Move , I ordered restlessly.
It trembled under my foot, and then the heavy oak chair slid out from under me, dodging our leaning bodies. Unprepared for the sudden void, Daemon lurched forward, and I was unable to carry the unexpected weight. I collapsed backward, bringing Daemon along with me.
The full contact of his body, flush against mine, sent my senses into chaotic overdrive. His tongue swept over mine as his fingers
splayed across my cheeks. His hand slid down my side, gripping my hip as he urged me closer. The kisses slowed and his chest rose as he drank me in. With one last lingering exploration, he lifted his head and smiled down at me.
My heart skipped a beat as he hovered over me with an expression that tugged deep in my chest. He moved his fingers back up, along my cheek, trailing an invisible path to my chin.
I didnt move that chair, Kitten.
I know.
Im assuming you didnt like where it was?
It was in your way, I said. My hands were still curled around his arms.
I can see that. Daemon smoothed a fingertip over the curve of my bottom lip before taking my hand, pulling me up. Letting go, he watched me carefully and waited. Waited for
What had happened slowly sank in beyond the fog in my brain. Id just kissed him. Again. And right after hed taken over my date with another guythe guy I should be kissing. Or not. I didnt know anything anymore.
We cant keep doing this. My voice shook. We
We like each other, he said, stepping forward, grasping the edges of the table on either side of me. And before you say it, we were attracted to each other before I healed you. You cant say thats not true.
He leaned in, his nose brushing my cheek. A shudder rolled through me. His lips pressed against the spot under my ear. We need to stop fighting what we both want.
Air caught in my throat. I closed my eyes as his fingers inched down my turtleneck, clearing a path for his lips to meet my wildly beating pulse.
Its not going to be easy, he said. It wasnt three months ago and it wont be three months from now.
Because of the rest of the Luxen? My head tipped back, my thoughts swimming at his touch. There was something wicked in those hot little kisses he dropped all over my throat. Theyll outcast you. Like
I know. He let go of my turtleneck and slid his hand around the nape of my neck as his body pressed against mine. Ive thought about the repercussionsits all Ive thought about.
Part of me had been yearning to hear him say that. A secret Id kept close to my heartthe same heart that was jumping in my chest. I opened my eyes. His were glowing. And this has nothing to do with the connection or Blake?
No, he said, and then sighed. Yes, some of it has to do with that human, but its about us. About what we feel for each other.
I was attracted to him on a level that was nearly painful. Being around him had every cell in my body burning, but this was Daemon . Caving to him was like saying the way hed treated me was okay. And more importantly, it required blind faith in the theory that our feelings were real. And when they turned out not to be? It would be heartbreak, because I would seriously fall for himfall more than I already had.
Wiggling down, I dipped under his arms. A dull ache shot through my injured leg as I backed up. Is this like a I didnt want you until someone else wanted you type of thing?
Daemon leaned against the table. Thats not what this is.
Then what is it, Daemon? Tears of frustration built in my eyes. Why now, when three months ago you couldnt stand to breathe the same air as me? Its the connection between us. Its the only thing that makes sense.
Dammit. Do you think I dont regret acting like such a douche to you? Ive apologized. He stood there, towering over me. You dont get it. None of this is easy for me. And I know this is hard for you. You have a lot to deal with. But I have my sister and an entire race counting on me. I didnt want you to get close to me. I didnt want another person to care about, to worry about losing .
I sucked in a breath, and he went on. It wasnt right how I acted. I know that. But I can do better than thatbetter than Benny.
Blake. I sighed, limping away from him. I have a lot in common with Blake . He likes that I read a lot
I do, too, Daemon challenged.
And he also blogs. Why did I feel like I was grasping at straws?
Daemon caught a piece of my hair and wrapped it around his finger. I have nothing against the Internet.
I knocked his hand away. And he doesnt like me because of some stupid alien connection or because some other guy likes me.
I dont either. His eyes flashed. You cant keep pretending. Its wrong. Youll break that boys poor little human heart.
No, I wont.
You will, because you want me and I want you.
Deep down, I did want to be with him. And I wanted him to want me , not because we were the same atom split or because someone else liked me. Shaking my head, I went for the door. You keep saying that
What does that mean?
he demanded.
I squeezed my eyes shut briefly. You say you want me, but thats not enough.