Chapter Twenty
Sweet Jesus! Adalyn felt like she’d been dropped into her own personal fiery hell. A blanket of scorching heat wrapped around her. Heavy and hot, it covered almost every inch of her body as she struggled to sit up. Panic spread at the thought of being trapped before she had any hope of slowing it.
What fresh round of torture was this?
The last thing she’d remembered was the literal ass-whooping on her astral form from her mother. How that had even been possible, she had no idea, but it was something that would have to be given serious consideration after she found her way out of whatever pickle she was currently in.
She pushed again, trying with all her might to lift the weight off her, but her arms were numb, still very much asleep. That and she didn’t seem to have an ounce of energy left in her body, having been drained of both majik and strength.
“Easy does it.”
The weight that had been holding her down slowly lifted.
Wade!He was there with her. Wherever there was.
“I’m not sure how, but your body took quite a beating. Erin said you need to drink this and to rest—let your strength come back.”
Wade pulled her into a sitting position, propping her up against his side.
Adalyn cracked her eyes open, expecting to be blinded by the sun glaring through her window, instead she was met by darkness.
How long have I been out?she wondered.
“Open up.” He lifted the purple vial to her lips and tilted it forward until she’d swallowed every last drop of the healing liquid.
“Good girl,” he whispered, kissing her head.
The effects of the tonic coursed through her, along with a tingling of desire she felt every time Wade was close by. Heat emanating from his body, that not so long ago felt like her own personal hell, now felt like heaven. She reveled in the warmth, wanting to stay cocooned in his arms as long as possible. Not knowing how long it would last or if he would pull away, denying her of what she most desired.
“You’re safe now.”
Gods, that husky voice of his whispering in her ear fanned the flames of desire until it rampaged through her body unchecked. The last thing she was worried about right now was her safety. If anything, she wanted to be reckless. Throw caution to the wind and feel alive for, quite possibly, the first time in her life. Her own mother tried to kill her, and she had a feeling it wouldn’t be the last time she came under such an attack.
“What if I die before I even truly live? Before I know what it feels like to be a woman?”
She felt alive in Wade’s arms, snuggling next to him. The brief make-out session they’d shared in her room days ago left her wanting more.
What would it feel like to be touched in the way only a lover could touch someone, but not just any lover? She wanted Wade—wanted to know his touch, his taste. More than she wanted her next breath.
“Adalyn.”
A warning or invitation? Either way, her name had never sounded so sexy. Coming from his mouth—well, it made the tiny hairs on the back of her neck stand at attention.
He placed a finger under her chin, gently turning her face toward his. His lips mere inches away from hers. The warmth of his breath fanned across her face, acting like a drug. Adalyn couldn’t have backed away from Wade even if she’d wanted to. She was enthralled by his scent, and his warmth wrapped all around her.
Her chest brushed against his, her nipples pebbled. Heat spread to her core.
His lips brushed against hers, tentatively at first, pushing her desire to all new heights. She groaned at the loss of contact when he pulled back to see what her reaction to him was.
Adalyn chewed on her bottom lip as she studied the longing and need in his lust filled gaze.
“I promised myself that one taste, one kiss would be enough, but I was wrong. It will never be enough.” His lips crashed against hers.
The kiss was everything a kiss should be.
Hot.
Demanding.
