Page 52 of Owned By Two

But her hands continued to scramble at my body, searching for any injuries.

I took her by the hands and held on tight.

She paused and looked up at me.

“I’m fine,” I said. “Really.”

Lizzy’s expression folded in on itself as tears streamed down her cheeks. “I thought… I thought…”

“I’m all right. And more importantly, you are all right.”

She wrapped her arms around me.

I did likewise and shivered in the cold air.

“What was that thing?” she said. “Why did it attack us?”

“I don’t know,” I said honestly. “It’s nocturnal. It usually doesn’t come out during daylight hours.”

“I was so scared. I thought… I thought…”

She peered up at me, her eyes bloodshot and red.

I gently stroked her cheek and chin. “So long as you’re safe, that’s all that matters.”

Her heart sank and mine melted.

Her hair was wet and scraggly about her face, her lips bright red and alert.

Right before.

Beneath me.

I knew my position.

I was an assistant.

I shouldn’t get involved with James’s daughter.

It would only complicate things.

But maybe, I told myself, a small taste wouldn’t hurt.

I swore to myself I would not ask for more.

Before I knew what I was doing, my lips were on hers.

I felt the smooth, soft press of her skin against mine, how warm and supple she felt in my arms, how soft she was

She broke the kiss and let out a breath that tickled my lips.

I looked down to what state she was in, if she regretted the kiss, if she thought I had crossed the line.

In her face, I saw the expression I had always wore when I looked upon her.

Hunger.

Insatiable hunger.

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