Page 102 of Taming Seraphine

THIRTY-EIGHT

SERAPHINE

Leroi’s lips deliver a warmth that goes straight to my heart and a zing that shoots straight to my core. As he draws back, I tighten my grip on my makeshift garrote, not wanting the kiss to end.

“Seraphine,” he groans against my lips.

“Don’t stop.” I kiss him back, pressing my body against his.

He resists, and for a moment I wonder if he’ll break through the tape measure I looped around his neck and tell me he only meant to give me a congratulatory peck until I tighten my grip and slip my tongue between his lips.

Leroi advances even closer, his sculpted body radiating a delicious heat. His fingers curl into my hair with a possessive grip that makes my breath catch. His heart thumps against my chest as his tongue twists around mine. He’s tasting me, exploring me, driving me to the edge of ecstasy.

I’m burning up, consumed by Leroi’s kiss. I press my hips against his thigh, aching for a deeper connection. I lose myself in his overwhelming presence, until the voices, the images, and the emotions from that night fade back into the recesses of my consciousness.

Leroi is my peace of mind, and his presence is my tranquility. He’s the most exciting man I’ve ever encountered. The heat of this kiss burns through my barriers and ignites the flames of my desire. I want more. I want him.

The tape measure slips from my fingers, and I explore his body. Every ridge, every crease, every contour of his shoulders, pecs, and abs, feels exactly as I’d imagined. Hard as stone yet beneath his clothes lies the heat of his blood.

But he’s wearing too much.

My pulse quickens, and warmth pools low in my belly. I need to take off all the layers of clothing and slide beneath his skin. As my fingers curl into the fabric of his shirt, he takes my wrists in his firm grasp and pins them behind my back.

“What do you want from me?” His voice is barely a whisper, yet delivers a thrill that makes my thighs clench.

The answer rises to the back of my throat. I want to be accepted. I want to be protected. I want to be loved. I picture a future of us working together as assassins, ridding the world of those who deserve to die.

“Everything,” I moan. “You. I want you.”

Leroi pulls back, robbing me of his heat. When he stares down to meet my gaze, his dark eyes burn like embers. Breathing hard through parted lips, he rasps out the words, “Are you sure?”

Sure is an understatement. If he doesn’t continue this kiss, I swear I’m going to die.

“Please,” I whisper.

He crushes his lips back to mine, this time with his arms holding our bodies so closely that I melt. This kiss is hungrier, deeper, more urgent, and I wrap my arms around his neck and cling onto him as a lifeline.

Because that’s how I see Leroi.

He’s my rescuer, my teacher, my protector, myeverything. In all the years I festered in captivity, grieving over losing Nanna, I never thought I would meet a man who would serve me retribution.

“You’re so beautiful.” Leroi’s kisses travel down my neck, each press of his lips sending sparks across my skin. “My avenging angel.”

He slides his fingers beneath my t-shirt, caressing my bare skin until I’m gasping.

“You’re wearing too much,” he growls into my skin.

“Then take it off.”

He yanks it over my head and tosses it to one side. The blood soaking through the fabric of my shirt cools, making my skin tighten into goosebumps. Leroi’s eyes widen when he realizes I’m not wearing a bra.

“Fuck, Seraphine,” he groans, his eyes darken. “Are these nipples stiff for me?”

I nod. “What are you going to do about them?”

Nostrils flaring, he raises a hand and rolls my nipple between his thumb and forefinger. I gasp as pleasure skitters down my spine and settles between my legs, but when he takes my nipple into his mouth, my knees buckle.

Leroi holds me steady, not seeming to care that I’m bathed in Julio Catania’s blood. Maybe despite all his nagging about my lack of self-control, he’s secretly like me and gets excited at the sight of carnage. I can’t dwell on that for long because he scoops me into his arms, lifting me off my feet.

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