Page 88 of Promise of Darkness
"Will you let me hold you?" Thiago whispers, stepping closer.
This man feels like a stranger to me. But I can't deny that the heat that exists in the inch between our bodies draws me. I can’t deny that fluttery feeling deep within my abdomen.
Without thinking, I reach out, hesitating once before pressing my hand against his chest. The fabric of his shirt melts against his skin, and suddenly his heart is beating hard beneath my hand. It calls to me, teasing at the little magic I own. I might not know him, but I knowthis.
I jerk my hand away, but he catches it, that piercing gaze searching mine as if he can see my very soul.
"Don't be scared.”
"I'm not."I'm confused. How did Adaia steal those memories? Is this real, or is he merely lying to me?
But it feels real as he leans down, his face looming into view. I’ve kissed him so many times, but I can’t stop myself from freezing, not this time.
Because this time, there’s so much more to it than a simple bargain.
"Sweet Goddess," he whispers hoarsely. "Just this once. Please, Vi. Please let me kiss you. It's been so long."
And I surrender, closing my eyes and curling my fists protectively in front of me as I tilt my face to his.
His mouth crashes down over mine.
A gasp escapes me, and I soften into his embrace as his tongue slicks against me. It’s a kiss meant to consume me. A kiss that speaks of loss and yearning, as if he’s spent every day of the past nine months counting down the moments until he could hold me in his arms again.
Each time I’ve pressed my lips to his, gracing him with the mockery of a kiss, he’s been patiently restraining himself.
I’ve seen his fingers curled around the arms of his chair and felt the stiffness within him. Every inch of him was always rock-hard and aching to prolong our embrace, though I’d always thought it the threat of breaking our bargain that held him at bay.
This is the prince set loose of his ties.
This is the stranger who feels so familiar.
He’s a storm of passion and fury finally unleashed, and I can’t think. I can’t breathe. I can’t resist.
“Oh, gods.” I come up for air, and his mouth is on my throat, teeth grazing the delicate skin there.
Firm hands grab my ass, and then he’s grinding me against him. Want and need conspire to undo me.
Thiago picks me up by the back of the thighs, wrapping my legs around his hips. Two steps and then he’s slamming me back on the bed. My fingers curl in his shirt, and I can’t breathe, but it’s for an entirely different reason than before.
He claims my mouth again, and it feels as though my skin’s too small to contain me. I’m burning up, my body igniting. Sweet merciless Maia, but I don’t know if I can handle any more of this.
It’s only then that I smell the smoke.
“Wait!” I gasp, pushing against his chest.
It’s too much.
And that burning sensation…. I think I’m actually setting the bed on fire.
Pain lashes through my chest, my magic gushing up within me. It’s always been a trickle, but this feels like the floodgates have finally opened.
“Vi?” He lifts his head.
The smoke dampens down, and when I press a hand to the bedspread, I feel heat lingering in the quilt.
What was that?
My hands are trembling. And the press of his body is overwhelming, lighting my veins on fire again. Or perhaps that’s my magic. I don’t understand any of this.
