I should tell him that we can find another inn, but I don’t want to further risk Rollins’ or Marks’ men discovering me.
I should tell him that the floor looks comfortable, but the scuffed wooden planks don’t look like they’ve been mopped recently.
I should tell him to leave me and see if he can find someone else’s bed to sleep in, but a greedy, possessive part of me rages at the thought.
I’ve always been great at denial, but this … this magic-fueled lust… even I can’t deny the primitive part of me whose only care is pleasure. The deep, savage need to be physically claimed by him, consequences be damned. I’ve never given myself to anyone without a mask or an alias, and maybe just once, I’d like to know what it’s like to be fucked relentlessly by a man who calls out my name in his sleep.
“You could have just asked, you know,” I tease, turning to face him.
“Asked what?” Cal asks tentatively, his voice filled with a restraint I don’t possess.
“Asked to share my bed instead of planning this,” I wave my hand around the small room, “elaborate ruse about a missing couch.”
“You think I need anelaborate ruse?” Cal steps towards me, hunger coloring his gaze.
“Wrong question,” I taunt. “We both know what you want to ask.”
Godsdamnit. This could very well end up being the worst decision I’ve ever made. I suck in a ragged breath, steeling my nerves and prepping for utter destruction.Fuck it.
“Ask me, Cal.”
“What exactly do I want to ask?” He closes the distance between us, continuing his pursuit until I’m forced to take a step back.
“Ask if I can sleep in your bed?”
Step.
“Ask if I can kiss your luscious, poisonous lips?”
Step.
My back hits the wall with a thud, my breath hitching in my chest as Cal moves closer to rest his arm above my head. His breath is hot on my neck as he inhales my scent, dragging his chin roughly across my tender skin, causing me to shiver again. He’s a man who remembers.
“Ask if I can strip you down and worship every inch of your body?”
Cal’s large hand grips my chin, forcing me to look directly at him—directly into dangerous eyes of molten silver that threaten to swallow me whole. His face is inches away from mine, our shared breaths commingling.
“Which one are you asking?” I manage to ask on a shaking exhale.
His breath rattles in his throat in a near growl. “I’m a greedy man when it comes to you. I want all of it and more. ”
My thighs clench at his words, his sinful tongue darting out to wet his lips. Lips that I need to feel on my body. Potent, intoxicating power rushes through me, heightening my growing need for contact. I lean in, angling my lips towards his, but Cal pulls away.
“Not so fast, princess. I told you that when you kissed me it would be because you couldn’t imagine living one more second of your life without knowing how I taste.”
He leans in, lips tracing my jawline and moving upwards to delicately nip at my ear. “Are you there yet?”
His seductive words pour into me like honeyed wine, making me drunk with anticipation as he presses on. “Is that how bad you want me?”
I nod my head, barely able to form a thought and definitely unable to form a sentence.
“Mean it when you say it, Ivy. Because one night with you will never be enough to satisfy me.”
Godsdamnit this better be worth it because I’m fairly certain he’s ruining me for anyone else. I don’t just want Cal, Ineedhim. I know it in the fibers of my soul and the marrow of my bones. This is the beginning of something so much bigger than I could have ever imagined and there is no way to stop it now. I am already far too gone.
“I mean it.” And gods help me, I do.
The words haven’t fully left my lips before his mouth is on mine, rough and demanding. Cal drops my face, moving his hand to the back of my neck to pull me even closer. I angle my head and open my mouth, letting my tongue join his in a dangerous dance.
