Chapter 16
Chapter sixteen
“The mass protest ended in several shockingly violent altercations that rocked the city,” the news anchor said, her voice rising.
Mira chewed her nail and paced away, toward the kitchen.
“What’s now being referred to as the Le Prestige Riots ended in four casualties, including a targeted attack within the upscale restaurant itself. The victim was the son of a regular Le Prestige patron.”
Mira froze as a photo of Max filled the TV screen. “What the fuck are they saying?”
She returned to the living room and sat down once more beside Nikhiv. “Why are they talking about him like he’s just the son of some rich person?”
“ Is he the son of some rich person?” Nikhiv asked.
Mira frowned. “Yes, but he’s…” Pain bloomed in her chest. “He was part of the DFC. He was with us .” Her voice thickened as a lump rose in her throat. “They’re making it sound like we stormed the building and did that to him.”
“That’s how narratives get easily distorted, unfortunately. I also doubt Max’s family will want to clarify his DFC association.”
Mira stared at the TV. Thwarted fury built within her, leaving her lips trembling. She stood restlessly and began pacing once more.
The front door opened, admitting Dominic. She met his eyes, and a torrent of emotion rushed through her. Loneliness, remorse, and overwhelming need.
After slamming the door to his room last night, she’d emerged to find him gone, and Bastian in his place. Bastian had switched with Nikhiv in the afternoon, all while she silently moped around Dominic’s apartment, wondering if she’d pushed him too far.
Mira had used his shower, washed with his scentless soap, and once more put on his too-big clothes. Yet, none of it filled the same void within her as seeing him walk through the front door.
She’d never wanted so badly to hurl herself into someone’s arms, and let the outside world disappear.
Nikhiv stood. “It was a quiet shift,” he reported wryly. He sobered, and asked in a lower voice, “How was it?”
“He’s batshit,” Dominic bit out. “And prepared to play his games indefinitely. I won’t go through another day like today,” he vowed.
“Understandable.” Nikhiv nodded, and headed for the door.
He paused with his hand on the knob. “I’ve spoken with Bastian. He agrees that because of Cooper’s preoccupation with both you and Mira, it isn’t safe for her to remain around any unmated smoke demons who can be controlled. Any,” Nikhiv repeated, “unmated smoke demons.”
Mira’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Phoebe and I would be delighted to have you over,” he told her. “Indefinitely. Just say the word.”
Dominic glanced at him sharply. Stark, possessive fury crossed his face, as though he contemplated killing Nikhiv over the suggestion.
Nikhiv didn’t seem intimidated. “We’ll speak tomorrow,” he said simply, and left.
The apartment plunged into silence, save for the TV. Mira shut it off and tossed the remote away in disgust.
Wordlessly, Dominic went to the kitchen. He gripped the counter, and stared up at the ceiling. Mira stared at his back uncertainly.
“Last night, you offered something to me.” He dropped his head, squeezing the sink. “Or, at least, that’s how it seemed.”
Silence descended, while he weighed his next words.
Dominic finally turned. “If—” His face blanked in shock.
Mira had pulled his large t-shirt over her head. She held it in front of her breasts as she tugged on the drawstring of his sweatpants, and they fell to her ankles. Stepping out of them, she lifted her eyes to his, and let the t-shirt drop to the floor.
She only heard Dominic’s growl before he was at her side, his gray smoke billowing around her.
He cupped her face, his eyes wild. “That was your final answer. Make no mistake.”
Mira wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him.
Dominic shuddered, and pulled back to search her face. With a groan, he caught her lips again. His hands slid over her naked body, exploring. Kneading and caressing. He dipped his fingers between her legs, rubbing her slick folds. She gasped into his mouth and her legs parted for him.
His shockingly long tongue slipped into her mouth. It coiled around her own, exploring her in lewd thrusts. Dominic squeezed her ass, lifting her, and she eagerly wrapped her legs around his waist. She ground against him impatiently, reaching for the zipper on his pants.
He chuckled against her mouth. “That’s not how this works. Not the first time.”
His arms tightened around her, and the living room disappeared.
Mira fell back against the bed. Dominic appeared at the foot of it, glowering as he shrugged out of his own clothes. His powerful, lean body emerged. His cock jutted angrily between his legs, a wide menace.
Her head buzzed, and her body pulsed with heat. Meeting his eyes, she let her legs fall open, and dipped her own hand between them.
Dominic paused to stare, mesmerized. His nostrils flared. “If this is your heat, I can’t wait to see you in thrall.”
Her hand faltered. “I’m not in thrall?”
With a devilish smile, he climbed atop her. Holding her eyes, he bent his mouth to one of her nipples.
Mira arched up in surprise with a cry as his long tongue coiled around it. Dominic’s eyes never left hers as he laved and sucked it, then alternated to the other nipple, and back again.
She was panting, unable to catch her breath as a searing heat coiled tight within her. Her feet slid mindlessly across the sheets while Dominic’s greedy sucking obliterated her last coherent thoughts.
A rolling wave of heat started at her toes and swept up her body, consuming her. Mira fell back against the pillows with a long moan, and melted.
She shivered from the sensation of the sheets against her suddenly sensitive skin. The colors in the room stood out, like they’d been painted with a vivid brush.
A tantalizing fragrance drifted to her nose, and saliva rushed into her mouth. With a whimper, she reached blindly for Dominic.
“So beautiful,” she heard him whisper. His fingers trailed up her abdomen over her sensitive skin, and her pussy contracted sharply.
Dominic rose over her. He slid his hand up his shaft, coating his fingers in his clear pre-cum. Mira’s nose twitched at the scent. He traced her lips with the sticky fluid.
At the first taste, a madness overtook her. She grabbed his hand and held it in place, sucking his fingers clean.
Dominic groaned. “That’s it. Taste my nectar.”
Mira sat up, desperate for more. She reached for his cock, pushing him onto his back.
He spread his thighs wide and beckoned her. “Come feast,” he snarled.