“Does this mean no more kissing?”
I laughed. Good Gods, I wanted to devour this girl. “Probably for the best on the full moon.”
“Oh.”
Something predatory within me purred to life at her disappointment. I leaned back to look at her face, tilting my head in the way that made her heart skip. “But today isn’t the full moon.”
She grinned, the expression purely feline, and her arms twisted around my neck. “Well, why am I bothering talking to you?”
“I like to think I’m a good conversationalist.” I barely got the words out before her lips met mine.
She grinned against my lips.There are many better uses for thatmouth.
I growled, and I hardened between us. The way her nails dug into my neck told me she felt it. I wanted to carry her to the bed right then, but there was something I had come here to do… right, she was a target now.
I tugged back, breathing hard. She reached for me, but I held firm. “Estrella, I need to make sure you understand that you being a magnifier needs to stay between us. Magnifiers in the past have been used to wage wars. Leaders use them as personal blood banks to fuel their armies. No one can know, or you will be in incredible danger. Do you understand me?”
She shifted uncomfortably, a flash of worry crossing her face. In that moment, she looked so fragile—a girl fighting to exist in a world built to consume her. It made me want to swallow her in my darkness so she’d never have to know anything else. “I understand, Roman.”
I let out a breath. “Good.”
“Are you done trying to scare me now?” She snapped, and in an instant, that worry vanished, replaced by a look fit for a vampiress. “I think I’m ready to be an enthusiastic participant.”
I smirked. “With all my houseplants, it was only a matter of time.”
She giggled. “Still cocky, I see.”
I stood, holding her tight in my arms. I needed to get her to the bed before I completely lost control and took her against the chair. “And yet you still find me ridiculously good looking.”
She hummed, pressing her lips to mine just as I sat her on the edge of the bed.Not sure about that—I still haven’t decided.
I growled and nipped her lip, careful to avoid using my fangs. She began to work on my shirt buttons, but I placed my hand over hers, relishing the soft feel of her delicate fingers.Are you sure about this, doll?
She sighed and tugged back, looking me over. Good Lord, I’d turn a city to ash if she just stared me down with those eyes and told me to. “I’m sure. It doesn’t have to be anything—let’s just enjoy each other.”
My stomach turned to lead. Of course, it didn’t mean anything. Why should it? Not like my entire universe was realigning with her at its center. She would never feel that way about her captor, and I couldn’t blame her for it.
I should have broken away then. No good would come from staying, not when my very soul hung precariously in her fingers. Not that it would have mattered. I was too far gone, had been since I first saw her in that godforsaken plant shop, glowing with a light I wanted to keep for myself.
I’m not a good man, not even a kind one. I’m a possessive, fucked-up monster. I’ve been coming to terms with that for a long time. Now, I was spiraling toward damnation with her lighting the way, and I just couldn’t let go.
I ripped off my shirt and tossed it aside. She gasped, looking me over like I was beautiful, though I knew what was under her little nightgown would be far more remarkable. I tugged it up, splaying her back on the bed like my own personal feast.
My breath caught in my throat as I took her in. Soft ivory curves met beautiful, perky breasts. She was a piece of art, and I wanted to know each inch of her canvas intimately.
She tried to cover herself under my gaze, but I captured her hands. “You are perfect, doll. I’ve traveled all over and have never seen anything as remarkable as you.”
Her cheeks turned pink, somehow making her even more beautiful. I never subscribed to my house’s belief system, but I understood it now. This reincarnation of Aphrodite staring at me like I was worth something made me a happy man. I didn’t deserve it, but I’d take itanyway.
My words came out as a barely masked growl. “I want to devour you.”
“Do it.”
There was demand in her tone, and I wasn’t one to back down from a challenge. I took her nipple in my mouth, and she arched off the bed at the contact. Her moans rose like a symphony in the room, but I was only getting started.
My hand trailed down her front to her already wet pussy, pressing into her clit. She squirmed, but I had her pinned in place.You can stop this anytime, doll.
Why on earth would I want it to stop?The question made me chuckle. I rubbed my fingers back and forth, building her excitement, before finally sliding one in, keeping my thumb pressed to her clit. Her body shuddered like the strings of an instrument under my fingers, her moans climbing higher.
