Page 52 of Fractured Shadows

“You found me, so now I am it?” he concludes, standing and moving closer. He towers above me as he watches me.

“Now you’re it,” I reply, my voice unsure. “And you can find us…”

“But I’ve already found you.” He grins, looking down at me, his smile so uncensored and soft, it shocks me for a moment before it fades. “Unless you want to run so I can chase you?” His voice comes out in a growl.

The desire Grim stoked this morning roars back to life as I lick my lips. He tracks the movement, eyes narrowing.

“Human,” he warns.

“Do you want me to run?” I flirt and flutter my lashes at him.

“You are playing with fire.”

“My favorite type of game,” I tease, stepping closer.

Krug snarls, grabs me, and lifts me into the air so our heads are level, then his eyes search mine. “What do you want, human?”

“Right now?” I ask softly.

He nods, and I swallow.

“For you to kiss me.”

As if my answer gives him permission, he slams his lips onto mine, swallowing my gasp. I wrap my arms and legs around him, climbing him in a way I’ve been dreaming about. As he grips my chin, tilting my head the way he wants, he decimates my lips. His tusks press to my face in a way that should be unpleasant, but instead, I’m shivering and imagining them between my thighs as his tongue sweeps into my mouth.

The kiss is over way too fast and leaves me panting and staring at him wide-eyed. He has the same look on his face as he watches me.

His scarred, deadly hands grip my ass, holding me against him. “Run, little human,” he orders, sliding me down his body. “And when I find you, you are mine.”

Laughing, I turn and start to run, knowing he’s watching and counting down the time.

I infuse magic in my movements, not wanting to make it easy for him. I’m unsure if I want him to catch me or not. After all, we are still almost strangers, but that kiss…it stained my lips and soul. I seem to move faster, hopping through the trees in a way I couldn’t before. The magic almost gives me wings, and I can’t hear him anymore. I look around, spotting a hole in the base of a tree that’s just the right size for me. Hesitating for a moment, I check to make sure there’s nothing hiding inside before I slip into the darkness, curling up to fit and wait.

And wait…

And wait…

I’m just about to give up and climb out when I hear a sound as familiar as my own breathing—the sliding of scales. I cover my grinning lips, curling up tighter. “Parum anguis, I can smell you,” Nero calls softly. “Your little orc found me, and now it’s my turn to find you.”

I bite my lip, shivering at his purring voice.

“And when I find you…” He trails off as I almost stop breathing. “You’re close. I can smell your desire. Is that for me, little one, or for your orc?”

Panting, I stare out at the forest, watching him slide through the trees as he moves closer. My heart hammers, knowing he will find me.

And when he does…

I’ll be his.

I know it, and I can’t wait.

Clenching my thighs together to hold back my desire, I wait.

“Cora,” he hisses. “Come out and play.”

He slides into the clearing before the tree I’m hiding in, standing on his tail as he searches for me. “I can smell your need. Do you really want to hide anymore?”

He slides around the clearing, disappearing out of sight. Letting out the breath I’d been holding, I lean out of the tree and look for him. I nearly jump out of my skin when his face suddenly appears in front of me, upside down and grinning. “Got you!” His forked tongue slithers out as I squeak and jump back.

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