Jodi Redford - Maximum Witch

She could do this. Inhaling a deep, shaky breath, she tried the door knob and found it unlocked. Inside, Max’s house held the stale odor of a space that hadn’t been aired in a while. But underneath it was also the fresh ocean scent that she always associated with Max. It was almost as if he were…there.

Oh goddess .

Could it be? Her pulse racing so fast she thought she might pass out, she staggered from the entry. Boone was standing in the kitchen, tears of happiness in his eyes as he smiled at her. She swallowed, hesitant to ask. To give voice to the impossible. “Max…?”

Boone nodded toward the hallway. She registered no more than that as she galloped in the direction of the master bedroom, her bare feet slip-sliding on the wood floor.

Almost afraid to believe in second chances, a fate that didn’t include a loved one ripped away from her, she eased the door open.

Max was stretched out on the bed. Battered, but very much alive.

Another sob shaking from her, she crossed to the bed, her legs threatening to give out. Max opened his eyes and looked at her, the love in his expression outweighing the pain. “Willa.”

She fell to her knees beside the bed, burying her face in the crook of his neck. His musky scent surrounded her, the final—and best—balm to her soul. His hand stroked the back of her head, and she looked up at his dear face. “Oh goddess. I thought I lost you.”

“I told you, baby, I’ll always protect you. Always love you. It’ll take a hell of a lot more than a damn tidal wave to ever keep me from you.”

She lifted away from him and traced the fading bruise near his forehead. “What happened?”

“Are you speaking about the bruise, or where I’ve been?”

“Both.”

“My sorry-looking state is mostly due to getting my ass tossed around by that damn tidal wave.” He caught her hand and kissed her knuckles tenderly before twining their fingers together. “As you know, it didn’t hit our shores.”

“Boone said he saw it vanish. Along with you.” Despite her valiant efforts to stop it, her lips trembled.

“The portals got crisscrossed somehow. Maybe it’s a kill switch written into the trident’s hardware. Who knows? All I do know is that whatever friggin’ dimension I landed in, it was a ball buster finding my way back out.”

Her eyes getting suspiciously misty again, she leaned down and kissed him. Their tongues met in a slow, luxurious mating as they silently reaffirmed their love. She hugged him tight, never wanting to let him go. Not ever again.

Breaking the kiss, Max cupped her face. “Boone told me how hard you searched for me. Baby, I’m so sorry for everything you went through.”

She brushed his nose with hers. “None of that matters. I’m just so happy to have you here with me now.”

A tender look came into Max’s eyes. “Boone also mentioned that you’ve revoked your claim to the throne.”

Worried he was going to start in again on his arguments concerning her birthright, she sighed. “Max, I’ve made up my mind. I don’t want it.”

“Okay.”

She blinked at him. “Uh, what?”

“I know I pushed you about it before, and that wasn’t right of me. It’s your decision to make. Not mine. So whatever you choose—”

“I choose you.” She smoothed his hair off his forehead. It was a tiny bit longer than the last time she’d seen it. She continued stroking him, the need to touch him overwhelming.

“I may not be able to offer you a lot, baby. But I promise you this. I’ll love you until the end of my days.”

His words filled her with so much joy, it almost hurt. “That’s all I need. All I want.”

He pulled her onto the bed with him. “What do you think about getting married?”

She snuggled into his chest, listening to his heartbeat. “Are you asking?”

“Yes.”

“I like the sound of it. A lot.”

“Me too. Boone can be my best man. But I’m done sharing you with him.”

“Even if he’s only watching?”

The slight acceleration of his pulse gave him away. “I might make allowances for that.”

She kissed her way down his sternum and noticed how his cock thickened beneath his sweats. “Just so you know, I’m perfectly happy with only having you in my bed.”

His erection swelled even more. There was no way she could resist showing him firsthand how much she’d missed him. Needed him. She rucked down his sweats, her head descending. Unable to help herself, she slid him a mischievous look. “Besides, I’ve discovered I’m partial to shark meat.”

He gave a groaning laugh. “That was possibly the worse pun I’ve ever heard.”

Her mouth closed around him, and she hummed in pleasure before releasing him with a juicy pop. “Mm, yes. But very true. Ask any nymph and she’ll tell you—shark is her favorite main course.” Oh boy, was it ever.

And with that piece of wisdom offered, she went about proving he was the only dish needed on this particular nymph’s menu for the rest of her life.