“Shit,” I mutter. “You can read all my thoughts now?”
He chuckles. “I have some access. You can learn to block me if you desire it. It would take practice to understand which parts of your mind I have access to and which are beneath the surface. I will always be able to feel a general sense of your emotions. There is no hiding when you feel unease or fear… or desire. But specific thoughts are not entirely open. It’s like a doorway you didn’t know was there. Now, it’s wide open. Once you feel it out, you’ll be able to shut it or learn to keep certain thoughts a little quieter. In the end, though, I hope you never feel the need to hide anything from me. I will honor and cherish every thought and feeling you have, no matter what they are.”
“But what if they’re hurtful to you?”
“If they are truth, I’d rather know so I can fix the issue.”
I frown. “If I desire someone else?”
“So long as you remain devoted to me romantically, that would be… exciting to me. At least, in theory. Since this is so new and even I haven’t had the chance to explore you myself yet, I am going to be very territorial for a while. But so long as you want me, I will feel that. I will have no doubts. And desire for another person would be no different than—using a toy.”
I swallow, throat dry.A toy.
My cheeks heat.
He presses his lips to my neck. “For now, though, I desperately want you all to myself.”
More butterflies shoot through my body.
“It is such a relief to know you desire me like this, sunshine. You are such a challenge to read and understand.”
It’s scary to be this wide open and vulnerable to someone. But at least if it’s anyone, it’s him.
My Jarron.
“Yours,” he whispers. “Always yours.”
I jerk into a sitting position, all the thoughts and doubts and questions rising to the surface. “What happened that night on Myre Island? Why did you change forms?”
It’s the question that’s been plaguing me the most.
Instantly, I’m there.
Pitch-black darkness in the sandy spots between two beach houses. I can smell the salt and hear the rushing waves of the nearby ocean just on the other side of the sand dune behind us.
Bea and Trevor are off hiding while I’m supposed to be seeking, but I somehow know they’re probably kissing beneath one of the porches. The two girls, though, I can smell.
Their sweet and gamy scent has grown more intense over the last few weeks. They don’t have the same senses as I do, and they aren’t aware how strong mine have been growing.
My senses make this game entirely unfair to them, but also incredibly thrilling. Shifting through the dark toward the unknowing girls is a delight like I’ve never felt. I love it.
The beast inside my chest squirms against me, pushing at those thresholds. I’m going to have to go back home soon to let him out, but I keep putting it off. My heart screams to be closer toher.
Even my demon doesn’t want to leave.
He wants out. But not if it means losing access to her delicious scent and that beautiful glow. It’s getting brighter and brighter. My whole focus shifts to her every time we’re together. I can’t seem to let go of the obsession.
It’s the only time my demon and I have ever agreed on anything.
He wants to hunt. He wants to prove his power over everyone and everything. He wants to lurk in the darkness—this game is his favorite because it fuels those instincts. He wants to chase and claim.
I want comfort and laughter and fun. I want life and light.
But her—she’s the place that he and I converge.
She is light and life. She is his sun. His one exception.If not for the dark, you wouldn’t appreciate her glow,he tells me.
And she is just feet away, hiding like prey, waiting to be hunted.
