AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Is this not what you wanted all along?” he murmured.
Tenah sucked in a breath, struggling to keep her composure as his warm mouth pressed against the hollow behind her ear.
“How is what I did any different from you parading around with my friend?” he asked.
“Parading,” she exclaimed, fighting to break free. His arms tightened around her. “I was only having a bit of fun. Renix knows I need it.”
His hands dropped to her hips, and her heart fluttered. His thumbs slowly traced over her bare skin. “I wish you’d just admit it.”
It was getting hard to think. Between his touch and the mind-melting effects of his prickling magic, the alcohol and the heat.
“Admit what?” she asked breathlessly.
“That you were jealous.” His teeth pressed lightly into the spot between her neck and shoulder. “That there’s something undeniable between us.”
Invisible flames consumed her. She was hyperaware of every place their bodies touched. Every little shift in his body.
“That’s…well…”
Words dissolved on her tongue as Renton pressed himself fully against her backside. Her body took over thought processing, fighting between delivering an elbow into his ribs or rolling her hips into him.
“I didn’t think you the womanizing type, but clearly, you’ve had practice at this,” she whispered, closing her eyes and resting the back of her head against his chest.
He flattened a calloused palm along the side of her stomach in a claiming way then slowly ran it down her curves to slide around her inner thigh, tugging her closer. “Mmm, I would ruin you, angel.”
Desire shot between her legs. She tilted her hips slightly. Just to test.
Renton’s low growl rolled through her. He spun her around, his wild eyes alight with lust. Freed from his hold, a sickening feeling overcame her as she caught flashes of scaled Corrupt with horns and leathery wings slinking between dark tents. Worse, she glimpsed markings creeping out of her gloves like overgrown vines. More conjurings of her sick, drunk mind or Renton toying with illusions?
She stumbled back. “Quit messing with me.”
She took off for the villa, wine sloshing in her stomach with vengeance.Stupid. She’d been so stupid to think that drinking would solve her problems. Stupid for getting tangled up with the hunter.
Tenah made it as far as the villa’s front steps when acid burned up her throat.
“I warned you,” Renton said, catching her braced against the building.
“Apparently, once is never enough for me.” She groaned. “Please leave me alone.”
“So you can vomit and pass out in an alleyway? I think not.”
She keeled over, and he was at her side in an instant, guiding her down the steps to a large, potted bush. She emptied the contents of her stomach there as he swept back her hair and ran soothing circles along her lower back.
“Don’t worry. Vesara can buy a new bush.” He chuckled darkly.
After her embarrassing, body-wracking heaves ceased, Renton handed her a piece of folded cloth to wipe her mouth. He took her under an arm and escorted her into the villa.
“You can’t pass up an opportunity to see me at my worst, can you?” she muttered.
His mouth pulled down at the corners. “It’s not like that.”
Tenah let him wallow in silence for a bit before her head found its place against his shoulder. His scent was like a fresh stream or a fall breeze, cool and crisp.
“The drinking had nothing to do with celebrating, did it?” Renton asked softly.
Leaden pressure expanded her lungs. “What does it matter to you?”
They’d reached her bedroom door. He eased back enough to analyze her expression. “Because I care, Tenah. I thought that was obvious by now.”
