Page 29 of Half Dead

“Maybe this is why the band is so popular,” Alessandro suggested. “They get everybody’s juices flowing.”

Dan appeared unconvinced. “They were good, but they weren’tthatgood.”

Kane observed the lounge. “If anything changes or you see something suspicious, call me immediately.”

Josie gave him a weak salute.

The touch of Kane’s hand on my back reignited the earlier spark. He seemed to share my physical response because his hand migrated lower.

“You looked like a true goddess out there,” he said, as we descended the staircase to the lower level.

I cast him a sidelong glance. “Are you saying I don’t look like a goddess the rest of the time?”

He whirled toward me, pressing my back against the wall as he towered over me. “You radiate power and beauty every second of every day. It’s intoxicating.” His lips hovered dangerously close to mine. “I’d like to taste you now, if that’s agreeable to you.”

My stomach clenched as I anticipated his next move. “Oh, it’s very agreeable.”

His lips ghosted mine, sending spikes of desire through me. They pierced my breasts and thighs. The sensation was so intense, I half expected to see tiny bubbles of blood if I bothered to look.

Not that I would bother.

His mouth demanded more, and my lips parted to welcome him. He tasted like honey and grapefruit.

We tumbled through the door to the lair and nearly fell across the threshold in our effort to cling to each other. I gripped the hem of his shirt and lifted it over his head. My fingers found the scars on his back from his time in Lucifer’s clutches and traced them, a map of the pain he’d endured.

“Do they hurt?” I asked.

“Not when you touch them. With you, I’m whole again.”

“I’m not a healer, Kane.” I was a goddess of death, quite the opposite.

He cupped my face in his hands. “You see me as I am and accept me. That alone has helped me heal more than I can ever express.”

His words ripped all the air from my lungs. His lips. His scent. Every bit of my body burned for him. Being with Kane was like being consumed by the sun. Bright, hot, and unyielding.

We didn’t make it to the bed, which was fine with me. Mattresses were overrated anyway.

Only much later, satiated and exhausted, did we crawl under the new sheets to finally sleep. I had to admit, I enjoyed falling asleep in his arms as much as I enjoyed the earlier gymnastics.

I awoke the next morning to the aroma of fresh coffee. I stretched my arms over my head and opened my eyes. Kane’s side of the bed was rumpled and empty.

“Breakfast is ready if you’re hungry.”

“Always.” I swiped my discarded clothes off the floor and pulled them on before I joined him at the table.

He sprinkled hot sauce on his eggs. “This is very domestic of us. Shall we bake a cake next?”

“Can’t. We used up all the frosting last night.”

“I thought that was whipped cream.”

“It was, until we emptied the can. The frosting was after that.”

His mouth tugged at the corners. “Never mind. You taste much better than a cake anyway.”

As much as I hated to ruin the vibe, I knew it was time. Last night had spiraled out of control quickly. I couldn’t leave the lair without sharing Birdie’s treasure.

“What is it?” he asked, seeming to sense the change in mood.

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