Page 28 of Crimson Mate

“Oh,” she says, a little surprise fluttering over her features. “Of course,” she says, shaking her head as if she's chiding herself.

She glances down the row of stacks that we’re standing in, her eyes falling on the last few tomes scattered across the table we'd abandoned seconds ago. She flicks her fingers, and the books rise in the air, flying gracefully before tucking themselves back into their spaces.

“I've always admired that gift,” I say, truly astounded by the power she possesses. “I remember when you used to pull my tea just out of reach.”

She bites back her smile. “And I remember how furious you pretended to be when I did it.”

“I always wondered what it would be like to move things with my mind,” I say.

“Are you asking for a taste of my power?”

“Never,” I answer, deadly serious. Borrowing power even from those who would give it to me willingly, is dangerous. Our powers are linked with our lives, intertwined in a way that isimpossible to separate. Taking too much of someone’s power, even if they’re offering it to me, can lead to death in the span of a heartbeat. I rarely take the risk.

And absorbing someone’s powers completely? That only happens if I kill the person who possesses it, which is something I would absolutely never do to her.

Talia steps across the distance between us, tipping her head to look up at me. “I can give you a little bit,” she says, a tease to her tone as she drags her finger down the center of my chest. “All you have to do is ask.”

My muscles go tense beneath her touch, bunching with need. I cover her hand with mine, holding it in place over the center of my chest. “You would so easily risk allowing me to take power from you, but you won't consider letting me back into your heart.”

Talia visibly swallows, her eyes falling to where my hand holds hers. “Why haven't you been back to my bedroom?” she asks instead of addressing my question.

And that's fair, I deserve that.

“You haven't been to mine,” I counter, smiling down at her. “Consent is a thing in this century, you know.” Even though it always had been for me, I'm more aware of it now than ever, not wanting to takeonemisstep or pretend like I have any liberties when it comes to the female before me.

Something flickers in her lilac eyes, a heat I swear I can feel lick down my spine. “Is that all you've been waiting for?” she asks. “My consent?” She steps ever closer, her body flush against mine, and my arms automatically wrap around her.

“Of course,” I answer, my heart thudding rapidly against my chest.

Talia's hands splay over my chest and she smirks. “You can have my body. Not my heart.”

“I'll take whatever pieces of you I can have,” I say before slanting my mouth over hers.

I groan at the feel of her mouth on mine, at the way she parts her lips and lets me in like she’s as starved for me as I am for her.

My hands roam over her body, greedy and dominant as I walk her back until her spine kisses the nearest shelve of books.

Hoisting her up, I shudder as she automatically locks her ankles around my back, never missing a beat as we continue to claw at each other.

“Fuck, Talia,” I sigh against her mouth, every inch of my body coming alive at the feel of her against me.

“Yes, please,” she moans right back, slipping a hand between us and diving it right to where I’m rock hard and aching for her.

I pull back, my fangs distending. “You want me to fuck you right here?”

She nods, lilac eyes lust-hazed. “Now.”

Goddamn, this female. I’ve waited centuries to sink inside her, to reclaim her as mine. I’d planned it out countless times, and not once did I think it would be hurried or in a space we could get caught.

“Z,” she pleas, gripping me so tight I thrust into her hand. “Please. I’m aching.”

Fuck me, I can’t resist that.

“Let me give you what you need,” I say, setting her on her feet.

She immediately wiggles her pants down to her ankles, only taking time to free one leg as I drop mine too. A few heartbeats and I have her back against the stacks, my cock lining up with her heat.

I hold her up with one arm, using my free hand to drag my cock through her wetness, groaning at the evidence of her need for me.

---