Now one of his eyebrows arches. “We?”
I nod once. Then, slowly, I unfold my legs from beneath me and stand. Severin looks up at me as I reach down to take his teacup and set it on the side table. Gently, I ease myself into his lap. His arms come around me with some hesitation, and he tightens up again.
“Yes,we,” I say. I trace my fingertips over his high cheekbone, then down his jaw, where a hint of a dark beard is just starting to show. “Because I’m not going anywhere.” I curl my fingers around his chin and tip his head down so he has to look at me. “Do you understand?”
That same muscle feathers in his jaw again. He searches my eyes, and I hold his gaze steadily.
“Areyougoing anywhere?” I ask when he doesn’t respond.
This time, he answers me.
“No.”
My fingers soften on his chin, and I lift up to press a gentle kiss to his mouth, which is still warm from the tea. When I ease away, I whisper, “Then yes.We.”
He takes a long breath, his chest rising and falling with the movement. Though the tension lingers in him, I can see him actively fighting it.
“Severin.”
His dark eyes meet mine.
“You don’t have to be afraid.”
His arms tighten around me, just a bit. “I don’t think you understand the gravity of what you’re asking me to do.”
“I understand the gravity,” I say, starting to stroke my fingers along the back of his neck, where his dark hair has grown a bit long. “You’re using it as an excuse.”
He says nothing.
“Why did you show up tonight?” I ask. “If you’re not ready, why did you come?”
His gaze goes to the fire. The flames dance, reflected in his eyes. Again, he says nothing.
Now a bolt of irritation goes through me. I extract myself from Severin’s arms and stand from my place in his lap. Hands on my hips, I stare down at him. “I want you to feed from me. That’s why I’m here, why I set this up for us.” I gesture to the room with one hand. “If you have no intention of doing this with me, then—”
“I haveeveryintention of doing this with you,” he says, voice dropping to a growl. Slowly, his gaze slides from the flames to me. “Don’t you understand, Maeve? I can’t say no to you.” His fingers curl into the armrests, dimpling the plush material. “I’ve never submitted to anyone in my life.” His eyes narrow further. His voice is lower this time when he says, “But I’ll submit to you.”
A thrill goes through me, making my magic pulse, and heat curls low in my belly.
“Then stop hesitating,” I say.
My fingers find the hem of my loose tunic, and I slowly pull it off over my head, exposing my breasts. The air in the room is warm, but as Severin’s gaze traces over me, my nipples harden in anticipation. Then I take the trousers and slip them over my hips, dropping the material to the floor.
I’m naked in front of him now, the firelight dancing across my skin.
Around me, the air prickles with electric currents, my magic becoming restless, excited.
Reaching up, I push my long hair back over my shoulders, revealing my throat. Severin’s gaze immediately goes there, and his jaw tightens, bobbing hard as he swallows.
With a steadying breath, I say, “I’m ready.”
Chapter 33
Severin
STANDING NAKED BEFORE ME, HER pale skin catching the light, Maeve looks like a goddess. Her dark purple hair hangs down her back in a straight sheet, and she holds my eyes with the conviction of someone who knows exactly what they want.
And what she wants is me. She wants me to sink my fangs into her skin, to draw her lifeblood into my mouth and feel it warm my throat. To create a connection that is both intimate and barbaric.
