Page 61 of Hell Storm

I was mesmerized with the control I seemed to have over him in this moment—this powerful prince.

“It’s okay,” I assured him. “You have my permission.”

His eyes flashed open with those words, and I noted how they’d changed, how the whites surrounding his irises had filled with darkness. It was an indicator that he was suddenly less himself than before. Still, I didn’t falter.

Drawing my lip between my teeth, I nodded to let him know I was sure.

It was that last silent nudge that prompted him to give in to the need. Right before my eyes, his cheekbones jutted out, taking on a more angular look than before, his parted lips revealed a set of deadly fangs that made a breath hitch in my throat. We were so close, face-to-face, and yet … I wasn’t afraid. In fact, offering myself to him brought a morsel of relief.

Levi’s head tilted, and I saw how powerful his hunger had grown now that he no longer had to bridle it.

“Wait,” I called out. Surprisingly, he had the wherewithal to stop. “Not like this,” I panted.

His nostrils flared with impatience as I withdrew my wrist, inching my body closer to his until the softness of my chest melded against him. His skin was no longer ice cold. It matched my temperature so closely that I nearly forgot who he was …whathe was.

I tilted my head, offering my neck to him instead.

“This is how you like it, right?”

My question went unanswered, but I instantly felt a sharp breath against my throat. The awareness of how dangerous that was made goosebumps sprout over every inch of my skin.

His lips were so warm now, even his tongue as it danced dizzying swirls over the spot he intended to bite. What little space there had been between us disappeared completely when I was brought closer. I guessed he couldn’t stand the distance any more than I could.

Both legs entangled with his, and I barely noticed when his lengthy fangs sank into a vein. Had it not been for the sudden rush of lightheadedness, I might not have noticed at all. The sound of a primal moan being breathed next to my ear made me embrace him tighter, drawing his trim hips between my thighs.

What is this hold he has on me?

Why can’t I will myself to fear him, like I’m certain I should?

Why is he the only thing on my mind at a time when I should be scared for my life?

He took one last swallow and my skin tugged a bit as his fangs retracted. Worried he’d pull away completely, I gripped the nape of his neck, running my fingers through the back of that pristinely-tapered haircut of his. I wanted to make a mess of it because he was always so particular about his appearance. Actually, I had the intense urge to dirty him up in general.

I’d done so well to wait this long, hadn’t I?

Wasn’t it okay to give in now?

“Corina.” He breathed my name, and it was the most delicious thing I’d ever heard.

Hearing it only quickened the hurried trails of my hands as they maneuvered down his tight body. I was trembling with need by the time I reached his belt buckle, panting greedy breaths against his ear. The only thing I’d ever wanted more than this was air, and eventhattook a backseat to passion.

Passion … that’s what Levi brought out of me. Yes, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t knee-deep in a sexual fantasy about him, but I wanted more than that. The physical connection would be amazing, I was sure, but I mostly looked forward to the moment my very soul would be open to receive his.

Long fingers looped my wrists, and had it not been for Levi’s strength, I would have pulled his belt free from another loop.

He leaned away, and I blinked to focus on his stare. What I found there was unexpected. Yes, there was lust, passion, and need, but … there was also a strong resolve I didn’t understand at first.

“We can’t.”

Those two words were like pouring a bucket of ice into a steaming hot bath.

What the … ?

“We … can’t? Why?” I asked, nearly begging by that point, unashamedly reaching for his belt a second time.

A deep laugh fluttered to my ears, and I just about melted at the sound of it.

“We can’t because you didn’t offer yourself to me forthat,”he explained.“You made a kind gesture, and quite honestly, I’d feel like less than a gentleman if things went any further than this.”

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