Page 22 of The Wickedness of Man

“I’m sorry. I just don’t know what to think. Everything is a little fuzzy still, so can you just tell me what exactly happened in the doctor’s office and where I am now?”

“I was kind of hopingyoucould tell me about your appointment,” Caleb said, leaning back in his seat again, foot bouncing softly against the floor. He chewed his cheek in thought. “You were already passed out when I got there.”

“I had an appointment with the doctor,” I said. “I remember meeting her, and then we went down a hall… There was a couch, and I took off my sweater…”

The phantom memory of lips against mine made desire spill through me with the swift ferocity of a stabbing knife. My abdomen twisted as another orgasm rippled through me until I doubled over, clutching my stomach and letting out a sound somewhere between a moan and a curse.

“Magda!” Caleb did cross the room now, kicked the gun completely to the side, and grabbed hold of my arms firmly, panic rippling through his touch. “What’s wrong? What happened?”

I tried to answer, but a laugh slipped out instead. I pressed a hand to my mouth to stifle another. “No, please, I’m… I’m… Oh hell, I think I might be going insane.” I looked up at him and before I could help it, I snorted. His eyes widened in shock.

“I’m sorry, but I’m completely out of my depth here,” he said. “To be clear, youareokay?”

I smiled weakly. “I don’t quite feel like myself, but I don’t think that’s a bad thing… Yet.”

It could be, if these little “instances” don’t settle down sometime soon.

Caleb relaxed back onto his heels, swiping a tired hand down his face. “I don’t think we’re clearing much up here about what happened.”

I studied his weary expression. “I’m okay, I think, but I’m feeling a little… woozy or something. My stomach is in knots. I’m maybe a bit lightheaded.”

That’s one way to put it.

“Have you eaten anything? I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you’d sleep for so long…” He frowned. “Sorry also, for startling you earlier. I know it was probably terrifying to wake up to a strange man in the room, but I couldn’t risk leaving you alone while you were unconscious. Do you want me to get your phone so you can call someone?”

His nearness was already making my gut tighten with anticipation, and I was beginning to feel more than a little foolish collapsed on the floor like I was, so I tried to stand, but my foot slipped out from beneath me and I stumbled back onto my ass. My stupid, traitorous legs were still practically vibrating with strange, tiny waves of aftershocks all the way down to my toes.

“I’m sorry, I’m not normally this… discombobulated. I know you don’t know me, and I just screamed at you to get away from me,” I uttered with a self-deprecating smile, “but could you help me up? My legs don’t seem to want to cooperate.”

Caleb nodded, his gaze serious. “Of course—don’t strain yourself. You may be feeling weak after your… appointment.” He repositioned himself beside me and slipped one arm behind my back and lifted my knees with the other.

Before I could follow through with the sudden desire to nip at his earlobe like some kind of psychopath, he stood, lifting me with ease, and cradled me against his chest. We stood like that, staring at the mattress for several long seconds, both of us refusing to meet the other’s gaze. I finally chanced a glance toward him; his Adam’s apple practically danced in his throat as he stared at the bed. His grip on me tightened and I had to bite back the rush of adrenaline running through me at that subconscious, yet provocative act.

With some deliberation, he turned toward the chair he’d been sitting in by the tiny dinette table and strode over. He stood there, holding me tightly, as if he’d forgotten the next step was to put me down again. The fingers on his right hand curled into my side, gripping me so firmly it was almost—but not quite—painful. His left arm, hooked under my knees, allowed for his forearm to be pressed against the backs of my thighs so tight I could feel the throbbing pulse of his heart like a tiny, insistent drum beat against my ass.

Energy spiked through me, spearing me with delight; Caleb growled low in his throat as he stared down at me, his gaze so focused on my face that I couldn’t stop myself from running a finger delicately around the edge of his temple. He closed his eyes at my touch, drawing in quavering breaths as I traced a hand over his shoulder and slipped it up to his mouth. Without breaking eye contact, he kissed each finger I placed against his lips. I pressed my face against his shirt and inhaled his scent sharply, shamelessly.

“Magda,” he whispered. “I don’t know if you’re?—”

I took hold of his collar and balled it into a fist, pulling his head down and running a hand through his hair as I arched my back, massaging my breasts against his muscular chest. The gun holster dug into the side of my knee as I took hold of his shoulders, rubbing my face over his collarbone, and kissing myway up to his neck. There, I let my tongue trace the pounding vein of his carotid up to the ear I’d imagined pulling into my mouth, and then finally did draw the lobe between my teeth with deliberate care. I applied just enough pressure until Caleb sucked in a breath teeth so sharp it sounded like a hiss.

“You smellsogood,” I purred, as I kissed my way over to his jaw.

He held me tighter; the aroma of his desire surrounded me like a cloud of pollen, and I relaxed in his hold, letting my head drop over his arms.

“Magda,” he said after a long moment.

“Yes?” I replied, my hands roaming over his chest. I slipped one beneath the loosely buttoned shirt, my fingers grazing his warm, tanned skin, touch skipping along the pulse of his heart. I trailed a finger along his nipple and the man staggered, but thankfully didn’t drop me.

“If I’m ever going to be able to put you down,” he said, clearly struggling with the weight of his words. “You’ll have to stop?—”

“Stop what?” I asked in playful ignorance, kissing his throat, slowly, delectably so, as I breathed him in.

What… am I doing?

Caleb’s entire body shook; his were fingers now digging painfully into my side, but the pressure was welcome. I squirmed against him, letting my hips rock into his abdomen.

“You met with a succubus a few hours ago?—”

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