Page 80 of The Blood Witch

“That was a mistake,” Alastair hissed. But he didn’t move. He kept Jasper pressed to the wall, kept himself pressed against him.

“Oh, really?” Jasper asked, smiling. He rolled his hips, and Alastair groaned as Jasper’s body rocked against his. There was no hiding what the kiss had done to him. “That right there? That doesn’t feel like you think it’s a mistake, boss.”

“Fuck,” Alastair said again. He pushed himself away from the wall, turning away from Jasper. He needed some distance, needed to catch his breath. He needed to think without this fucking hunger clouding his mind.

“You need to leave,” Alastair said, gesturing at the door. “This shouldn’t have happened. This can’t happen.”

Jasper laughed. He hadn’t moved, still leaning smugly against the wall, smirking. “What are you talking about? This is a good thing, isn’t it? You want me, too.” His eyes were bright. “I was right, wasn’t I? I can’t believe it. This is… the three of us we’re?—”

“Don’t you dare finish that fucking sentence.”

Jasper laughed again, shaking his head. “Alastair, are you really that repressed?”

Alastair shook his head. “I’ve fucked men before, Jasper. That’s not… that’s not the problem.”

“Then what?” Jasper closed the space between them, reaching up toclasp the back of Alastair’s neck. “The three of us could be so good together,” he whispered. “Goddess, just imagine it.”

Alastair angrily slapped Jasper’s hand away. “There’s nothreeof us. There’s no us. I love Fey. I can’t lose that. I can’t lose her.”

Jasper frowned. “So? I’m not trying to get between you and her. Don’t you get that? It’sus. Thethree of us.And once she hears about this?—”

“No.” Panic flooded his chest. “No, she can’t know what we just did. She can’t know any of this. I can’t risk losing her if she… if she doesn’t understand.”

Jasper’s face went cold, eyes darkening.

“This shouldn’t have happened. I shouldn’t have touched you like that.”

“But you did,” Jasper said, voice dropping to a low growl.

“You fucking provoked me!” Alastair shouted. Enough. He’d put up with enough.

“Get out,” Alastair snapped, pointing toward the door. “Get out of my office. You’re fired.”

Jasper snorted a laugh, and Alastair ground his teeth together so hard his jaw cracked.

“I’m not kidding this time, Jasper,” he said, looking up. “You crossed a line. Get your shit and get the fuck off my property. You’re officially unemployed. Ferus can take you off the roster, but I don’t want to see you here again.”

Jasper’s smile slipped from his face, and the look of hurt that filled his eyes shattered something in Alastair’s chest.

“Fuck you,” Jasper said. Then he turned around and walked out of Alastair’s office, slamming the door behind him.

Chapter 36

AMALIA

This time, when Vee came through the window, Amalia was ready. Despite what she’d said about there being no guards, Vee never seemed to bother with entering the palace properly, like she was a guest. No, she liked to come to Amalia’s window. Liked to surprise her.

But ever since she’d eaten her evening meal, Amalia had been waiting eagerly. And when she heard the soft click of claws on glass, she wasn’t surprised.

Amalia tried not to look too excited as she pushed the window open to let Vee in.

“Hi,” Vee greeted her, smiling.

“Hi,” Amalia whispered back.

Their faces were mere inches from one another, almost close enough to touch…

Clearing her throat politely, Amalia stepped away from the window to let her in. “I… I wasn’t sure you would be coming tonight,” she said, twisting her hands together. “I didn’t have anything planned for us, I’m sorry to say. What—what did you want to do?”

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