Maxon gently sucks on my neck, a moan slipping from my lips. I want nothing more than to turn in his arms and have those lips on mine.
“Maxon . . . ” I breathe, my breath forming a mist in the chilly air.
Sparks of energy move between us, and his grip on me tightens. His palm sliding up my body, I tremble at his touch. Gently, he takes hold of my chin to turn my face toward his, and I am struck by the desire in his violet eyes, which seem to glow in the dim light. I gasp as the silver ring around his eyes flares with heat and he slowly moves closer. I don’t breathe as his mouth closes in on mine, nor can I stop my eyes from falling shut.
Suddenly, Storm lets out a loud neigh, causing us to tense and my eyes snap open. Maxon lets go of my chin and clears his throat, a twinge of disappointment filling me before he pulls away, creating distance between us.
“What is it about you that has me so twisted up inside?”
“If you find out, let me know,” I whisper honestly.
Maxon drops his hands from my waist, grabbing the reins with a sigh, and I immediately miss the warmth and weight of his touch. The absolute ridiculousness of it brings a flush to my cheeks, even as I find myself yearning for more, craving the taste of his lips against mine once again.
However, Nix and Zaria were right—I can’t let myself become entangled in whatever inexplicable bond exists between us.
“I better get you back.” His voice is tinged with regret.
I nod, feeling a wave of emotions overwhelm me, and tears begin to sting my eyes, a lump forming in my throat. Damn emotions.
Adjusting my position in the saddle, I sit so I’m facing forward again and take a deep shaky breath.
The rhythmic thumping of Storm's hooves against the ground is the only sound as we ride in silence the rest of the way. The stables are empty now, only one young fae manning the doors. Upon seeing us approaching, he rushes to open them, and Maxon deftly grabs the reins as he dismounts Storm, leading him into the stables with me still perched on his back.
The stables are dark and quiet apart from the shifting of hay and the soft nicker of other horses every now and again. Reaching Storm’s stall, I decide to try to dismount myself. It can’t be that hard. Though Storm is significantly larger than the other horses. I can do it. I’m not sure, however, whether I can handle having Maxon’s hands on me anymore.
With Maxon's back turned, I quickly swing my leg over and flip onto my stomach, prepared to make my escape. Holding my breath, I start to slide down but slip. A gasp escapes my lips as I instinctively tense, bracing myself for the impact with the ground. Powerful hands swiftly catch me, securely wrapping around my waist and guiding me safely to the ground.
Maxon presses himself against me, trapping me and causing my breath to quicken as a wave of heat rushes over me. It’s becoming increasingly likely that I will faint if things continue at this rate.He has this way of taking my breath away and making my heart race all with one touch.
“What do you think you are doing, Stóirín?” he whispers, against my hair.
That word again. I want to ask what it means, but I’m also worried. Worried it will make my heart beat even harder for a man I can’t have. I also don’t want to embarrass myself.
Maxon drops his head lower, lips skimming down my neck as his fingers tug at the neck of my tunic, baring my shoulder to his touch. Gently he bites down on the sensitive part of my neck, where it connects with my shoulder, eliciting a moan from me.
“Maxon . . . ” I whisper hoarsely, my body flooding with desire.
“Yes?”
My eyes flutter shut as he continues to lay bites and kisses across my shoulder and neck.
“We– we need to talk,” I stutter.
Maxon reluctantly takes a step back, and I slowly turn to meet his gaze. I cannot allow myself to keep getting distracted. Taking a deep breath, a sense of determination wells up inside me and I lift my chin a fraction higher.
“What did you need to talk about?”
“The queen.”
Maxon frowns. “What about her?”
“She threatened my friends in the human world. Said if she wasn’t allowed to torture me, then she would torture my friends to get me to talk.”
Maxon goes still; the type of still that is predatory. Dangerous.
“She said that?”
“She hinted at that. I need to know if she was bluffing. Would she hurt my friends?”
