Page 70 of Villainous Greed

“Sex is fun in case you didn’t know,” she said.

I didn’t dare admit I knew nothing but the horrors at Derrick’s camp.

August would know despite being a virgin, and that was enough.

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I didn’t stay but a few minutes with Sofia. Since Derrick was after me, I didn’t want to put her at risk. August would be furious that I left the woods without him, but I felt better after speaking with Sofia. When I ported into his room, my mate was still asleep.

My mate.

There was a weightlessness coursing through my body as I gazed at him. Years of pain seemed to fall off my shoulders. His arm was slung over the empty side where I had been. We should be out destroying the last of Harvest’s hideouts. But the longer I stayed around August, the less hurried I became about getting my revenge. My enemies would always come searching for me. I’d never gotten to be anything more than a weapon someone wanted to shackle. At that moment, however, watching August sleep became a priority.

I had never been only myself, and I didn’t know who I was. With August, I just existed. I was his marked soulmate. I’d learn the rest as I went.

Slipping under the blanket beside him, I lifted his arm and slid closer. With a groan, he shifted onto his side, arms outstretched. August draped some of his weight over me, and his scent engulfed me. Those tingly bursts of magic flourished inside my stomach as his body heat seeped through my clothes. Hands at his chest, I breathed in his scent, memorizing every detail.

An ache settled deep within me, where the throbbing began at my core.

I remained still as my body went berserk. There was no other word to describe the loss of control I felt when I let myself go around August.

Breathing heavily, I finally moved my hands over his chest. I had no clue why I kept touching him, but it was as if I lost reason. I rubbed his shoulder, then his neck, only pausing when that rampant need stole my breath.

I had no one to blame but myself for touching August every time I could.

Suddenly, August’s hand covered mine on his neck. His eyes cracked open as he moved his head closer to mine. His breath heated my cheek and made my overwhelming need worse.

“What are you doing?” he asked, his voice hoarse from sleep.

“I went to see Sofia,” I said. I didn’t have a reason or explanation for touching him.

He scowled. “You can’t leave on your own. It’s dangerous.”

“I’mdangerous.”

“You don’t have to tell me what I know. What I don’t know is what Harvest or Derrick are planning.” August rubbed his thumb over mine, gaze softening. “I won’t lose you again. I’m done if I lose you again. There’snothingthat’ll keep me in this world without you. Do you understand?”

Fear slithered through me. I understood all too well what living was like in that cell and how I wanted it to end. Like me, August had always seen his immortality as a burden.The thought of one of us dying at odds with each other, never knowing the truth, made my chest tighten.

“I’ll wake you next time,” I whispered.

His throat moved beneath my palm as he swallowed. “Maybe I shouldn’t sleep until this is over.”

“Sleep. You’re tired. I won’t take the risk again.”

August’s lips curled up. “I am, but not so much that I don’t notice your hands on me.”

I yanked my hands away as my body heated all over.

Grabbing my arm, he held my palm against his stomach. “Go on,” he encouraged. “I won’t object to your curiosity.”

He held my gaze with his as he slipped our hands beneath his shirt. The heat of his skin and the slight hair brushing mypalm sent sparks of pleasure channeling through my stomach. I’d never understand how touching him brought about so many sensations inside me. I explored his stomach, letting my fingers slide up his chest. The whites of his eyes blackened. At least, he was feeling some sort of extreme emotion, too.

August caressed my chin, leaning closer as I explored. My heart hammered in my chest. “Tell me when to stop,” he said, right before he pressed his lips to mine.

Ecstasy flowed through me. He pulled away, absorbing every detail of me, like he wanted to brand it to memory. He had me in a wondrous daze. His lips curled up on one side, eyes still blackened, as he leaned in again. He kissed me, crushing his lips into mine. As I moaned, he took advantage of the opportunity to slide his top lip between mine, sucking on my bottom lip. Pleasure crashed into me, sparking the throbbing between my legs. I ran fingers through his hair, pulling him close as that needy sensation rocked through me.

I felt wild and fevered. He only made things worse when his tongue darted into my mouth, plunging into me in a way that drove me crazy. My body shook as August overloaded my senses.

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