Page 36 of Enticing Monsters

“Appropriate mate behavior?” I say with a bravado and confidence I don’t truly feel, not with the sudden flare of heat burning in my stomach like hot coals. “And what exactly do you mean by that?”

One of his shadows trails down my cheek in the softest of caresses.

“Did you ever think of what we would do if we were to discover you went to Faerie without us?” His tone is deceptively soft, in direct contrast to the roughness of his shadows still holding my hands behind my back. “That you embarked on a dangerous mission with only two others when we’re all supposed to be a team?”

His shadows move to stroke my inner thighs, and a gasp escapes me. I find myself spreading my legs wider, desperate for more, desperate for anything he may offer me. I’m wearing my favorite skirt—pink and frilly, with a tiny slit up the side that allows me to move easily—so it isn’t too difficult for Xander’s shadow to have access to my most sensitive area. I feel the cold weight of it against my panties before it instantly retreats.

I whimper.

“If you wanted to go to Faerie, we could’ve fucking gone to Faerie,” he continues in that cool, detached voice of his. It’s at odds with the heat emanating in violent waves from his eyes. “As a group. As a team. It’s not just you against the world anymore, Serafina.”

He takes two more steps closer until he’s towering over me, the tips of his shoes brushing my own.

“I know,” I say, hating how breathy my voice has become. “I just wanted answers. Every single one I’m looking for is here somewhere—who, why, what, and where. Who I am. Why I have these gifts I do and this strange sickness. What I am. Where I came from. Not only that, but I thought I could learn what the murderer’s plans are.” I swallow around the strange, sludgy blob suddenly in my throat, the taste reminiscent of coppery blood. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted. Answers.”

His brows dip. “And you didn’t think we could help you find them?”

“No. Yes. Fuck! I don’t know!” If I had use of my hands, I would’ve thrown them in the air right about now. “I just don’t want any of you getting hurt.”

“AndIdon’t wantyougetting hurt.” In a moment of raw vulnerability, he presses his forehead against my own, still maintaining eye contact.

His hot breath mists across my face, smelling strongly of peppermint from his toothpaste and mouthwash. Xander always smells fucking incredible, and I find myself breathing in deeply, inhaling his rich, intoxicating scent. I want to drown in it, drown inhim.

Drown in the emotions radiating from his eyes, reserved only for me.

“Do you have even the slightest clue how much I’ve come to care for you, Ms. Jenkins?”

His raspy voice does funny things to my insides. I’m twisted up tighter than a damn pretzel.

“Prove it,” I breathe, flicking my gaze to his lips, which are slightly parted.

I want him to kiss me like he did before. I want it more than I want my next breath. It’s been way too fucking long since I felt his lips on me, his hands.

Something soft brushes against my stomach, and I realize it’s his shadow, slowly unbuttoning my shirt. He never takes his eyes off of mine as, inch by inch, my stomach is revealed to him, then my favorite pink bra with a tiny bow in the center.

My chest heaves, no doubt flushed red from arousal, and Xander’s gaze finally drops from my own to stare down at my cleavage.

His shadow has moved to the clasp of my bra—thankfully, it’s in the front—but it hesitates there.

Waiting.

Unsure.

In response, I thrust my breasts out farther in invitation, and my bra falls open.

I’ve never really given my appearance a lot of thought before. I know it’s thinner than what should be normal, given my dietary restrictions and illness, and I may be a little gaunt compared to others, but I never felt ugly before. I’ve never felt particularly pretty either.

But when Xander’s breath hitches and his eyes glaze over with lust, I feelbeautiful. He stares at me like I’m a goddess he yearns to fall at the feet of and worship until the end of time. The reverence in his gaze is impossible to miss.

That…and the love.

So much love, I think I’m going to be sick.

Does Xanderloveme?

Do I love him?

Oh my god.

---