And here she was, washing the blood from a demon king’s skin—gentle hands on a monster’s body—and still she thought herself the dangerous one.
She leaned closer, concentrating on her work. Her warm breath brushed over my collarbone. Her lips were inches away. So close I could see the soft pink of them, could remember exactly how they tasted.
I couldn’t stop myself.
I slipped my hand around the back of her neck and pulled her closer.
She stiffened. The rag stopped moving. She pulled back slightly, putting inches between us that felt like miles. “Darius, what are you doing?”
“Kissing you.”
“But you said?—“
“I know what I said.” My thumb traced along her jaw. “I was an idiot.”
Chapter Sixteen
Alice
Darius pulled me onto his cot.
My heart slammed against my ribs. I should have pushed him away. He was injured. Weak. One wrong move could reopen his wound and undo everything Doc had done.
But his hands were in my hair. His lips were on mine. And every reason to stop melted away like morning frost.
I needed this. Needed him.
More than I’d ever needed anything.
He’d told me not to save him again. He’d pulled away, dropped my hand, made me feel like a fool for caring.
But now he was kissing me like I was air and he was drowning.
And I kissed him back like my life depended on it.
He winced, and I pulled back immediately. Guilt slammed into me. What was I thinking?
“We shouldn’t be doing this.”
“Why not?” His voice was rough.
“Because you’re hurt.” I glanced down at his cot. Blood had seeped through his bandages, staining the thin mattress beneath him. This was my fault. I’d let myself get carried away. “And you’re bleeding again. You need clean bedding.”
He groaned and let his head fall back.
Part of me wanted to climb back onto that cot and finish what we'd started. The smarter part—the part that wasn't an idiot—reminded me he was bleeding through his bandages.
“Put your arm around me,” I said.
“Are we going somewhere?”
“My cot. It’s cleaner.”
A slow smile spread across his face. “And then we can pick up where we left off.”
Heat crept up my cheeks. Did I still want that? Yes. God, yes. But wanting and having were two different things, especially when the man could barely stand without bleeding through his bandages.
I didn't answer, just slipped my arm around his waist and helped him stand.
