Page 66 of Unbound By Shadows
“I never asked you to stop.”
“You said ‘no,’ and I stopped.”
“Yes, but you didn’t let me finish!”
“What could come after that? I did as you asked!” His voice continued to rise. “Are all humans this contrary, or is it just you?”
Selene raised her chin. Her face contorted from irritation into a look that could only be described as severe. She stood and walked toward him. He felt himself sway like her body held a pulling force that he was helpless to resist. Standing toe to toe, she looked up intohis eyes. She wetted her lips, and he instantly went rock hard. Was she going to kiss him again? Ask him to kiss her? His breath quickened in anticipation. All his anger evaporated, and his hands reached for her waist.
In a voice like sugared venom, she whispered, “I said ‘no’ because I thought you were about to tear off my nightgown. If you had let mespeak, I would have told you to unbutton it.”
Then without waiting for him to respond, she turned on her heel and marched back into the hall. The doors slammed, and the sound echoed throughout the valley, causing birds to bolt out of the trees. Sam stood speechless in the dark for several moments, just staring at the bench where she had sat.
When the full effect of her words hit, the surge of lust nearly sent him to his knees. He resumed his pacing.
She had enjoyed their kiss. Didn’t want him to stop. He had not hurt her or gotten too rough. Instead, he had abandoned her and left her wanting. Alone in her need and returning to a cold bed. Unfulfilled. He had been so lost to his own pleasure, he had failed to tend to her properly.
Shame at his ineptitude washed over him, and he let out a howl of rage. If she had felt anything close to the deprived ache he felt that night…
And now she was in the arms of other males. Possibly seeking from them that which he denied her. Reveling in the attention of those more skilled at flattery and seduction than he was. Allowing the invasion of their filthy hands, pressing bodies, and whispers of promised delights.
A red haze clouded his vision, and his body strained. Power, strength, and the rush of determined focus flooded his veins. The shadows flocked to pulsate around him, and his claws extended. Horns flaring, he knew what needed to be done.
Nothing would keep him from her this time.
Chapter 26
Selene hadn't meant to slam the doors so hard behind her, but damn, the noise was satisfying. The musicians were playing something like a polka when she came in, and several of her dance partners swarmed. They were obviously anxious for her return, and she offered a smile to each of them.
I’ll show him cavorting!
Grasping the first hand that was extended to her, Selene was swept into an embrace by one of the reptilian Drago men. He introduced himself as Levi then began to twirl her across the dance floor. The air rushing over her skin felt heavenly, almost cooling some of the righteous anger that heated her face.
Stupid demon.
Sure, Sam looked good in a pair of horns, but his moods gave her whiplash. And so sulky! The way he had avoided her today had stung, especially when all she could think about was kissing him again. Even though apparently he regretted it—that was a treat to hear. Had she been too forward last night? A familiar rush of shame made her throat tighten as they danced.
No. You're not going there.
Her posture straightened as she stopped the speeding train of self-doubt in its tracks. For years she had blamed herself for her dismal sex life—wondering if she was too needy, too demanding, too idealistic, or maybe she simply wasn’t attractive enough to have the passion she craved. It had never occurred to her that maybeshewasn’t the one broken. But Aurelian Selene didn’t put up with any of that. She was done catering to the sexual hang-ups of men. She refused to feel bad about what happened last night, or about what she had said about the buttons. And she sure as hell wasn't going to stop dancing just because Sam didn’t approve.
She had spent her life whittling herself down to be the person others wanted her to be. It was as exhausting as it was useless.Never again.
When the band changed tempo to a slower song Levi waltzed her to the back of the hall near a cluster of benches. But the last thing Selene wanted was to sit and chat, especially with a man whose forked tongue peeked out with each syllable. Peering over his shoulder, she scanned the crowd for a new dance partner. Feeling reckless, she decided to walk on the wild side and invite one of the burly Lycah to dance.
But as she moved to slip out of Levi’s arms, she felt a crackle in the air, like the charge that comes before a lightning strike. A rush of cold air blew through the hall followed by the sound of wood banging against brick. Someone cried out indignantly. She looked across the room and gasped when she saw Sam, huge and terrifying, cutting a path across the floor.
Pulsing black mist surrounded him as he moved. His horns seemed bigger, the tips curved out as if ready for attack. The fabric of his clothes was pulled taut around his muscles, while his height pushed seven feet. His brows were drawn together, and his mouth was set in a grim line.
Blazing red eyes.
Locked squarely on her.
Her stomach flipped. He was coming forher. To do what, she didn’t know, but he looked absolutely terrifying. “Shit!” she cried as her heart began to jackhammer. What had Aurelian Selene unleashed?
People were moving out of Sam’s path and Selene stiffened as he came close, causing Levi to follow her gaze. "Who is--"
The words died on his lips when Sam stopped in front of them. Levi released Selene and stumbled back. The demon’s frame was vibrating with tension. Vaporous black shapes churned around them like hungry wraiths until Sam murmured a command and they dissolved.
