you all right?" Selena asked, panting from exhaustion as she surveyed the battle-scarred town square.
"Thanks to you," he replied.
She did a double take. Selena thought he would be mad about the ankle.
“Secure our vampire hunters in the jail,” he shouted orders to the werewolves. “Take any witches to my house. I have spell protection in my dungeon... basement... prison in my basement.” Ben sighed. “It’s a dungeon.”
“I understand the necessity,” Selena said, putting a hand on his shoulder to ease his distress. A charged moment flashed through both of them. He leaned in. Her eyes fluttered closed.
“Help!”
Breaking apart guiltily, Selena looked over the aftermath of the battle, trying to see who had called out. She saw Gertrude lying on the ground, a stray arrow protruding from her stomach. The sight made Selena's heart drop to her stomach. She couldn't help but wonder if her curse of bad luck had played a part in the unfortunate situation.
“Oh no,” she said.
Ben followed her gaze.
"Gertrude," Ben called out, rushing to her side. His eyes were filled with concern as he knelt beside her.
“Give me your blood,” Gertrude whispered. “It’s over for me.”
"Are you going to turn her?” Selena asked tentatively, guilt weighing heavily on her chest. It was hard for her not to blame herself for the chaos that had unfolded throughout the town, and her curse worsened. Although logically, she knew that chaos reigned king during a battle, curse or not. But she had suggested that Gertrude go to Adelaide’s. If she hadn’t, Gertrude would have been safe inside the town hall when all this started.
Ben examined the wound, his brow furrowed in concentration. "No,” he replied, trying to sound reassuring. "But we need to get her to a healer."
"Leave that to me," Rahl said, stepping forward.
“Uh,” Selena wasn’t sure about giving a seriously wounded human to a man-eater, but the ghoul's usual stoic demeanor crumbled as he looked at Gertrude. His face softened with affection. Without hesitation, Rahl gently scooped Gertrude up in his arms, mindful of her injury.
“No, I’m dying. Make me immortal,” Gertrude pleaded, her hand reaching out to Ben.
"Take her to Felicity,” Ben instructed. "She should be able to stop the bleeding and pour a few healing potions in her."
"Got it," Rahl said, nodding solemnly. As he carried Gertrude away, Selena noticed how tenderly he held her. She couldn’t remember the last time someone had held her like that.
As she watched Rahl hurry to find the healer, Selena knew she was responsible for the pain and suffering that had befallen Hope. She wondered if she should move on because she was only putting everyone at risk with her cursed presence.
"Friends and neighbors of Hope," Ben said as a crowd began to gather in the town square. His voice was strong and confident. Selena could see the worried looks on the tourists’ faces fade.
“Is he hexing them?” she thought to Artegenos.
“No, that’s just his natural charisma,” the sword replied.
Selena would have felt better if he had been hexing them. It would explain why she was reacting to him so deeply. She wanted to continue the kiss they had started. The fire of battle still raged in her veins, and it was quickly turning to lust. It was a little embarrassing to experience a wave of desire while the town was still recovering from the attack.
"Today, we face danger and adversity. But thanks to our brave defenders, our town remains safe." Ben’s words wove a tapestry of hope and resilience. He praised the werewolves, the gargoyles and even Selena's courage and skill. The people listened intently, their eyes shining with admiration for all of them.
It made Selena feel a little uncomfortable. She didn’t deserve this praise. Ben had gotten hurt and some of the attackers got away. Even now she wanted to demand that he go back inside where it was safe.
"This violence will not stand," Ben declared, "Selena and I will work together to take the battle to our enemies. We will double our patrols to protect our beloved town and all of its guests. We are one family, one community, and we shall not be defeated."
The crowd erupted into applause, their voices filling the town hall with a triumphant chorus. Selena experienced a surge of pride and purpose, yet another thing that she hadn’t felt in a long time.
"Come with me," Ben whispered into her ear as the applause continued. "I believe we have unfinished business."
Shivers ran up her spine, and anticipation started tingling through her. She followed him back into the town hall. He locked his office door behind him.
"We should be undisturbed for a few hours while the town puts itself back together."
Without another word, Ben pulled Selena into his arms and kissed her deeply. She melted into him, her body responding to his touch. Their tongues danced together, exploring each other's mouths with abandon.
Selena was on fire as desire coursed through her veins. Ben's hands roamed over her body, tugging at her clothes and pulling her closer to him. She was unable to resist him.
"I need you," he whispered to her, his lips brushing her neck and his fangs grazing over the sensitive spot.
"I need you now." Selena wrenched open his shirt, her hands running over his hard chest and ripped stomach. The callouses on his hands scraped her skin as he pulled her tunic up over her head.
He stepped back briefly to unbutton his pants. She fumbled with hers, not caring when Artegenos hit the floor with a clang.
"Don't mind me," the sword said.
And she didn't.
He kissed a trail of burning kisses down her neck and to her breasts. He sucked on her beaded nipples, making her wriggle with delight. Her hands ran through his hair, tugging at it in primal passion.
"I need you inside me," she gasped, her hands pulling at his pants.
He chuckled huskily, "There will be plenty of time for that later."
