Page 65 of Prince of Never

‘You think I don’t want you?’

‘If you wanted me, you wouldn’t be looking so hard for a way to be rid of me, and you definitely wouldn’t consider killing me for it.’I flung my arms wide, giving him unhindered access to what he came here to take.‘So, here I am.What are you waiting for?’

‘I can’t do it,’ he said, standing stock still.Why did he bring the knife if he didn’t intend to use it?

‘Why not?’I asked, trying not to hold my breath as I waited for the answer.But he remained silent.Was it just the mate bond stopping him?Did he really feel nothing for me beyond the compulsions of that ridiculous bond?

‘Well, then give me the knife, I’ll cutyourheart out and spare us both,’ I snapped, snatching up the blade.I held the tip to his chest and something unexpected entered his eyes as he held my gaze.Something that sparked a flare of hot, aching desire low in my abdomen.

‘Do it.’

But my hand didn’t move.How could he expect me to do it?How could I have even pretended I could?I let out a frustrated sigh, letting my hand fall, but he gripped my wrist.The knife clattered to the ground and still he held my gaze.

‘Why did you come back?’

‘The logical answer would be because I don’t have anywhere else to go right now,’ I said, finally pulling my eyes from his.

His fingers gripped my chin and he forced me to look up at him.I couldn’t think when he was this close.His scent intoxicated me, setting my body on high alert, coaxing that heat in my abdomen, sending it into my veins, where it spread like wildfire.‘And the truth?’

‘Why should I tell you the truth?You’ve hardly earned it,’ I said, the crack in my voice giving away my feelings.How could he stand there so calmly as he destroyed my barriers, my willpower, my self-control?How could he not know exactly what he was doing to me?

‘Tell me you came back for me.’

‘Why should I?’

‘Because I couldn’t take it if you said anything else.’

My breath hitched in my throat.‘What?’

‘Say it.Lie if you have to.’

‘I’m not going to lie for you,’ I said, and something like disappointment drew down the corners of his mouth, deepening those lines.‘But I did come back for you.’The words were soft.I didn’t mean to say them, but they wouldn’t stay behind my teeth.‘I couldn’t bear the thought of never seeing you again.’

‘You came back for me,’ he repeated, almost to himself, watching my mouth with painful intensity as he traced my bottom lip with his thumb.His touch was feather-light, building a yearning in me that quickened my breath.Then he pulled me to him, capturing my lips with his, and consumed everything I’d been about to say, everything I couldn’t say.He tasted like whiskey, and likehim.His kiss was rough and urgent as he slid his tongue into my mouth, caressing my own as if he was exploring me, tasting me.It was heady and intoxicating, leaving me breathless and wanting.

His hand slid around the back of my neck, gripping me there, and I wanted to give in to him, to give in to the feelings he had awakened in me.But I couldn’t go down this road with him again, not when it would only lead to heartbreak.Not when each time he took me there I wanted him more.Not when he had no interest in keeping me.I pushed against him, hating myself for breaking the moment, for ruining something so perfect.But I couldn’t stand it later if he pulled away again.

‘Tarian, I can’t,’ I said, swallowing the lump in my throat.‘This is all some...some bond to you, something physical but I—’ My voice waivered and I exhaled, my eyes falling to the ground as if I would find the words written there.What was I saying?What was it going change?

He dropped his forehead against mine, his hands tight aground my hips.‘It should just be that,’ he murmured, his voice broken.‘But it’s not.I can’t get you out of my system.Not even when I wash you out with starlight.It looks like you’ve always been destined to own me, even without some magic bond.’

‘Then prove it to me,’ I said, my voice breathy.I could hardly believe the words were coming out of my mouth but I wanted him more than I had ever wanted anything.I didn’t want stolen kisses and limited pleasure.I wanted all of him and I wanted to give him all of me.I’d never wanted that with anyone before, and it scared me as much as it thrilled me.

He leaned back so he could look at me, a question in his eyes.I pushed myself on my toes, pressing my lips to his.I surprised him.I could tell by the way he stiffened for a second, enough to make me doubt myself, but then his arm tightened around me and he kissed me back hard.My arms wrapped around his neck and I melded myself to him, eliminating whatever space was left between us.

He broke the kiss.‘If you don’t stop that, I’m going to fuck you right here in the garden.’

I should have been put off by the idea of someone seeing us together, I should have blushed and shied away and asked him to take me inside.But he’d let something loose in me, something primal that wasn’t ready to go back in its cage.‘Then do it.’

Hunger flared in his expression but he didn’t move, as if he wasn’t sure he’d heard me right, as if he wasn’t sure I meant it.I reached for his shirt, pulling it free of his pants, anticipation making my hands tremble.But he grabbed my hand before I could get any further and I swallowed back my disappointment as I looked up at him.

‘Don’t say it if you don’t mean it.There’s no going back from this.The bond will be permanent,’ he said, his voice low and husky, sending a shiver through me.

‘Isn’t it already?’I asked, holding his gaze.‘I don’t see you picking up that knife.I’ve never felt like this before, Tarian.I want this.I want you.‘

His lips were on mine again, sealing that promise as he kissed me like those words were the sweetest thing he’d ever tasted.His fingers were in my hair, winding through it, holding me in place, and I wanted him more than I’d ever wanted anything in my life.I ached all the way to my fingertips with wanting him, felt that inferno of need raging in every cell in my body.Despite everything he’d said, everything he’d tried to warn me about, it felt so right to me.Hefelt so right.

My hands were pulling at his shirt again like they had a mind of their own, and this time he didn’t resist.The fabric slid over his head, revealing rippling muscles beneath smooth skin that almost glowed in the moonlight.My hands traced the contours of those muscles, luxuriating in the feeling of having his skin beneath my fingers, enjoying the way he shuddered beneath my touch, chasing the goosebumps that raced across his skin.

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