Page 217 of The Darkest Chase

By the time he wraps each fingertip in a little cap of gauze, the pain fades with the sweet-smelling cream easing it away.

In a weird way, the hurt feels worth it.

Having Micah caring for me so tenderly makes my heart wobble.

He really does love me.

Part of me can’t quite believe it’s true.

The rest of me desperately needs to.

He finishes with my left pinky and lifts my hand to kiss my knuckles.

“There,” he says softly. “The salve should stop any infection. You need anything else? Something warm to drink? I think I have some pills if you need help sleepi—”

He doesn’t get to finish.

Because the need building inside me erupts, this explosive thing that can’t help wanting this wonderful man who shows me his vulnerabilities, his kindness, the way he cares so flipping much no matter how hard he tries to hide it.

Seeing Micah Ainsley as he truly is, unburdened…

I can’t help but kiss him like a crazy woman.

I lean over Rolf, seizing Micah’s mouth quickly, hotly.

I catch his lips like I could devour his love—only to be devoured in turn.

For a second, there’s this sweet, frozen stillness before his arm drags me in, crushing us together.

The motion sends Rolf scampering off the sofa with an offended grunt as he heads for the dog bed in the corner.

Micah kisses back with a ferocity like wildfire, this frantic heatwave that pricks me everywhere with burning pleasure.

That fire starts in my toes and leaves me burning every time his tongue teases my lips, delves inside me, opens my mouth until he steals my gasps.

“I need you,” I whisper harshly. “You’re all I need.”

“Fuck, Talia,” he groans. His fingers bunch up my shirt, dragging it up my back. “I need you out of these damn clothes.”

I never thought I could be so bold.

But I’m the one standing, letting the blanket fall away as I take his hands, nearly tripping over Rolf as I lead him to the bedroom.

Halfway there, we’re kissing again, under a spell, stumbling and pulling at my clothes and tossing them around until they litter the house.

I don’t care.

Not when I’m addicted to his mouth, those sharp teeth driving me crazy.

His tongue plunges in, chasing mine until it feels like he’s fucking me already.

Somehow, I’m naked and he’s still wearing those pajama pants I can’t stand when I need skin.

But when I reach for the waist of his pants, he catches my wrists, slamming me against the wall with just enough force to make my pussy throb.

“Naughty girl. Patience,” he growls, pinning my wrists over my head with one hand. With the other, he skims down my naked body, teasing my breasts, flicking my nipples until I clench my teeth and exhale sharply.

Oh. My. God.

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