Page 57 of Bliss & Her Idols

Jin’s kiss is slow and lingering. He slides his thigh forward to bracket Cricket, rubbing his ankle up and down mine.

My hair is damp with sweat. I moan low in my throat.

The chains from Jin’s wrists tease down Cricket’s throat.

When Jin draws back, both men’s chests are rising and falling fast, and they’re melted against each other like they never want to let go.

Cricket begins to purr, despite the danger we’re all in.

“My Dragon,” Cricket licks up Jin’s long throat, “you kiss almost as well as Bee does.”

Jin arches his brow, as his glassy gaze slides to me.

I feel pinned in place.

“Yeah?” He rubs his thumb along Cricket’s wet lower lip. “I’ll have to get in more practice with you…and test that out withherlater.”

I clear my throat. “Since we only have about five minutes before the door is broken down, how about we focus on getting out of this mess, rather than kissing?”

“Boring.” Jin runs his foot higher up my calf, and I struggle to concentrate. “Can’t you just…I don’t know…magic us out of here?”

He looks at me hopefully like he truly is a wolf pup.

I lean forward, pressing myself against Cricket’s back and caging both men. I rest my hands on the door either side of Jin, bracketing him.

Jin’s breathing becomes ragged. He licks his lips.

“Who do you think I am?” I demand. “David Copperfield?”

Jin reaches out with a flourish so fast beside by ear that I barely see him move.

I blink.

A purple rose appears in his hand out of thin air.

“Shit,” I gasp. “How did you…? That was incredible.”

Jin looks delighted at my praise. “Magic.”

My skin tingles, when he tucks the rose behind my ear. “For your next trick, make us disappear and reappear outside the amphitheater.”

Jin appears to be concentrating hard. His brow furrows.

Then he blows out a breath. “Sorry, it didn’t work. I’m only an amateur magician.”

“Well, I’m a professional journalist,” I reply. “And I’ve been investigating the Idols for over a year. Crick has been working as one of my sources, as well as being my best friend.”

“How could he not be?” Jin looks at Cricket with the type of adoration that I recognize. “He’s lovable.”

Cricket looks bewildered. “I’m nothing. Nobody. Tras—”

“Not another word, yeah?” Jin’s voice is suddenly icy. “Those are things other people have taught you about yourself. I should know. They’re not who you are. Trust me, you’re an amazingman. You helped me survive. You’re the sunny joy of a forest, which I love, even though I’ve been banned from setting foot in one for five years. Your letters have been my world. And now, here you are.”

“But why take such a huge risk all of a sudden?” I narrow my eyes. “Are you seriously going to tell me that you saw Cricket and me and just made up this crazy plan?”

Jin looks sheepish. “I can be impulsive.”

“You think…?”

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