Page 38 of The Devil's Canvas

Smug bastard.

So I bite him.

A sharp nip to his lower lip, just enough to bruise, just enough to make him hiss through his teeth.

He loses it.

His hands tighten, his body pinning me harder against the wall as his mouth moves to my neck. Hot, wet, open-mouthed kisses, teeth scraping, tongue soothing, marking me as if he knows he shouldn’t but can’t stop.

I arch against him, unable to hold back the way my body reacts to him. It’s electric, consuming, fire and friction, every part of me screaming for more, more, more.

His lips drag up, pressing against my ear, voice dark and full of pure sin.

"I knew you’d taste like this."

I shudder, my nails raking down his back, and his hips grind forward—slow, teasing, deliberate.

Fuck.

I hate him. I hate him.

But right now, I need him.

I need this.

"You think that was surrender?" His voice is steady, but his breathing isn’t. His grip is still tight, too tight, like he’s holding something back. Like if he lets go, he won’t stop. "Try again, little fighter."

This isn’t fate. This isn’t magic. This is me, giving in to the one thing I swore I’d never want.

A soulmate bond is a tether. This one feels like a leash—wrapped around my throat, held by a demon who won’t let go.

Chapter Eight

Julian

Ihaven'tbeenbacktoEarth since I told Ophelia she is my soulmate. I've been trying to avoid her, in fact. Not that I can. Her brain never stops. I know she's exhausted. She's not sleeping. Barely eating. Just thinking.

She can't keep going on like this. Being in Hell and away from her makes me lose track of time. I think it's time I go back.

Or I could just ask Owen what's happening up there.

Julian:Owen.

Owen:Yes, Julian?

Julian:What's going on up there?

Owen:Well, brother. Maybe you should come up and see for yourself.

Julian:I'm pulling rank. I'm the oldest. Just tell me.

Owen:By two and a half minutes! That doesn't even count!

Julian:Owen…

Owen:Just watch Uncensored.

Uncensored with Ashton Pierce. The celebrity late-night show. I hate those stupid things. Pointless. Just rich people talking about how amazing they are. Why people watch that, I'll never know.

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