Page 8 of Kiss of a Hellish Prince

“Now you have to show her,” Murmur taunted.

“Fine, but I’m going on record to say this is a bad idea.” Rune stood up, took off his T-shirt, and tossed it to the side.

I couldn’t stop my gaze from lingering on his massive chest and toned abs. The lighting in the bright gym was much better for gawking than in the bedroom. His skin was tanned and only marked by the tattoo starting just below the center of his collarbone and stretching down, ending in points that disappeared into the waist of his jeans. The marks over his chest looked like wings stretching to each shoulder.

Taking a few steps back, he rolled his neck and shook out his arms. “Ready?”

I nodded.

Leaning over, Murmur whispered in my ear, “Doll, his eyes are up there.”

“I am well aware,” I said, refusing to take my eyes off the intricate design.

Rune had an incredibly sexy chest and arms. The kind that you just know was not a gift of genetics but earned with hard work. Tight abs and that unbelievably tantalizing V leading to the waistband of his jeans fascinated me. I just couldn't look away from the beautiful swirling designs in his tattoo.

With a sudden shake, Rune’s wings unfolded from his back. Large, black, leathery wings extended several feet in each direction. Each silver point in his wings looked unbelievably sharp. These weren't just meant to fly. These looked dangerous. Two thick black horns emerged from his head, arching back along his temples, forming a kind of crown. His skin got darker and took an almost reddish tone, and his eye teeth extended a little and become sharper and more pronounced. The once blue color of his eyes now seemed even brighter, as if they almost glowed like the first time I saw them.

I should have found this terrifying, but I felt hypnotized. I got up and moved towards him, completely transfixed, not stopping until I was standing almost toe-to-toe with him. I reached one hand up, silently asking permission to touch him. When he nodded his consent, I carefully ran a finger across the smooth surface of his horns. With a groan, he pulled me in closer to him and wrapped his wings around us.

Effectively isolating us from the rest of the world.

His arms snaked around my waist; my hand pressed gently to his chest.

“You aren't afraid of me?” His voice sounded deeper. I didn’t know if it was because of the transformation, or if being this close affected him as much as it affected me.

“No, but I know I should be. I mean, you have horns and wings and your eyes are glowing, but I am not scared. Maybe I am in shock, or this is all a dream? I don’t know.” My voice was barely a whisper. “So, can you fly with these things?”

“Yes, sort of. More like falling with style. My wings are more for combat than flight. The tips are even a little venomous.”

“Don't touch the wings. Got it”

Rune chuckled deep in his throat. “No, touching them won’t hurt you unless you draw blood on the tips, but the inside of my wings are really sensitive.”

“Sensitive how?”

“Just sensitive.”

“Why are you here? I mean,howare you here?”

“We really aren't too different from humans, and people immigrate from Hell just like any other country. Looking for work, a better life for their families, usual things.”

“Is that why you are here, Rune?”

“No.”

“So why are you here?” I asked again, feeling his heartbeat race under my fingers.

“Does it matter? I’m here.”

“So, any other tricks I should know about?”

“I may have a few more up my sleeve.”

My heart raced at his innuendo and my cheeks heated.

“But I think this is enough for one day. We really should get you home.” Instead of letting me go, his arms pulled me in closer.

“Yeah, people are probably worried.”

---