Page 147 of Blood Curse

“Listened to you breathe and read Mara’s report twice.”

“Filthy.”

She left the window and stopped in front of me. “Did you sleep at all?”

“Enough.”

“That’s vampire for not remotely.”

“I preferred hearing your heart.”

Her expression softened without losing the heat in her eyes. “You’re allowed to want me and still be frightened.”

“I know.”

“You don’t look as if you know.”

“I want to put you back in bed, cover you with every blanket in Harrowmere and threaten the Crown until it leaves from embarrassment.”

“And the other thing?”

“I want to strip you, hear your heart race for a better reason and make good on every promise from yesterday.”

“That sounds more useful.”

Heat entered her green eyes.

The metal stayed dormant.

I crossed the room slowly. Bryony watched me come, her pulse quickening one beat at a time.

“Still human,” she said.

“Very.”

“Still mine.”

“Entirely.”

I stopped a breath away. “Do you want another day?”

“No. I want the part of yesterday we postponed.”

“This can’t be proof that you’re recovering.”

“I don’t need to prove recovery with your cock. I have Elias for the disappointing medical facts.”

“Then tell me why now.”

She took my hand and kissed the inside of my wrist. “Because the Crown touched my heart and used my mouth. I want something that belongs to us while my body can enjoy it.”

“I’m scared too. I still want you, and I’m planning to insult you tomorrow.”

“And what do you want me to do with that?”

Her gaze moved over me. “Let me hold some of your control. I know I can’t take it.”

The words tightened every muscle in my body. “You have thought about this.”