Page 13 of Dramatic AF
“Trick.” My mouth stretched a little wider when he instantly quieted. “Thank you.” I leaned toward him, tentative, testing. “When you said I was yours, did you mean it?”
“Yes.” No hesitation. No embarrassment.
“Good.”
Inching to the edge of the cushion, I leaned in, closing those last few inches and bringing my mouth to his in a kiss that was long overdue.
five
~ Trick ~
KissingJaydenfeltlikebeing struck by lightning.
A spark ignited where our lips met and spread like wildfire, scorching me from the inside out. Energy crackled over my skin, surging and fading, pulsing like a breath.
The scent of warm amber grew thicker, flooding the air, and every inhalation pulled the fragrance deeper into my lungs. My already heightened senses sharpened, focused, every one of them centered on Jayden.
Magic, ancient and unyielding, took root, burrowing into the very fabric of my being. In an instant, I was stripped bare, taken apart piece by piece, and rebuilt anew. Convictions faltered, priorities shifted, and a deep, unshakeable certainty filled me.
Though the contact had been brief, nothing more than a gentle brush of lips, it didn’t matter. By the time we pulled apart, everything had changed.
Dark and possessive, a growl built in my chest, both a warning and a promise. Jayden belonged to me, and I’d watch the world burn before I let anyone hurt him.
Sitting back, he stared at me, his expression soft and tender as he brushed his thumb across my bottom lip. Though I could see the red glow of my own irises reflected in his eyes, I detected no fear, neither in his scent or his body language.
“Are you ready to tell me what that’s about?” he asked, his head tilted in curiosity. “I know you’re a warlock. At first, I assumed you might also be a shifter, maybe a big cat, but with the red eyes, now I’m thinking…demon?”
He was far more perceptive than I’d realized. “Two out of three isn’t bad.”
His mouth turned down at the corners, mirroring the tilt of his eyebrows. “I don’t understand. What does that mean?”
“Not a shifter, cat or otherwise.”
“So, you’re a demon and a warlock?” He lifted his head to meet my gaze again, the lines that creased his brow deepening. “That sounds normal. Your reaction makes me think maybe it’s not, though.”
“Magicks and demons have kids together all the time, and mostly, it’s very…normal.” Sighing, I captured his wrist and pressed a kiss to his palm before joining him on the sofa. “Sometimes, though, you end up with me. A hellhound.”
His eyes widened, and I could practically see the gears turning as he tried to work out the math. Eventually, he gave up and shook his head.
“I’m sorry. I still don’t know what that means.”
His lack of understanding didn’t surprise me. Though humans coexisted peacefully with shadelings, for the most part, their knowledge of the paranormal world barely skimmed the surface.
“It means I’m not really supposed to exist.” When he gasped, I took his hand and gave it a comforting squeeze. It soundedmelodramatic, but I had made peace with what I was a long time ago. “Some demons still have old magic, dark energy. And that kind of power doesn’t play nice with warlock and witch magic.”
“But that’s not your fault,” he insisted, grabbing my hand in both of his. “Why do you have to hide what you are?”
“I don’t hide.” When the situation called for it, I had no issue releasing the less civilized parts of myself. “I just don’t advertise it. People fear what they don’t understand, and it’s a hassle I’d rather not deal with.”
“Yeah, I guess that makes sense.” He didn’t sound happy about it, though. “I’m sure the myths about hellhounds don’t help either.”
“You mean the legends that claim we enforce crossroads deals by dragging souls to the Underworld?”
He chuckled, but again, it didn’t hold much humor. “Those would be the ones.” Then he sat up straighter, his shoulders pulled back and his chin tilted in defiance. “Why do they call you a hellhound, though? I mean, you’re just a hybrid, right?”
“Yes and no.” I loved how offended he sounded on my behalf, even if I didn’t feel the same way. Well, at least, not anymore. “I am a hybrid, yes, but also, something more.”
An irritated huff spilled from his lips, and he rolled his eyes as he listed to the side to bump our shoulders together. “Stop being cryptic and just tell me. I’m not going to run from the room screaming.” His expression softened, and he slid closer to lean against my side. “Whatever it is, I can handle it.”
