Page 52 of The Death King

But I didn’t bite Talon.

I didn’t push him away either.

Just like I was asleep, I let it happen.

If I didn’t stop it, there would be dire consequences. He would know my desire, and that would compromise my distance. I would never be able to halt his advances again, and I would be swept away like a ship in a storm.

But I let the kiss continue.

Once he knew he had me, his harshness and desperation decreased and his kisses slowed, turning gentle rather than barbaric, slowed down like there was no rush to get where he wanted. His other arm circled my back, and he pulled me closer, completely wrapping around me because I was petite and he was large.

His hand left my neck and glided through my hair, feeling the soft strands before he cupped my cheek, his mouth still embracing mine with a gentleness I didn’t expect from someone like him. He tilted his head the other way and kissed me again, his eyes opening long enough to look at me and witness my reaction to his touch. He must have seen the same desire he felt because he continued to kiss me, feeling my lips with his, breathing his air into my lungs. And then he gave me his tongue, swiping it over mine in a precise motion that made my nerves tingle differently.

I’d never felt anything like it.

When he’d made me come, I’d never felt anything like that either, because another person had never made me feel good before. It was up to my hand when General Titan left the room. He always knew I’d done it when he returned because I was wet rather than dry—and there was always a punishment for that.

Talon grabbed both of my arms and hooked them around his neck because up until that point, I hadn’t touched him, just letting him touch me. His hands were immediately on me again, and this time, he gripped my ass and squeezed hard as he released a heavy breath of desire into my lungs. He started to maneuver me backward, wanting to lead me to his bedroom where he could undress me and fuck me.

Once I realized this was more than a kiss, that it would lead to getting naked and sweaty, I snapped out of the spell he’d cast over me. I turned my cheek and felt our lips break apart like a snapped twig.

He grabbed my cheek and forced my lips back to his, kissing me again like I hadn’t tried to escape.

My lips automatically took his again as if it was the most natural thing in the world, but my mind broke the spell quicker than the first time, and I stepped aside altogether. I turned away and didn’t look at him, wanting the haze to vanish, the clouds to part, for my mind to be clear once more.

He was on me again, this time pushing me up against the wall next to the door, hooking my leg over his hip, and kissing me harder than he had before as he ground his dick against me. “Don’t fight it.” His mouth sealed over mine, and his tongue danced with mine as he dug his hand into my hair, kissing and touching me in a way a man never had. “Don’t fight me.”

A knock sounded on the door right beside us, and the sound and the vibration made me gasp into his mouth in a jolt of surprise.

He kissed me as if there’d been no interruption, determined to get me to the finish line. His hand squeezed my cheek as he held up my leg, and his other hand kept my hair from my face as he pinned me in place. His kiss was vicious and demanding, desperate to keep the fire going before it was snuffed out for good.

Then they knocked again.

“Fuck off,” he broke our kiss long enough to snap. Then he dipped his head back to me.

My hands planted against his shoulders. “Stop…”

Instead of diving for my lips again, he stared down at me, the restraint written in the hardness of his face.

I thought I would have to push and shove myself free, but all I needed were my words. “I—I just can’t…”

He breathed hard as he looked at me, like he wanted to violate my request more than anything…but couldn’t.

The knock sounded again.

He finally ripped his gaze away from mine. “For fuck’s sake, what is it?” He yanked on the handle, the now-open door hiding me from the person who’d come to visit his chambers. “Yes?” His tone implied all his rage, all his ferocity, without even raising his voice.

“I—I wanted to speak with you.” It was a woman.

“At this time of night?”

“That’s when we always speak.”

“Natalie, I’m busy. Don’t bother me again.” He slammed the door shut and released a sigh that came out as a growl.

I didn’t know who Natalie was, but I had a hunch.

The heat that engulfed us both had evaporated within the snap of a finger. Now the fire was cold—and there was nothing but smoke left behind.