Page 71 of Split or Swallow

One word. But it was all she needed.

Tem’s hand went between her legs, pressing on the claw, fortifying their connection. The smoke skimmed over her skin in whorls and eddies, brushing her hair from her shoulders and exposing her breasts. She arched her back—wanting him to see that she would do anything—withstand anything—for him. His next words filled the cave, penetrating every inch of the air:

I could eat you alive.

“I could let you.”

Something was blossoming within her—something real.

Tem was seconds away from coming. She raised her hand, reaching for him. At first, there was only smoke. Then her fingers found purchase, brushing against the same scales she had felt earlier. She shifted forward, pressing her naked body against his.

Tem knew immediately that she had gone too far.

Caspen let out a roar of agony that nearly popped her eardrums. It echoed around the cave as Tem scrambled backward, shielding her head with her hands. She could see his outline shrinking into the smoke. He was transitioning again—returning back to his human form. Scales became skin; spikes became muscle. Tem felt the temperature drop as he retreated even further, curling away from her into the darkness.

“Caspen—” Tem started. “I’m sorry—”

Before she could finish, the smoke cleared, and there was once more a man kneeling in front of her. Sweat ran in delicate rivulets down his chest, dripping along the hard lines of his torso. The firelight shone on his glistening body, making him appear as if he were glowing. His cock still had her blood on it.

“Caspen?” Tem whispered.

He looked at her, and she went cold at the fury in his eyes.

“What were you thinking?” he hissed.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean what were you thinking? I could have killed you.”

“But you didn’t.”

“That fact is nothing short of a miracle. You should have done as you were told. You should have left.”

“I couldn’t leave you—”

“I cannot control myself when I am wearing my true form, Tem. You have no idea the danger you were in.”

“You obviously can—”

She reached for him, but he jerked away.

“You are a foolish, reckless girl. You do not follow instructions and you do not use your brain.”

Caspen stood, crossing to her dress and throwing it down in front of her.

“Get dressed,” he said. “And go.”

He was shutting her out. She couldn’t bear it. Not again.

“Caspen,” she whispered. “Don’t do this.”

“I will only tell you one more time. Leave.”

“Caspen, please.”

But he refused to look at her.

Tem blinked away tears. She pulled her dress on gingerly, trying not to use her right hand, which was still bleeding. She was almost at the entrance of the cave when she heard her name: