Page 125 of Stone Temptation

Blood spilled from my hands, tears flowing hot and heavy.

Colder, colder, colder. Veins filling with poisonous ice.

“Please…”

No way out.

No way out.

No way out.

“Luke!”

The booming call of a man of stone. Warm stone. The warmest I’d ever felt. The one who turned my head and made me think of the kind of goodness that came from a hearty meal, hugs, and lazy mornings under a duvet while winter rains pattered the windows.

“Asher…” I whispered.

“I’m here, Luke.”

Beyond the ice.

Beyond this.

He called for me. He called for me.

He—

I gasped as I came back, amber eyes so close, those lips inches away.

“Asher…”

He took hold of my face, studying me with a gaze that obliterated every wall inside me. “Are you alright?”

My heartbeat tripled, skin prickling with goosebumps.

“Kiss me,” I said. “Please, kiss me.”

“Luke…”

Hazy desire sent my hands to find his torso. “Please… Please just kiss me.”

He lowered his mouth, pausing at the last moment. “Not right now.”

Frustration roiled in my belly. “I need… I need…”

You! I fucking need you!

He licked his lips, the movement so sensual I thought I might climax.

Breaking. Every part of me breaking. Ready to melt in his arms, give in to him. Even for one more kiss, a fuck, anything. Just one. Just us.

Just take me…

“I can’t stand anymore, Asher.”

This might be the wrong moment, but I wanted to sample his fruit again. Take a bigger bite, have it destroy my pain, chase away my shadows.

He licked his lips again, driving me crazy. “I?—”

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