Page 344 of Kingdoms of Night

That’s all I needed—to be ensorcelled by the very pirate I’d been sent to hunt.

He leaned in, his smile never faltering. His hands ran up my thighs, then up my waist, and rest at the small of my back. Then, he took me by the chin, and tilted it upward so that I could gaze into the murky depths of this stormy eyes.

I couldn’t breath—I couldn’t think. I could barely keep from passing out.

He licked his lips, tracing mine with his thumb, and I shivered.

Fear was replaced by something entirely worse.

Desire.

When our lips touched, I knew it without a shadow of a doubt. I knew what my soul wished against—what my mind warned me of—yet my heart was too weak to deny.

I was under his spell.

He kissed me so deeply that my eyes fluttered closed and I was whisked away to some far away land where all was possible. His hands squeezed my rear—yet I didn’t care. I wanted to beg for more, but I was locked in his kiss.

Our tongues collided, and heat ran up my my legs, into my core, and left me a puddle of lust. I barely noticed when he lifted me, and held me in his arms. My legs wrapped around him for dear life. His muscles were tight, and his strength was undeniable.

This man couldn’t be human.

His hands tangled in my hair, and he yanked my head back by a fistful, just so he could kiss my throat, and run his tongue from my neck to my lips.

He feasted on my mouth, and I from his.

I’d never had a kiss like this, and I secretly declared I didn’t want any others than his. His lips were soft as pillows, but his grip on me had been firm and unrelenting—utterly masculine in a way I hadn’t experienced.

It was intoxicating, turning my world into a blur of insignificant events before this very moment. In his arms, I felt safe, desired, and too hot for my clothing.

He bit my lower lip, and a soft moan left my throat.

Then, the spell was broken, and I was left cold as he set me back on my feet, and withdrew.

Chest heaving, I looked at him with sorrow in my eyes.

I didn’t want it to stop. I felt cheated—betrayed.

He barely gave me a second look. He placed a golden coin on the bar and headed to the door.

“Good night, Siddhe,” he said, over his shoulder as if it was a mere afterthought. “I’m certain we will meet again.”

I gasped, covering my mouth.

He left me alone feeling utterly naked, confused, and wanting.

CHAPTERSIX

A DARK DISCOVERY

My mind raced, and spun.

His kiss was unlike anything I’d ever experienced. Despite my rational thoughts, I craved more. He tasted of bliss and euphoria.

Then, I scorned myself for thinking of the kiss when I should have been considering what this all meant.

What do I do now? Should I chase after him, draw my dagger and demand he help us?

I imagined doing so, and the consequences looked bleak. What if he turned me into a ghastly creature—or worse—killed me?

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