Before she could answer, he had dropped to his knees and pulled her leg over his shoulder. Then he buried his face in her mound. Her body bucked as he sucked the juices from her folds and thrust his tongue deep inside. She shivered as he licked and sucked her sensitive pleasure points.
Her hands went to his head, holding his face against her. She could feel her body tensing as he brought her close to the edge.
"That’s it,” she cried, her hands fisting in his hair.
Selena was on the verge of exploding, but he kept her at the edge, never pushing her over.
"Please..." she gasped. "I need..."
He pulled his head up from her wetness, “You need this."
He ran his tongue over her clit, flicking it rapidly. His warm breath set her body ablaze, every nerve ending on fire. She twisted and squirmed as the pleasure built within her body.
"Do you want to come?" he asked her, his voice gruff and husky.
She nodded. "Gods, yes.”
He plunged his tongue into her, his arm across her hips to hold her to him. He sucked her clit into his mouth, sending her over the edge. She screamed as the orgasm tore through her body like a tsunami. Her body shook violently as the pleasure rippled through her. She gripped his hair as she came down from her high. He was grinning when she finally opened her eyes.
Selena reached down to help him stand up. He kissed her again, the taste of her pleasure still on his lips. His mouth sealed to hers as his fingers probed between her legs. He found her clit and began to stroke her, starting the tremors of pleasure up all over again. Selena rode his fingers as he rubbed her hard.
"Just like that.” Her body tensed in anticipation.
He pinched her clit between his fingers, sending jolts of pleasure through her. She lost control, her orgasm washing over her like a tidal wave. He held her to him, his fingers stilling her bucking hips. She could feel the muscles in his chest and arms ripple against her as he held her tightly. They stood still, her body quivering in pleasure.
"I need you..." she breathed, still trembling.
Ben yanked his pants off, his cock hard and standing at attention. Selena wasted no time. She sank to her knees and wrapped her hand around him. Taking him in her mouth, she sucked on him. He groaned as she swirled her tongue around him, and his hand fisted in her hair. She sucked on him hungrily, loving the way his cock throbbed in her mouth and the way his body shuddered.
Ben's body tensed, and she knew he was close to coming. She quickened her pace, stroking him at the base with her hands. She bobbed her head up and down over him, her tongue flicking over the sensitive underside of his cock. She pulled away for a moment to spit into her palm and stroke him. She ran her tongue over the tip of him, sucking on it as she pumped him up and down.
“Fuck, you’re incredible,” he gritted out.
“I want you so much.”
She pulled back and bobbed her head over him again.
He arched his hips, thrusting his cock into her mouth. She relaxed her throat and took him as deep as he would go.
"I'm going to come."
Selena pulled away from him, her lips shiny and stretched wide. His cock throbbed between them. She stroked him with one hand and cupped his balls with the other.
She steadied her hand and started to pump him again. She swirled her tongue around the tip, teasing him.
He groaned loudly as he came. Ben pulled her up from the floor, kissing her deeply. She could taste his come on her lips as she kissed him. He walked her towards the nearest wall and encouraged her to wrap her legs around his waist.
"Put me inside you," he growled.
She steadied his cock and pushed it into her wet passage. She gasped as he sank into her tight heat. He thrust into her deeply, burying himself inside her. She cried out as he filled her, stretching her tight hole. He gripped her ass as he pounded into her, sending her closer and closer to the edge.
"Oh yes," she moaned, "Oh yes, fuck me." She rode him hard, her head spinning.
His muscles went rigid. He buried himself deep inside her, and she felt him explode, his hot seed jetting into her. She came at the same time, her body shuddering as the orgasm spread from her center through her limbs.
They stood there, breathless for a moment.
"I think... my heart actually skipped a beat," she said.
"I think mine did, too," he rasped. “And my heart doesn’t beat.”
"I just need a minute."
"I don't think I can wait that long," he said, and he began to thrust again.
Every thrust sent a shockwave of pleasure through her. She wrapped her legs around his waist, her arms around his shoulders, and held on as he took her. It was a primal, passionate coupling, both of them lost in their pleasure.
He thrust his tongue into her mouth, matching the rhythm of his cock.
He swelled inside her, growing even harder if that was possible. He slowed his thrusts, drawing them out, and she moaned, frustrated. "No, don't stop, don't stop."
"Hang on," he said.
He walked with her still wrapped around him to the desk and laid her on top of it. She held him close, their bodies slick with sweat as they moved gently together. Her head was spinning, her body tingling. He pounded into her, pulling her hips off the desk with each thrust.
"Harder... Fuck me harder," she begged.
He pounded into her, his hips slamming against hers. Each thrust sent more pleasure through her. Her breath came in short, shallow gasps, and she gripped him tight, nails digging into his flesh.
"That's right, Selena. Come for me one more time."
An ecstatic spasm ran through her, starting in her core and spreading to her very fingertips. He thrust into her again and again as her orgasm broke over her. She heard his groan of pleasure, deep and guttural, as he thrust into her again. He growled and plunged harder, his body shuddering and shaking with hers. Then, he collapsed on top of her, his own body trembling.
"I think you might have killed me if I weren’t already dead," Ben said, kissing her sweetly.
