I make a noise that is absolutelynota whimper, and Ezra’s smirk deepens.
“I have no idea what that means,” he murmurs.
I stare at him. “You’re messing with me.”
“Mm. I’m not.”
He’s just kneeling there, watching me flail, savoring my awkwardness like it’s his favorite goddamn drink.
He knows I’m panicking, and he seems to be enjoying every second of it.
Ezra chuckles then rises with a restraint so controlled it makes my spine arch. He’s not rushing. He doesn’t have to.
My pulse kicks and his smirk deepens. Ezra’s shadows slip back as he drops into his chair, spreading out like a king enjoying the show.
“Better?” he purrs.
I blink, trying to reboot my central nervous system. “No. Fuck you.”
Ezra chuckles, the sound rough enough to scrape against my neurons.
“That’s the idea, darling.”
Fuck.I make an annoyed humming sound and roll my eyes.
I mean, seriously, who am I right now?
I’ve really grown some ovaries in the last few days, sitting here telling a human-devouring shadow nightmare to go fuck himself.
And then … I make a choice.
Because fuck it. I can’t let him win.
I push away from the table and cross the short distance before I can second-guess it.
My hands slide over his shoulders, fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt as I climb into his lap.
Ezra doesn’t hesitate. His hands clamp around my hips, gripping tight, dragging me flush against him with a satisfied sound that rumbles through his chest.
The effect we have on each other is inescapable.
“So, hypothetically, how screwed am I? Are they already hunting me, or do I at least get a grace period? Are theythatdangerous?”
I roll my hips over his throbbing cock, reveling in the sharp hiss he sucks through his teeth. His fingers dig into my waist, his control already slipping.
“Yes, darling. They are that dangerous.”
His breath brushes against the sensitive skin on my neck while I curl my fingers into his hair.
“Jameson was a high-ranking hunter, but there are others out there. Ones with magic that could deceive even me.”
I lean in, my lips brushing his ear and teeth grazing soft, unmarked skin.
“You’d tear them apart for me, wouldn’t you? Just like Jameson?”
The hunger in Ezra’s eyes is quiet and lethal, smoldering beneath the surface, ready to devour anyone who dares to take me from him.
“I told you, Aurora. I don’t stop at protecting what’s mine. I will end anything or anyone that tries to take you from me.”
