“How would you know?”
“I know a lie when I see one,” he replied, crowding me back against the smooth rock wall. “More importantly, I know when you lie.”
There was a catch in my breath as he placed his hands on the rock like he’d done earlier. Could he sense my desire? Even in all this water and under the potent scent of lilac? I pressed against the warm rock, thinking that it was impossible for my heart to beat any faster. “What are you thinking about?”
“My idea.” His breath coasted over my cheek. “You might be interested in it.”
“Doubtful,” I murmured.
“You haven’t even heard what it is yet, Princess.” Those lips grazed the curve of my jaw, and the edges of his damp hair touched my cheek, causing me to gasp. “Yeah, I definitely know you’ll be interested.”
Edginess swamped me as my head tipped back against the rock without conscious thought. “Why don’t you tell me what it is, and I will let you know if I’m interested?”
His chuckle was rough as one of his hands left the rock. My stomach hollowed as his fingers met the bare skin of my waist. “Only if you promise not to lie.”
“If you can tell when I’m lying—” A shaky breath left me as he shifted closer, his chest brushing mine with each breath he took. The contact sent a wave of shivers through me, tightening the tips of my breasts to almost painful points.
“What were you saying, Princess?” he asked, and I felt him smile against my cheek.
What was I saying? It took a moment for me to remember. “If you know I’m lying, why would it matter if I told the truth?”
“Because you know that the truth is important.” The hand left my waist, trailing down my hip, stirring the water. Bubbles danced over my legs, between them. A wicked feeling curled low in my core. “The truth is permission.”
My unfocused gaze crept over the cones of blue and purple blossoms. “Is it?”
“It is.” He paused. “Did you know that the bite, until it’s fully healed, becomes an erogenous zone? A point of pleasure? It can give you the same feelings as the bite. Almost. Did you know?”
I thought I did. “No.”
“Want me to show you?” he offered. “I know you’re a curious sort.”
“Yes,” I whispered, dizzy with anticipation.
“Remember, Princess. This is just to assuage your curiosity. Nothing more.”
“I know.” My fingers curled against the rock.
“Good.” Then his mouth closed over the bite. He sucked on the skin, drawing it between his teeth. My back arched, dragging the hard peaks of my breasts against his chest. I shuddered, becoming liquid.
Good gods…
“Did I ever tell you what you taste like?” His tongue lapped over the sensitive mark.
“Honeydew?” I whispered, eyes drifting shut as I turned my head toward his, seeking what I knew I shouldn’t want.
“You dirty girl. I’m not talking about that.” He nipped at my jaw, drawing another gasp from me. “I’m talking about your blood, but now you’ve dragged my mind into unseemly places.”
“Your mind always resides in unseemly places.”
He laughed deeply. “I can’t deny that.” His nose brushed mine as his mouth drew closer to my lips. “Your blood tastes old to me, powerful but light. Like moonlight. Now I know why.”
“How does anything taste like moonlight?”
“Magic, I imagine. Now stop distracting me when I’m trying to tell you about my idea.”
“I’m not—” I bit down on my lip as his hand slipped down my thigh. “I’m not being distracting.”
“Oh, yes. You’re always so damn distracting,” he chided gently.
“Sounds like that’s your problem.”
“It is both our problems.”
“What are you asking permission for?” I sounded breathless, as if I were standing on an edge. “What is this idea?”
“If you want,” he said, his chest rising and falling against mine, sending darts of forbidden pleasure through me. “We can pretend again.” His hand slid along my thigh, higher and higher—
The tips of his fingers reached evidence of what I knew he’d already sensed. My hips jerked at the illicit thrill as a breathy moan parted my lips.
He dragged his mouth over mine. It wasn’t a kiss, just a passing glance of his mouth against mine. “You can pretend.” Cool air seeped in as he lifted his head. “You can pretend that this isn’t because you don’t have a of need me.”