Page 104 of I Accidentally Hired a Shadow Walker
“You didn’t?” I shrugged. “Well, I found it funny.”
“I’m glad you were entertained, but my eyes were on you.” He walked over and pulled me into his arms. “You know you do the cutest thing when you’re concentrating. You roll your thumb across your fingertips, and it makes you look like an evil villain.”
“You think evil villains are cute?” I pursed my lips. “I’m learning so much more about you now that you’re home.”
“If her name is Jericha, yes.” He let out a low growl.
“Oh, you’re being real sweet right now.” I narrowed my eyes at him. “What’s going on in that head of yours?”
“I want you.” His voice was low, intense. “This might not be the time, but I don’t know how much longer I can go without you.”
“Oh.” Suddenly, the room felt hotter, and my stomach clenched. “Where did this come from?”
“You bite your lip a lot.” He kissed me gently, a soft peck that lingered just long enough to get my heart racing. “Every time you do, I look at your lips. I think about how your kisses feel against me, about how you taste. And my mind races with thoughts of tasting you—everyinch of you.”
“Raymond.”
“Can I have you tonight?” he asked as he tightened his hold on me just a little, just enough for me to feel his desperation.
“You’re asking?” I breathed against him. “I thought this was your domain. We’re alone.”
“No, not now. Not when there is so much happening. I need to know if this is okay with you. I don't want to confuse you or downplay the seriousness of our situation. Sex before a battle isn’t really advised, so if it is too much for you, I’ll shake it off.”
I put my hands on his shoulders, feeling the tightness of his muscles. “You’re tense. That’s not good for anyone entering a battle.”
“I’ll do yoga,” he grunted.
I scoffed. “Since when do you do yoga?”
“I’ll learn it.” He looked around. “I’m sure he has a book on it somewhere. I’m a quick study.”
“I want to ask you a question, and I want you to be honest with me,” I said.
“Always.” He leaned his forehead against mine.
“Is there a chance we won’t make it out alive tomorrow? Could we die there?”
His jaw tightened, and his brow stitched together. Then, he nodded slowly while keeping eye contact. “Yes, Jericha. There is a chance, but I won’t—”
“No.” I put my finger on his lips to stop him. “Don’t make me any promises. Just pick me up, take me to the bedroom, and fuck me.”
He pulled my finger away from his lips. Then, pressed his against mine as he picked me up and did exactly what I asked him to: he carried me into the bedroom. Before we made it to the bed, the shadows had removed all our clothing. I don't know how it happened, but I felt the pieces of fabric disappearing bit by bit until I was naked against him.
He lay me down on the bed, and this time, things were different. There weren't any extra tricks. The shadows didn't interfere. He kissed me gently, from the top of my head to the bottom of my toes. He took his time with me, and I let him.
When he put his weight on me, I arched my back to meet him. When he bit into my shoulder, I tilted my neck to give him better access. His hands traveled the length of my back. My hands cupped his ass, guiding him deeper into me.
In my mind, time and time again, I heard a word, one that scared me more than running into a compound full of demons and facing the possibility of my own death.
Love.
The words that came out of my mouth remained a surface level of encouragement for the man who ravished my body. But each time I spoke, a thought echoed in my head.
“Yes, please, more!”
Make love to me.
“Take me, yes, deeper!”
