Page 23 of Deal with the Devil

My mouth falls open. Who has the strength to deny a chocolate covered marshmallow? I just—can’t. The man is insane with a will clearly stronger than—well, iron.

Tipping the Santa toward me for inspection, I see that nothing is off-putting. The thin chocolate coating isn’t even broken as it is for so many of the others I open. It’s perfection, and I’m not allowing perfection to go to waste. No. Way.

“Fine,” I huff. “I’m not wasting him.”

Without further ado, I take a nibble from the tip and almost moan. As it is, my eyes flutter closed.

Two weeks is really too long to go without one of my Santa treats.

When my eyes drift open again, I’m about to tell him he’s missing out big time when I see the way he’s looking at me. Specifically, my mouth.

There’s hunger there in his eyes. A dark kind of hunger that has my body responding like prey. There’s a tight coiling within my muscles, a demand I run—because he’s looking at me like he might devour me whole if given the chance. Considering I’m trapped in the cage of his arms, the guy most definitely has the chance.

“Fuck it, I change my mind.”

When he leans in just a bit, I make a noise I don’t recognize as me. “What?”

“Want that taste after all, Sunshine.” And with that, his mouth is crushing mine.

His kiss isn’t soft or hesitant. It’s consuming.

The contact has me tugging a sharp gasp into my lungs that tastes entirely of him. He takes advantage as his hand finds the back of my head, fingers twisting in my hair to tug my head back further for him as he sweeps his tongue into my mouth.Oh boy…

I’ve been kissed more than a few times in my life by more than a few men, but never like this. Never so wholly, as though he’s kissing me with everything hehas inside of him—as though he’s seeking the core of me.

A rumble of something darkly decadent vibrates from the deep of his chest as he moves his lips over mine, exploring me, tasting me,branding me. The hand not in my hair moves around my waist, pulling me roughly into his body, crushing curves against a mountain of solid muscle. I can’t help but respond, lost in whatever this is as I circle my arms around his thick neck.

Kane kisses me until I think I might pass out from lack of oxygen. Or an overdose of arousal. I’ve never wanted someone the way I want this man now. It’s so strong, so massively intense, I feel as though I’m a moment away from combustion. I’m so full of need and yet so achingly empty. My corehurts.

I need—I need—him.

Just when I think I might die of need, he pulls away. Air. It hits me like a wave, nearly knocking me off balance. It would have if he hadn’t been holding me.

And, God, the way he’s looking at me—as though he’d slay the world for me. This man is going to wreck me.

“You’re right.”

I blink at his bizarre statement. “Wh—what?”

“It’s life changing.” He releases me against the counter, his eyes dragging over me. I can only imaginewhat he’s seeing—a girl painted in desire. My lips feel swollen, kissed raw. My eyes, surely, are dazed with lust. My body? It’s weak with it. His frosted blue eyes land on the treat still in my hand, and a grin twitches the corner of his lips, flipping my heart. He surprises me when his big hand closes around my wrist and he brings my hand and the treat up to his mouth. I watch him take a big bite, his tongue swiping at a sliver of chocolate on his lower lip.

Then he speaks again, “My new favorite treat.”

The way he’s looking at me, I’m not sure if he means me or the chocolate covered marshmallow.

At this point, I’m not sure I could handle clarification to that question.

eleven

Kane

She tastes like she smells. Like toasted marshmallows and caramel cream and everything sweet. I’d known it’d only take one taste of the girl and I’d be addicted. I took the hit anyway. I’d do it again, and again, and again.

Hell, I intend to do it again, and again, and again for the rest of my God given days.

Still, I forced myself to break the kiss, to shatter the connection. I didn’t want to take things further, not yet. It’s still too soon, and I know she’s not ready.

I can wait. For her, I’m not sure there’s a damn thing I couldn’t do.

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