Page 55 of Malice
Thankfully, as the world around us returned to the idyllic setting we’d been fed by the spell, some small piece of me relaxed. They couldn’t get her here. She was as safe as she could be. So I set her on her feet.
She glared at me, looking more than a little like a half-drowned rat. Even so, she was still the most beautiful thing I’dever seen. Her eyes were shining like gemstones, and her skin was flawless. The urge to pick her back up and never let her go was so strong my hand shook with the need to do just that.
Her gaze lit on something behind me, and she pushed me out of the way, saying, “Bazinga!”
With one bare foot and the other still clad in a soaked shoe, she unevenly stomped through the muck before dropping to her knees in front of the strangest blossoms I’d ever seen. Merri plucked almost a handful out by their stems, sending dirt and roots flying. When she shifted her weight to grab another bunch, her knee gave out and she stumbled.
I shot forward, grabbing her around the hips to steady her before she could face-plant into the bush.
“You need to feed,” I grumbled, taking the blossoms from her despite her protests.
“I’m fine.”
“You’re not. You missed our dreamwalk last night and just nearly drowned. You need to fuel yourself.”
“Give me back my flowers.”
I grabbed the shoe that was floating nearby and dumped out the water before tucking the flowers inside for safekeeping. “There. Nothing will happen to them now.”
“It’s not much of a vase,” she muttered.
“You need to work on your thank yous.”
She opened her mouth to retort but snapped it closed. “You’re right. Sorry. Thanks.”
“I have a much better way for you to show your gratitude.”
I knew I had her when she smirked. “Oh, really? I’m sure you do.”
I just held her stare with my own.
She rolled her eyes. “Oh my God, you are so stubborn. Fine.” Her words were dismissive, but her eyes were hot with interest. She leaned forward, tilting her chin up so her lips were on offeras she trailed the tips of her nails down my torso. I was grateful I’d skipped the shirt earlier so there was nothing between me and the heat of her body as she pressed it against me.
I couldn’t deny her a kiss. Not now, not ever. That ship had sailed. “You infuriate me, Red.”
“Ditto.”
My mouth crashed down on hers as I cupped the back of her head and held her to me. I felt giddy with lust, though there was no way to know if it was all mine or influenced by her succubus power. Not that I cared either way.
Merri might have denied her hunger, but I could feel it tugging at me. She wasn’t starved, but my woman needed me. She slid her hand further down my stomach, reaching for my waistband.
I snagged her wrist, stopping her before she could claim her prize. “Not here.”
Breathing heavily, she flicked her eyes open, pupils blown wide, lust heavy between us. “Wh—” she started, but stopped herself before looking down at her wet clothes and dirt-covered legs. “You’re right. I’m a mess.”
I caught her by the chin and dragged her face back up to mine. “Not what I meant. A little dirt will never keep me from wanting you.”
Her eyelashes fluttered as she let out a breathless giggle. “Okay, then.”
“This will be more effective in a dreamwalk. Come, lie down with me. Then you can take exactly what you want.”
“I prefer it when you take what you want.”
Pride swelled in my chest. “Noted.”
I led her over to a nearby copse of trees. They created a sense of seclusion, even if we were still technically out in the open. Was it fair of me to steal some time with Merri while the otherswere still out looking for her? Probably not. Was I going to do it anyway because it’s what she needed? Hell yes.
Settling us on the soft moss-covered ground under an ancient tree, I tucked her into my side and had to fight the urge to kiss the top of her head. She needed passion, not tenderness, right now. We both did.
