Page 25 of The Serpent's Bride
This was going to get her into alotof trouble.
Of all the things she expected to have happen to her…She knew she’d likely have to fuck him—or more aptly, let him fuck her—she wasn’t a moron. But she had expected to suffer through it. Go through the motions. Fake it the best she could.
This?
This wasn’t okay.
Her hand tightened on his thigh reflexively. She needed something to hold onto for dear life. Even if it was the source of all her problems.
“Careful…” He tilted her head back, exposing her throat. He bent his head down to kiss the line of the tendon in her neck. It was almost scalding, it was so hot. “I don’t do well being teased, pretty thing.”
Her eyes slid shut of their own accord. The words that left her were almost a breathless whisper. “Ivan’s right there.”
“He’s seen much, much more than this,” Raziel murmured. His hand slid into her hair to cradle the back of her head, as he slowly kissed her throat. His teeth grazed her skin before he nipped her with his fangs, causing her to jolt in surprise. His chuckle was…well, there was only one word for it.Evil.“I’d ask if you want him to join in, but I don’t like to share my toys until I’m done breaking them in.”
“Is that what I am to you?” She meant it to sound strong. Instead, it came out just the same as before—heavy with need and confusion.
“Everyone is a toy to me, pretty thing.” He lifted his head to meet her gaze, his red eyes seeming to flicker like firelight. “Everyone.”
“A breakable toy.”
“Precisely.” His hand in her hair tightened into a fist, pulling the strands just enough to make her hiss from the sudden sting.
But she didn’t push him away. Her hand tensed on his thigh, digging her fingers into his skin. She needed to keep his attention. She needed to earn his trust—his respect. And there was only one way to do it. Fixing him with as defiant a stare as she could manage, she smiled, with just a hint of her own wickedness. “You can do better than that.”
“You can do better than that.”
The words ran through him like molten lava. Lit every nerve of Raziel’s body onfire.Her bright green eyes regarded him with something he had never, ever experienced before.
Contempt.
Daring.
And almost, perhaps, a little bit of arrogance.But painted over with such sweet and beautiful lust.
She wanted him.
Desperately.
He knew that. He knew he was beautiful. He knew people desired him for his looks. But very few ever wanted him for everythingelsehe brought to the table. A few whose curiosities got the better of them would come to him, begging to experience a night or three with him. But no one stayed.
No one lasted.
No one ever looked at him andchallengedhim in such a foolhardy way. The pretty thing was out of her league. Likely doing her best to flirt with a man whose darkness ran far, far deeper than she could possibly know.
It was that realization that shook him loose. That snapped the moment like an icicle. She didn’t mean her words—she didn’t know what she was talking about. She was goading on a wild stallion thinking he was some tame, neutered workhorse.
She thought she was playing with matches.
He was an inferno.
“Hm. I can. But not today.” He let go of her and stood. She looked stunned at his absence. He had to shift himself slightlywith his back to her to keep from making an obvious and embarrassing display of just how riled up she had made him.
Which, points to her, he supposed. That didn’t happen much. Well, not from something sobenign,at any rate. There was something to be said for teasing, for not scratching every itch and fulfilling every urge right away.
“You should get some rest. You’re going to have a very long night.” He walked away from her without a second glance. “And do try not to fuck my sister, will you?”
“Y—yeah,” came her uncertain reply.
