Read Online Recipe for Magic by Agatha Bird - Free Book Online Page A

have anything to lose, and something about Landyn made him want to spill all his secrets. “I’ve never liked a guy that much before, but I can appreciate the aesthetics.”
    Landyn looked unsettled. “I didn’t think you’d— Never mind. Can we get back to work, please?”
    “You’re the one who brought it up.”
    “Yes, well, now I’m un bringing it up.” The tips of Landyn’s ears had gone red.
    “Don’t be like that,” Connor said, trying for an easy smile. “We’re bonding here.”
    Landyn held up his right hand to display the Pairing Sigil, inked deep blue into his skin, and said wryly, “We’re already fairly bonded, Connor.”
    Connor felt an answering tug from his sigil; he didn’t think but brought his hand up and pressed their palms together.
    A shock of magic traveled up his arm. Landyn’s breath hitched.
    “Connor?” Landyn’s voice wobbled. His eyes were fixed on their hands, and Connor suddenly knew that Landyn had never kissed anyone. Connor wanted it to be him.
    He put his arm on the chair and leaned closer, using the movement to tangle their fingers, keeping their sigils tightly pressed. He was aware of the flush sweeping up the back of his neck and the sweaty slide of their palms.
    Landyn’s breathing came faster. “Connor?” he repeated, this time in a near whisper, and licked his lips.
    “Landyn,” Connor said just as softly. Their faces were inches apart, and Connor felt puffs of air against his lips from Landyn’s rapid breathing. Connor held himself back, stroking his thumb along Landyn’s jaw. He wanted this so badly, but somehow—perhaps through their connection—he knew the final choice needed to be Landyn’s.
    After an agonizing minute, Landyn closed his eyes in surrender and closed the distance between them. His lips pressed against Connor’s, just the barest of touches, and he froze uncertainly.
    Connor tilted his head so their noses stopped bumping together quite so hard; Landyn made a questioning noise. The new angle positioned Landyn’s lower lip perfectly and Connor sucked on it, tonguing the soft flesh until Landyn’s mouth opened with a gasp.
    Connor pulled back enough to take in Landyn’s expression: Landyn’s eyes were half-lidded and hazy with arousal, his pupils wide; he licked his lips, his eyes fixed on Connor’s mouth.
    Leaning back in, Connor pressed soft, light kisses to Landyn’s lips until they parted again. “Touch your tongue to mine,” Connor urged. “Just a touch. Let me show you.”
    Landyn gave a high, choked noise and opened his mouth, touching the soft, wet tip of his tongue hesitantly against Connor’s. Connor dipped his tongue farther inside with light strokes as he wrapped one hand around the back of Landyn’s neck and placed their joined hands against the hardness in Landyn’s lap.
    Connor used the opportunity to draw Landyn’s tongue into his mouth, sucking lightly as Landyn moaned and shuddered beneath him. Landyn’s mouth was cool, and his kisses tasted like spring water, crisp and fresh. Connor could kiss him forever.
    He trailed their joined hands over Landyn’s erection, pressing their palms down and rubbing firmly, causing Landyn to jerk and make a desperate noise into Connor’s mouth.
    Landyn pulled back sharply. “Connor,” he panted, his eyes bright with lust. “We should—we have to stop.”
    “Why?” Connor asked, giving the corner of Landyn’s mouth a soft lick. He finally had this mouth under him. He wasn’t eager to give it up.
    “Because—ah, ah .” Landyn’s eyes rolled back as Connor continued to palm him through his robes. “B-because the Trial is in two days and we can’t get distracted.”
    “Spoken like someone who’s never been distracted before,” Connor murmured, kissing his way up Landyn’s jaw to his ear and breathing hotly against the skin before taking the lobe between his teeth.
    “No, we need to focus. We need to—oh, that’s nice. No, no, ice water, melting snow,”