Page 26 of Red Ruin

“No.” His silks fall in line.

He’s submitting for now, but I may as well be rubbing a dragon’s belly.

Yes, he approves of my attention.

He’s still the one with the claws.

“That’s my good Sentinel.” I stroke the velvet ridges of his horn, trying to ignore the pink shimmer in his upturned eyes.

“Guide.” Vhex squeezes the tops of my thighs, just underneath the curve of my ass.

My stomach flips.

I have to work faster.

I drag Vhex’s horn and tilt his face.

We need a kiss, but I have to control the pace.

I take Vhex’s lips so gently, pretending we have all the time in the world.

Slow.

Calm.

Praying that Vhex doesn’t sense the vampiric malice seething up between the floorboards.

We connect deeper with every sweep of my tongue.

Vhex always wants more.

I just want him tositfucking still.

I rub his jaw as I smooth his wounds. The flames and agony never end, but I’m not the kind of Guide who stops halfway.

Vhex’s head tips back with the force of my kiss.

Therehas to bea semi-functioning man somewhere in there.

I grip his nape like I can squeeze him out.

Vhex moans so softly, it’s less a sound and more a gasp that I eat with my tongue.

A hard pulse almost folds me in half.

I freeze, startled by the strength of my body’s response.

My scalp prickles.

This attraction is way too fucking strong.

Vhex’s tone deepens to a more rumbly demand. His silks tighten as his palms cup my ass.

He’s determined to grab me everywhere he can.

“Easy.” I grip Vhex’s horn, stopping him from turning toward the prickle in the air.

I hope I’ve done enough to keep him stable.

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