Page 56 of A Touch Of Death

Nix isn't his usual soft self with me right now. Instead, it's almost like he's possessed, acting like the animals I know he has inside of him. Like... his animals have taken over.

Realisation begins to push its way to the forefront of my mind, through the haze of lust Nix has put me in with his kisses alone. The hands that had been trying to draw him closer despite being stuck between us now try to push him away. It's a strong feat given his sheer size, but the moment he feels my attitude change and the pressure I put into pushing his chest, he backs away.

Breathless, I ask, "Is this Phoenix right now? Or have your animals taken over?"

He pushes away until his face hovers above mine, and I watch as his eyes begin to flicker between the dark blue I love to the yellowed wolf colour. It's answer enough for me.

In a blink, I phase from underneath him and appear next to the bed. Naked again, and breathing heavily from the scraps of energy I’m using to phase now, I snatch the towel off the floor and wrap it around my body all while I watch Nix carefully.

Because Nix isn't in control right now.

His animals are.

Chapter 27

Novia

WhenI turn to face Nix again, his eyes are already on me. The intensity in them has a shiver wracking my body, and I suddenly can't tear my eyes away from his.

With slow movements and fierce eyes, like a predator watching his prey, he climbs off the bed. His gaze never leaves mine just like mine won't leave his. He stands in all of his muscled glory before me, less than a mere ten foot distance between us.

Nix takes a step forward, and, without much thought, I take a step back. Nix's head quirks to the side, but the consuming look he's giving me never falters. His eyes flash with a challenge, and he takes another step forward, only for me to match him, stepping back the moment he moves. His mouth twitches, almost like he's suppressing a smile.

With his next step, his smile breaks free, because when I step back at the same time, the wall meets my back. Nix's smile isn't one of those easygoing, cheeky kind of smiles. No, this one is different. His canines look longer, poking into his lower lip and making his smile darker. Predatory.Lethal.

Knowing I'm stuck, backed against the wall without an escape, he strides towards me with all the stealth of a panther. It's mesmerising watching such a tall, muscled guy walk with so much grace, so much so that I'm startled when he stops right in front of me. My eyes widen, and I flinch back. It's done automatically and not out of fear. I know Nix would never hurt me. But the moment my body flinches away from his, his eyes briefly flicker blue before the yellow returns.

"Phoenix, can you rein it in for a second?" I ask softly, my chest brushing his with every breath I take.

Once again, his eyes flash blue, longer this time, but they're back to yellow not a second later. But it's enough. It tells me that Nix is fighting for control, pushing back against his animals. He just needs a little push.

Removing my hands from where they've been sprawled over the wall behind me, I lift them slowly until I reach Nix. They land just above where his jeans start, so with a bit of subtle jiggling, I slide my hands under his shirt. As soon as my skin meets his, a bolt of heat floods me. Longing fills my veins, and a hot flush warms me from the inside out. The feeling I recognise as the mating bond begins to gnaw at me, tugging me closer to Nix. My pulse quickens, and a fierce need unfurls low in my abdomen.

I have to grit my teeth against the feeling. No matter how badly I want to give in to it, Nix isn't in the right frame of mind to make the decision. His animals are ruling him, and I'm pretty sure it's my fault. I ran. With Nix containing so many predators within him, and a mate bond between us already, I must have triggered them and brought them forward. But I'll be damned if anything happens between us without him being fully present and aware.

My hands trail up the bumps and ridges of his abs and around his waist until they're sprawled against the firm skin of his back. His skin is so warm, but not overwhelmingly so. It's comforting to me.

I tilt my head back, my gaze meeting a set of lust-filled eyes that have the need deep inside me growing. My legs shift together, hoping to create friction to ease the ache that's appeared at the apex of my thighs. It's a wasted effort and only fuels the fire in Nix's eyes. That look alone has my body flushing all over again, and liquid pools at my centre.

I take a deep inhale before letting it out through my nose slowly. Hoping I'm right about why his animals are in control, I tell Nix, "I promise not to run. I swear I'm not going anywhere."

Nix's eyes narrow a fraction. His head tilts to the side, still watching me closely. I'm about to panic that I had it wrong before the yellow in his eyes slowly begins to seep away, leaving those ocean blue eyes I've fallen for. Nix blinks a couple of times and takes a deep, shuddering breath.

Still pinned to the wall, I whisper with a smile, "Hey."

His blue eyes roam over my face with slow precision, his large hands coming up to frame mine with the softest touch, like I'm a delicate porcelain doll that's easily breakable. With the same rasped whisper as before, he says, "Hey."

And then his lips are slamming onto mine for the second time tonight. Only this kiss is different. There's nothing animal about his lips moving sensually over mine, the way his hand slides into my hair and gently tugs until I'm positioned just as he wants me. This kiss is all Nix, all movements slow enough to savour every second.

He steps closer, his body now firmly pressed up against mine. With one last swipe of his lips, he moves away only enough to talk. "Why the hell did you run, babe?"

His warm breath tickles my mouth when he talks, and my eyes close. I feel him rest his forehead against mine, and his thumb begins to move in soothing motions against the back of my neck.

Keeping my voice no higher than a whisper, I confess, "I found a tracker in my arm. And then I heard you all talking. I heard Ezra say something about more Naturals being taken, not just my people. I didn't want to put you four in any more danger if more races of Naturals are being taken, and the tracker in my arm would have led them right to you if I stayed."

My eyes open just in time to see his soften as a look of understanding crosses his features. "You were trying to protect us."

I nod, my head brushing the wall as I do so.

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