“We shouldn’t be doing this,” I whispered, hesitant.
“Then tell me to stop.” His glowing eyes searched mine, waiting for my decision.
My mind and heart warred with each other as my free hand slid under his shirt, desperate to feel the solid heat of him. His sharp inhale against my lips sent a thrill through me, as he received my answer.
“You drive me insane,” he muttered, his lips brushing along my jaw, his voice turning desperate. “Let me return the favor; I’ll cherish you, even as I ruin you.”
My breath hitched, the heat coiling low in my stomach at his words.
“You’ve already ruined me,” I whispered back, softly.
The next kiss was brutal, intoxicating, his teeth catching my bottom lip before his tongue soothed the sting. One of his hands slid down, gripping my thigh and hitching it up around his hip, forcing me to balance against him. The treebark was rough against my back, but I barely noticed, too lost in the heat sparking everywhere he touched me.
My flames flared again, wild and uncontained this time, the air shimmering with heat. He didn’t shy away, if anything, he pressed closer, like he wanted to drown in fire.
To getburned.
He kissed a trail along my jaw and down my neck until he reached that sweet spot between my neck and collarbone, nibbling against it.
“It’s okay,” I whispered, my arms slithering around his neck, pressing him closer, inviting him to continue.
I felt a slow smile against my skin, before his teeth sank into my skin, earning a gasp from me. The pain was only momentary, as he withdrew his teeth quickly. He groaned in reply, licking against the wound while pressing himself against me, making me fully aware of the effect I was having on him.
Shamelessly, I slid my hand across his skin, slowly trailing down on top of his clothes, until I reached his hardened crotch, curving my fingers along the shape of him, stroking.
He groaned against my ear, as he pulled his head back, his hungry gaze locking on mine, my burning fire reflected in his eyes.
Something dark and hungry flickered in them, and then he moved, scooping me up as though I weighed nothing. I let out a startled sound that turned into a laugh as he carried me towards the lake.
“Malakai… what are you—”
“You’re overheated,” he said with a grin that was entirely too wicked. “I should probably cool you down before you incinerate the entire forest.”
I gasped as the cold water closed around my calves when he waded straight in, still holding me against him. The moonlight painted silver across the rippling surface, reflecting in his red, glowing eyes.
“Put me down,” I protested, but it came out breathless.
“Gladly.”
He let go, and I squealed as I splashed into the lake, the chill shocking against my fever-hot skin. I surfaced and stumbled for balance, just in time for him to stalk closer to me, water lapping around his thighs, his grin all sharp edges and promise.
“You’re infuriating,” I told him, even as my heart hammered with anticipation.
“And you like me that way.” He kept moving towards me, driving me back until my shoulders hit the smooth curve of a half-submerged rock. “Let’s not pretend you don’t.”
The water clung to his shirt, turning it nearly see-through, and I couldn’t tear my eyes away. My pulse skyrocketed as he cornered me, his grin carved from pure mischief.
“You’re staring.” His voice was low, amused. “Do I need to take the rest of my clothes off to make it easier for you?”
Heat flushed up my neck, but I tilted my chin up anyway. “Maybe I should be the one giving orders tonight.”
That earned me a sharp-toothed grin, his fangs flashing in the moonlight.
“Oh?” he drawled, closing the space between us until the water rippled around our legs. “You think you could handle me, kitten?”
“Yes,” I said, bolder than I felt, only to see what he’d do.
He chuckled darkly, the sound sending a shiver straight through me.
