Page 82 of Made in Malice

“I underestimated how much I would like it and your reaction.”

“My reaction? I reacted to the pain,” I protest.

“Is that why you stopped breathing and tipped your ass back?” he questions smugly.

“I was trying to get away.”

“Sure, you keep telling yourself that, lamb. Now run along to the bathroom before I lay you on the bed and leave my marks all over your pretty, soft thighs.”

“You’re delusional,” I reply, but there’s no lying to myself about the way my stomach dipped at his promise. Why the heck would that excite me? Maybe I’m as senseless as he is.

“You’ll come around.” Lucian isn’t at all bothered by my outrage. “Bathroom is right behind you, or there’s always option two.” He makes a point of looking over at his bed.

I back away from him, only peeking over my shoulder to make sure I don’t trip on anything so I can keep my eyes on him. Once the bathroom is just a step away, I pivot and push through the door, then I flip the lock and back away from the wood separating us. There’s a part of me that’s afraid to pee because I’m worried he’s going to wait until I have my pants down and come barging in here to humiliate me somehow.

“Stop overthinking.” I hear him clearly through the door.

“Stop talking and being weird,” I retort. There’s a thud against the door, but the handle never jiggles. I flip on the tap to mask the sound, then do my business as fast as possible before washing my one good hand so I don’t get the wrap wet. It’s not until I’m looking in the mirror, seeing my flushed face, that I realize how easy I am to read. I don’t look pissed or even scared. I look like I just got off a carnival ride and I want to go again.

LUCIAN

There’s something definitely wrong with me. I have to fight not to go find the key to the door or break the lock. She’s only steps away, but it feels like she’s too far.

The water turns on, and I force myself to get away from the fucking door because it’s a bit much, even for me. I don’t care if she knows I’m not right, but she doesn’t need to know just how much she’s affecting me. Giving her that much power would be a death sentence for both of us.

“What’s taking so long?” Nox leans against the doorframe.

“I think she’s hiding in the bathroom because she’s scared.” I say it loud enough so she can hear me over the running water.

“Scared of you turning cannibal on me,” she says as she exits.

“Harmless nibbles,” I counter.

“I bet you wouldn’t say that if you were the one being bitten.”

“Whoa, you bit her?” Nox’s eyes flash with something. Maybe jealousy.

“I’m waiting,” I offer, my arms spread wide, but I know my lamb. She lets her mouth get her in trouble, but there’s no way she’s ready to take that step yet. My cock is hard just from thinking about it though.

“That’s probably a trap. You’d offer to let me bite you, then find a way to punish me for it.” She snorts.

“I’m liking where this is going.”

“And that’s my cue to leave. I just need my keys.” She actually puts out her hand like I might just shuffle over and put them in her upturned palm. Why am I smiling at that?

“No can do, lamb.”

“What? Why?” She rolls that same wrist and plants it on her curvy hip. Yup, I’m going to enjoy marking her all over.

“I’m having the car swept for bugs and trackers. It’ll only take a day or two, then you can park it, because I already told you that you’ll be riding with us.”

Her chin lowers, and those fiery eyes blaze at me. The anticipation of what she might say or do is eating at me like I’m an addict waiting for the next hit.

“Fine, just give me your keys then.”

“I can’t, it’s past curfew,” I whisper.

“You are such a liar.” The way she enunciates the last word has her tongue poking out and touching her top lip.

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