Page 83 of Vengeful Guard

He snorts out a laugh, and I frown.

“You were unbelievable, sweetheart.”

I prop myself up on one elbow. “I always worried I’d be bad at it. Like, dead fish, you know?”

He scoffs. “You’re nothing like a dead fish, Paige. You don’t need to worry.”

I laugh. “It’s good to know that next time won’t be a disaster.”

He frowns. “Next time?”

“You know, like, when I meet someone.”

“Sure. Right.” Something about his tone seems snappy.

I cock an eyebrow. “Are you salty?”

“Salty? What does that mean?” He looks at me blankly, and I chuckle.

“Jealous.”

“Of course not.”

“Well, you went all quiet.”

“That’s because I’m drained. You sucked my soul out earlier.”

I snicker. “I’m glad I’m good at that, too.”

He rolls his eyes. “You’re a real natural.”

Oh, my god, was I bad? “Are you being sarcastic?”

“No, you really are. But no more talking about the next time, aye? My head might blow off.”

“You are jealous.” A grin spreads across my face.

“Maybe a little,” he mumbles, putting the pillow over his face.

I pull it off, kissing all over his face, but he grabs me around the waist, making me gasp. I wiggle under his grasp, but I’m not strong enough.

I huff. “One day, I’m going to be stronger than you.”

He laughs. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”

I kick him in the shin, and he yelps as I straddle his lap, grinning widely.

“Pinned you.”

He flips me over suddenly, looking down into my eyes, his own blue and intense. He holds me down even as I thrash around.

“If you don’t want to go again, princess, you should watch yourself.”

“I’ll be good,” I promise, but he looks at me like he doesn’t believe me.

Finally, I settle next to him, my head on his shoulder, and I can’t believe how fast I start to get sleepy.

I can only hope falling asleep in his arms saves me from the horror that usually awaits as soon as I close my eyes.

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