Page 66 of When Monsters Rise
Sheglanced atShem. “Goodluck.”
IfollowedShemthrough the back of the house into a small study.Heclosed the door and turned to face me.
“I’vespoken toGabriel.”
Forsome reason, annoyance bit at me. “And?”
“Iunderstand that you have a bond with him, unbreakable until death, and as much asI’dlike to end him,Idoubt it would do us any favors.Soif you decide to share your body with him, thenIwon’t stand in your way.”
Hisgaze was flat.Hisjaw tense.
Thiswas hurting him, and the strange tightness inside my chest grew. “I’mnot romantically interested inGabriel.”
“Rue, your reaction to his arrival spoke volumes.”
“Iwas relieved.Happyto see him, that’s all.”Hissmile was wry as if he knew a secretIdidn’t. “Dammit,Shem,Iknow my emotions, and they’re not tangled up inGabriel.He’san ally and a friend and that’s all.”
Shemlooked like he wanted to say something, but long seconds passed before he spoke. “Yourbody is yours to give,Rue.Asmuch asIwould like to argue otherwise.”
Washe serious? “Firstly, did you not hear whatIjust said, and secondly, what the fuck?Whathappened to all thegrrrandarghandyou’re minestuff?”
Hiseyes flashed with amusement. “Idon’t need to demand or stake my claim.”Hebridged the distance between us and gently gripped my throat so that my pulse beat wildly against his fingers. “Thisresponse…this breathless, wanton need that’s coursing through you is all thatIneed to know who you crave.”
Mymouth was suddenly dry.Ilicked my lips to moisten them, pulse jumping harder when his gaze dropped to my mouth for a beat before flicking back up to my eyes. “You’vegot to stop doing this.It’snot the time or place to get—”
Hecut off my words with a crushing kiss, andIlost the thread of my thoughts, focused solely on the rasp of his tongue against mine and the burgeoning connection between us.
Hebroke the kiss, leaving me lightheaded. “No,Rue,Idon’t need to stake my claim.This…”—he cupped my pussy through my pants—“this ache is for me.”
Ipressed myself to his palm, biting back a whimper.
Hekissed me again, tenderly this time, his hand slipping from my groin to slide around to the small of my back so he could press me to him.
Myeyes heated, andIcupped his jaw, deepening the kiss as ifIcould somehow meld with him through this contact, to hold him to me and never be apart.
“Ilove you.”Hebreathed the words against my lips. “That’senough.”
Thiswas a side of himIdidn’t know how to deal with—this softness that demonstrated compromise and understanding.Itwas new and made me love him even more.
“Ihave allIneed,Shem.YouandBastianare allIneed.”
Butthe look in his eyes told me that he didn’t believe that.
Itwas up to me to prove it.
Chapter31
Thehouse was quiet.Peoplewere settled and snug in their makeshift beds.Ameal, warmth, and a roof over our heads were enough to banish the fear from the past few hours.
Itseemed as if we were acclimatizing to our near-death lifestyle.
Adrenalinewas our friend and vigilance a constant state of being which was a heavy ache in my bones and a constant pit in my stomach.Theonly carefree moments were those few seconds after waking when my mind was unburdened by the truth of our existence.Thoseprecious moments were quickly dampened by the familiar weight of responsibility once my conscious mind stepped into gear.
Wewere safe for now, soIsat at the dining room table sipping bitter tea and enjoying the heck out of it, because it was warm and felt good as it hit my belly.
Smallpleasures mattered.
Thisslice of normality mattered.
