“We should… stop,” I panted against his lips. “I only meant to offer you my blood, not… The others aren’t that far away.”
A mischievous grin appeared on his lips as he pressed closer, his body flush against mine.
“Shh,” he hushed, against my ear. “Be a good girl and stay quiet, then.”
He planted a kiss along my jawline, before brushing his lips against my neck.
A sharp inhale escaped me before I could stop it. He smiled against my skin, slow and knowing.
“You’re melting, kitten,” he murmured. “I thought you’d be used to me by now?”
“I am,” I lied.
He chuckled, a dark, velvet sound that always made my flames stutter. “Keep telling yourself that, sweetie. Your body can’t lie to me, though.”
“Maybe I just like the view,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
He leaned back just enough for me to catch his red glowing eyes. “Oh, I know you do.” His thumb traced the edge of my lower lip, smearing a spark of heat across it. “But tonight, I’m not the one losing control.”
“Then why are you hesitating?” I shot back, even as my body betrayed me, pressing towards the warmth of his.
He laughed softly, teeth flashing. “Because you taste divine.”
The admittance hit somewhere deep, pulling at the bond between us, that invisible tether of heat and hunger. I felt his restraint like a held breath, every muscle coiled, every heartbeat aching to break.
“You could just… Take what you need,” I whispered, my cheeks heating.
His smile turned slow, indulgent. “I could. But knowing that you want me to so badly might be better.”
“Arrogant demon,” I breathed, but there was no venom in it, only the ache of wanting more.
He dipped his head, lips grazing the shell of my ear. “Say it again, kitten. Maybe I’ll believe you.”
The words burned through me, every syllable a spark of fire. He wasn’t feeding, just letting his breath skate over my skin, drinking in the shiver he caused.
No, tonight, I was the one losing control, not him. I felt defeated by my own feelings. Here I was, asking him to use me, in order to survive. What normal person would sacrifice themselves to a demon, instead of encouraging their restraint?
Only he wasn’t one. In my eyes, he was more than a man, more than a demon. He was my partner on the battlefield; he was my safety in the storm.
Malakai wasmy home, because he was who my heart had decided upon.
“That expression…” he said softly, voice cracking on something almost human. “You make it too damn hard to behave.”
“Then don’t,” I blurted. “For once, don’t.”
He froze, eyes darkening, a flicker of raw hunger beneath the smirk. For a heartbeat, I thought he’d finally give in.
Instead, he exhaled slowly, stepping back just far enough to break the spell. “Not tonight, sweetie.”
The loss of contact was a physical ache. He tilted his head, wicked grin returning.
“Come on,” he said, his voice gentling. “You’ll catch a cold out here.”
I didn’t move. He sighed, the sound half amusement, half surrender.
“Tell you what,” he said, brushing his fingers along my jaw. “Since I’m in a good mood…”
His mouth tilted in that teasing half-smile. “I’ll let you snuggle tonight.”
