Page 73 of Legacy of Chaos

The difference was that Rade’s trauma hadn’t been of his making, and he didn’t remember any of it.

“What if sex wasn’t something you needed?” she asked.

Pure. Bliss. “I’d give up half my company for that. But I don’t follow.”

She wheeled around and then paced back toward him, her brow wrinkled in thought. “Well…since Chaos’s death, you wait until the last second to put off experiencing the negative associations and side effects. But all that’s doing is reinforcing them. What if youwantsex instead of needing it?”

“But I don’t want sex.”

She huffed and rolled her eyes. Then she unbuttoned her shirt.Hisshirt. Knowing it was his filled him with an unexpected primal possessiveness he’d never experienced before. He kind of…liked it. She could wear anything of his she wanted.

The oversized denim work shirt peeled open to reveal her two perfect breasts cradled in a black satin bra. When they’d fucked earlier, he’d determined that the left was slightly larger and heavier than the right by a few grams, and that was perfect to him.

“What are you doing?”

She unbuttoned her pants. Slowly. Far slower than necessary. Especially considering they were in a time crunch to save the world. Was she trying to seduce him? It wouldn’t work.

His cock twitched like it wanted to argue otherwise.

She dropped her pants to her feet, so she was standing there in nothing but her matching bra and panties, the harsh lights above bathing her creamy skin in a cool radiance. His pulse kicked up as he dragged his gaze up her long, slender legs that stretched from high-arched feet to a tight bubble ass.

He’d always liked a little junk in the trunk.

Not that he really cared. Sex was sex, and he wouldn’t partake at all if he didn’t have to. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t appreciate the female form or have favorite parts of it. He was, after all, male. And a lust demon. Lusting for what only a female could give him was part of the deal.

He cleared his throat. “If you’re attempting to seduce me—”

“I’m not.” She came closer, invading his personal space, her breasts rolling gently with every step. “I’m attempting to get you out of your head.”

He barked out a surprised laugh. “Good luck with that.”

“My mom was a psychologist,” she said, a touch of defensiveness in her tone. “I know a little about it.”

“And? My dad is a paramedic. I couldn’t tell you how to intubate someone.” Actually, he could, but only because he’d read all of his father’s medical manuals when he was a bored kid. But knowing wasn’t the same as doing. Hands-on experience was invaluable. Even he knew that.

“I’m going to look forward to your apology,” she said, reaching out to trail one long nail up his back as she walked around him. He admired her confidence, so he’d play her game. “What am I touching?”

Strange question. “You’re touching me.”

“What body part?” Her tone was sharp. She wasn’t messing around. “Be specific.”

“My shoulder,” he said warily.

She dug her nails into his skin, and he sucked in a sharp breath at the unexpected yet…pleasant sting. “More specific.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he rumbled. “Right deltoid muscle.” The muscle twitched beneath her fingertips as if excited about being singled out.

She stepped in front of him and brought both hands up to the collar of his shirt. Her fingers were nimble, making quick work of the buttons.

He considered stopping her, but now he was curious to see where she was willing to take this.

Also, his cock was becoming curious, too, and it had been a long time since that’d happened. At least since it had happened naturally: arousalforsomeone and not the sudden, desperate need for release demanded by unmet Seminus requirements.

She pressed her warm palm against his chest. “Now, what am I touching?”

“Outer dermis. Beneath that, my right and left pectoralis major. And in the middle, my sternum.”

“Wow,” she said, one eyebrow arching high on her forehead. “You know your anatomy.”