CHAPTER SIXTEEN #2
Her lashes lowered again, averting her gaze. She was silent for a moment then slowly shook her head. The truth nearly undone me. The urge to be her first… her only… rooted deep within me and I found myself smiling at the thought.
“Close your eyes,” I commanded softly and she did without hesitation.
I stared at her a moment longer and she shifted nervously at the delay.
Cupping her cheek, I leaned forward, closing the space between us.
My lips brushed over hers with the lightest touch, testing, waiting, giving her a chance to pull away .
She didn’t.
Instead, she sighed against my mouth, tilting her face up to meet me, her lips warm and soft and just a little clumsy as she kissed me back.
I deepened it slightly, letting myself savor the moment, the way she melted into me, trusting, unguarded.
Her body pressed against mine again, hips shifting, rolling gently against me.
It was too much. It wasn’t enough.
I forced myself to pull away, just barely, resting my forehead against hers as I exhaled a slow, uneven breath.
Her eyes fluttered open, dazed and heavy-lidded, a faint smile playing at her lips. “I knew it,” she murmured sleepily.
I huffed a quiet laugh. “Knew what?”
“That you’d be good at that.”
My smirk faded, something warmer curling in my chest. I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, my fingers lingering at the curve of her jaw. “Go to sleep, Mia.”
“I don’t want to sleep,” she purred, voice thick and husky. She blinked at me, dazed, pupils blown wide, and lips parted like she couldn’t catch her breath. Her rosy nipples peaked just beneath her thin nightgown and her hips shifted with need.
My jaw clenched. Fucking hell.
I watched her hand slide up her torso, her fingers grazing her breast as it moved to her neck. Her eyes fluttered closed as she let out a little moan.
“Lucien?” She whispered as if I was the one touching her.
I tensed, fighting the urge to do just that.
Her breath caught, and she tilted her face up like she wanted me to kiss her again.
And I almost did. My entire being burned with the urge to pull her into me and taste her, feel her, have her…
because she wasn’t mine and yet somehow she was.
Every sarcastic grin, every flare of temper, every reckless act of bravery.
Mia Arden had burrowed under my skin and made herself at home in my heart.
I watched, unable to look away as her hand slid back down her body, clutching the fabric of her nightgown, dragging it up her thighs. I sucked in a breath, catching her wrist just before she could finish the movement.
“Mia…” I said through clenched teeth. “You shouldn’t do that.”
Even as I said the words, my body cursed me.
“Why not?” She asked, her voice soft and sultry, a small grin touching her rosy lips. Her free hand trailed down my chest, slow, and exploring. “Don’t you want me, Lucien?”
I cursed, catching the other hand, and holding it still. I closed my eyes for a silent prayer, jaw clenching so hard that it hurt.
Gods, yes, I wanted her.
I opened my eyes to find her blinking, slowly at me, her full lips pouted slightly as she awaited my answer.
I could feel the fabric of my pants straining.
She wiggled as if she felt it too, desperately trying to ease an ache growing between her thighs.
I released her wrists, my hands gripping her hips to stop her.
“Fuck, Mia…” I grumbled and she frowned. “Don’t do that.”
Her frown deepened and I quickly clarified. “Of course I want you,” my voice barely steady. “But I won’t take advantage of something that isn’t freely given.”
She made a soft sound, something between a sigh and a plea. She leaned forward, her lips brushing mine, just a breath of contact… a ghost of a kiss, and I nearly shattered.
“Please,” she murmured against my lips. “I’m so hot, Lucien. I need… something.” She whimpered, eyes unfocused, and her skin flushing further.
That word sucked all of the self control I had out of me. I could imagine what the elixir was doing to her, the intense need that she couldn’t even put into words.
She ran her hands over her breasts, moaning as her eyes fluttered closed again, and her head fell back slightly.
I let out a deep breath, running my hand down my face. Every muscle in my body tensed as I watched her desperate attempt to soothe her ache. When her hand slipped under her nightgown, between her thighs, and a breathy gasp escaped her, I gripped her wrist, cursing again.
“Mia, don’t,” I warned, even though I should let her…
should allow her to pleasure herself and put us both out of our misery.
Instead, I lifted her into my arms as I stood, then placed her back into her bed before trying to move away.
Before I could turn away, she grabbed the front of my shirt and tugged me closer, eyes sparkling with mischief.
“Don’t go,” she pleaded, her body still writhing slowly, urgently seeking touch.
I raked a hand through my hair, my breath shuddering with the small thread of control I was clinging to for dear life.
I leaned over her, brushing her hair from her temple and pressing my lips to her forehead.
“When the potion fades,” I murmured against her ear, “if you still want me, I’ll be yours.
Gladly. But not like this, witch. Not when it’s not truly your choice. ”
I straightened, striding to the door before I changed my mind, and left the room. I didn’t leave her, but simply sat by her door until the sun rose and I faded into the void.