Page 79 of Every Shade of Shadow

Impossible.

But they all seem lacking.

He brushes the hair back from my face, expression softening. "Good."

My cheeks heat at the intimacy in his gaze. This may be new territory for us, but these unguarded moments after sex where there are no more masks to hide behind…I have to treasure them. Who knows how long I’ll be able to keep this up for. If this is only one of the first trials, I hate to think what the latter will offer. More pleasure, yes, but more pain. Death, even.

We’re still floating, albeit just.

I clear my throat, pulse skipping. "Should we, ah, end the spell now?"

"No need to rush, my pet." He strokes a hand down my side, sending a tremor up my ribs. "I rather like having you suspended here, all to myself."

"We're still in the middle of a lesson," I point out, fighting a smile.

"Consider this extra credit." He dips his head, teeth grazing my earlobe.

My breaths come faster, skin tingling in anticipation.

His fingers track over my hip. Our faces remain locked, a heady mix of emotions swirling in his eyes—possession, desire, something I dare not name.

Need and shadow gather inside me, urging me to close the distance between us. I wet my lips. This is probably going to kill me, but to hell with it. You only die once. “Shall we go again, Professor? I do not believe I have learnt my lesson.”

A slow, wicked smile spreads across his face. "Is that so?

I can already feel his cock lifting to attention.

"Fuck me again…for good measure." The words emerge breathy and laced with promise, words I never thought I’d hear coming from my mouth.

He groans, the sound rumbling through his chest. "You'll be the death of me, little lamb."

I arch into him, our bodies pressed together in a silent demand. "Not yet. As you said, another lesson."

His eyes flash with heat and something darker, more primal. "On your hands and knees then, witchling."

The magic that had been keeping us afloat dissipates, the two of us coming to the floor.

We separate and I do my best to move into position, a rush of arousal making me lightheaded.

The air is cool against my exposed skin, the cobblestone hard against my knees. Goosebumps rise along my skin, a miniature army.

I chance a look over my shoulder and find him watching me with naked hunger. This look in his eyes? It’s precious. I’ve seen men staring at me with desire, but this gaze is…it’s rare. It’s got ‘I’ve got to have you right here, right now’ written in it. It’s the closest I’ve seen to desperation yet.

He's stroking himself.

"Like what you see, Professor?" I ask, injecting a teasing lilt into my tone.

"Very much so." His voice is rough with desire. "Now be a good girl and hold still. This lesson requires...practice to master."

I inhale sharply, anticipation thrumming through my veins. So he means to undo me completely, one whispered promise and clever caress at a time.

And I will let him. Gladly.

I’d happily slit my wrists and let him fuck the literal life out of me if he asked.

He settles behind me, the hard length of his cock nestling between my thighs. I squirm, trying to angle my hips for more friction, but he grips my waist, holding me in place.

"Patience." His breath ghosts over the back of my neck. "Or I'll have to punish you."

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