Page 26 of Dark Christmas
Holy shit.
I can’t stop staring. I’ve never seen death like this—so final, so quiet. It’s like the whole house is holding its breath.
Melor’s voice slices through the silence. “Amelia!”
I jump, and suddenly the weight of everything comes crashing down again. I tear my eyes away from the body, the image burned into my brain, and stumble toward the front door, my mind racing.
I need to get out. I need to get out now.
But this house is huge, and I’m totally disoriented, running in the wrong direction, practically dizzy with panic.
Behind me, I hear Melor thudding down the stairs, his heavy footsteps echoing through the house. My heart’s pounding as I sprint, finally finding the front door. I grab the handle, yanking on it hard, but nothing happens. The lock won’t budge. It’s super high-tech and complicated, and in my panic, I can’t figure it out.
Shit, shit, shit!
I whip around and take off again, my feet carrying me through the maze of the first floor. I need to find a way out. My mind is a blur, and I can barely think straight. I’m running on nothing but pure adrenaline. I make it to the back door, and without stopping to think, I throw it open and rush into the garden, hoping there’s a fence I can jump over or at least a place to hide.
The evening air is cool and calm, a complete contrast to the panic running through me. I run deeper into the garden, my breath ragged, when I hear his voice again, closer this time.
“Amelia!”
I turn, my stomach twisting. He’s standing at the back door now, watching me. The garden suddenly feels so small. There’s nowhere to go.
I stop, breathless, right in front of a massive stone fountain. It’s gorgeous. Actually, the whole garden is stunning— flowers everywhere, statues tucked between trees. There’s even a little stream bubbling along the path.
The beauty of it all calms me for just a second, my racing heart slowing down as I take it in. But then I hear him.
Melor appears, stepping into view, and I freeze. My emotions are a mess—I'm terrified of him, but at the same time, I feel oddly safe.
He strides toward me, those intense eyes locked on mine, and when he reaches me, his hands land firmly on my shoulders.
“You can’t run. I have to protect you. You must understand that.”
“I don’t feel safe,” I manage to whisper, though I know that’s a lie. I do feel safe with him. And, incredibly, despite everything that’s transpired tonight, that fact turns me on.
What the fuck is wrong with me?
His grip tightens. “I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise you that.”
And then, before I can say another word, his lips slam into mine.
Chapter 14
Melor
Ikiss her hard and she lets go.
The adrenaline is still pumping faintly through my veins from the attack, and I can feel it in her, too—whether it’s from the danger or from the way we’re drawn to each other, I’m not sure. Maybe it’s both.
The kiss deepens, her tongue meeting mine in a wild, hungry rhythm. My hand slides down to the small of her back, pulling her tighter against me. I’m already hard as hell, my body aching for her.
“I need to be inside you,” I murmur against her lips, my voice rough with need. “Right here, right now.”
She moans through the kiss, her body pressing into mine, and that’s all I need.
My hand slips down to her jeans, grabbing the waist and unfastening them before tugging them down. I’m beyond holding back now. The tension, the fear, the raw desire—it’s all mixed into a fiery passion, and it’s driving me to the edge.
She’s got her hand on me, stroking me through my slacks, and damn, she knows just how to work me. The way her fingers wrap around, firm but teasing is enough to make me pause and appreciate the heat of her touch.