While her magic was empowering, it also isolated her from anyone outside her family. Taking on the investigation was fascinating, but she bore the duty of helping poor Viscount Beachley find peace. Every person, living and dead, who needed something from her was a precious burden, and the weight sometimes overwhelmed. The constant pressure to keep her most authentic self hidden. Always wielding her shield against anyone who dared come close. It was exhausting. She wanted to burn everything away until nothing remained. Except sensation. Simple, hot, clean need that she didn’t have to think about or control. Only experience.
But to admit such dark desires to Grey – a man who could so easily overpower her if she gave him an opportunity – was madness.
A madness I wish to welcome. Just for one night.
And why not? She did not risk her heart with him. She would not lose any part of herself if she indulged in one night of lust.
But what if my fire burns him? I lose all control when he touches me. He might not harm me, but what if I hurt him?
Sparks had covered them both, but he hadn’t experienced any burns. It was unaccountable, but somehow he was as immune toher witchfire as she was herself. Something she would have to ponder. Later.
She held no allusions as to his desires. He wanted her physically, but he would never ask more than that. And if he did, she would refuse.
Liar.
The sharp whisper almost convinced her to step back. Step away. Escape to the safety and solitude of her room. Almost.
But she didn’t want to be alone. And if she did not indulge in this hunger now, then when? This man had seen her wielding her craft, and he hadn’t run. He hadn’t shouted accusations or threats. He had offered instead a piece of his own darkness. And for the first time in her twenty-five years, she wanted someone. She wanted Thomas Grey.
She gathered her courage and forced herself to look at him. His brooding beauty nearly levelled her. But she was made of sterner stuff. Aunt Rowan didn’t teach her the skills of sorcery and witchcraft, passed on by generations of women, to have Clio tremble in the face of a green-eyed devil.
He watched her carefully. ‘I won’t claim to know you well, but I do know you are loath to surrender your power in any situation.’
That was true. But what might happen if she did? The thought was equal parts tantalising and terrifying.
‘I’m loath to suffer fools, and in my experience, most men fall into that category. But you are a most unusual man.’ That was putting things mildly. No other man haunted her visions. At least, no living man. And he was certainly the only person to inspire such an acute ache within her. ‘Could you handle the flame of my desire, Grey? If I gave you temporary control of what happens tonight, and only tonight?’ It was a dangerous proposition, but Clio suspected he was the one man who could stand in her fire and not turn to ash.
He lifted his large hand and traced a rough finger from themiddle of her forehead, along her hairline, following the edge of her jaw until he held her chin, tipping her head up, making it impossible to look away. ‘What exactly do you wish to happen tonight?’
A blush washed over her, painting her skin a deep rose. Because something he confessed had sparked an image in her mind. A desire she’d never imagined until he gave it life. But how to tell him? She shrugged.
Thomas tsked, shaking his head. ‘That won’t do. For a woman who doesn’t like people to assume, if you want me to form an accurate conclusion, you must explain the facts to me, Clio. Details are so important, didn’t you say?’
He was provoking her on purpose. The anger helped, damn him. ‘You are capable of listening? Astonishing.’
‘You’ll find I’m capable of a great many things.’
She narrowed her gaze. ‘Actions speak louder than words, Grey.’
‘And what actions would you like me to take, Clio?’
She swallowed, suddenly nervous. She had never let fear stop her in the past. She wasn’t about to start now. ‘You spoke of tying women.’ As soon as she said the words, embarrassment threatened to eclipse her burgeoning desire. But then his eyes flared, and every line of his body somehow hardened.
He put his other hand on the wall, caging her body.
‘Dear God, you will be the death of me. Yes. I tied women.’ His voice lowered to a rumble. ‘Would you like me to tie you? Do you wish to be bound and helpless?’
‘I am never helpless.’ She thrust out her chin, daring him to contradict her.
‘Not even to your desires?’ He tilted his head, his eyes dipping to the swell of her breasts. She felt his gaze like a brand.
‘You are not a nice man, Thomas Grey.’
‘You don’t want a nice man, Clio Blair. But tell me what you dowant. To submit to the pleasure I bring you? Because Iwillbring you pleasure. I swear it.’
And he kept his promises.
All of the air was sucked from the room. She felt hot in the oddest places. The back of her neck. The crease of her thigh. The base of her spine.
