Page 53 of Necromance
She met my eyes, searching them. Her frown deepened. Despite the haze of drunkenness, there was a clarity to her eyes now. “I may not have the nerve to ask you tomorrow.”
I hesitated a moment longer, letting out a breath I didn’t need. It was a bad idea. A horrible idea. She wasn’t in her right mind…
And yet, I couldn’t deny her.
I shifted, pulling her completely into my lap so that her knees straddled my legs. She faced me, wrapping her arms around my neck.
I trailed my finger down her jaw. “Have you ever been kissed, Mia?”
Her lashes lowered again, averting her gaze. She was silent for a moment then slowly shook her head. The truth nearly undone me. The urge to be her first… her only… rooted deep within me and I found myself smiling at the thought.
“Close your eyes,” I commanded softly and she did without hesitation. I stared at her a moment longer and she shifted nervously at the delay. Cupping her cheek, I leaned forward, closing the space between us. My lips brushed over hers with the lightest touch, testing, waiting, giving her a chance to pull away.
She didn’t.
Instead, she sighed against my mouth, tilting her face up to meet me, her lips warm and soft and just a little clumsy as she kissed me back. I deepened it slightly, letting myself savor the moment, the way she melted into me, trusting, unguarded. Her body pressed against mine again, hips shifting, rolling gently against me.
It was too much. It wasn’t enough.
I forced myself to pull away, just barely, resting my forehead against hers as I exhaled a slow, uneven breath.
Her eyes fluttered open, dazed and heavy-lidded, a faint smile playing at her lips. “I knew it,” she murmured sleepily.
I huffed a quiet laugh. “Knew what?”
“That you’d be good at that.”
My smirk faded, something warmer curling in my chest. I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, my fingers lingering at the curve of her jaw. “Go to sleep, Mia.”
“I don’t want to sleep,” she purred, voice thick and husky. She blinked at me, dazed, pupils blown wide, and lips parted like she couldn’t catch her breath. Her rosy nipples peaked just beneath her thin nightgown and her hips shifted with need.
My jaw clenched. Fucking hell.
I watched her hand slide up her torso, her fingers grazing her breast as it moved to her neck. Her eyes flutteredclosed as she let out a little moan.
“Lucien?” She whispered as if I was the one touching her.
I tensed, fighting the urge to do just that. Her breath caught, and she tilted her face up like she wanted me to kiss her again. And I almost did. My entire being burned with the urge to pull her into me and taste her, feel her, have her… because she wasn’t mine and yet somehow she was. Every sarcastic grin, every flare of temper, every reckless act of bravery. Mia Arden had burrowed under my skin and made herself at home in my heart.
I watched, unable to look away as her hand slid back down her body, clutching the fabric of her nightgown, dragging it up her thighs. I sucked in a breath, catching her wrist just before she could finish the movement.
“Mia…” I said through clenched teeth. “You shouldn’t do that.”
Even as I said the words, my body cursed me.
“Why not?” She asked, her voice soft and sultry, a small grin touching her rosy lips. Her free hand trailed down my chest, slow, and exploring. “Don’t you want me, Lucien?”
I cursed, catching the other hand, and holding it still. I closed my eyes for a silent prayer, jaw clenching so hard that it hurt.
Gods, yes, I wanted her.
I opened my eyes to find her blinking, slowly at me, her full lips pouted slightly as she awaited my answer. Icould feel the fabric of my pants straining. She wiggled as if she felt it too, desperately trying to ease an ache growing between her thighs. I released her wrists, my hands gripping her hips to stop her.
“Fuck, Mia…” I grumbled and she frowned. “Don’t do that.”
Her frown deepened and I quickly clarified. “Of course I want you,” my voice barely steady. “But I won’t take advantage of something that isn’t freely given.”
She made a soft sound, something between a sigh and a plea. She leaned forward, her lips brushing mine, just a breath of contact… a ghost of a kiss, and I nearly shattered.
