Page 109 of Red Ruin

“You ownme,” Vhex rasps. “Not the other way around.”

I’m sweating, chest heaving. “Am I in danger?”

“No,” he answers fast and rough. “Won’t let it happen. Not to you. Notyou.”

His thoughts fray, going farther rogue.

I’m still not sure if I understand what Vhex’s bite means, but I do know there’s no such thing asalways.

As long as his venom doesn’t do anything worse than drenching my pussy in the next few days, I’m not worried about other long-term effects.

First we have toearna long-term.

“I’m going to help you,” I say as I wind our silks. Our high compatibility leaves usso closeto locking in a permanent weave that I shiver from my toes.

Groaning, Vhex nestles in my cleavage.

The sound is beastly—rasping through my shirt.

Body contact triggers that itch in my blood, but it also lets me reach him that much deeper.

Vhex drinks my power like a baked-dry sponge.

He fists my shirt as his soul-silks twist—always trying to imprint.

I don’t bother stopping the effort.

Itcan’tsucceed.

Instead, I scratch his scalp and run my fingers through his satiny hair, enjoying the strangled sounds he makes with every touch. “I’ll get you all untwisted, then send you to fight. There are lots of other Sentinels who need my help.”

When I dig the base of his horn, his leg shakes.

“Mmfuck.” Vhex squeezes my ribs, driving me deeper into the blankets.

He drags his fang down my breast and teases my nipple with the sharp tip.

My back arches.

I grip his hair against the heat.

His first bite felt like candle wax, flowing through my body and setting my skin on fire.

His tease feels more like hot custard. The taste of his sweet heat turns me liquid and leaves me craving more.

I work my outer thighs, trying to break Remy’s shadows. They won’t budge, whether I claw, pulse my muscles, or coax the darkness with my silks.

With nowhere to escape, wetness builds between my thighs. It’s so slippery, Vhex couldwalkinside.

If I could open my legs.

“Fuck.” I throw back my head, clenching the stupid, crinkly blankets.

“Your blood vessels are so fucking pretty. Like lace. So swollen for me.” Vhex flicks his tongue against his dropped fang.

His electric energy leaves me dancing that edge between turned on and too painful.

I gulp hard as Vhex stares through my clothes with lava eyes. I try to look anywhere else, but my gaze always yanks back to his fang.

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