Every inch of my body was on fire for him. I shivered in need and his lips left mine, drawing another groan from my throat as he pressed kisses down my neck, giving me the occasional nip.
“Give into me, little witch. Come to my bed. I’ll give you more pleasure than you’ve ever felt before,” he crooned, and his words were like a splash of ice water on my face.
I was grinding against the king of the demons outside my apartment where anyone could see.
No dummy. You shouldn’t be grinding against the king of the demons, period.
I stiffened, pushing my hands flat against his chest. His lust-blurred eyes began to clear as he raised his head from where he’d been nuzzling me.
“Put me down please.”
He frowned incredulously.
“I’m serious.”
I was on the ground before I’d finished speaking, Samael a few feet away. I leaned against the wall, my body mourning the loss of him.
“This can’t happen,” I said, attempting to ignore the way my body insisted that it definitely could happen.
“Why?” he asked.
“Um. I’m a bounty hunter. And a witch. And you’reyou.”
A muscle ticked in his jaw, and he was instantly 100% arrogant, powerful demon. “And just what is that supposed to mean?” his voice was a low rumble.
I wasn’t going to go intoall ofthe reasons why this couldn’t happen. But I needed to address the reason that kept me up at night.
“I’m bonded to you. How do I know these feelings are real, and not just because of the mark on my hand?”
Surprise flashed through his eyes. “My bond can do many things, but creating lust is not one of them. Ifeedon lust, witchling. I don’t create it.”
I gaped at him. “Were you feeding on me just now?”
His tone turned cold, all warmth leaving his eyes. “You’d know if I were feeding on you, bounty hunter. Because you’d experience more pleasure than you’d ever felt before.” He stepped back, his expression remote, aloof. “Go inside, Danica.”
I hesitated, but he was already turning away. Silence stretched between us, and I searched for something to say, but it was as if there was a wall between us.
Had I… hurt him?
I shook my head. This was dangerous. Dangerous and stupid. I whirled and stalked into my apartment building, raising my hand for the main wards to scan me and allow me entry. The lobby glowed green, and the elevator opened for me.
I forced myself not to look back. This was a wakeup call. I didn’t have time to fuck around. If I didn’t find the murderer soon, I was going to end up in Samael’s bed.
There. I’d admitted it. My body didn’t care that he was an arrogant, possessive control freak. It didn’t care that I had goals that would be much more easily achieved if I didn’t have a reputation as ‘that witch who slept with Samael.’ Because it would get out. It always did.
I needed to focus on the investigation.
Lia pounced at me the moment I entered my apartment, and I scooped her up, scratching under her chin while she purred. I felt bad leaving her alone all day. Maybe I should get her a friend to keep her company.
Yes, because the answer to my problems was definitely another kitten.
I fed Lia and then sat in the armchair next to my window, staring down at the parking lot.
Motive. I needed a motive.
From what Selina had said, the knife had been wielded by either a fae or a witch. The fae were more powerful, but they had no reason to start a war with the demons.
The mages would benefit, for sure. Mages hated demons, and if they could, they’d eradicate them from this world and every other. Even Gabriel ultimately had to follow Samael’s orders, and the mages only ruled because the demons allowed it.
