Page 112 of Sworn to Consume
Too close.
Close enough to hear my heartbeat.
“You keep biting your lip like that,” he murmurs over my nose, “and you’ll add another problem to my list.”
He smells like saltwater. Exactly how I’ve always imagined the sea would smell. I swallow hard and step back. I need space. I needair.
He smirks again. And I see red.
“You brought home another toy—” I motion toward the stairs. “Don’t play these games with me. Please, Maleciandro. I need your help.”
He raises a brow, glancing in the direction I pointed.
“A toy?” He scoffs.
“You’re not jealous, are you?” A chuckle escapes his lips. Low and grating on my nerves.
Jealous? Me?
“You love yourself too much, Maleciandro.” I snap. “Now, can we please move on?”
A rusted growl rolls off his lips. “I love how my name slides off your tongue,Ror,” he says, drawing my nickname out slow and teasing. Makes it land with a closeness that shouldn’t be there.
“But you don’t need to be so formal. We’re gonna be spending a lot of time together…”
The way he says it, I don’t know if I should be terrified or thrilled.
“Call me Malec.”
My fingers twitch to fidget with my pants. Anything to distract from this tension.
“…Malec.” I breathe out.
That devil’s grin spreads. His silver eyes gleam. “Good girl.”
Heat flashes under my skin.
Did he just…?
I hold my breath as his gaze shifts—eyes locked on something near my cheek.
“There’s a small thing I need to handle first. Then tell me about that plan,” he says as he straightens, pointing to the sofa.
Finally. An excuse to step back.
“Wait for me here.”
I nod, heart still pounding.
Diana, I’m coming.
Just hold on a little longer. Please.
Malec
Ifight the wave of curses threatening to leave my mouth as I lock the door to my parents’ room behind me.
I have no idea why I got so worked up next to Roran earlier. The second our eyes met, something in her shifted—still that strange sickness clinging to her, but laced with something else. Innocence.
