Page 19 of Death By Chocolate

I press my palms against his chest, feeling his heartbeat racing as fast as mine. "You don't understand. I’m complicated. It’s complicated." The understatement of the century. How do I tell him that getting close to me could get him killed? That Omar won't stop until he destroys everything I care about?

"Then uncomplicate it," Xeno says, pulling back just enough to meet my gaze. The intensity in his eyes makes me catch my breath. "Tell me, Dani. Whatever it is, let me help."

For a moment, I almost break. The truth burns in my throat, desperate to escape. But I swallow it back. I can't risk him. Can't bear the thought of Omar targeting him, too. "I just... need some space tonight."

He sighs but steps back, respecting my boundaries even as frustration flickers across his features. "Fine. I'm taking the couch. Being in your bed will only remind me I’m not fucking you."

He points to the single chair at the counter. “Eat.”

I’ve never invited anyone for dinner, so it never occurred to me to request a mate. I go to hoist myself up to the elevated seat and wince. Xeno scoops me up and places me on my ass.

“I could’ve done it,” I murmured.

He shrugs, giving me that grin that makes my stomach flutter. “I know.”

Instead of sitting on the couch, he stands beside me, his back pressed into the counter. I fork eggs into my mouth. Flavor burst on my tastebuds—these eggs are light, fluffy, and sent from heaven. I can’t help the moan of culinary ecstasy. “Oh, these are good,” I exclaim, in wide-eyed awe. Who is this man, and can I keep him? “Are you like some top chef who kills to blow off steam?”

He raises a brow like I’m the weird one. “I’m half Greek. We’re born with a spatula and oregano leaves.”

We both laugh, but my eyes stray south. My nipples tighten at how easily he’s slipped into the mode of caring for me. How I allow him liberties no one else dare try. If only I’d met him first. “Thank you,” I whisper.

He pauses, lowering his fork. When he leans in to kiss me, I meet him halfway. He likes tasting me. And I love that he likes it. It’s pretend, I know. But I won’t begrudge my body’s need for him.

“You’re welcome.”

Two hours later, I washed while he dried. He likes his kitchen spotless before lights out. I learned he’s thirty-five, four years old than me, he prefers overseas to America, and his childhood was fucked. He talked, and I listened, loving his voice surrounding me. Tonight I feel, alive, buzzing with a different energy, an eagerness for what happens next. I’m still tossing and turning in bed, my pussy aching to be filled, hyper-aware of Xeno’s presence on my couch. Every creak of the building makes me tense. Can he see me? Does he know I’m wet for him? The shadows in the corners seem to shift and dance.

A particularly loud noise from the street makes me bolt upright, heart pounding. Before I can process what's happening, strong arms scoop me up. I let out a startled squeak.

"Enough," Xeno says, cradling me against his chest. "You haven't stopped moving since you laid down. You're exhausted,and you're worried about something—don't try to deny it. I can feel your tension. You’re vibrating with it.”

I should protest as he moves me around in my bed. I should insist on maintaining distance. Instead, I find myself curling into his warmth, pressing my face against his neck. He smells like safety, like everything I want but shouldn't have.

He tangles his hand in my hair with surprising gentleness. His eyes find mine. ”Sleep," he says.

“And if I don’t. You gonna rock me to sleep?”

He gives my strands a tug, forcing me not to look away. “Hell no. I’m going eat your pussy until you scream my name and pass the fuck out.”

My jaw goes slack. A hint of a whimper escapes. I lick my lips, then sink my teeth into the bottom one, biting back the plea on the tip of my tongue.

“That what you want, Dani? My tongue in your pretty pussy?”

In response, I rub my legs together, but my pussy throbs to be filled. “Answer me.”

“Yes.”

Now that I’ve given my permission, Xeno says nothing. He places me on my back. Without preamble he strips off my lace panties and brings them to his nose, inhaling.

“I have your scent, ma cherie. Too late to run,” he smiles.

Slowly, I spread my legs, displaying my pussy. “Not running,” I sigh.

The hair is trimmed, barely there. I hate it shaved because my monster loved it. Xeno runs his hands, big and warm, up my inner thighs. My legs tremble in anticipation. I want his tongue delving into my hot center, I imagine him plunging deeper, his fingers toying with my clit while he tongue fucks me to orgasm.

I feel his breath his on my mons. “Such a good pussy,” he chuckles. “Already wet for me.”

The first slide of his tongue starts at my ass and trails all the way to my clit. My lower body jolts off the bed, but Xeno overpowers me with one strong arm anchoring my hips. He latches onto my clit, sucking it between his teeth. And then I feel his finger breach my pussy. He’s stroking my pussy, his long digit hit my spot, and I cry out. He does it again, stretching me with two fingers this time, pushing in and out. I’m sinking and rising all at once. I’m spinning, and spinning, the tension pulling me tighter and tighter. Oh, I’m so fucking close. My head is pounding, so is my pulse.

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