Page 16 of The Teddy Bear's Prize

Tobias catches my chin between his thumb and forefinger and tips my head back, staring at my lips and nothing else.

Oh, god.I take deep, conscious breaths. The expression on his face has me feeling a lot like prey. “What—what are you doing?”

His soft fingertips glide across my cheek, before threading through my hair to grip the back of my neck, “Does that mean I can kiss you?”

I gather his shirt into my fist, wrestling with the urge to pull him closer or push him away completely, “It’s not fair reading my mind, Tobias.”

“That isn’t an answer, my little doe,” he smiles, closing the distance between us, “Just say the word and I will end both of our agony.”

“Please.”

The moment his lips brush against mine, my knees threaten to give out. How in the hell are they so soft?

Tobias growls, backing me up against the counter, just like in my fantasy. He wedges his knee between my thighs to keep me upright, his other hand gently cupping my cheek.

When I give him a playful nip, he tugs my head back, gliding his tongue along my lips, teasing them open.

The first flick of my tongue has him humming low in this throat, pinning me in place.

The hard edge of the counter digs into my hip as he takes what he needs from me. He kisses me until I feel drunk and breathless, my lips almost tingling from the contact.

The constant pressure of his thigh is not enough, I can’t move, and can’t grind against him like I so desperately need and he knows this.

Each kiss is drawn out, fevered but unending. It feels like a dream.

And, like every other dream I’ve had, there’s a knock at the door.

Tobias stiffens and pulls away, looking down at me, he looks just as dazed as I feel.

“Just a minute,” I call out.

For a moment, I think, yep, that was my only chance. I have used up every ounce of romance the universe hasever allotted to me in that one kiss. It’s all downhill from here.

But then he leans down and kisses me again and again. Each one is softer and more playful than the one before. This isn’t for my benefit anymore.

The pounding on the front door continues and I finally gently gather the strength to push Tobias away, but not before giving him one last kiss. I have needs too. I dip out of his grasp and run my fingers through my hair to hide what I was just doing.

I walk into the living room with shaky legs, my lips feel swollen and I know they look worse.

It was just a kiss, I remind myself. It probably didn’t mean anything, maybe it’s some sort of demonic culture thing, he is an incubus after all. Aren’t they pretty sexual? It doesn’t mean I should catch feelings.

Not to mention showing interest and wanting more is the kiss of death for most relationships.

It’s casual. I can do casual. Can’t I? Fuck, I hope I can, because I would give anything to kiss him again.

With a slow exhale, I open the door to see Jason standing there in a plain white t-shirt, his tattoos on full display and his tool bag slung over his shoulder. He gives me a slow smile, looking down at my lips.

“Mia,” he says, taking a step and wrapping his arms around my middle, his hand brushing dangerously low against the small of my back.

“Jason,” I squeak out, giving him a quick hug then stepping back, “Come on in.”

“Hi,” he says, holding out his hand, “I don’t think we’ve met before, I’m Jason.”

“Tobias.” My demon just glares at his hand.

Thankfully, Jason breaks the tension, “Erika mentioned the faulty light isin the office?”

“Yes!” I force out, ushering him further into the house, “Thank you.”

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