He advances. I retreat until I feel the edge of the counter pressing against my back. Callum has me caged in. His tattooed arms block my escape on both sides. I’m trapped, and there’s blood in the water. Absently, I notice Gideon leave the room, an enormous grin on his face. I’m alone with a demon.
“What do you want to know, Sheena?” Callum whispers. “Are you asking if I convinced her like this?” His lips brush the shell of my ear ever so slightly.
I suck in a breath, but keep my mouth shut. His hands slide from the counter to my waist. He lifts me up to perch on the edge, putting us at eye level. I have nowhere to hide.
“Maybe you’re asking if it happened like this?” His lips move to my neck, where he drops open-mouthed kisses along the sensitive skin of my throat. My eyes fall closed, a full body shiver rakes down my spine.
I might be embarrassed if this wasn’t so obviously getting to him too. I hear the fast, deep thumping of his heart as his hands explore my body. His little phantom touches are systematically setting me on fire. My every nerve ending perks up to demand his attention.
Callum’s thumbs explore the sensitive skin of my inner thighs where my shorts cut off. I have to force myself not to squirm at the touch. He dips his calloused fingertips just beneath the frayed denim, teasing us both.
I inch my thighs further apart in an obvious invitation. But instead of taking me up on it, Callum stops touching me.
My eyes snap open to find his face is just inches away from mine.
“What do you want to know, Sheena?”
It’s a command disguised as a question, but for a moment, I can’t remember what started this whole thing. By the time my brain catches up, my own questions are bubbling up to demand answers.
“Did you touch her? Did she feed you?” I lock eyes with him. “Callum, did you kiss her?”
Everything that was better left unsaid pours out of me. I fear his answers; I don't have any right to make demands of him, but the demon doesn't call me on it.
He actually seems pleased by my obvious jealousy.
“No... I didn’t.” His voice is husky. “I’d rather kiss you.” Callum never breaks eye contact, and I swear I'm melting into a puddle on the counter.
My mind and body are buzzing so much I can't think of a single word to say. So I do what I've been thinking about since I first saw him standing in front of the bar top at Styx.
I touch him.
With trembling fingers, I explore his perfect face. I bury one hand in his dark, messy hair, and run my nails along his scalp. Power consumes me when he shudders at my touch. With the thumb of my other hand, I gently graze his full bottom lip. His Adam’s apple bobs, and my mouth goes dry, but I don’t stop. Not this time. When I finally press my lips to his, the pressure is so faint it’s almost a whisper.
I feel the moment his control breaks.
With a groan, Callum takes over the kiss. I’m a passenger now, and all I can do is hold on for the ride. He kisses me so thoroughly I don't even think my lips belong to me anymore. They’re just an extension of him. He nibbles, sucks, and licks at the seam of my mouth, and I answer every unspoken demand.
If Gideon's kisses tell me what he's feeling, Callum’s make me feel brave and strong—like I can have anything and everything I want. All I have to do is reach out and take it. When he finally pulls back, we're both gasping for breath.
I could get used to this.
CHAPTER
NINE
SHEENA
This is getting too complicated.
It’s been several days since Callum broke my brain on the kitchen counter. Now that my body has cooled, my thoughts are burning out of control. Not only do I like two guys, but I'm also keeping dangerous secrets from them.
Now that I’m emotionally involved, my rules are making me feel guilty.
As a kid, loyalty wasn’t some moral dilemma for me. I gave it to anyone who treated me with kindness, but after Quaid, after the abduction, I changed. My only loyalty is to myself now. I haven’t felt bad about that in years, but with my head full of secrets, my stomach is tied in knots.
Can I trust them?It’s tempting, but I can’t betray the promise I made to myself as a terrified teen.
With a sigh, I roll over until I’m face down on the mattress. It fits around me like a cloud, stealing some of my tension. This house is starting to feel like home.
