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He looks at the crossbow like he’s noticing it for the first time. His head tilts.

“Yeah, that’s right,” I say, lifting it a little more. “This is a Ranger 6-series platinum high-lethality crossbow supreme. Best one on the market.”

I just made all that up—this old thing has been here since before I was born—but it sounds scary, I hope.

His tail lashes out like a whip and I don’t even have time to scream before it wraps around the crossbow, yanking it out of my hands. The tail launches the weapon across the room. The crossbow smashes into the corner, and the impact sets it off. The arrow flies into the ceiling, sinking into the wooden boards with a dull, vibrating thud.

“Of course, I would never dream of using it on you,” I say as I slowly raise my hands, completely vulnerable now. “It was just a precaution, you know? A professional safety protocol. You should see how strict my father is with the employee handbook. I don’t want to get another citation. You understand. Right?”

That tail whips out again and wraps around my waist.

“Oh dear,” I whisper before I’m yanked forward, right into Mr. Gargoyle’s big strong arms.

I’m pressed against his chest, trapped inside arms that feel strong enough to bend iron. I’m also hyper-aware of the fact that his naked member is hanging right in front of the hot, pulsing spot on my body that apparently has no concern whatsoever for my personal safety.

I swallow hard as I slowly look up at him.

Up close, he’s even more intimidating.

And somehow even more beautiful.

His charcoal skin is surprisingly warm and soft, the complete opposite of the rock he was trapped in, although his body seems almost as firm with all this hard muscle everywhere. His shoulders are so massive. They’re broad, powerful, and strong enough to hold those heavy wings hanging behind him.

I can feel every breath he takes. His chest moves like the earth—expanding against mine and crushing my tiny breasts. My nipples immediately harden.

Of course they do.

My body is apparently trying to get off before I go.

Does everyone have this fight, flight, or fornicate reaction to imminent death, or is it just my inappropriately horny body?

“You kissed me,” he growls.

“Sorry about that,” I say, rambling nervously as I glance up at his big horns. “You were a statue. I didn’t think you’d mind.”

He just stares at me with those silver eyes flashing with something I can’t quite place, but I can feel in my core.

“I didn’t mean to… do that… without your consent. It was stupid. I was practicing…”

“Practicing?”

“Yeah, practicing… You know…”

He just stares like he does not know. “Practicing for what?”

Oh gods, this is so humiliating. I have to tell this sexy beast that I’m twenty-four and still haven’t been kissed. And he’ll still probably eat me.

My cheeks burn as I stare up at his face. “Can we talk about something else?”

Those heated eyes drop to my mouth. My lips part and I let out a little moan as I feel his grip tighten on me.

He slowly leans down, that beautiful mouth getting closer. My heart pounds. My pussy aches. I close my eyes, tilting my head up, waiting for it… yes… yes…

“Let her go,” someone says from the doorway.

We both whip our heads to the side. Oh, not this guy. Not now…

Korrick is standing in the doorway holding a red-hot sword.