“I know what you’re thinking,” I start, stopping at the table. “Better safe than sorry, I know.”
“We have no idea who she is.”
“I’m aware…but you could have been a little more polite, you know.”
“I know,” he agrees right away, unzipping his hoodie. “And I’m sorry. If she checks out and you really are able to connect with others in your coven then that’s fucking amazing. You’ll get the missing pieces of your past back and can really hone your craft. But if not…” He turns, his hazel eyes locking with mine as a line of worry forms on his brow. “She’s in a really good position to take advantage of you.” He crosses the room and takes me in his arms. My heart flutters in my chest and I slide my hands up his torso, hooking them around his neck. “You are everything to me, Anora. And I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”
His lips meet mine and an instant rush goes through me. Ethan is the only man who’s ever been able to turn me on like this from a single kiss. Just one touch can make us both desperate to strip off each other’s clothes and go at it right here on the kitchen floor.
“You know I have no issue being the bad guy so you don’t have to.” He brushes my damp hair back and lets his fingers trail down my arm.
“I love you,” I breathe, tipping my head up so I can kiss him. I’m so fucking thankful for him, my sexy demon hunter. He holds me tighter, crushing my breasts against his firm chest. In a swift movement, he picks me up and lifts me onto the island counter. He parts my legs and steps in between them. I lean to the side so he can pull my dress out from under me, but no sooner is it up around my waist than the kitchen door opens.
“My goodness. Don’t stop on my accord.” Nik steps into the house and brings his hand to his eyes so he can’t see us. He has two shopping bags hanging from his other hand and walks right into the table as he blindly crosses the room. Iced tea sloshes out of the glass and onto the table.
“It’s okay,” I tell him, letting my hands drop from Ethan’s shoulders so I can cover my ass back up. “I need to dry my hair and finish getting ready to go out tonight.” My eyes meet Ethan’s and my stomach flutters. “We’re going out.”
“Ahh, right. Date night.” Nik lowers his hand and grabs a towel from the sink to clean up the spilled iced tea. Ethan steps back and I hop off the counter, straightening my dress. We both go up the rear stairs and into our bedroom. Ethan pulls his t-shirt over his head and I stop, admiring his muscular body for a moment. He has tattoos up and down both arms, going over his shoulders and down his pecs.
His entire body is dotted with scars, mapping out a lifetime of being a demon hunter. I’ve kissed each and every scar after asking how he got them. Most, he can recall. But there are so many that the causes have been lost on him. It bothers me to know he’s been hurt that many times, but Ethan just shrugs it off, saying it’s the life of a demon hunter.
“I’m surprised you didn’t tell Nik that you met another witch.” Ethan strips out of his athletic pants and boxers so he can get into the shower.
“I will,” I assure him and pick my bathrobe up off the floor where I left it yesterday. “I have questions for him, too, since he knows about the Academy. But I also know I need to hurry and dry my hair. It takes forever to blow-dry this mess.” I point to my thick, auburn hair. The only time I complain about having such thick hair is when I’m drying or curling it, though I don’t do either of those all that often. “And speaking of Nik, you didn’t trust him at first and look how that turned out.”
“Yeah, but he’s a faery. He’s not as dangerous as—” Ethan snaps his mouth shut and faces me, standing there in just his boxers and socks. Fading light pours through the bedroom windows, highlighting the sharpness of his jaw.
“A witch?” I finish.
“Yes,” he presses, tossing his shirt onto the floor in his closet, right next to the hamper. “You are not a danger, Anora, but you’re powerful. You could destroy the world if you wanted to.”
I search his eyes, understanding his fear. “So could regular people, and they’ve come close a time or two if I’m not mistaken. I mean, look at the world today. It’s not witches or even vampires starting wars or polluting the earth. It’s people. Regular old people.”