Page 146 of House Ignis

"You're playing with fire," he growled into my ear, his voice thick and low.

"I am fire," I panted, biting his jaw.

He growled—an actual, animalistic sound—and his shadows curled around my legs like they wanted in on it.

My braids came undone as his fingers tangled in my hair.

My shirt was halfway off, his hand sliding up from my stomach as every nerve in me screamed for his touch.

His mouth dropped to my throat, and I arched into him, fire and shadow crashing in waves between us.

"Careful, firecracker," he whispered against my skin, his voice dark and wrecked. "I'll make you scream my name until the gods fear for your soul."

I shattered. My clit was on fire every time his head ground into it; I needed him inside me, needed to be filled by the storm.

And then—DING-DING-DING.

The academy bell screeched overhead like the cruelest sound ever invented. We froze, breathing hard, the moment hanging in the air like lightning waiting for a strike. Asher's forehead pressed to mine, his grip still firm around my thighs.

"…Fucking hate that bell," he muttered.

He whipped his length back inside his pants, but as he set me down, he took two fingers and shoved them deep inside me.

My eyes widened and my head fell back against the shelves. When he pulled them out, I let out a broken whimper.

He brought his glistening fingers to his mouth and grinned.

Gods, I flushed crimson at the sight.

"Gods, you taste like sin."

He reached down, fixing my underwear and smoothing my top before kissing my forehead.

He placed his hands on either side of my head on the shelving, staring at me intently.

We were still breathing like we'd just fought for our lives.

My hands trembled, my hair was a wild nest, and my skin was flushed bright pink.

Asher just stood there watching me, as if he hadn't just nearly wrecked both of us against a mop shelf.

Without a word, he smoothed a stray strand of hair back behind my ear and wiped a smudge of ash from my cheek with his thumb.

He was gentle—too gentle—like he was touching something already breaking. He cursed softly and stepped back.

He pulled his shirt back on, the shadows curling low and slow beneath his skin, and suddenly, I remembered who he was. Who we were. I stepped back, my legs still shaking.

"I can't play games anymore," I said quietly, my voice rough and small. "Not with you. Not when it feels like this."

He stilled, his silver eyes locking onto mine.

"No walls," I added, my voice gaining strength. "If you want this—if you want me—you don't get to pull me in and shut me out. Not again."

For a heartbeat, he didn't speak.

The shadows shimmered at his feet like they were holding their breath.

Then he stepped forward, slow and deliberate. His hand lifted, his thumb grazing my chin, guiding my face up to meet his.