Page 56 of Bite
“Why?” I demand, voice coming out high-pitched and shaky.
James’ mouth twitches as he retracts his fangs. “I won’t have thatthingclawing at me.”
“Not the cat,” I mutter, curling upright. “The party. Why’d you throw him off me?”
“Because you didn’t want him.”
I gape at James, incredulous. “I literally just let him eat me out in front of a room full of people,” I scoff. “I don’t know what that means in your world, but in mine, it’s a pretty clear invitation.”
“But it wasmyname on your lips when he made you come.” He tilts his head as he steps closer, shadows sharpening the hard cut of his cheekbones. “So tell me, darling, was the invitation for him, or for me?”
My mouth opens, but the words catch in my throat. He already knows the answer anyway. We both do.
“Why does it matter?” I snap, grasping for some footing. “Are you jealous now? Because you’re the one who told me to pick someone, to explore what I like.”
James barks a sharp, humorless laugh. “You think I’m jealous of ahuman?” he sneers, upper lip curling back from his teeth. “Please. He’s of no consequence to me.”
“Then what is it?” I demand, voice breaking on the edge of something raw and uncertain. “Was all that just some trick, some stupid mind game to see how far you could push me? Because I’m not some toy for you to jerk around, James.”
He looks down at me, and for a moment there’s a flicker of something behind the mask– something dark and desperate and just a little bit lost. Then it’s gone, replaced by the smooth, impenetrable calm I’m rapidly coming to hate.
“I didn’t force you to do anything,” he states flatly. “You were given the choice.”
I grit my teeth. “And then you took it away when you threw him off me.”
“Did youwanthim to fuck you?”
“Didyou?” I fire back. “Because before that, you seemed perfectly comfortable getting your dick sucked while you watched him make me come.”
James’ lips twitch, the barest hint of a smile curling at the edges. “You’re the one who seems jealous, darling.”
“Well maybe I am,” I huff, crossing my arms over my chest. “The rules to this whole thing are a little murky, don’t you think? You put all that stuff in the contract, but tonight was the first time I’ve ever evenseenyour dick. And it was down someone else’s throat.”
His brow arches. “And that bothers you?”
“I…” my voice trails off. I could lie, save face, but that won’t get me anywhere. So, I go for honesty, hoping he doesn’t make me regret it. “Yeah,” I breathe, folding my arms tighter. “It does.”
His responsive smirk is far too smug. A rogue strand of pale blond hair catches in his lashes as he tilts his head, sharp gaze locking onto mine. “Do you want to suck my cock, little mortal?”
A small, indignant sound slips out of me– not ayes, but definitely not ano.
The low rumble that follows from him vibrates straight through my chest. Satisfaction. Triumph. Pure, unrestrained dominance. He moves with a wicked kind of ease, slowly unbuttoning his shirt and letting it fall to the floor. His chest is a landscape of taut muscle and swirling black ink, tattoos tracing the planes of his ribs and shoulders, dark and intricate. I can’t help but stare, eyes drinking in every inch of his skin.
James drops to one knee on the bed in front of me, the movement so sudden and predatory that I jerk back a little on instinct. He braces his hands on either side of my hips, pinning me down as he crowds into my space. I can smell the aftershocks of whiskey and sex on him, with an undercurrent of something cold that makes my skin tingle.
“Say it,mea dulcis,” he drawls, low and dangerous. His mouth is close to my ear, voice raspy and edged with restraint. “Say you’re ready to take my cock, because I’m done waiting.”
I stutter, the words getting stuck in my throat, but then he’s unzipping his pants and shoving them down his hips. His cock springs free– thick and long and already hard. It’s even more intimidating up close, but the memory of Sylvie’s pale hand wrapped around it flashes through my mind and jealousy burns hot.
I put up zero resistance when he guides my hand to the base. My fingers curl around him, and for a second I just marvel at the weight, the thickness, the way my fingers don’t even touch. He’s watching me, and the intensity of his gaze makes my stomach clench.
“Go on,” he coaxes.
I should pull back. I should punish him for toying with my emotions, for the way he’s made me ache with want. But Ican’t. His hardness presses into my palm, warm and insistent, and every rational thought evaporates.
I lean in. My tongue flicks over the head, sliding across velvety skin, tasting him.
Glancing up, I catch his eyes half-lidded, mouth set in a grim line of concentration. Something in me twists– desire, submission, challenge, all tangled together.
