Page 13 of Devil’s Snare

Truth.

We’d find out soon enough.

I DIDN’T HAVE ANY EXPECTATIONS about what Gwen did for a living, but when I broke into her apartment the following night at three a.m., she was asleep. This time, I got to explore while her calm, deep breathing settled something restless inside me. Like knowing she was safe, resting, and within my immediate vicinity calmed the beast inside. A few pieces of her art were scattered on a nearby desk. Multiple cords, lights, a tripod, and other accessories were gathered in an open drawer. She made little books with flowers, words, and shit I’d never be able to name correctly.

Gwen was an artist.

I glanced at the woman asleep in her bed, wondering what other secrets she kept close to her chest. She was a mystery to me, and I still wanted to know who she met at the diner. To confirm that the guy who touched her was family. A brother, probably. Maybe a cousin. It was tempting to wake her up and force her to answer my questions.

“Cin?”

Gwen’s husky, sleep-filled voice interrupted my thoughts as I lowered the book she’d made. I didn’t see any point in a book without a written story. This was nothing but random words surrounded by pretty things. Flowers and brief quotes. Nature photographs. Sparkles.

“You’re in my apartment again.”

I turned around, noting the tank top strap slipping over one shoulder and the loose strands of hair framing her face. “Is there a question, Bambi?”

“Yes. Why?”

“Why what?” I leaned against her desk, kicking out my feet while I got comfortable. “Be specific.”

“Why did you come to my apartment twice?”

“To see you.” Wasn’t that obvious?

“I don’t think that’s true.”

I shoved away from her desk and prowled forward, pouncing on her as I reached the mattress and shoved the blanket away. Pinning her arms above her head, I held her wrists in place as my knees bracketed her thighs. “Are you calling me a liar, little deer?”

“No.” She didn’t panic. No fear either. But her skittish pulse still betrayed her. Maybe I just excited her. “I just don’t think you came for one reason.”

She was too fucking smart. Observant little fawn.

“I saw you,” I answered, keeping my voice low.

“Saw me?” She blinked. “I don’t understand what you mean.”

“The diner,” I growled, betraying my annoyance. “With a guy.”

Her lips twitched. “You’re a guy. Why does that matter?”

My body lowered, pressing closer to hers as I sank into the cradle of her hips. Being this near to her was already testing my restraint. Her scent. Her rapid heartbeat. The flutter of her pulse in her neck. I grew achingly hard and couldn’t resist the roll of my hips. “It matters if I say it does.”

Fire sparked in her eyes with my words.

“You have a high opinion of yourself, Cin.”

Was she teasing me or testing me? Both?

The twinkle in her eyes, glittering in the dark thanks to the night light on the nearby wall, snared my attention.

“Your racing heart betrays you, Bambi.”

Her teeth nibbled her bottom lip, and I craved a single press of my lips to hers, nearly groaning with the thought of how sweet she’d taste. And the idea of dropping lower, of driving my tongue into her wet pussy sent a shiver down my spine. I could fucking smell her arousal. Her hidden need. Never mind that the reciprocal feeling of desire seemed to radiate from her. She was practically begging for my touch.

Gwen gasped as I rocked into her, lowering my head to pepper kisses across her jaw. Lightly nipping, I used my teeth to gently mark that fair, irresistible skin. I didn’t let up my assault, using my tongue and lips to lick, suck, and increase her arousal. To see how she reacted.

It worked without much effort. She responded to me like we’d done this a thousand times. Like she knew exactly how to tilt her head to give me the best angle. I released Gwen’s wrists. Her fingers grabbed my cut, and she fisted the leather, crying out when I lightly bit her neck.