Page 92 of To Crave Madly
“Because we would never leave this room.” He rolled my hips against his and I bit back a moan.
He was right. I still had an apology to make and the Gathering to get ready for. Staying here and indulging was not on the list of options.
“After the Gathering,” I said, “we will explore this further.”
“As you wish,” he replied smiling and my heart melted. How could I not fall for the guy when his smile beamed across his face?
Dammit. Why does my life have to be so complicated?
Chapter 32
LORI
Lucifer was nowhere to be found and, in the end, Torsten and I gave up and returned to base. He’d probably swanned off with Michael somewhere after discovering whatever had brought his brother to Hell. It was probably important if he left without saying goodbye. I sent an apology through our bond and I did feel a warm flutter in response. At least he wasn’t ignoring me this time, but the guilt and shame over what I had done to him hang heavy over my heart.
“I will make it up to you, Lucifer,”I silently promised.
“I know, little dove. I’m looking forward to it.”I could see the wolfish grin clear as day in my mind and I couldn’t wait for this Yule Gathering to be over. Then I could truly mend things with Lucifer, have time with Jasper, and explore this new development with Torsten. I wasn’t sure how people were going to react to the fact that I let Torsten willingly feed me and what that led to. I still hadn’t quite gotten my head around the whole thing, but my darker side was comfortable, my hunger satisfied, and I wasn’t going to go ripping any heads off any time soon, so I definitely think it counted as a win. I just knew Jasper wasn’t going to like it one little bit. And Rae. She warned me against him from the start, but when I looked at Torsten, I didn’t see a monster. I just saw a man bound into servitude with no hope of freedom. I was determined to give him that freedom, whatever the cost. No one should have to serve the whims of another being, whether they were bred for it or not. Torsten didn’t know it yet, but he had just become my own personal quest. Perhaps I could get a few moments with Levi before this evening’s festivities? I bet if anyone knew anything about breaking bonds of eternal servitude, it would be him.
That settled it. I would make sure I had a few minutes spare and find Levi. Even if I had to defy Jasper and risk his wrath I would do it. I was determined to help Torsten be able to have dreams and wonder about the possibilities of the world.
Torsten shadow jumped us into my room, and I was grateful for the moment to catch my breath before Jasper found me. He was going to be pissed and I wanted to mentally prepare myself for his temper.
I still wasn’t great with shadow jumping. It felt like I was ripped apart at a cellular level before being slammed back together with an unnatural force. You’d think that because I could shadow leap, I’d be a natural at this, but nope. Jumping from one world to another was a whole other ball game. My stomach roiled and my limbs felt like jelly.
“Does this ever get any easier?” I asked as my hands fell to my knees and my head swam. Oh, god. I was going to throw up all over Torsten’s wicked-looking boots.
“It does take some getting used to,” he chuckled as he rubbed soothing circles on my back.
After a few moments of deep breaths, and making sure the contents of my stomach weren’t going to make an appearance, I stood back up and squared my shoulders.
“I suppose I had better go and find Jasper.”
“I will be just a call away.”
“Thank you,” I said sincerely.
“You’re welcome,” he purred. His fingers traced the mark on my neck and, instinctively, I arched into his touch. Goosebumps prickled across my skin as a shiver crept up my spine. My demon stirred deep within me as if he were calling her to the surface.
“I’ll be seeing you soon,” he whispered before disappearing into the shadows like a ghost but his touch lingered on my neck long after he vanished.
It didn’t take me long to find that Jasper was hiding in his office, but I was surprised I didn’t bump into anyone on the way. I expected the base to be a hive of activity, but the place was as silent as the grave. How odd.
I knocked on the door and prayed that Jasper was in a good mood.
“I told you all to leave me the fuck alone!”
He clearly wasn’t. Fuck. This was going to be a bloodbath.
“Jasper, it’s me,” I called through the door. I sensed him the moment before he opened the door. The new addition to my mark burned on my chest and I knew that meant he was angry.
The door was flown open and before I could utter another word, he yanked me into the confines of his office, slammed the door shut and pressed his lips against mine in a punishing kiss.
If this was how he kissed me when I disappeared for a day, I was going to have to do it more often. My body instantly came alive for him. His hands were in my hair, pulling the strands and making me moan. My pants were soaked in seconds and my core was throbbing, demanding to be filled.
Then, as quickly as he had attacked me, he released me and pulled away. “Why the fuck did you go to Hell without telling anyone?”
My chest was rising rapidly as I tried to catch my breath. “I went to see Lucifer. I’m sorry.”
