Page 20 of Vicious Princess
“Our paths cross again.” His deep, husky voice reverberates through me. He leans sideways against the bar on my left. I don’t turn to him fully, not yet. I only quirk my chin to the side. “Fate must be on our side.”
I snort and bring my glass to my lips. “I didn’t know fae are superstitious in Ekios.”
The stranger’s gaze slides down to my throat, and he watches it intently while I swallow the sip of whiskey. When it flicks backup to my face, he wets his bottom lip. “Only in moments like these.”
The silence stretches between us, charged with tension.
He leans a little closer. “If I remember correctly, you promised me a name if we met again.”
The scent of a pine forest after rain tickles my nose. His voice alone does things to my body that unnerve me.
I lift my chin, trying to remain cool about the fact that he’s so close to me, our mouths inches away. “Indeed. Today is your lucky day.” His deep eyes glimmer. “I’m Phoenix.”
“Just Phoenix? No family name?”
My answer is a brief shake of the head.
The stranger offers me his hand. I place mine into his, and he brings it to his mouth. His lips gently brush the back of my palm.
“Phoenix, pleasure to meet you,” he says and lets go of my hand. The skin where his lips were moment ago still tingles. “I’m Daegel Talbot.”
I’m not sure if he gives me his family name expecting me to be impressed or recognize it. But it means nothing to me.
Yet I’m curious to know more about him. I know he’s an Ezkai. He doesn’t look much older than me, but he’s a faeanda Decarios. Even with human Decarios, it’s hard to tell our age once we’re past twenty-five.
I crush that desire for curiosity, fast and ruthless. That’s how things get complicated. All I want is a night of fun, no strings attached.
Daegel gestures to the bartender, then turns his attention back to me. “What brings you to Dragon’s Den tonight?”
The bartender brings him a glass of plum blossom wine a moment later.
“I’m looking to blow off some steam after a long week,” I say, turning in my seat to face him fully. His eyes slide down my body and up again. “How about you, handsome?”
I can tell he’s entertained and equally curious about me. He takes a sip of his drink and tips his head to the side. After a heartbeat of silence, he says, “I think I can help you with that.”
I bat my eyelashes at him. “I was hoping you’d say that.”
A slow grin spreads on his face. He offers me his hand. I don’t hesitate.
My heart races as we make our way deeper into the building through the crowded space.
CHAPTER SEVEN
My chest heaves as my back hits the door.
Fuck me. These Ezkai boys fuck like animals.
I love it.
Daegel’s weight presses into my front, and our lips meet in the dark. I can’t see anything in this windowless storage room, but I don’t mind. I even prefer it.
Sexy Stranger doesn’t need to see my scars. And without sight, all the other sensations are heightened.
Daegel’s palms slide down my waist, hips, and thighs possessively. He hooks his hands behind my thighs and hoists me up. Immediately, I wrap my legs behind his back and lock him in place.
He’s already hard as a rock, pressing right into my burning core.
We kiss wildly. As if we’re running out of time. As if we’re desperate to possess each other. As if we can’t get enough.
