A Touch of Poison (Shadows of the Tenebris Court, #2)

by Clare Sager

“Bow upright”—his arm came around me as he guided my wrist—“and draw.” He “helped” and I tried to ignore the press of him against my back. “Elbow—oh, it already is up. Good.” That word. Fuck. That word.

I widened my eyes. “Really? Huh. Weird. And if the target were a clock face, where would⁠—?” “Eleven.” He exhaled a disbelieving laugh. He looked at me a long while, gaze flicking over my face and down as if he’d never seen me before this moment.

“We only get to be brave when we’re afraid.”

“An acid lake. Poisonous gasses. You bring me to all the best holiday destinations.” He smirked. “I know, I spoil you.”

Or, as it turned out, room.

yessss let’s goooo

I released her wrists and took hold of the mass of her hair, finding it still damp at the nape of her neck. Slowly, I wrapped it around my hand until she was forced to lift her chin and look me in the eye. “Is touch all you want?” I gave a gentle tug as her hands planed up my chest, sending a streak of need through my nerves. “Don’t lie to me.”

“Good. Kneel with your back to me.”

“Such a good ember.”

“That’s it, love, now come here.” I couldn’t help the growl that came out with those last two words as I looped an arm around her waist and pulled her against me.

“I want you, body, heart, and soul. I want to worship you as you deserve to be worshipped. Adore you as you deserve to be adored. Love you as you deserve to be loved.”

“At your feet, all rules kneel. I’m no hero, Katherine, but, please, let me be your villain.”

“Katherine,” he murmured against my skin, “I love you. Beyond all reason. Beyond all control. Beyond everything. I love you.”

“You’d better stay safe,” Ella hissed, voice cracking. “Don’t I always?” “No! You fucking don’t.” “Well… maybe this time will be different.”