“I…I’m not feeling up to…”
A wave of energy poured into him, rushing through his mind and body, erasing the pounding in his head and the aches in his body. Gratitude pulsed through him at the same time the irritation did that his wishes had been ignored again.
“I won’t touch you.” Leviathan promised softly, kissing the back of his neck. “Let’s shower and then we can go to breakfast.”
“Okay.” The word was little more than a whisper.
37
I’ll just ignore it all.Cullen told himself as he poked at his food–some kind of mix of eggs, ham and potatoes that had had some fancy name he’d forgotten as soon as Leviathan had spoken it. It was delicious, but he hadn’t been able to force himself to take more than a few bites.
To admit that he’d liked him…to enjoy all that stuff last night…to know that Leviathan was not only in his head now, but that he had always been in his head…
No. He was determined to pretend it had never happened at all, whether Leviathan could see the truth in his mind or not. And he was just as determined to ignore the dark gaze he could feel burning a hole in him now.
There was no point in hoping that Leviathan had forgotten it all; the intensity of his staring made that perfectly clear. Even if Cullen hadn't been ignoring it completely, he didn't have the slightest idea what he was meant to be saying anyway. So he waited. And after what felt like hours of sitting at this small table, his food nothingbut a mangled mess in front of him, Leviathan finally spoke.
“You’re upset.”
“No.” His answer came too fast, too loud.
Leviathan reached forward, his fingers curling tightly around Cullen’s wrist. Slowly, he looked up at him, his lips pinching into a tight line. His dark hair was still wild with sleep and sex, and his eyes…they were human again. Human, but still dark. Still that dangerous glint there that meant dark promises… Cullen looked away quickly, drawing his hand away from him.
“Are you sure she didn’t hurt you last night?”
“No,” he scoffed, his face heating at the memory. “I’m fine. I barely even remember what happened after I drank those sparkly drinks.” He eyed him. “What was in them anyway?”
“A special liquor made in hell.” He muttered, his eyes narrowing. “It wouldn’t have muddled your memory that much. So there’s no need to–”
“I think I need a nap.” He interrupted, springing to his feet. He turned for the door, ignoring the way Leviathan remained frozen, his eyes on the place Cullen had been sitting. “I’ll talk to you later–” He jolted in shock, his eyes popping wide when Leviathan appeared in front of him, his eyes burning with sudden rage.
Cullen tried to find his voice, to ask him what was wrong–or to tell him to get out of his way–but the words died away, his breaths cutting off as Leviathan moved in close.
“Exactly how stupid do you think I am?” The demon snarled softly, that terrifying death-promising aura pouring off of him.
“I-I don’t–”
Leviathan stalked forward without a word, making Cullen stumble backwards, his back smacking hard into the wall. He sucked in a breath, flinching as Leviathan’s hands came up, slamming to the wall on either side of his head.
“Tell me what you said last night.” He hissed, his voice taking on that edge, that tone that sent the order down into his soul. Cullen’s mouth opened–and then snapped shut again, his teeth gnashing together in defiance. Leviathan snarled. “Now.”
“No.” He tasted blood as he forced the word out, as if defying the order had torn his throat open. “I don’t remember anything I did or said.”
“Liar.” He snapped, leaning closer. “Say it.”
“No.” He spat. “Leave me alone.”
That power pulsed through him again, ordering him without words to speak, to blurt out the truth–but Cullen fought it back, biting into his cheek so hard he tasted blood.
“Stop it!” He hissed, his hands coming up to push against his chest. “Stop trying to force me!”
Surprise flickered in Leviathan’s eyes, quickly followed by more rage. “Say it.”
“There’s nothing to say!” He pushed against him again–and Leviathan’s hand shot forward, curling tight into his hair. Cullen let out a sharp yelp, his eyes pricking with tears as Leviathan yanked his head back. A vicious snarl tore from him–and then he slammed Cullen down to his knees, the grip in his hair tightening.
“You will say it,” he breathed, reaching for his own waistband. “Or I will keep you on your knees for the rest of the day.”
Heat flooded his face. But he said nothing, only glared up at him in defiance. Leviathan’s face twisted with fury–andCullen shot his hand forward, punching him in the groin.
