“Well, I’ll set the record straight.” I catch his chin with my fingertips and tilt his face towards me. “Jamie, you are beautiful.”
His breath stops.
“You are bright and insightful.”
His cheeks go hot under my fingertips.
“You are thoughtful and kind and you can be afantasticidiot sometimes.”
His pulse flutters under my touch.
“So, let me be very clear. I have not merely tolerated our time together. I have delighted in it. Every time I see you, I think of how sweet you would look with your clothes ripped to shreds. Since I first scented you, I have wanted todevouryou. Now… is that clear?”
Jamie leans into my hand and whines. His eyes shine as he looks up at me, wide and dark, begging. He’s trembling.
“God, look what I’ve done to you,” I breathe. “You’re magnificent. It’s taking every fiber of my willpower to not tear into you right now.”
“Please…” he whimpers.
Fuck, he’s perfect.
“Patience, pup. There are rules to how I conduct myself, and like I said, one very important rule is…” I drag my claw down the side of his jaw, resting it under his chin. “Youmustbe able to run away.”
His eyes flash as he understands. My rule is about ethics, sure, but it’s also about thechase.
“If I did what I wanted to do to you right now, this boat would capsize,” I purr. “And it’s a very long swim to shore…”
Jamie’s breath comes hot and fast, and I can see his mind whirling, looking for options.
“So, let’s enjoy the ocean for a bit longer. I worked very hard to get this yacht for you.”
Jamie doesn’t quite still this time. He trembles and wriggles against my side, cloves thickening in his scent.
I want him basking in the moonlight. I want him needy and dripping and in heat for me. Just the thought makes my claws curl, tongue sweeping across the back of my teeth.
I shouldn’t be giving the beast this much leeway. But I can handle it, and fuck I want it.
“Chilly?” I tease.
“Uh, y-yes,” Jamie says earnestly.
“Jamie, Jamie, Jamie...” I pull my claws through his hair. It’s soft as silk. I press my cheek against his forehead and the blazing heat there. “We both know that’s not true.”
He shakes even harder.
“It is,” he whines. “Compared to you, the air isfreezing.”
I feel another crack in something old and deep, like I do every time Jamie is so perfectly pathetic. Too precious to suffer another of my cruelties. There’s a depth to him, and within his eyes lie a thousand surprises.
An unfamiliar tenderness laces my voice as I say, “Then I’ll stop tormenting you. Let’s get back to the hotel.”
Jamie stays at my side, clinging to ward off the chill—and testing every fiber of my willpower as I keep my hands against the wheel.
Chapter 34
JAMIE
I’m pretty sure this is a dream.
