Page 55 of Hunted by the Fallen
“Don’tyou?”
“Not as pretty asyou.”
My heart thumps. I ignore it. “Whatever.”
“I mean it, Ron,” Zeke lowers his face, forcing me to meet his gaze. “You’rebeautiful.”
I refuse to succumb to his charms. “Really? Is that why you’ve barely been able to look at me since the hiking trail.” There it is, my insecurities leftbare.
Our unexpected kiss had ended when Adrian interrupted, then Lukas showed up and all of my secrets blew up in my face. Zeke and I never had the chance to discuss what happened between us. Not that Zeke acted like he wanted to talk about. He’s been avoiding me like the plague, and only talks to me when he absolutely hasto.
Not that I blame him. After all, Zeke told me he wanted to leave town once the yancor demons were taken care of. It was only because of Lukas and his unforeseen interest in me that he decided to stick around and help protect me. Zeke didn’t want me. I knew that. I shouldn’t have expected anything but avoidance after I threw myself athim.
Still, I continue to feel the sting of rejection, I try to seem tough. “It’s okay if you regret the kiss. Just tell me like a man. I’m a big girl. I can handle it.” I try to pull free, but Zeke’s grip tightens. My chest rises and falls while Zeke’s remains still. He is staring down at me with a mix of disbelief and confusion. I really wish he wasn’t blocking his emotions from me. I’d kill to know what he’sthinking.
He releases a breath. “I most certainly do not regret thatkiss.”
I think I misheard him. Zeke moves closer, as if sensing my denial. “I said, I do not regret it,Ron.”
This time, I am unable to ignore the rapid beating of my heart. “You don’t?” The monster is back in her cage. Timid Veronica returns. I curse the timing. The wicked side of me is probably better prepared to handle the impendingconversation.
“I don’t,” Zeke confirms for a third time. He leans forward, “In fact, I’ve been hoping for a repeat.” Warm desire replaces his cool expression. I’ve never seen Zeke look this way. Especially not aroundme.
I step back, but I don’t go far. He still holds my arms. “Youhave?”
Zeke pulls me until my chest collides with his. He bends his neck until his lips are a breath away. “Yes.”
Then, he kissesme.
Twenty-Three
Zeke abandonshis grip on my wrists and snakes his arms around my back, pulling me tighter. I mold into him, wrapping my hands around hisneck.
I have no idea how this happened. One minute, Zeke is chastising me for my meanness, and the next he is calling me beautiful and pressing his lips to mine. But who cares how it happened? My heart and soul sing with happiness. They are loving this moment, and they don’t want it toend.
With that thought, I lift on my toes and press my mouth more firmly against his. Zeke bends down and lifts me by my rear. I wrap my legs around his hips and rest there as we continue to devour one another. My entire body is on fire. His touch burns me with pleasure. I open my mouth and Zeke’s tongue slips in expertly, dancing around mine, taunting me. My hands move into his hair, scratching his scalp. He moans against mymouth.
Zeke walks forward until my back presses against the wall. I feel every inch of him against me, and I want more. The desire I’d been unsuccessfully ignoring has completely broken free. I want to revel in what I feel for the Fallen in front of me. My body fits his perfectly, and we move in time with one another. It’s almost like we were made for eachother.
Like you aresoulmates.
I can’t disagree with the thought. In fact, it makes me hold Zeke tighter. I never want to let himgo.
Zeke’s hands trail over my sides. He pulls his lips away, but before I can object, he moves to kissing my neck. His stubble tickles, and I squirm, feeling breathless. I open my eyes to stare at the ceiling, trying to gain control of myself while still enjoying Zeke’s homage to my neck. That’s when I notice the door isopen.
My eyes are hazy with desire. I blink and focus on the doorway. All of the pleasurable heat within me dissipates the moment my eyes land on the person standing at theentrance.
Preston.
* * *
“Preston.”I try not to soundbreathless.
Zeke lifts his head, having heard me say Preston’s name. Without turning around, he lowers me to the ground. Once my feet touch the carpet, I step out from between him and the wall, straightening myshirt.
Preston remains standing by the door. Hurt stares back at me. “So this is why you’ve been avoidingme.”
“No,” I say. Much more than the Fallen has kept me away from him these past few days. “Preston. Please… let meexplain.”
