Page 23 of The Devil in the Details

No one stopped them as they headed for the elevators. Zelda wasn’t sure if it was another one of Mal’s tricks or just the general chaos of very important people all vying for the attention of the emergency responders.

Once in the elevator, he pushed her against the wall.

Zelda gasped, their bodies pressed together. He had a hand planted over her head. The other toyed with the meteorite necklace.

“I showed compassion. Does that please you?” His black eyes bore down on her.

“Yes,” she answered, her voice thick.

“I ruined that male for you. Does that please you?”

It did. It really did.

Zelda nodded.

“Good. Now show me the pink panties.”

“Shouldn’t we?—”

He tugged on the necklace, pulling her forward. “My kiss,” he said.

“Then kiss me,” she said, lifting her face to his.

“Panties. On the floor. And then I will have my kiss.”

Oh.Oh.A kiss down there. That was the trick. They hadn’t specified the location of the kiss.

Her blush intensified. Zelda felt as if she might burst into flames. She should be appalled at Mal’s manipulation of their bargain, of him taking more than she intended to give. Oddly, she didn’t mind so much. “Here? In the elevator?”

“I want to taste you now, and I am a male inclined to indulgence.” He stroked a finger along the curve of her cheek. His eyes were black, swallowing the light. A dark mist gathered in the elevator. Mal wore a crown of horns. He was terrifying. When he spoke, his voice echoed inside her head. “If you do not wish for this, I will respect your choice.”

The rational part of her mind told her that she should be frightened. Yes, her heart beat faster, but it wasn’t from fear. She wanted Mal. She’d been attracted to him almost instantly. The flirting and the charm made her hesitant, like he was faking it, but she saw desire in those dark eyes.

For her.Her. Plain old Zelda Kniffen, who worked in a pawn shop.

“Okay,” she said.

“Yes?”

She nodded. “Yes. I want you to kiss me.”

He leaned in and nuzzled his face against her neck. “Where do you want me to kiss you, my comet, my falling star?”

“Anywhere you like.”

He growled, then licked the column of her throat. With a flick of his hand, the elevator stopped.

“What happened?” she asked.

“I will not be rushed, and I’d rather the doors not open while I enjoy you.”

Zelda lifted the hem of her dress.

“Allow me,” he said. With another flick of his hand, the hem rose, revealing the pink silk panties. He rubbed his fingers against the fabric, groaning to find it already damp. Kneeling, he hooked his fingers under the waistband and slid them down.

Another flick of his hand and Zelda was lifted in the air. She yelped in surprise.

“I have you,” he said, spreading her legs open. “You’re so lovely, Zelda Kniffen.”

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