Page 31 of The Demon's Fire
Kole sheathed his blade, turned, and offered Skyler his hand. When she placed her pale, trembling fingers in his palm, he drew her close to his body. She raised her chin to stare into his fire-gold eyes.
Kole bent toward her, his lips drawing nearer. When his mouth brushed hers, rather than push him away, she opened to him. Kole’s lips pressed hard against hers, his tongue thrusting inside, his exploration wild, hungry.
Skyler gasped, shocked by either the kiss or her response. Her knees weakened, her hands resting on Kole’s warm chest for support. Short bursts of electricity flowed into her, eliciting soft moans as he pulled her tighter against him, his arousal a hard prod at her belly.
When he withdrew, he met her gaze with confusion. He cleared his throat. “Choose, Chief Maxwell. Dermott or me?”
Skyler touched fingers to her lips before she shook her head to clear it. “You.” Though still not understanding why she had to pick, she had an inkling. And she didn’t like it.
“Done. She’s mine for the night.” Kole’s voice was gruff, thick.
Horach’s lips turned down, his words belying his expression. “I understand. I was unaware human females preferred only one male at a time. Forgive my ignorance, Chief Maxwell. The matter is settled. Is it not, Dermott?”
He nodded but didn’t look happy.
“The chamber is ready for both of you.” Horach introduced a guide who would take them to the room. He dismissed the crowd, some booing in disapproval of Skyler’s rejection of the Genesis Rite victor.
In silence, she followed Kole, still dealing with the purpose of the ceremony. And the commander’s brief but passionate kiss. She tugged on his elbow, whispering. “Am I correct in assuming Dermott offered to be my lover?”
Kole’s brows drew tight. “Lover? No. All-night fuck? Yes.”
“Now Horach thinks you and I are…?” Skyler gripped his arm, her fingers digging into flesh.
“Yep.”
“We are sharing a room?”
“Yep.”
“Unacceptable.” The guide glanced over his shoulder when her voice grew above a whisper.
Kole stopped. “You’ve changed your mind? You want Dermott instead?”
“That is not what I mean. I don’t want either of you that way.”
He touched his lips to her ear. “Him or me, sweetheart? You picked me. Now let’s hold off on this convo until we get to the room.”
Skyler nodded. The guide ushered them into a spartan chamber where food and drink had been laid out on a round table. He backed out, closing the door.
“Why didn’t you tell me about the ceremony?” Skyler hissed.
“I tried.”
“Not hard enough.”
Kole shrugged his massive shoulders. “Most likely.”
Skyler pointed at a gigantic bed. “Mine. You can sleep in the bathroom.”
“I’m bigger. I can sleep wherever I want.” Kole whipped off his harness, weapons and all, tossing it on a bedside table.
Skyler sighed, flopping onto the couch, kicking off her heels. “This is the ceremony my father attended? I thought… I thought… I don’t understand.”
“Figured as much. The Genesis Rite is about creating life. The victor feeds the guest. You know what feeding is to a demon, right?”
“Yes. No. Not really.” Skyler slumped further into the cushions.
“For an Alliance bigwig, you are unenlightened. Do you know anything about Aeternals?”
