Page 71 of Misfit Monsters
I want her so badly, a fire sears from my heart to my groin.
She knows how much damage I’ve done to people I care about, and she still wantsme.
How can I push her away, right into the arms of whoever else will welcome her? If I refuse her, sheshouldfind someone who’ll adore her the way she deserves.
But that someone should beme.I have to show her how much I mean that.
I swivel toward her, scooping her up and claiming her mouth like I did the other night.
Peri’s hum of approval urges me on. She tastes and smells so sweet—she feels so soft in my arms. The joyful thrill of holding her close resonates through my being.
Caroline never knew what I really was, what beast lurks inside me. Peri recognizes every piece of me and welcomes me in spite of it.
She deserves all the affection in the world. Every kindness, every pleasure.
Maybe I can be careful but still have her.
I settle her on my lap without breaking the kiss. Peri slips one hand around my neck while the other teases into my hair. The brush of her fingertips sets off sparks through my scalp.
Now that I’ve released my desire, I want everything. I kiss her again and again, drinking in every eager noise she makes. Reveling in the heady pink sheen that lights in her hair.
Beneath her bubble-gum sweetness, I pick up a deeper, darker scent, as vast and breathtaking as the ocean. How can I do anything but dive right in?
I trail my lips along her jaw, down her neck, over her shoulder. Her shaky breaths and the squirm of her ass against my groin have my dick aching.
“You taste so good, Glowbug.” With one arm looped around her waist, I bring my other hand to her breast. The swell of it through the fabric of her shirt fits perfectly in my large palm.
I stroke my fingers over the peak and earn myself a whimper. Peri dapples kisses along my neck, swaying into my caresses.
When I tug at her jacket, she doesn’t hesitate to peel it off and toss it aside. Her gaze locks with mine as I ease my fingers under the hem of her shirt. The glow in her hair turns ruddier when I flick my thumb over her hardened nipple.
Peri bites her lip, which makes me want to kiss her again. Her eyelids flutter lower.
Then she sets her hand on my wrist, stopping me but stroking the skin to prevent the gesture from feeling like a total rejection.
“Raze,” she murmurs, so breathless my cock gets twice as hard, “if we’re doing this… does that mean you expect me to only be with you?”
I hesitate, a fresh chill dousing some of my hunger. “Do you want to be with someone else?”
Her smile is so brilliantly fond it melts away the momentary ice. “I’m very happy doing this with you. I just—I never thought about needing to put restrictions on having this kind of fun. But I guess humans do. And whatwe’re doing… it feels like more than having fun.Idon’t want to hurtyou. So I should make sure what I’m agreeing to.”
I open my mouth and close it again. I want to tell her yes, that she’s mine and mine alone for the rest of all time. If I made the demand, I think she’d smile again and say that’s perfectly fine.
But not because that’s whatshewants. Only to avoid hurting me. Because this beautiful being always puts everyone else’s feelings ahead of her own.
If I’m being honest with myself, she was looking at Jonah nearly as avidly as he was looking at her. Maybe there are others who’ve caught her eye.
She’d give up every other possible lover if I asked her to, without even thinking about what would make her happiest. That’s not keeping her safe. That’s putting her in chains.
I’d be as bad as the monster who trapped her with his sorcery.
The internal battle tangles me up inside. I bow my face close to Peri’s, breathing in her tempting scent, soaking in the warmth of her.
“You always want everyone to be happy. I couldn’t say I really care about you if I tried to cut offyourhappiness. If you want to get close with someone else… would you just tell me first? So I know and I’m not surprised? I might need to take some space for myself, but that’s my problem. I don’t want to get startled and lash out.”
Peri’s face has fallen. “If it would make you upset, I don’t need to?—”
I cut her off with a kiss, as tender as I’m capable of. “It’s not about whether you need it. Knowing you’re holding yourself back from everything you’d want… that would make me more upset. I would never lock you in a cage.”
