Page 65 of Wickedly Yours

“I know it hasn’t even been a week, but… I guess I just miss it.”

“The human realm?” I asked before she could elaborate. I’d taken her from her home, and asshole that I was, I’d barelyeven spent any time with her this past week. Her seeking me out had been proof of that.

“No.” She laughed, tilting her head up to look at me. “I mean, miss parts of home, don’t get me wrong. It’s the only one I’ve ever known. I miss my coven. My cousin. My sister always being around. But what I really miss is… baking.”

“The bakery?” I frowned, smoothing a hand over her bare shoulder. “What can I do?”

Because I’d build her one here if she wanted, let her bake to her heart’s content, feeding the demons the delicious treats I’d been lucky enough to sneak upstairs occasionally.

“Nothing,” she murmured, burrowing deeper into my side. “I just miss being in the kitchen. The satisfaction I felt finishing a batch of cookies. The way people’s faces would light up when they tried something new for the first time.” Her shoulders drooped, and I knew she was trying to appear casual about it. “I don’t miss the bakeryitself, though. It’s strange, but…” She looked up at me. “Maybe it was time.”

“Time?” I repeated, the question apparent.

“For something new.”

“Mmm.” Leaning down, I rubbed my nose against hers. “I can think of a better way to spend your time.” I pressed a kiss to her bare shoulder, brushing my teeth against her skin.

“Zain!” Luna blushed, batting at my chest to push me away. “You’re so…”

“Irresistible?” I flashed my teeth at her.

Rolling off of me, she rested her chin on her arms, leaving the bare skin of her back exposed as she adjusted in the sheets. “I was thinking of a different word.”

I laughed, flicking at her nose and placing a kiss on her shoulder. “Tell me.”

“Different. When it’s just us, you’re just…” She hummed, the sound filling a void in my chest. “It’s different.”

Everything was different with her—but admitting that was like laying my heart out on a platter. And that was something I didn’t need. Had promised myself I didn’t want.

This wasn’t about love. That’s what I’d said before. Except…

“I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want you,” I admitted.

“So don’t shut me out. Tell me what you’re feeling. Let mein.”

But could I promise her that? Could I tell her everything and trust that she wouldn’t leave me? Because I wasn’t a good man. I wasn’t the gentleman she’d thought me to be.

Despite all of that, she was still here in my arms.

I rested my forehead against hers. “I’ll try.”

Maybe she would stay if I laid my soul bare to her. If I gave her all of my truths. If I let myself care for her the way I knew this was heading—words I’d given no one, not in my entire life.

But suddenly, I wanted to.

She stretched out her arms, her back arching from the motion, a little wince slipping out from her lips.

“Sore?” I asked with a wince. Maybe I’d taken her too hard. “Was I too rough?” Running a hand down her spine, I rubbed soothing circles against her skin.

“Yes, but…” Her cheeks went pink. “I liked it.”

“Mmm, you did, did you?” A wicked smile covered my face.

“I’m not fragile. I told you I won’t break.”

No. Luna was brave, and that was her strength.Even when she’d been scared or mad, she hadn’t shut down. She’d persevered. It was something I admired about her. How she’d agreed, with no hesitation.

“Come on,” I murmured, scooping her up into my arms.

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