Page 83 of Sublime Target

But he was always intense, no matter what mood he was in.

She was starting to get used to him. He was never cruel or malicious or terrifying.

He was just… Kordolian.

And he’d never made her feel like she was lesser.

“I hope you fixed whatever was bothering you,” she quipped as he walked slowly toward her, his movement reminding her of a big hunting cat. Everything about him was so fluid and intentional.

“No, I didn’t.” He walked over to where she was standing, her arm draped across the back of the seat.

She was trying to act casual, like she was in control, but really, she was falling to pieces.

The memory of his kiss was seared into her mind. She’d never been able to shake it off. Since he’d left, she’d thought about it daily, probably even hourly.

Nothing she’d experienced had ever compared to that moment. When his lips touched hers, for the first time in her life, she’d felt like everything was in its right place.

Of course she wanted him to take it further.

But why was he acting so mysterious, leading her on with his alien charm, then disappearing on her like that?

He reached the seat where she was standing and rested his arm against the back so his forearm was pressed against hers. She felt his warmth through the soft fabric of his jacket. She got a sense of his sheer power; of how restrained he was being right now.

They locked eyes.

Jerik inhaled deeply, shuddering. His nostrils flared. His lips curved into a taut smile. “I’m a simple man, Clarissa. I follow my instincts. Act first and deal with the consequences later. When I see something I want, I will go for it. I’m not perfect, but I am loyal and protective of my own—to a fault. I seek companionship. A mate to wake up alongside. Someone I can enjoy talking about mundane and ordinary things with. Who I can spoil completely and utterly. But you already know that.”

“I… I didn’t know I was even looking for someone,” she replied. “But you changed my mind.”

“Then all I ask is that you let me.”

“Let you what?” Her heartbeat became a roar in her ears. Her body was wound tightly, ready to unravel at the slightest touch. She already knew, but she wanted to hear him say it.

“Let me show you my true intentions.” His hand found hers. He twined his fingers through hers. There was something smooth and strange on his palm. She looked down, turning his hand over so she could see it. A black patch about the size of a coin adhered to both his palm and the back of his hand. It was like glue or paint, only it had formed a seamless seal with his skin, and it moved as he moved.

Like a second skin.

“Wh-what is that?”

“A temporary thing. It’s nothing that will harm you. Nothing for you to worry about.” He leaned closer, tracing his fingers up her bare arm, sending a shiver dancing down her spine. “Now, come here. I’ve waited for you for far too long.”

At his words, something inside her snapped, and she found herself dancing around the damn chair until she was in his arms. His body pressed against hers, and she could easily feel his sculpted form through the sleek material of his outfit. She could feel his hardness down there, too, and there was no doubt he was insistent and big.

With tender fingers, he caressed her, sliding his hands up and down her back, feeling her bare skin through the delicate mesh of her dress. He planted a soft kiss on the base of her neck, inhaling deeply, appearing to savor her scent.

Sweet stars, nobody had ever savored her like this before.

Then he trailed kisses up her neck and along her jawline before finding her lips. He kissed her again and again, probing with his tongue, allowing her to touch the sharp points of his fangs, which never, ever caused her pain, not even breaking her skin.

She wouldn’t even mind if that happened.

She kissed him back, unleashing a hunger she’d suppressed for far too long.

He was the first man to ever make her feel like this, and she was going to savor him as much as he did her.

As he explored her body with his devious fingers, she, too, ran her hands over him, feeling the rippling muscles of his back through fluid silk. It was the most decadent thing. He was pure power, and he was under her fingertips, arcing against her touch as if it were the most pleasurable thing.

He moved his arms, and suddenly…

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