“Do you want to have sex with me?” I just might die if he saysno. I like sex, and I don’t enjoy the thought of life without it. It would explain his hesitance to kiss me, though.
Rexton laughs. “I very much want to have sex with you, Cassia. I’ve wanted you since I first laid eyes on you in Greed, and my desire hasn’t diminished even with your several attempts to murder me.”
My lips twitch upward. That’s good to hear.
Rexton conditions my hair until he’s able to work his comb from root to tip. This is a level of pampering I didn’t expect from him, but I could get used to it. Marking him was a spur-of-the-moment decision, but so far, I’m pleased.
My mind wanders to today’s ambush. I’m meeting with Aziel and the generals soon, and I’m terrified. How many Wrath soldiers died under my command? How many children will grow up with one less parent because of me?
I’m guided backward, out of the spray of water.
How many of the soldiers who died today did this with their mates? Grooming is intimate. They’ll never experience it again.
Rexton’s lips find the back of my neck. “Do you need a distraction, Cassia?”
I don’t respond as Rexton wraps his arms around my waist, his palms settling over my stomach.
“Do you think I made the right calls today?” I ask.
Rexton answers immediately. “Yes.”
“People died.”
“People were always going to die,” Rexton argues. “It was inevitable, and we were ambushed. You did the best you could with the preparation and soldiers you had available.”
“You’re just saying that.”
“I’m not.”
Rexton slides a hand up my stomach. “Let me take care of you, Cassia.”
Let another take care of me? I don’t know how to do that. I take care of myself.
“Trust me,” Rexton whispers, cupping my breast. He brushes his thumb over my nipple, and I shudder. “You’re wound up, and you should settle before meeting with the generals. Come to them as a composed, controlled leader.”
I can’t. I shouldn’t. I’ll regret it.
But it sounds so nice. I want to forget and let my troubles dissolve, even if only for a few minutes. I’ve heard enough rumors to know that Rexton is familiar with a woman’s body. I won’t have to pretend to enjoy his touch, nor will I have to guide him. He’ll make it easy to relax.
Rexton’s teeth find the side of my neck. “You’re overthinking.”
“Yeah.” I huff. “I do that.”
“Then stop.”
That’s so much easier said than done. If I knew how to shut off my brain and function as a normal Wrath, I would. I’venever heard of demons having this much trouble managing their emotions, and I blame my mother. It must be my human genes.
“I want to make my mate feel good.” Rexton taps my heels with his foot, nudging my legs apart. “Close your eyes and rest your head against my shoulder.”
I gulp, then do as he says. My eyes slip shut, and I tilt my head back until it finds Rexton’s muscular shoulder. He makes a quiet noise of approval, one I hate to admit has me shuddering. If he feels it, he doesn’t acknowledge it.
Rexton slips a hand between my thighs, his fingertips trailing over my slit.
“Clasp your hands behind my neck.”
Thank the heavens. I never know what to do with my hands. I reach up, freezing halfway.
Rexton stills. “Did you hurt your shoulder?”
