Magical Midlife Battle （Leveling Up, #8）(94)

She shook her head, guilt adding to the turbulent emotions currently drowning her. “You know better than to say I guard her back.”

“Throwing her into the fire to help harden her or forcing a situation that will help her achieve her goals is guarding her back. You can be good and wicked at the same time, little deathwatch angel.

Hell, Jessie is. Her beast wouldn’t have it any other way. The same is true of Austin, without question.” He grinned, his hold on her tight, his other hand now softly tracing her jaw line. “You can try to kill me one minute and then ride me to completion the next. It adds to the flavor.”

She fell into those beautifully glowing eyes and saw no lie. Nothing held back.

“No one is riding anyone anywhere,” she whispered, feeling a delicious hum vibrate up from where they touched. Him still lying on the nails with her in his arms. Feeling his heat soak into her.

“We’re not compatible.”

“That’s just the fear talking. I can wait.”

“You’ll wait forever.”

His words rode a soft breath, his lips curving. “No, I won’t.”

She shook her head as she fell into that hum, mixing it with her own, feeling their energy swirl and build, the sensation so unbelievably delicious. She felt suspended, like a single moment had multiplied into many. The air between them shivered with heat. With possibility.

“You could’ve gotten loose the whole time,” she murmured, her head drooping just a bit, her body melting against his. “You allowed me to threaten you with a knife.”

“It wouldn’t be the first time.”

“Did you know I was hiding up there, waiting for you?”

“Of course,” he whispered, his aura so tantalizing now that she allowed herself to soak it in. His energy sizzled into her palms and along her flesh, the connection more intense than she’d ever shared with anyone else. Wilder. It felt like it was burning her up and breathing life into her at the same time.

“I can see your essence through a wall,” he said, his voice whiskey smooth. “You don’t think I’d notice you in the rafters? Especially after I pissed you off and then you went missing. I returned home thinking you’d be waiting for me. I had no idea your attack would be so elaborate, though. I’m impressed. If I’d been completely unsuspecting and couldn’t feel your intoxicating presence, you very well might’ve truly captured me. The knife near the eye was an excellent touch.”

Her head drooped just a bit more as she looked at his pillow-soft lips. Felt his hard body humming beneath hers.

His palms ran up her sides, his hands splayed.

“I didn’t see the nails,” he said, the sound hardly more than his breath. “If I had, I might’ve tried to land anywhere but on them. I must say, though, the pain mixed with the pleasure of your touch is…

stirring. I wouldn’t mind exploring these sensations a little more.”

“I don’t understand you,” she finally said, thinking about kissing those lush lips. Bending toward them, she felt a jolt of nervousness climb up through her middle and expand within her stomach. Her core throbbed, and his hardness pushed up against her.

Her senses warned of danger, though, of the monster caressing her skin. This man was mysterious.

Cunning. He’d buttoned up that situation in the garage with the enemy mage in such a simple yet thorough way that spoke of expertise. Of many dark deeds. Even Austin was wary of him. Something about this gargoyle didn’t scream genuine.

He was a guy who would offer a favor but treat it as a debt. Who would keep his secrets but gather those of others. He already had dirt on her. She couldn’t allow him to collect any more. Before long, he’d trap her with damning knowledge and blackmail her to serve his purposes—or service him in his bedroom.

Molten heat coursed through her at the last thought. She couldn’t help a soft moan escaping her lips as she considered the possibilities.

What was happening to her? Why did that thought seem like it was pulling her apart little by little until all she wanted was to give in to his dominating presence?

She didn’t trust him, no, but oh God, she couldn’t deny wanting him. Now more than ever. The problem was, she didn’t just want to revel in his incredible body or stare at his handsome face. She didn’t just go weak in the knees at the knowledge that no one, not any creature, could get through to her if he was standing in the way.

She craved his danger. His deviousness. The way he looked at her, like he’d drag her down into the abyss and keep her there. Her jailor. Her tormenter.

Her savior.

Because, despite the danger, she could let down her guard with him. She could show her true self, beneath the sunshine and good spirits. Beneath the dirty jokes and genuine laughter. She could show her tears, give in to her memories. Scream at the unfairness of her life.

He didn’t judge her. It still seemed unbelievable, but she knew it was true—he didn’t judge her for the things she’d done. He understood her, actually, probably in a way no one else did, not even Sebastian. Maybe in a way no one else could.

The guy of her nightmares-turned-dreams was impossible to trust and didn’t hide his unwillingness to let anyone close. Could her luck get any worse?

She pried herself off him and took a deep breath, her body still humming, her breathing shallow.