Page 85 of Forever Touched

The kiss became heated. Tongues and teeth clashed, our need for each other growing like a wildfire. I lifted up even more so I could suck his bottom lip into my mouth and thoroughly taste him, then greedily bit into the soft flesh.

When he violently shuddered against me, I did it again. He lowered his hands to grab my backside and grind me against him. Feeling how hard he was, I purred through our bond,Do you like it when I bite you?

As I continued to nibble on the flesh like he was my personal chew toy, he quietly groaned,I’m going to come in my pants if you keep doing that.

I was tempted to make him, but I’d already been away for too long. Heath and Mistress would have heard about my disappearance by now and had no doubt ordered the bouncers to search for me.

With a resigned sigh, I ended our blissful moment and forced myself to pull away.

“Everett,” I started.

“I know,” he replied, not needing me to finish.

We paused to catch our breaths and allow the arousal between us to settle.

And then he said, “I’ll let you go, but I’m not leaving. If I think you’re in danger, I’m coming for you again. And if anyone stands in my way, they’re dead.”

“Everett,” I began, but I didn’t know what to say. I hated that he was here, but I hated the thought of him leaving even more.

“You’re more important to me than anything, Adalyn. I’ll allow you to do your job, but I won’t tolerate you getting hurt. That’s all I can promise you.”

My heart fluttered, his words warming me like a blanket. A sudden need to protect him hit me, and I blurted before I could thinkbetter of it, “I’ll tell Mistress that I’m not feeling well tonight. If she thinks I’m too weak to perform, she’ll let me go home.”

His relief flooded our bond so swiftly that my knees almost buckled. “Oh, thank God,” he breathed and gathered me into his arms. He held me so tightly that it was nearly impossible to pull away.

But I did. I forced myself to leave our little closet bubble and face whatever came next. It wouldn’t be pretty, but I felt lighter, certain I’d made the right decision—forbothof us.

Rocky found me a minute later. As he checked me over for injuries, he looked worried but didn’t say anything. A quick phone call had Mistress joining us soon after.

“What happened?” she demanded. “I received several reports that you fell and then disappeared.”

“I don’t know,” I replied, trying my best to appear dazed. “I must have passed out. When I came to, I was in a closet.”

Her gaze hardened as if she didn’t quite believe me. I tensed, certain she’d try to thrall me. Instead, she turned to Rocky and said, “Did you see any sign of Prince Everett tonight?”

My throat closed.

He opened his mouth, then slowly closed it and replied, “No, ma’am.”

“Well, keep a lookout. If you have even the slightest suspicion that he’s here, inform me immediately.” She whirled back to me and grabbed my arm. “Come. You need to get back out there.”

As she swept down the hallway with me in tow, I allowed myself to stumble a little. To showweakness. “I’m not . . . I’m not feeling very well, Mistress.”

“Enoughof this, Adalyn,” she snapped. “You have a job to do.”

When she continued to drag me forward, I tripped again, nearly falling to my knees.

Growling, she whipped around and yanked me upright by my hair. “You’re useless.Useless!” she screamed in my face.

Pain shot through my scalp, and Everett’s voice immediately filled my head.Adalyn, what’s wrong? I can feel your pain. Adalyn! Screw this, I’m coming to get you.

No!I inwardly cried, struggling to keep my composure in the face of Mistress’s wrath.I can handle this. Please don’t let her see you.

He didn’t respond, but his silence said far more than words ever could. If I didn’t get this situation under control soon, he would make good on his earlier promise.

“I don’t knowwhyI put up with you,” Mistress continued to rail at me, giving my head a shake. “Mortals are so weak and pathetic, always needing to be taken care of. You’re more trouble than you’re worth these days, Adalyn.”

“I’m sorry, Mistress,” I started, then had the balls to add, “I just need a little food and rest. Then I can—”

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