Page 104 of Dark Awakening

A hopeful smile appears as she answers me. “I know.”

Danica

54

We stayed up for hours, poring over the ancient tome of Aetheria until the sun peeked through the window. My eyelids drooped from exhaustion, and I finally fell asleep, drifting off in bed with Rhyland well into the afternoon. After I regain consciousness, my stomach rumbles, reminding me it is time to hunt for food.

I descend the marble spiral staircase and cross the foyer to the hotel lobby, weaving through potted palms. The cheerful smell of bacon wafts from the Grab-n-Go Deli, and I decide on a turkey sandwich. I pay for it with cash and thank the young employee behind the counter before climbing the staircase to Rhyland’s luxurious suite.

Rhyland is hunched over the bar, nursing a glass of scotch. When he sees me coming through the door, his eyes widen, and he quickly sets the drink down and rushes over to me. His forehead is creased with worry as he questions why I left without my phone.

The light of day still shines outside, and the guilt of having caused him distress makes me offer an apology. “I didn’t want to wake you,” I say softly. “I just wanted to grab some food.”

He pulls me closer, wrapping his arms around my waist in a protective embrace.

“It’s alright, Angel. Next time, just come to me and tell me what you need from me,” he commands gently.

I give a snarky laugh, “Rhyland, please. I’m an adult. It would be best if you weren’t my knight in shining armor regarding food. I can handle feeding myself. And quite well, thank you,” I say with a wink.

“Oh, baby, we both know you can do that.” His lips curl up into a cocky smirk. “But that’s not what I meant. I want you to be safe, especially considering our current situation."

I nod in agreement, “Okay, I understand.”

He gently kisses my forehead, and his stubble tickles my skin. He smiles, revealing the dimple on his left cheek, making my heart race. I stroll to the dining table, salivating at the delicious sandwich I'm about to unwrap. Sitting down gracefully on the edge of the table, I tear open the paper and feast on succulent layers of tender meat, fresh vegetables, and creamy cheese between two slices of soft, golden-brown bread.

The sharp tang of pickled cucumber and the warmth of melted cheese tantalize my senses. I bite, and as I chew, my stomach gently uncurls after what feels like days without food. My eyes roll back in ecstasy, and I have to stifle a moan from escaping my lips.

How long has it been since I’ve last eaten? I can’t remember.

I devour my meal like a wild animal, barely stopping for air. I lift my eyes and see Rhyland’s gaze fixed on me. My face burns, and I quickly dab the crumbs from my mouth with a napkin.

"Sorry, I must look like a starved beast," I laugh nervously under his scrutiny.

Rhyland strides over with a predatorial purpose. I freeze, my pulse racing as he wedges himself between my legs. "Never apologize for your appetite, Angel," he rumbles. Snatching the sandwich away, he tosses it across the room.

“Hey…You can’t be serious!” I exclaim, my mouth still full of food. “I wasn’t done yet!”

He stares longingly at me, “Hungry, baby?” he purrs with a hint of a smirk, “The way you devour that sandwich is making me quite jealous.”

I hastily gulp down the coarse lump. “Seriously? A spongy hunk of bread and processed ingredients is what you’re green with envy for?” I query, lifting my brows.

He chuckles. “No. If you want to savor something, I have something even better for you to wrap your lips around.”

I smirk in response. “Oh, really now?”

He leans forward, pressing his lips against mine. His touch sends my hunger soaring, and any thought of food is replaced with a ravenous craving for him instead. I eagerly reach down to unfasten his belt, ready to devour the pleasure he can offer.

He aggressively rips my shirt, exposing my bare chest. His scorching lips caress and suck my neck as his hands firmly clasp my breasts. His tongue trails down, expertly flicking and sucking my nipples. As I plead for more, arching into his hungry mouth.

My heart races as I suddenly remember his two brothers sleeping just one room away.

Rhyland must notice me tense up because he pauses, biting my nipple lightly with his teeth before speaking against my chest in a hushed whisper.

“Don’t worry…they’re asleep.”

I huff out a shaky breath, letting go of my apprehensions. Rhyland’s hands embrace me tightly as I wrap my legs around him, feeling his large erection pushing through his jeans against my aroused core. I need him exposed and in me now; every fabric that shrouds us must be removed.

Rhyland wastes no time as he rips off his shirt and fumbles to free himself of his jeans. His hands quickly tug at the fabric of my yoga pants. I eagerly work with him in a feverish attempt to get them off my body. The raw hunger between us is so electrifying that it only spikes our need for each other.

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