Page 53 of The Reaper's Vice

My blood runs cold at the nickname—at the same one the man in the woods used.But it can’t be. It’s not possible. He’s a police officer, for God’s sake.

Or is he?

He grins, and I’m brought back to that night at the Drunken Hound. The way he looked so calm—like a coiled viper, waiting for the perfect moment to snap. “Your heart is racing.”

“Is it?”

He leans in, brushing his lips ever so gently against the tip of my nose, my forehead, then my mouth. My eyes widen in alarm as his lips part, revealing perfect straight white teeth bared menacingly. Before I have the good sense to react, he lunges forward, taking my bottom lip between his teeth and biting down.Hard.

“Unfh!” I rear back on instinct, causing his teeth to drag along my inner lip, cutting a shallow gash. His eyes roll back in his skull as he pulls my whole lip in his mouth, sucking greedily on the blood pouring from the wound, animalistic sounds rumbling from deep in his chest as he drinks me in. “Unfh!”

He finally pulls away, his tongue darting out to the corner of his mouth where a drop of my blood is dripping to his chin. It’s a sinful sight—one that shouldn’t have my body reacting in the way it does.

“You’re so sweet,” he whispers. He reaches for me as his pupils blow, chasing away the sky-blue living in his gaze—and I’m helpless to do anything but melt beneath his molten touch. “Taste.”

His lips press against mine hungrily, his arms encircling my back as he clutches me against his chest possessively. His tongue swirls against mine expertly, coating my own taste buds in the metallic tang of my blood.

What the fuck am I doing?

The thought breaks the spell this haunting man put me under and I rear back, pressing my palms forcefully against his chest in an attempt to gain some much-needed space. “What the fuck are you doing?” I ask, narrowing my eyes at him like I wasn’t just sucking his face off a moment ago.

Orion tilts his head, his dimple popping as a smirk tugs at his lips. “Do I make you nervous, Seraphina?”

“Wha—No!”

“Then why is your heart still racing?”

“It’s not.” I glare at him, finally pushing out of his grip and backing up a few feet for good measure. “Stop avoiding the question.”

He steps forward, closing the space I worked so hard to get. “It’s pretty self-explanatory, don’t you think?” he whispers, reaching out and taking my chin between his thumb and forefinger. “I was doing this…”

His mouth crashes against mine again, and though I try to fight against it, my mind turns to sawdust as raw electricity crackles in my veins.

But just like that, he pulls away, taking his intoxicating lips with him. Without a word, he exits the coffee shop, not even bothering to look back. I’d almost believe the kiss never happened, if it weren’t for the jealous looks the barista is currently giving me.

I stare at the door he disappeared through, my fingers reaching up to touch my lips.

I know it with absolute certainty now—Orion Adair is a dangerous man.One I should definitely stay away from.

So why does that thought cause me distress?

I step through the apartment door, my lips still buzzing from the kiss at the coffee shop. Maggie raises her head over the back of the couch, her brows furrowing as she takes in my expression.

“Did something happen at the coffee shop?”

I open my mouth, but my words get caught in my throat. What do I tell her? That some random guy kissed me? She wouldn’t buy that, and then I’d have to explain how I know Orion—but more importantly, I’d have to tell herwhyI felt comfortable enough to let him put his lips on mine. I’d have to explain how he gained my trust, and that means telling her about the intruder.

No. For just this once, I’ll have to lie to Maggie.“Nothing happened. I just slept weird.”

Maggie’s frown eases, replaced by an ecstatic smile. “You slept? That’s great, Nina!”

I plop down next to her on the couch, resting my ear on her shoulder. “Eh. I had to use the benzos, so I’m not sure if that counts.”

She elbows me teasingly. “A win is a win, Nina. A win is a win.”

“I trust your judgment.” I lean my full weight against her as I allow my eyes to rest. “You gonna be okay by yourself tonight?”

“Always! You gonna see Ivan?”

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