Page 174 of Barbi and the Villain

“Summon your energy at will and maintain it regardless of the circumstances. That is the first gate. Once you are able to do that, you will also be able to mask your energy signature.”

“Oh, okay,” I mumble.

We stare at each other for moments on end. Nyk taps his foot restlessly against the ground, his jaw ticking with impatience.

“Well, what are you waiting for? Summon your energy. You know how to do that,” he instructs.

My lashes flutter in confusion.

Do I?

Until now, I’ve summoned it by chance when my emotions were out of control.

“Uhm, how do I do that?” I ask, embarrassed.

He blinks, raising his brows at me. He slowly realizes how overwhelmed I am by all of this because as he speaks again, his voice is softer.

“Focus on your energy and bring that pretty pink shield to the surface, sweetheart.”

I take a deep breath and, closing my eyes, I try to focus on the shield.

Moments pass and nothing happens.

I release a sigh of frustration.

“I don’t know how!”

“You do,” Nykander counters. Taking a step forward, he cups my cheeks and presses a kiss on my lips. Heat travels down my body. A deep blush stains my cheeks.

But just as the kiss starts, it ends.

He backs away from me, a satisfied smile curving up his lips.

“See?” He nods toward me.

I look down at my body to see a pink shimmer surround me, the color slowly intensifying.

“Until you learn how to summon it at will, think of this,” he says as he gives me another kiss. “Think of all the ways I want to kiss you. All the ways I have yet to kiss you.”

“W-what ways?” I whisper.

My heart slams against my ribcage as I find myself utterly lost in those beautiful eyes of his. His pupils dilate, mirroring the desire reflected in my own.

“So many, Barbs.” He smirks. “From here”—he lifts his hand and presses his fingers to my lips—“to here…” He trails his fingers down my neck, pausing over my breasts. My nipples are hard and poking against the material of my thin dress. I’m not wearing a bra, and as his eyes zero in on that area, he makes a low, sexy sound deep in his throat. “Then here…” He continues downward, his fingers brushing against my stomach before they settle over my hip bone. He splays his palm over my pubic bone, his fingers achingly close to that place between my thighs that weeps for him.

“And then?” I ask on a breathless whimper.

He gives me a lopsided smile, but he doesn’t move, taunting me with that wicked pause.

Feeling my frustration mount, I grab his hand and push it lower until his palm curves around my mound. His touch is scorching hot, even though there are two layers of material separating it from my bare skin. He applies the slightest bit of pressure and I find myself moaning and throwing my head back in reckless abandon. Gripping his shirt in my fingers, I angle my body to give him better access.

“My greedy girl,” he drawls, his voice sending shivers down my back. “Go ahead, baby. Take what you need.”

My lips tremble as I’m unable to coherently express my desire or my wants. I fist his shirt tighter as I grind against his hand.

“Nyk,” I whisper.

He presses his hand deeper between my thighs, cupping my sex and stroking me gently.

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