Page 29 of Creatures that Breathe

I don’t think either of us realized I’d moved until I was on her, hauling her into me, molding her chilled, wet body to my hard, blistering one.

She doesn’t retreat, doesn’t step back, doesn’t hover on the precipice of torture like she should. Gentle as the sun’s rays, she presses her lips to mine.

She remembers me, my name, knows who I am. Clutches me to her with shaky fingers.

I can overcome any pain, but happiness wrecks me.

Something ruptures in my brain when her mouth slightly parts under mine, like a grenade launching addictive blue shrapnel into my DNA. I slice off the surge of my power, ending the slashing shadows and darkness, terrified of the damage it’ll cause with her eyes closed.

The kiss is flavors of rain and metal and cautious, simmering hunger.

Leni is shy as she melds into me, as pliant as molten wax over a flame, ready to be poured into a sticky vibrant stain. Her tongue is delicate and exploring, electrifying as her hands carefully roam up the base of my skull, into my hair, grasping, tugging me down.

Sweltering desire flows through me, powerful and perilous. Adrenaline driven lust.

I swallow a sound as I lift her into my arms. Possessing newfound strength, I drift slightly apart to confirm it’s one of shock and not distress.

Without the impenetrable cover of darkness, a dense gray haze envelops us, reducing the street to muted silhouettes. The air feels heavy, dampening every noise except the rush of our swift, short breaths, sucking much needed air.

“That ...” She swallows, cheeks and throat flush. “Was unexpected.” Her eyes, usually ablaze with confidence, flicker with uncertainty, like a flame in the wind, faltering yet resilient.

Her fingers tremble against my skin, her touch a soft caress that sends shivers down my spine. A vulnerability that tugs at my soul. My heart beats faster than it has in decades.

She remembers me.

I crave to pull her closer, to erase the distance between us and lose myself in the abyss of blue, but distrust drips onto me like acid rain.

She’s lying to you. She doesn’t want you. Look at her.

“Look at me,” It slips out, studded with disgust.

I should stop.

If I had honor, if I had self-respect.

She asked you for it, didn’t she? My conscience is corrupt. She asked you for much, much more than this. Hesitant and bumbling. Take it.

Fates ruin me for the urge swirling through my blood.

See how far you’ve fallen? How despicable you’ve become. How greedy.

Eyes sleepy and drugged, she lets me press her into the stone, lets me slide my hips between her thighs while I suck at her throat and dip my hands into the seam of her coat.

Instantly, I forget who I am.

Lace scours her body, tight and gripping.

My fingers glide down her near-bare midriff, stroking over the sparkling corset of embracing flower petals as delicate as smoke. “I knew you were dangerous,” I growl at her, taking her neck with my mouth, shoving her tighter into the wall, hands roaming, finding the hem of the pink puffer and forcing it up.

So fucking greedy.

Stockings cling to her thighs, glittering like crushed diamond, big looped satin bows mark the ends, pucker against her silky skin.

A spark ignites deep within my chest, fuels me to protect and possess her, as if I’m not still clutching a knife.

As if she didn’t try to kill me.

Pain is a straightforward enemy, easily beaten by time and resilience.

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