Her eyes open again. Green and alive, flickering with heat.
I lean in, lips brushing her ear as I speak. "All kinds," I say. "I'll order you to kneel… to crawl to me… to open your mouth and take it like a good girl."
She shivers, body leaning into mine before she even realizes it.
My hand slides up her spine, slow and possessive, until I cradle the back of her neck. My other arm curls around her waist, pulling her in flush against me.
And then I kiss her.
It's deep, slow, and laced with fire. A clash of control and chaos, her lips soft and sweet against mine. She tastes like honey and cinnamon, warmth and want. Her scent is alive, a spring meadow, fresh blooms awakening. I can feel her magic stirring, curling around us in unseen threads.
When she moans into my mouth, I nearly lose it.
But I don't. I pull back, my breathing steady, even if the rest of me is anything but. If it weren't for the guests in my house, I'd have taken her right here, right now, against this wall. Without hesitation or restraint.
The thought surprises me. Not because it's dark, but because it feels right.
There are things worth surrendering control for, and Sage is one of them.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Sage
Yeah. So much for not getting entangled.
Maybe it was his scent—leather, cedar, cologne, and something that makes my knees go stupid.
Maybe it was his voice—commanding, calm, laced with power so he never has to shout.
Maybe it was the certainty. The way he said it like a fact: I'll give you orders. You'll obey.
Maybe it was the way Iwantedthat.
Maybe all of the above.
Either way, it led to that kiss. The damned kiss that drowned me.
Asher's kiss is gravity. Heavy and steady. It doesn't steal your breath, but anchors it. Makes you think you could live there. That if you just leaned into him, he'd hold the weight, all of it, no questions asked.
It's the opposite of Kayden's kiss. He kisses like the world's ending and it's your last chance to feel anything. Like everything else is ash and this spark between you is the only thing that's ever mattered. His kiss says,Burn with me. And somehow you want to.
So here I am, running from my feelings for one vampire… only to crash into feelings for two. And the fact that they're both okay with this situation, still messes with my head.
I shouldn't overthink it. I shouldn't plan ahead. Not about this.
I'm supposed to leave once I have my shiny anti-satyr necklace.
Right?
Right.
I try to hold on to that thought, but Asher's waffles make it harder than they should. Almost as hard as forgetting the kiss.
"By the way," he says, disturbingly casual as I'm polishing off the last bite. "Astrid called this morning. She located the crystal."
I blink. "Wait—really? And you didn't lead with that?"
He shrugs, unapologetic. "Because it's in a town six hours away. If I'd told you, you'd have skipped breakfast and bolted."
