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I knew what they saw when they stared me down—a handsome face, a hint of danger in my scars and tattoos, a well-toned physique. A toy to be used, perhaps, but I was down to play. That’s what I was here for, after all.
A light smattering of freckles ran across her nose and cheekbones, contrasting with pale skin that was ever-so-slightly sunkissed. And good gods, that mouth. That mouth was going to get me into trouble.
I might just catch myself a pretty little bookwyrm.
“That’s a bit of a mouthful.” “So I’ve been told,” he purred,
“My, my, Miss Asher. A filthy mouth and sharp teeth? I do like that in a woman.”
“Are you avoiding the subject on purpose, or do you simply delight in being difficult to talk to?” “A bit of both, really,” she replied cheekily.
so it was just me and the tea kettle, screaming to ourselves at midnight.
I was a degenerate, but even I understood that she was so much more than something to screw.
“I do have to ask, though,” he said with a sly half-smile creeping up one side of his face. “Is it because I’m terribly ugly?” I barked out a laugh. “Oh, shut up, you preening peacock. You know damn well how attractive you are.”
“Even pretty men enjoy a good stroke to the ego every now and again,” the cheeky bastard replied with a wink. “Among other things.”
“Doesn’t everybody admire the night sky?” “No. Not like you do.”
“What? I thought women were supposed to like not having to explain themselves,” he teased, plucking another grape off my plate. “Sexism? At this hour? Gods, you are so very irritating.” “I aim to be irritating regardless of gender, actually. I’m an equal opportunity prick.”
“If he’d fucked you properly, that anxiety would be long gone,” Kieran argued.
“Aww, have you never experienced a proper afterglow? That’s terribly unfortunate. We’re going to have to find you someone better in bed. Broaden your horizons.” he paused, a wicked gleam in his eye. “I could call in some favors.”
“If you’d like to keep that hand of yours, Anders, I suggest you keep it to yourself,” a familiar voice purred in the darkness.
“Allow me to clarify, Anders,” Kieran’s voice was sharp now, a threatening growl as he took several strides towards us both. “There is no end date on that warning. Touch her again, uninvited, and find out what happens.”
“Keep that energy up, you little brat, and we’ll go back to running circuits.”
“Is that typically how you show gratitude?” I smirked anyway. “Depends,” she replied with a grin. “On?” “Precisely how grateful I’m feeling.” I snorted. “Get your ass up if you wanna spar, harlot.”
“Would it help if I begged, sweetheart?” I asked with sincerity. I would much prefer to hear her beg—and hear that fucking whine again, for that matter—but I would beg for this.
My heart was beginning to pound as we passed by the doors of each of my spare rooms. I had probably fucked somebody in every last room in this townhouse, save one. My own.
“Consider this me begging, Ark. I want this. I want you. Gods, you have no idea how long I’ve wanted this, how many times I’ve…”
“Oh no you don’t,” he growled, shoving them both up against his headboard. “Do you have any idea how long I’ve been waiting to do this? I’m gonna be taking my sweet ass time with you, Little Conduit. Let me savor this.”
“You are,” he whispered. “You’re so fucking beautiful, Arken. It devastates me. You know that, don’t you?”
“If I was trying to torture you, sweetheart… You would know. And you’d thank me for it.”
But it wasn’t Kieran’s wit that I was appreciating when he knelt down after peeling the fabric from my legs, spreading my thighs apart with a firm grip. It was his fucking mouth.
This was rapture. It was ruination. It was everything I had ever fucking wanted, but never once dared to dream of experiencing. Made for me. She was fucking made for me. And she was so. fucking. tight.
“But if you want it rough, pretty girl, I will so very happily oblige. Is that what you want from me right now?”
“Don’t stop,” she begged again. “Fates, please don’t stop. Gods fucking damnit, I can’t—” “You can take it,” I groaned, grabbing hold of her ass cheek with my free hand. “I know you can.”
“Oh, I am going to fucking ruin you when we get home,” he hissed beneath his breath.
Complete and utter terror. Because I loved her. I was in love with her. Fuck.
I thought about the way she looked at me lately, like I had personally hung every star in the night sky. Like I had crafted the constellations she so adored with my bare hands. I thought about the purity of her trust, the vulnerability that those gorgeous, golden doe eyes held, the way that she said my name. The way every kiss tasted like a promise on her tongue.
I would die for it. I would kill for it. I didn’t deserve it—I could live a thousand lifetimes and still never possibly deserve it, but that wasn’t enough to stop me. Though perhaps it should have been.
For Arken, I would go to war with my own demons. I would fight the Fates, the gods, and the very Source itself—if that’s what it took for me to hold onto her.
I immediately pocketed the stone, knowing that Arken would adore it. As I so adored her.
“Tell me what you were so anxious about earlier that you felt the need to tear up this perfect mouth of yours, hmm?” he crooned. “I do believe that’s my job.”
“I asked you a question, love.” “I would agree,” she said slowly, eyes raising to meet my own. “Sir.” Oh.
If I wasn’t already in love with the woman, I might have fallen right then and there. Holy fuck.
“You are the most gorgeous creature I have ever seen, Arken,” I purred, slinking away from the door frame but not quite close enough to touch. “The most stunning little thing I have ever had the pleasure to touch.”
“I promise you, Little Conduit, I’ll make it worth your while. Now up, please. Turn around. Good girl,” I crooned.
“Táieach kyn chroí, myon-Caindélach,” I whispered. I love you, Little Conduit.
My weakness. My heart. My whole fucking heart.
