Page 167 of The Kingdom's Reckoning
"But you said not to move," she said, confused.
"I know what I said," he said through clenched teeth. "But if you don’t go, I might do something I regret."
Whatever was going on, Laurince didn’t trust himself. But Myra didn’t believe running was the answer.
In the light, silver flashed on the table, and her gaze darted to the blade he had given her. The logical side of her told her to grab it, just in case. But she couldn’t move, her entire body telling her not to reach for it. If it came down to it, Myra knew she wouldn’t be able to use the weapon against Laurince. But more than that, she didn’t believe Laurince would hurt her—as ignorant as that might have made her.
"I’m going to stand up," she warned, moving slowly. As she got to her feet, the muscles in Laurince’s back rippled. Her gaze slid over to his wings. In the torchlight, the pearlescent feathers were like tiny flames. They were mesmerizing. As if entranced, she found herself inching toward them, reaching for them.
Before she could feel the soft feathers brush her fingertips, the room spun around her in a flurry. Her back hit the wall, and she released a softoomphas her hair whipped across her face.
Laurince pinned her hand to the wall. His breath was hot on her flushed cheeks.
"Haze, you didn’t listen," he said, voice low.
Unable to refute his claim, Myra gawked at him, her eyes darting between his. They were wild and consumed by darkness, yet she felt no anger dripping from him. Not a single ounce, despite his words. Instead, something else saturated the thread of emotions, something just as red and bright and…alluring.
Myra’s breathing quickened as heat gathered low in her stomach. A scattering of chills ran up her neck and over her arms. Chest rising, she swiped her tongue across her lips.
Laurince’s gaze dipped down. But just as quickly, he snapped his eyes shut. His grip on her waist tightened. "Don’t look at me like that."
"Like what?"
"Like…like…" A low rumble sounded in his throat.
Then she realized the feeling she was sensing. The warmth between her legs made her fidget, her need growing. His hand flexed around hers.
This is not the time,she reminded herself. Yet Myra couldn’t deny what she was feeling, and she suspected Laurince didn’t want to deny it either.
"Laurince," she whispered lowly. "Tell me what you need."
"No, I can’t. I—" He shook his head, eyes still shut. A deep wrinkle creased his forehead. "I can’t." His jaw popped.
How long would he be able to deny his needs? Did Myra want him to? No, that much was clear. She wanted anything but for Laurince to deny what was between them.
It had been too long since the last time she had been with a man. And while she didn’t want to rush things with Laurince, she also knew she was lucky to be standing there in front of him. He had almost died. They all could have.
Myra often ignored her own needs, but she wanted this. She wantedhim.
And more than anything, she trusted Laurince.
Maybe it was time that both of them stopped sacrificing their needs and succumbed to them for once—while they still could.
Carefully, Myra placed her hand on his chest. The moment she did, Laurince’s eyes snapped open. The brown hue was nearly nonexistent, wiped out by a sea of black that melted over his irises.
"What are you?—"
She kissed him. It was clumsy and rough. Her teeth smacked into his, but Laurince didn’t retreat. He moaned and pressed his body against hers. His erection pressed against her sternum.
She was right. This wasn’t rage at all. This was a feral, ravenousneed, and Myra had just opened the floodgates.
He released her pinned hand and palmed the back of her head, his fingers curling into her hair. Everywhere their bodies touched, an intense wave of desire poured into her. It was pure and real in every sense of the word.
Suddenly, though, he jerked back.
"Tell me to stop," he demanded, his entire body trembling beneath her hands. "Tell me no."
She sucked in her bottom lip, and she could taste him on her. And it wasn’t enough. For either of them.
