Page 155 of Claimed In Darkness

In anticipation.

She wants to fight. She’s pushing me away, to force me back, to make me let her go.

But she also wants me to win.

I see it in her eyes. I can read her soul.

Even now, after all the blood between us. Even after she left me to die.

Even now, after she tried to convince herself that she was better off without me.

She still wants me.

And I am done pretending that I can resist.

She swallows hard, her pulse fluttering beneath my palm.

"Zephiran—"

I don’t let her finish.

I press closer, forcing her to feel all of me.

"You ran from me,"I murmur, my voice dark, low, edged with something dangerous.

Her breathing falters.

"I had to."

I laugh. It’s a rough, broken sound.

"No, you fucking didn’t."

She inhales sharply, fingers twitching in my hold, body still straining against me.

Still resisting.

But her fight is almost over.

I feel it.

Her thighs shift, pressing together. Her lips part just a little more, waiting for my kiss.

She is losing, and she sure as hell is falling with me.

I don’t give her a choice.

I never have.

I take her mouth like I take everything else—brutal, unapologetic, unrelenting.

She gasps against my lips, the sound fucking intoxicating.

She surrenders.

She kisses me back.

Not soft. Not hesitant. Like a raging wildfire.

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