Page 56 of Beneath the Watching

“Just you,” I said softly.

Stefan trailed kisses across my cheekbone and then down my neck, pausing to nibble at the flesh behind my ear. “We can’t stay here but don’t think for a single second your foray into the woods will go unpunished.”

“You’re going to punish me?”

His irises swirled red. “I haven’t decided yet if I’ll use my teeth, a belt or my hands on your precious ass.” He twisted me around, so my back was flush with his chest, and he rubbed his very eager erection against my rear. “Or perhaps another part of me?”

I stayed silent, enjoying the attention, and waiting to see what he’d do next.

“Don’t tell me Al hasn’t already claimed that part of you?”

I swallowed. “He hasn’t. No one has.” I pulled away, creating several feet of separation between us. My butt was a no-go zone, foranyone. “He can do that with Madison if he wants to.”

Confusion spread across Stefan’s face. “Why would you allow that?”

“I wouldn’t. You’re the one that told me they’re sleeping together.” It wasn’t something I liked to think about, but I couldn’t help it, not after what Stefan had said.

He reached for my hand, turning me around. “You’re going the wrong way. And I never said they were sleeping together.”

“You said I was betrayed.” Irritation crept up my spine.

His gaze burned hot. “You were, I didn’t lie to you about that.”

My step faltered, and then I stumbled. I would’ve fallen if he hadn’t steadied me. “I don’t understand,” I said, my heart thumping. He stared long enough for me to begin feeling self-conscious.

“I betrayed you. I watched you for so long it became impossible to stay away. There’s nothing pretty or romantic about my feelings for you, I’m the monster hiding in your closet, waiting in the shadows to grab you and drag you away.”

I opened my eyes and was faced with his sincere gaze. “I don’t care that you deserve better, I don’t care that Al was faithful to you, I still would’ve lured you into the dark and consumed you.”

“You could’ve just asked me,” I replied quietly. “Instead of saying you want to get rid of me.” The knowledge that he’d purposely organized his words to make me think things that weren’t true both annoyed and impressed me. I knew it was wrong of him. Oh, it was very,verywrong—but he cared so much that he was willing to do it. Nobody in my entire life had gone to so much trouble for me.

On the other hand, what else had he lied about?

Stefan bowed his head, staring at the ground as he led us back to the castle. “It's not you I want to be rid of,” he said carefully. “Its people. I don’t get close to anyone.”

“But you’re a priest. Or pastor. Isn’t it your job to be close to people?”

“That’s not why I’m a pastor.” He turned his head toward me slowly, an amused glint in his eyes. “I’m a pastor for the same reason I said you were betrayed.”

I stopped walking and began laughing. “What’s so funny?” he asked.

I couldn’t stop giggling; it took me nearly a minute to calm down. I glanced at the castle coming up in the distance, justpast the break in the trees. “It's funny because you're an unholy pastor, which most are anyway, and plus you’re a demon and you’ve got everyone fooled. But you’re the best candidate for being a pastorbecauseyou’re a demon.” I took a breath. “Who better to lead a congregation? I mean, obviously you know what you’re talking about.”

He looked surprised. “I hadn’t thought about it like that. Makes sense, in a roundabout way.” He smirked. “But you know that’s not why I do it.”

I grinned back at him. “I know.”

He whirled on me, grabbing the nape of my neck, and holding his lips over mine. “Are you sure you’re not unholy yourself?” Something flickered in his eyes but as quickly as I spotted it, it disappeared. “I know you’re a witch—my witch.”

Stefan’s hand moved from the back of my head, and he gripped my face with both hands, crushing his lips to mine. A tiny tremor ran through my body that excited him more than even my acceptance of him had.

His kiss was fervent, his mouth claiming me as his tongue slid against mine. The familiar taste of him filled me while my body relaxed into his when he dropped his arms to curl them around my waist.

When he finally let go of me, I was panting against his mouth. He lifted a hand and smoothed his knuckles down my cheek before he spoke. “If I can keep my hands off you long enough, we need to discuss your ability to hear voices further.”

The reminder was like someone dumped a bucket of ice over my head.

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