Page 86 of Winter Unleashed
He tried shoving me away again but laughed at my lavish attentions despite himself. “I have some more healing to do, and it still hurts like hell, but I’m over the worst of it. If you want me to keep getting better, you’ll let me eat.” Before I could let him go, he pulled me in for a hug, and kissed me solidly on the lips. It lingered a little longer than it should have, but it was strictly a kiss between friends who were happy to see each other, happy to be alive.
A growl came from behind me, and Isaac pulled his lips from mine. “Calm down, old man. I know she’s yours.” he said to Liam then moved his lips to my ear to whisper, “Did you get it?”
I nodded and patted his pillow to let him know I’d snuck in underneath it while we’d been hugging.
“Thank you,” Isaac whispered.
“You’re welcome,” I said before turning to glare at Liam. “You growl at an injured man?”
Liam lowered his eyes and shifted his feet. “Sorry, I can’t always help it.”
Isaac chuckled. “It’s all good. I almost bit the demon’s head off for just looking at Ciara.” He shrugged and turned back to his plate.
“Where is Belial?” I asked, looking around to find both him and Astrid gone.
“Oh my! Does the Vinura miss me?” the demon trilled out as he walked into the room. “I’m touched.”
“Calm yourself,” I said with a frown. “I just wanted to thank you for everything. Especially for saving this guy.”
I held out my hand intending to shake his, but he lifted mine to his lips. When they touched my skin, a cool shiver of desire washed over me.What the fuck is it with this guy?
“If it pleases you, it pleases me.”
Another growl filled the room as Liam watched what was happening and no doubt smelled my arousal.
“All right, this shit has to stop,” I said, gripping Belial’s hand tightly and tugging him behind me. “You’re coming with me. We need to have a chat.” I looked at Liam. “And you’re staying here. Promise me.”
I put my other hand on my hip and tilted my head when he growled again.
“Promise me, Liam.”
“Fine.” His jaw clenched so tightly I heard his teeth creak, but he stayed where he was while watching me pull the demon out of the room.
Belial groaned with disappointment when I dragged him down the stairs. “Aw, shucks, I’d hoped you were taking me to bed.”
“That’s what we need to talk about. Sit,” I demanded, pointing at a chair when we entered the sitting room. “You want to make amends and make good on all the shit you’ve done in the past, right?”
“Correct.”
“And how does angering Liam get you there?”
He pursed his lips and tapped a finger to them. “I guess it doesn’t.”
I sighed as I took the seat across from him. “Listen, Belial—”
“Call me Lyle, please,” he said with a slight bow of his head.
My head tilted as I nibbled my lip. His tone, demeanor, and expression had changed now that we were alone. Maybe he only acted like an ass in front of Liam to get a rise out of him. “Okay, Lyle, I need you to be serious, can you do that?”
His eyelids lowered a little and his lips pulled slightly upward. “I will do anything you want. Anything at all, just ask,” he said with a wiggle to his eyebrows.
And my theory flew out the window. “That’s what I mean. Why do you say things like that?”
He studied me for a long time. So long I thought he’d never answer me. Then he cleared his throat and shifted in his seat. “Because it bothers Liam. It’s the same reason I called you his bitch the first time we met. It’s fun to get him angry. And… because I’m in love with you.”
Chapter Twenty-two
“Say what now?” I sputtered as his words sunk in.