Page 44 of His Darkest Desire
Vex stepped in front of her, his crimson eyes glowing as he sank into an easy crouch and plucked the book off the floor. “Safer for myself, but no less ideal for the tome.”
She stepped back and pointed at him. “That was your fault for startling me.”
“Oh?” He held the book upon one large hand, using a finger from the other to leisurely turn a few pages before gently closing it. Then he offered it back to her. “Then I shall be sure not to startle you again, for the sake of my library.”
Kinsley took the book and returned it to the shelf, glancing at Shade. “Someone could have at least warned me I wasn’t alone.”
With another of those little shrugs, Shade whispered.
“What’d they say?” Kinsley asked.
“That their current duty is to watch you, Kinsley,” Vex replied. “Not me.”
“So they are spying for you.”
“Spying?” Vex eased closer to her.
She instinctively retreated a step, unable to look away as his eyes devoured her. “Yes.”
“They are watching, mortal. Listening. To protect you.”
“To protect me? From what? You’re the only dangerous thing here.”
“Would that your words were true. You are by far the fairest creature to enter my realm, and also the most vulnerable.”
“Unless I have a book in my hand.”
The corner of Vex’s mouth quirked. “Indeed.”
When he moved closer again, she held her ground, catching the sides of her skirt and clutching them.
His eyes dipped, and heat sparked in his gaze. “You’ve donned one of the dresses I left for you.”
Had his voice grown a bit deeper just then?
“Well, it was either this or the blanket,” she said.
He extended a hand and trailed his fingers down Kinsley’s arm. A shiver stole through her. She shouldn’t have stood there and allowed it, but she was unable to move, spellbound by his touch.
His hand paused at her elbow, and he curled his fingers around it loosely to brush his thumb over her sleeve. His claws pressed into Kinsley’s skin just enough to make her aware of their wicked points.
Her body’s response was immediate—her nipples hardened; her heart quickened. She was ashamed that she couldn’t tell whether it was from fear…or arousal.
A low hum sounded in his chest as his gaze flicked back up to hers. “You are beautiful in either.”
Kinsley flushed not only due to his words, but the intensity of his stare.
This was different. He was different. She wasn’t used to…to this Vex. He was so much calmer, so much more collected. And somehow, that made him seem more powerful, more intimidating.
She backed away, withdrawing from his touch, and turned to walk around the library. Though she couldn’t see him, she felt his gaze upon her, which reminded her just how revealing this dress was.
Is he staring at my ass?
She looked at him over her shoulder.
He is definitely staring at my ass.
The heat on her skin deepened, pooling low in her belly.