Her body tingled as he spoke, thrilled by the possibility, but then…what possibility? Was she going down the path of fallen woman who gives in to lust with no promise of marriage?Wasthis love? No, it was attraction, certainly, and…well, he had his moments. But Miranda had no plans to get married and settle down. She just wanted…she didn’t know what she wanted. To play this game a little longer? To enjoy the hunt and mystery and danger, but also maybe see what other pleasures Devin could show her, because it was far too late now. She wanted to explore everything. Screw his decency. However much the sentiment made her appreciate him all the more, her body wanted the unscrupulous cad.
His smile turned somber as she grew quiet. She was nestled in his side, his arm hooked around her in an embrace almost romantic. He just kept surprising her. She thought he would be unbearable at her weakness. She had just given in to his flirting and charms, succumbing to his allure. Yet he had kept her in control the entire time, allowing her to decide how far thingswent. Resisting her to the point of pain if his expression had been any indication.
Miranda was struck with the urge to kiss him again, but, not out of lust or desire, the urge was more tender than that. She wanted to kiss him because…because…she didn’t know why. Or maybe she did and she just didn’t want to admit it, not even to herself. But it was dangerously close to a need for affection.
“I’m still new to this,” she started, and normally she would be loath to sound so uncertain and unsure, especially to someone like him, but in this area she did concede that he was the expert and she the novice. She had no plans to marry, but given how enjoyable it was to share intimacy with a man, she would not be opposed to other attachments in the future. Perhaps from less annoying suitors. And, whatever her ire with him during the day, she felt safe enough to continue. “So…was it, were you—”
He silenced her with a soft, gentle kiss. Her shock kept her from reacting with more than a giddy smile. Maybe he liked her more than she suspected. Maybe his flirting and banter wasn’t just show. Her heart started racing. If she was right, did that change anything? Did she—maybe—want to try?
“If you’re doubting your utter prowess in satisfaction again, I’m going to have no choice but to prove how very proficient you are.”
A blush bloomed on her cheeks, but she liked the implications. It felt less like a jest and more like admiration.
He stared into her eyes for a moment. No smirk. No mask. He gazed at her with a tenderness that sparked something inside her, not her lust or carnal desires, but her heart. He looked at her and her heart answered.
Heavens, maybe she did like him. A little.
The moment grew heavy, the stillness around them suddenly too still. His finger began a slow dance up and down her arm,though not in an evocative way. Affection. Tenderness. These were not words she had ever thought would describe him.
Maybe she was more than a skirt to chase, maybe he liked the whole aggressive and impulsive side of her. Did just the parry of words thrill him as much as it did her? Surely, he was too experienced to be affected by such a trivial exchange. Yet, nothing about what they just did suggested he was indifferent to her. Her heart lurched again, her mind carrying her down fanciful daydreams that she didn’t dare ponder for too long, lest he speak and burst her indulgent bubble.
“Mira,” he said, soft and with a tremor of uncertainty. Did she make him nervous? He made her nervous. And her stomach flitted with butterflies when he called her ‘Mira.’ No one had ever done so before and it felt like a secret for only them, hidden from the rest of the world like the bruises his fingers left on her hip.
She tensed, waiting, but whatever he had wanted to say was not to be shared. The immortal she’d passed in Devin’s home, came crashing into the room.
“Drake,” the man started, then threw up his hands and averted his eyes as Miranda jumped up and adjusted herself. Blood bloomed so fiercely in her cheeks she feared they’d catch fire. “Damn it, Devin.” He pinched the bridge of his nose.
“We’re clothed, you prig. What the hell is it?” Devin stood, moving so he blocked her from view.
Jack uncovered his eyes and started, “It’s…”
He was cut off by a racket of thuds and bangs. Screams.
Devin ran for the door. Miranda followed on his heels. Perhaps it was a fight between patrons? She glanced at the sunlight streaming through the windows. It was morning? Her parents would have gone looking for her by now. She had to get home or she’d never be able to explain her absence. She was a terrible liar.
“What’s the situation,” Devin asked as they flew down the stairs, taking two at a time. Jack moved with little effort, like he was walking a leisurely pace instead of full out sprinting down several flights.
“It came out of nowhere. There’s a group of them just stormed the door. They were inside before anyone could blink. They’re wearing all black, no identifying markings of any kind. Is this Wraith? A message?”
“Graves.” Devin’s voice was cold steel. “Jack, get as many out as you can. Patrons. Servants. All of them.”
“Security is already trying to hold them off,” Jack commented before disappearing like smoke to his task.
“Mira,” Devin called as he stopped at the bottom of the stairwell. He took her hand and pulled her focus to him. She bobbed on her feet. Ready for whatever awaited. “There is a back exit. You head that way and go home. Do you understand?”
She almost nodded, too full of adrenaline to listen clearly, but then she caught his meaning and tore her hand free of his clutches.
“What? No.” Who was he to tell her what to do, anyway? “Not a chance. I’m stayingandI’m helping. I’ve trained for this. I can handle myself.”
“Damn it, Mira, I can’t bloody argue with you right now. I can’t focus on what I need to if I’m worried about your safety.”
“Then don’t. I’m stronger than you,” she countered.
“You’re impossible. Stubborn. Infuriating. Bloody temptress who can’t listen to reason to save your damn life.” He sounded seconds from stomping his feet on the ground. “I don’t care how capable you are, this is not your fight. I am telling you,go home.”
She narrowed her eyes, hoisting up her chin in defiance.
“Don’t,” he ordered. “I know that look, Miranda.”
