Page 51 of A City of Smoke and Demons
He didn’t move for a long time, before he approached the bed. She held back the covers for him. ‘I think you’re an arsehole, but right now I want your body—so get in.’
She sensed him raise his eyebrows.
‘Your bodyheat,’ she clarified. ‘Hurry up.’
Ezra slipped the knife beneath the pillow and climbed in next to her. They lay side by side, Analise shivering, until he sighed. ‘Come here. This won’t work with you all the way over there.’
She hesitated, then, after biting her tongue on her chattering teeth, shuffled closer. She ducked beneath his arm, tucking her head under his chin and pressing herself as close as she could get. She was practically lying on top of him, but she didn’t care because he waswarm.
His arms closed around her. She froze, then relaxed, sighing in pure relief as his heat spread through her.
‘Better?’ he asked.
‘You’re good for something.’
Ezra snorted. ‘I’m good for a lot of things. You haven’t had the pleasure.’
‘I’m sure I’ll live,’ she mumbled.
Analise drifted off, and when she woke, she was on her side, her back curled against Ezra’s chest, his arm beneath her head. She sighed, snuggling back against him. He was so warm. He was also, she realised suddenly, awake and hard as a rock against the curve of her arse.
She pulled away from him with a hiss.
‘Good morning to you as well,’ he murmured huskily.
Analise threw back the blanket and sat up swiftly, twisting to face him, wanting to slap that smug look off his face. He must have sensed it because his hands snaked out, fingers closing around her wrists. She glared at him, trying to pull free. ‘Let me go, you animal.’
He slowly sat up. ‘Animal, is it? I think the word you’re looking for is man. And you shouldn’t be surprised. It’s morning, and you’ve had your arse in my lap for most of the night.’
‘I was cold!’
‘You moan in your sleep, did you know that?’ Ezra said, a tiny smile tugging at his mouth. Their faces were close together. Analise’s chest heaved, and she wasn’t sure it was anger or something else that made her clench her teeth. She ripped her wrists free and shoved him; before she knew what was happening, she was on her back, his body hovering over hers, her hands pinned above her head.
‘I think we should try this again,’ he murmured. ‘Good morning, Analise.’
‘Fuck you.’
He chuckled. ‘If you wish. I won’t say no.’
‘Get off me,’ she snapped.
‘If that’s what you want.’
Witch-hound.
Witch-hound.
Witch-hound.
Analise’s brain screamed it at her, but the words were swept away by the look in his eyes and the way they moved over her face, settling on her mouth. Her breathing deepened involuntarily, and she bit her lip. His hands tightened on her wrists at the traitorous movement of her hips, then he pressed himself closer.
Fuck, she wanted to kiss him. But he was a lying bastard with a fabulous mouth and a sinful tongue and those fingers—
His lips curled, as if he knew exactly what she was thinking.
The door to her room was flung open, crashing into the wall. Ezra moved so quickly it made Analise gasp. He was on his feet, fists curled, before she could blink. Light from the outside world illuminated a tall figure standing in the doorway.
Ezra relaxed, dragging his hand over his face, and managed a nervous laugh.
