Page 34 of The Daughters of Nyx

Face softening, her gaze traced over my half-hidden form. It was undoubtedly easier to face her when there’d been a desk between us and she couldn’t fully see me. But here, standing in my apartment doorway, I felt slightly exposed.

“I felt like I should come and introduce myself properly,” she said, her accent soft as she gave me a tight-lipped smile. Red, matte lipstick painted her mouth, contrasting with her

pale skin, yet accenting the silk blouse she wore. “My name is Maeve.”

She stuck out a hand, which I blinked down at for a moment before lightly grasping. Electricity flared across my skin at the touch; I pulled back and clutched my hand to my chest. A frown played across Maeve’s face as she stared at her still outstretched hand.

“Oops,” I said, trying to laugh away the awkwardness. “Static electricity. I think that’s a thing in old buildings like this, right?”

Maeve’s frown only deepened, but after a moment, the smile returned, forced, and maybe even a little bitter. “Sure.”

Clearing my throat, I offered her a smile. “Well, I’m Ivy. My roommate, Thea, is inside. We both work at theCamilla, and mostly work lates so we’re here during the day but gone until late. If you need anything though, let us know.”

“If we do, I’m sure Adrian will let you know,” Maeve replied, and that bitterness seemed a little more potent. “The other you have yet to meet properly is Elias. We won’t be around as much as Rowan or Adrian, but if you need anything from us, please reach out.”

I nodded silently as she turned, though she seemed to hesitate a moment before throwing a look over her shoulder. “It’s been a pleasure talking to you, Ivy,” she said, my name on her lips sending a shiver down my spine. “I hope we can get to know one another better in the future.”

“I would like that,” I replied quietly. Her eyes flared, and for a moment, I waited to see if she’d say more.

Instead, she nodded once and turned back to her apartment, slipping inside without looking back.

“What the fuck was that?” Thea hissed, appearing beside me. She stared over my shoulder at the now closed apartment door, eyes wide. “She’s terrifying.”

I pushed her back into our apartment and closed the door, locking it behind me. “She was introducing herself. I think she’s nice.”

Thea snorted. “You think she’s hot.” My cheeks burned with the accusation, but fuck, okay, I thought she was. Hot didn’t even describe the level of beauty that woman had.

With a shrug, I started for my bedroom. “I’m going to pack for the retreat.”

Behind me, Thea snickered. “Don’t take too long.”

It wasn’t until I’d closed the door that I realised what she was insinuating. Her laughter followed her into the bathroom, leaving me more uncertain of my own feelings—and how I should act around my new neighbours.

~

Darkness pooled around me, swallowing all the light and drowning me in a sea of black. For a moment, I floated in the shadows, my body soaring through the never ending abyss, until I fell.

Weightlessness gave way to soft silk and the decadent scent of dark chocolate and spice. I breathed in the aroma, drunk on it as soon as it filled my lungs.

Warm breath fanned against my cheek, sending shivers down my spine. The scent was stronger now, as if it belonged to the person hovering above me.

I opened my eyes and found only the shadow of a man, his lips sharp like fire as they traced kisses against my cheek, and down the

corner of my mouth. His weight above me was both comforting and teasing, the press of his covered erection against my thigh almost a promise of something more.

Arching into his touch, I felt his chest rumble as his lips claimed mine. It was nothing like I expected and yet, everything I wanted. Stars exploded behind my eyes as I felt his hand circle my throat, the weight calming with little pressure added. I almost wanted him to squeeze, ready to beg for it as he pulled away.

“Fuck, little flower.” His violet eyes darkened as they roamed over my body, never once filling with disgust as he took in every roll, every stretch mark and blemish marring my skin. I hadn’t even realised I was naked until now, completely bare to him. “You are beautiful.”

I whimpered as his lips found mine once more, the sweetness of his kiss now gone, replaced with a feral need to claim. Warmth pooled in my stomach as his tongue dipped between my lips and he forced his way into my mouth. My hands caught in his hair to keep him with me, to keep this dream going as long as possible. To keep this fantasy from facing reality.

The hand around my throat disappeared. His fingers trailed fire down my side. I arched into his touch, squirming beneath his ministrations, needing more of him—needing all of him.

Reaching the dip of my stomach and thigh, he captured my hip with his large hand and forced my legs open for him. The knee that had been wedging my thighs open moved; cold air teased my wet core, a shiver racing down my spine as his hand moved again, this time towards the tight bundle of nerves begging for attention.

Never once did he break the kiss. The taste of him overwhelmed me, a hint of cinnamon exploding across my tastebuds with each swipe of his tongue.

The first gentle brush of his thumb against my clit almost pushed me to the edge.

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