Page 18 of Balor

He slid a hand through my hair and cupped the back of my head, holding me in place. “I’m right here, Belladonna.”

The more time I spent with him, the more I realized I didn’t want to leave. I wanted to stay. With him. I leaned in closer, until my lips were only a breath away from his. His eyes were locked on mine, and I saw the way his pupils dilated.

“What if I asked you to complete our bond?”

His fingers tightened on my shoulder. “Are you saying you want me?”

“I think I do.”

He cupped my cheek and leaned down until his breath mingled with mine. “Ask me when you’re certain. I may have taken you multiple times, but once we truly become one, there’s no going back.”

“Please,” I said again, barely above a whisper.

Balor closed the distance between us, his lips capturing mine. The room fell away, until there was nothing but the two of us. He deepened the kiss, his tongue sliding against mine. I clutched his shirt and shifted until I straddled his lap. His hands gripped my hips, holding me in place. I felt his fingers flex and wished our clothes were gone. I’d give him anything. Everything.

I rocked against him, feeling his length pressing against me. He broke the kiss, his breaths coming out harsh. He cupped my face with his hands and rested his forehead against mine.

“Not like this,” he said. “You deserve better. If you truly want us to be bonded, then I’ll consider it. But not today.”

“If that’s what you want.”

He closed his eyes and I saw the way his jaw tightened. “It’s not what I want at all. You’re in my blood, Belladonna. So deep I can’t get you out.”

I saw the way his throat worked as he swallowed. “Then take what’s being offered.”

His gaze met mine again and I saw the hunger in his eyes. “Not yet.”

I felt like I was missing something. Did bonding mean something different for him? Even though I’d been told he was a mage, and he’d admitted as much, he didn’t seem like the average sort. It made me realize how little I knew about the differences in him and others of his kind, much less Balor and any other supernatural being I’d ever met. It was almost like we weren’t even speaking the same language.

He urged me to stand, and I felt bereft the moment I was no longer touching him. I reached for his hand and he let me take it, let me lead him from the library. I didn’t know where we were going, but I knew I didn’t want him to leave. He walked at my side, our fingers entwined, and I felt the weight of his gaze.

“Can we spend more time together?” I asked.

“Of course. What would you like to do?”

“Do you have a TV? I haven’t noticed one.”

He smiled faintly. “There’s one. I’ll show you where it is. Are you wanting to watch a movie together?”

I nodded. “Can we have popcorn too?”

“There might be some in the kitchen. Let’s check, then we’ll head to the den.”

I didn’t know why he’d referred to it that way, until I saw it. Once we had some popcorn, he took me to a room that felt like it was in the center of the house. No windows since it was flanked by rooms on every side. He snapped his fingers and wall sconces lit up. Twinkling lights covered the dark ceiling, making it look like the night sky. I’d never seen anything so beautiful before.

“I love this room.”

He kissed my cheek. “I’m glad. It’s one of my favorites. Get comfortable and I’ll find the remote.”

While I settled on the couch, I watched his every move, admiring the lines of his body and the way his muscles bunched and flexed. I’d come here with a goal, but I had a feeling I was going to end up with so much more. Balor was changing my life. I wasn’t sure he truly realized how much. Being a guy, he could very well view things differently from me. What I thought was a huge deal, might be inconsequential to him.

I could only hope that maybe I’d change his too -- for the better.

Chapter Seven

Balor

Belladonna stood at the threshold of the mansion, her fiery hair a stark contrast against the overcast sky. The heavy wooden doors creaked closed behind us. Her green eyes held a determined glint, her chin lifted in defiance.

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