Page 55 of Barely Breathing

Damn, he’s sexy. I can’t help myself.

“Trust me enough to let me make my own choices,” I counter, even as my fingers work at the buttons of his shirt.

He laughs softly against my neck, but he doesn’t sound pleased. “Choices? What choice is there when every path leads to your death?”

I pull back enough to meet his gaze. “Then help me find another path.”

This time, when he kisses me, it’s different. It’s slower, deeper, like he’s memorizing every sensation.His cool hands slide under my shirt, and I shiver at the contrast between his touch and my fevered skin.

I can’t resist. I’m being drawn to him as if he can’t turn off the magnetic pull of his power.

“You’re really burning up,” he murmurs, touching my forehead. The contact sends shivers over me. “This isn’t normal. Are you unwell?”

“I’m fine. It’s Draakmar,” I answer. “His connection has gotten stronger. It’s like he is attempting to tell me something, but half the time, it’s like listening to a language I don’t understand.”

I can’t focus on the dragon’s warnings when Costin’s proximity makes my skin tingle.

“It’s fine.” I wave the concern away and pull his lips back to my greedy mouth. His tongue presses past the seam of my lips, tenderly dipping inside. Passion shoots through me at the taste of him. I moan in pleasure, imploring him to give me more.

We crash into each other, frantic, as we stumble toward my bed. Our clothes crumple under our eager hands as I fight to be free of them. I hear material rip before he throws it to the floor.

He lays me down, and I sink into the bedding. Costin moves with inhuman speed, caging me under his body. I breathe in, feeling as if I’m pulling his breath into my lungs. The torturous need becomes unbearable.

I ache with mounting passion. Every point we touch feels like raw electricity. Yet, his weight keeps me grounded as desire courses through my veins. His body presses into mine, so close my breasts yield to the hard muscles of his chest. He groans, a purely animalistic sound.

I’m struck by how right it feels to be with him, despite everything. We’re so dissimilar. He’s immortal strength and I’m frail mortality. By all rights, we don’t make sense.

He pulls up just enough to gaze down at me. I see the red hunger feeling his eyes, begging me. I can imagine all the things he’s not saying. Stay alive. Stay safe. Stay mine.

The vulnerability in him makes my chest ache. For all his power, I hold him captive. And somehow, he has become my undoing as well. I’m not equipped to resist him. The thought frightens me but also makes me burn hotter. This isn’t just about the primal need of our bodies.

I pull him closer, working my legs along his hips. I see the predator in his gaze. I feel the brush of his fangs as if he wants nothing more than to bite my flesh. He can’t as long as I wear the amulet.

The pleasure of his touch vibrates to my core. His mouth again claims mine, teasing me with his fangs but not cutting into me. His possessive kisses try to mark me as his. The kiss deepens until my lungsburn for air and I have to push him back. I pant heavily, as he waits for me to pull him back to my mouth.

I can’t resist this. Each nerve is electrified as it reaches toward him. The sound of my rushing blood fills my ears. I’ve spent my entire life struggling against supernatural control, but there’s something incredibly intoxicating about surrender.

I shiver as a sensitive trail follows his hand over my ribcage. I writhe beneath him and push up my hips, trying to get him to end the ache between my thighs. Instead, a palm finds my breast, massaging it deeply. I don’t want him to stop. I never want this to stop. I try to be strong but can’t control myself with him. I need him to touch me and end the torment.

My head swirls with thoughts and warnings, but I don’t listen. Costin has been there my entire life, standing in my shadow, watching, waiting, protecting me when I didn’t even know I needed protection.

And then the truth hits me as his hips settle between mine, and his grip tightens on my breast, keeping my nipple at full attention. I’ve fallen in love with him. I’m terrified, and I’m in love.

The realization takes me aback, and I hesitate.

“I need to taste you,” he murmurs against my throat. Those damn fangs tease the skin over my pulse. The amulet prevents him from breakingthrough, but the pleading in his voice makes me quiver.

This is madness.

My hands tremble as I reach for the chain around my neck. The amulet is my shield against supernatural danger. Without it, I’m vulnerable.

My sex pulses with denied pleasure. I want him. Not just the careful, controlled version of himself he shows the world, but all of him, both the vampire and the man, the darkness and the light. I need him to give me what my body craves.

I finger the necklace before slowly pulling the chain over my head. I feel exposed without my talisman, and my heart beats faster at the dangerous thrill.

“Are you sure?” Need radiates off him, and yet he holds himself perfectly still.

I nod and offer my neck.

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