Page 36 of A Storm in Every Heart
I arch my spine as he traces kisses down my neck, moving lower, his lips searing my skin with fiery intensity as they enclose around one achingly taut nipple. A surge of electric pleasure makes my back curve even further.
I reach between us, fingers grazing over his belt. Reckless passion and excitement flood me, and the siren rises to the forefront of my mind. She feeds on this—on desire and control.
She wants to devour him.
Like a cold wave over my head, panic hits me all too fast, completely washing away my arousal. I shove hard at Kastian’s chest again. “Wait, stop!”
This time, he responds immediately to my shoving. He takes a step back, chest heaving with heavy breaths. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m sorry!” I blurt out, scrambling to pull my dress back up. The thought of the siren sobered me all too fast, and now I’m reeling. “I didn’t mean to do that.”
“You didn’t mean to do that?” he echoes slowly.
Oh no.He probably has no idea what I’m even saying right now, and it’s all my fault.
Shame and disgust descend over me in waves as the horror of what I just did fully dawns on me. Accident or not, I can’t believe I lost control.
I’ve never used the siren compulsion for its intended purpose. I’ve never—never—lured a man to my bed, and ultimately to his death. I’m revolted at the thought of purposefully doing that to anyone, even to Kastian.Especially to Kastian.
“It’ll wear off if I leave,” I mutter to myself, trying to push my way out from under his arm. “I’m so sorry, I?—”
Kastian shifts, blocking me from leaving. “Where the fuck are you going?”
This cannot be happening.
I only ever use the siren song for small, inconsequential things, but that’s not really what it’s for. If I wanted to, I could demand anything.
Love me.
Give your life to protect me.
Drown yourself…
Walk away and never speak to me again…
“Move, Kastian,” I demand, nearly crying now. “I’m serious. You need to get away from me, or it will only get worse.”
“What are you talking about?” he demands, wiping roughly at his mouth with the back of his hand.
“I bewitched you,” I wail hysterically. “But it’s going to be okay. I’ll leave, and it’ll wear off in a few minutes.”
Unless I somehow made him obsessed with me, in which case it won’t ever wear off.
No, I can’t worry about that right now. It will be fine; it has to be.
The sound of Kastian’s laughter jolts me out of my spiral of shame.
“You didn’t do anything to me,” he scoffs. “At least, not the way you mean it.”
“Of course I did. Why else would you kiss me like that? Youhateme.”
“I can think of a few reasons.” He smirks. “And I don’t hate you, Dessa, even if you are the most infuriating woman I’ve ever met.”
I shake my head. “Of courseright nowyou don’t hate me, because I just sapped you of all your free will. Oh my gods, what is wrong with me? Why?—”
“Odessa! Look at me!” he barks, his tone sharp and commanding. He grips the back of my head again, but this time instead of pulling me in for a kiss he yanks my head back so I’mforced to meet his eyes. “I’mfine. I mean, I’m clearly losing my mind, but not because of your magic.”
I blink in surprise. His eyes are clear. “How is that possible?”
