Page 46 of The Demon's Fire
“Sure. The portal’s making you dizzy.” Kole put a hand on each of Skyler’s shoulders to guide her toward the room.
When she fumbled with the keys, he snatched them to open her door. He paused, allowing Skyler to pass.
“I think I may need more help.” She wiggled a finger at him.
Eyeing her suspiciously, Kole followed into her suite. Once he closed the door, she pointed at her back. “Please unfasten my dress. It’s rather hard to get to.” Skyler cast glittering blue eyes over a bare shoulder while she brushed aside a wisp of unruly hair.
For the first time in his life, Kole’s hands shook as he slipped the hook from its clasp. Skyler spun to face him. Holding onto the front of what she had called a halter dress, she inched her hand away, the top falling to reveal her firm, rounded, lush breasts.
Damn. No bra.
Kole’s chest heaved with short, rapid breaths when she slithered toward him, her gait unsteady. She stopped and began to unbutton his jacket.
His gaze remained on Skyler’s breasts. He imagined rolling a nipple between his thumb and index finger, making it a tight bud before he sucked it into his mouth, his bite gentle. In his vision, she arched her back, moaning, pushing against his lips, begging him to take more.
Skyler finished unbuttoning his jacket, slipped it off his shoulders, dropped it on the floor, and started on Kole’s shirt. One button. Another.
He let her, his gaze still absorbing her tantalizing breasts with tawny nipples. She drew his shirt down his arms, her palms stroking his biceps.
Kole’s heavy lids half-masted as he inhaled, savoring her sweet-spicy perfume. She closed the tiny distance between them to rub the tips of her nipples against his chest. His arousal strained the zipper of his pants. While his demon struggled to surface, he resisted tearing off her clothes, throwing her onto the bed, slamming into her.
Despite the hard-on from hell, Kole shocked himself.
He gripped Skyler’s bare shoulders, gentling her away. He resettled his shirt and then lifted the front of her dress. Once it was in place, he slapped her hand on it. Wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her in tight, touching his lips to her ear, whispering, “As much as I want to taste you and bury my cock deep enough to make you scream, I’m going to walk out. Damn fool that I am.”
“Oh, Kole.” Skyler covered her mouth while she ran for the bathroom. He heard her gag and heave.
“This female is nothing but trouble.” Kole pushed through the doorway. At the edge of the toilet, Skyler half sat, half sprawled on the floor.
Kole looked around for night clothes. Finding them, he stood over her. When she stopped upchucking, he lifted her onto wobbly feet, took off her dress and shoes, and slipped a flimsy nightgown over her head. Skyler shoved at his hands, fleeing to the toilet again, falling beside it to retch.
Kole plopped alongside her, cradled her forehead in his palm, and rubbed her back with his other hand as she continued to barf up her guts. When she stilled, he wet a washcloth to wipe her face, sweeping her hair from her cheeks.
“I’m so sick. Sorry. Sorry.”
“It’s okay, Frisca. Sleep’s the best thing for you.” He lifted her into his arms, her weight a feather.
“Tell me you forgive me, Kole. I’m so sorry.”
“Nothing to forgive. When you’re nervous, you eat and drink too much.”
“You’re right. How did you know?” Her words were slurred.
“Lucky guess.” He carried her to the bed, tossed back the linens, and lay Skyler down, drawing a sheet over her. On the edge of the mattress, he stroked her hair until she closed her eyes. He did not leave her side until he heard soft snuffling sounds.
When Kole shut the door, jacket in hand, she mumbled, “Sorry … sorry … sorry.”
ChapterTwelve
Skylerslammed through her courtyard door, storming toward Kole, her index finger waving in the air. “I don’t want to hear one word about last night. I do not do well in large social settings. Not! One! Word! Am I clear?” She had decided in her morning shower to approach last night’s embarrassing situation with a full-on frontal assault.
“Crystal. Besides, a gentleman never tells.” Kole’s grin spread across his face, rendering Skyler nearly speechless.
She recovered. “Hah! You’re no gentleman.”
“You’re right. But I walked away like fucking King Arthur in shining armor.”
“I warn you. Not one more word. I was drunk. I had no idea the whiskey at the reception was more potent than what I usually drink. I always have two libations to be sociable. My reasoning is never affected.”
