Page 18 of Mated to the Gargoyle
“Why?”
“Youcould be outside.”Shegestured toward the window. “Withthe entire world before you.”Sheplaced her hand over her heart. “Imean,Iknow whyIlike working in a library, butIdoubt you have the same reason.”
“Perhaps.What’syour reason?”
“Ilove books.Andthe art there is a bonus.”
Inodded and made a thoughtful sound. “Ilike it there.”WhatIparticularly liked was being near her, watching her, ensuring she was safe.ButIcouldn’t admit all that.Shecouldn’t know whatIsuspected about our true connection—not tonight at least.Itwould drive her away faster than the bullet had left the chamber.Imotioned to the living room. “Youprepared this wonderful dinner for us.Whydon’t you go and relax and let me clean up?”
“No,” she said. “You’remy guest.”
“Iinsist.”Igestured again to the sofa. “Please.”
Onceshe did so,Iwashed the dishes and put the leftovers away.
Iwalked over toAnya, who was reading a book on her living room couch, her legs covered by a blanket. “Thankyou for dinner.Everythingwas delicious.Ishould get going.”
Shetossed the blanket off and adjusted her legs so her feet that were curled up beneath her now pressed to the floor. “Hugo?”
“Yes?”
“Canyou sit with me for a minute?”
Ora lifetime.“Sure.”
Irefilled our wineglasses and then sat a couple of inches apart from her on the sofa.Withher so close, the heat between us entranced me.IfIextended my leg out just a bit, it would touch her thigh.
Sheturned to me. “Youfascinate me,” she said with a hint of curiosity in her voice. “CanI—” she hesitated. “Touchyou?”
Everysense heightened with awareness. “Ofcourse.”
Shereached up with her tiny hand and hesitantly hovered near my cheek.Whenshe touched it with an open palm,Iinstinctively leaned into her touch.Mybody rumbled in response.Thisfelt so right.
Shekept her hand there for several seconds and then moved it down over my jawline, down to my neck, over my torso.Everyinch of my skin burned with longing beneath her fingers.Shecontinued lower, lower still, until her fingertips touched my core.
“You’reas hard as stone,” she noted with awe. “Yetthe texture of your skin is soft.”
Whenshe stared up at me again, my heart was pounding. “Notas soft as yours,”Isaid.ThenIlifted my hand to touch her check, mirroring the motion she’d done with mine, and waited.Whenshe didn’t turn away,Icaressed her cheek, which was like touching satin.Myheart thundered.Icouldn’t believe this moment was real.Iwasn’t watching her from afar but touching her…
Hereyelids lowered asImoved my fingers along her jawline and over her neck.Herlips parted as she stared at me, the air surrounding us turning thick with heat.Mygaze lowered to her lush lips, asIwas fascinated by her mouth.Theache to kiss her grew so strong that it was allIcould think about.Butshe was human.Shewouldn’t want that from a monster.
“Whatare you thinking?” she asked, drawing my attention back to her hooded eyes.
Itook one deep breath, then another, hoping to steady my racing emotions.Icouldn’t think of anything but the truth, which pounded in my veins with a rising urgency. “HowmuchIwant to kiss you.”
Thecorners of her lips twitched upward, and her eyes gleamed with delight. “Thenkiss me.”
HadIheard her correctly?Imust have, because the way she looked at me with expectation left no doubt.
Myheart practically pounded through my chest asIbent closer to her, waiting, expecting, anticipating.
Andthen our lips brushed.
Somany sensations roared through my body all at once.Electrifyingheat jolted through my veins, bolts of lightning that could shatter the night sky.
Islid my hand behind her neck and tipped her head back beforeIkissed her again.Moredemanding this time.Urgent.Plundering.
Shelet out the softest of sighs.Thatsound ignited a new wave of need soaring through me.Shekissed me back, but it wasn’t enough.Iwanted more of her.Totaste.Totouch.Ineeded her.
