“Thank you,” she whispers. “That was… Yeah. Thank you.”
With one more smile and a barely contained yawn, she finally settles back against the seat and closes her eyes. Moments later, her breathing becomes deep and even, her mouth parted, the cutest little snores escaping her lips.
I’d laugh if I could, but right now, all I can think about is the scent of her desire filling the small space of the car, and my fingers curled around the steering wheel, still shimmering and wet from making her come.
That was… Yeah. Thank you…
Bloodyhell, I want to lick her off my skin to savor the taste of her, but I don’t dare. Not like this. Not while she’s asleep beside me, trusting me to take her home.
I stole a brief taste of her once before—the night I rushed into her room thinking she was being attacked, only to realize I’d just caught her touching herself. I sucked her fingers into my mouth, swirling my tongue over every inch, but that was merely a power game—a dick move intended to intimidate her into submission.
Some power move. The only thing I managed to accomplish that night was giving myself an all-too-brief taste of something I could neverreallyhave. Not that night. Not tonight. Not ever.
She’s right—we did cross a line tonight. Both of us. And the more I allow those lines to blur, the greater the danger for her.
We need to stay focused on keeping her safe. On breaking our curse. On eliminating her enemies.
Jude and Augustine are fools to believe they can have it all,doit all. Hell, they’re already falling for her.
And love? That’s somethingnoneof us are allowed to want.
We don’t deserve it, and even if we did?
We simply can’t have it.
So now, with nothing but her soft snores and my own spiraling thoughts to keep me company, I grip the wheel, ignoring the hot, slippery feel of her on my fingers, and ferry us home.
* * *
The moment we’re back at Blackmoor Manor, I drop my glamour and exit the car, heading around to the passenger side where the little mortal is still fast asleep. I scoop her into my arms and gather her close, and for the briefest moment, she stirs, her eyes fluttering open to gaze up at me in the moonlight.
A smile touches her lips—the kind of smile that could melt my heart if I let it.
“For a guy who pretends not to like me very much,” she says dreamily, “you sure have a knack for saving me.”
Her smile lingers for another heartbeat, and then it’s gone, sleep pulling her under once more. She rests her head against my chest, and I wrap my arms tighter around her, pressing my lips to the top of her head and breathing in her scent.
My protective instincts surge, but I hardly need the internal reminder.Nothingis more important to me than her wellbeing. It’s the only reason I gave in to her wishes tonight. She needed my help, and I granted it.
Oh, yes. You’re such a noble, selfless gargoyle, Caldwell. Really making the hard sacrifices tonight, aren’t you?
Ignoring the voice of reason echoing through my skull, I carry her into the manor and up the stairs. But I bypass her bedroom, along with Augustine’s and Jude’s and Rook’s. Instead, I carry her to the very last suite at the end of the hall—mine.
With a soft but efficient touch, I wash her face and hands with a warm, wet cloth, then remove her bloodstained clothing and dress her in one of my T-shirts.
Through all of it, she barely stirs.
And then, with one more soft kiss against her forehead, I gently tuck her into my bed.
Mine.
I tell myself it’s because I don’t know whether she’d prefer Jude’s or Auggie’s bed tonight, and I don’t want to make any assumptions.
Mine.
I tell myself it’s because I need to keep an eye on her to ensure she doesn’t suffer any more ill effects from her ordeal at the meat packing plant.
Mine.
