Page 39 of Chaos Carnival

“About sharing a bed with you? Always.” I tried to maintain my usual sharp tone, but it came out softer than intended. “The ego boost alone will be unbearable.”

“You’re the one who dragged me into a demon love nest.” His chest rumbled with quiet laughter. “I suppose it's one way to get me naked.”

“You're impossible.” Heat crept up my neck as his amusement rippled through our connection. “It’s not difficult to get you naked. And this isn't—we're not—“

“Not what?” His hand slid lower, testing boundaries. “Because this feels very much like something.”

I flattened my palm to his chest, his heartbeat steady and strong where it’d been faltering before. The ritual's alchemy thrummed between us, making it harder to maintain that careful distance.

“This is just the magic.” But I didn't even believe the lie as I spoke it. “It'll fade.”

“Will it?” His other hand cupped my face, thumb tracing my bottom lip. “Feels exactly like what’s always been there.”

He kissed me then, moving with the same swiftness that always left me breathless. My body tensed instinctively to the sudden invasion, the terrifying vulnerability of letting someone like Maverick in. And yet, even as my mind scrambled for excuses to push him away, my body softened into his, as if it knew what my heart had already begun to suspect: that I didn't really want him to stop.

The kiss deepened, demanding a response. My fingers dug into his shoulders as I tasted the desperation we'd both tried to hide, the heat that had simmered beneath the surface of our banter. I fell back against the mattress, his weight settling between my thighs as he held my wrists gently but firmly to the sheets on either side of my head. The press of his body, the searing kiss, everything demanded surrender.

“Maverick.” The word came out in a breathless gasp as he kissed down my neck, teeth nipping gently at the sensitive skin. My fingers curled into fists, uncertain whether I wanted him closer or to push him away. I'd never let someone affect me like this, and the power of it made me dizzy.

His name was a plea or a protest; I wasn't sure which. I wanted it to stop, and yet I never wanted him to move. This had to stop, but not yet.

“Shhhhhh...” His lips moved across my collarbone, tracing lower. “I need you. Let me have this.”

A part of me wanted to analyze, to ask if this was the magic at work or us, but I knew it was both, and the distinction didn't matter.

His lips moving on my skin made my breath catch. I dug my fingers into his hair, eyes fluttering closed as he moved lower, trailing kisses down my stomach.

“Maverick.” His name came out in a gasp as his tongue swirled over my nipple, leaving me burning. I arched into him, my body wanting more even as my mind tried to resist.

He unhooked my bra, pulled it off, and tossed it aside, his eyes gleaming with desire. Then his mouth was on mine again, drinking me in like a starved man. I couldn't stop myself from kissing him back, from wanting more.

His lips moved feverishly down my body, igniting my skin wherever he touched. My breasts felt heavy, nipples tight as he kissed lower, his tongue swirling over my belly.

My fingers tightened in his hair, urging him lower. I wanted his mouth on me, needed that spark between us focused right there.

As if reading my mind, he trailed kisses lower, lower, until he reached the juncture of my thighs. I let out a strangled moan as he nuzzled me, his hot breath brushing my eager core.

“Please.” I wasn't sure what I was begging for, but my body was on fire, my mind swimming with want.

He looked up, eyes glowing with hunger in the moonlight. “Tell me you want this.”

“I want this.” My voice was hoarse, embarrassment warring with need.

He smiled, wicked and wanton, teeth flashing dangerously. Then his mouth was on me, tasting, exploring, driving me wild. His tongue swirled over my pulsing clit, again and again, until I was writhing beneath him, pleasure spiking through me.

Every movement sent sparks of magic dancing over my skin. I bit my lip hard to muffle my moans, but they still escaped, echoing off the walls of the dingy motel room. I didn't care who heard. I wanted the whole world to know it was Maverick doing this to me.

Two fingers slid inside me, stroking, teasing, as I clenched around them. I was burning up, my body bowing off the bed as pleasure built to something unbearable. Maverick's name was a litany on my lips as I shattered into pieces, his mouth still working my pussy, drawing out the orgasm until I thought I'd lose my mind.

Slowly, the sparks faded, leaving me breathless and spent. Maverick kissed his way back up my body, pausing to take in each of my nipples, making me whimper at the overload of sensation.

He settled alongside me, skin to skin, lips to my ear. “You’re delicious.”

“Mmm.” I couldn't form words yet, my mind still fuzzy with pleasure. His smile caressed my skin, smug and satisfied.

I could sense him, a glowing warmth inside that buzzed with closeness and connection. Our bond had strengthened, the poison weakened, and a part of me was terrified of what thatmeant. But I pushed those thoughts aside, telling myself it was the magic making me sentimental.

“We should do this more often,” he whispered, nuzzling my neck.

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