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Light. I catch the words before he does.

Rowan seems to realize it a second later. I register the way his pupils dilate, his mouth parting just enough for me to see the tip of his tongue before he looks away.

And there it is again. The thing Rowan never seems to realize he’s doing. The way he leans into every scrap of attention I give him while pretending he doesn’t need it. The way he goes soft whenever I make it clear I chose him. Like some stubborn creature that keeps expecting me to let go.

“Oh?” I grin. “You like that?”

Color rushes into his face. “Don’t ask.”

“Mouse,” I murmur against his mouth. “Was that a compliment?”

“No.”

Too fast.

I stare at him. “Rowan...”

His eyes narrow. “You’re doing that on purpose, aren’t you?”

“Maybe.”

I grin, and it ends in a moan because I’m licking a trail down the center of his chest, my mouth watering and my dick throbbing in my hand.

“Or maybe you just love being used...” I trail off, lifting my eyes back to him. “I can see how badly you want to be taken in charge. You’re making a mess as usual.”

Precum already coats the tip and slicks across my hand, making everything easier.

“You like it.” He thrusts powerfully, pushing his hips forward into my heat.

“What was that?” My words come out muffled because I’m kissing and nipping my way across his chest, watching every reaction I can pull from him.

My body reacts to him automatically now, balls drawing up. Not because of what he’s doing, but because of the sounds he makes for me. The way his breathing keeps catching. The way he arches closer without realizing it. Every little reaction winds me tighter. One hand grips his hip, the other rubs him with violent urgency, only to ease up the next second, making him shudder beneath my hands.

“Please...” Rowan catches a fistful of my hair, his voice rougher than before. “That’s not fair.”

I glance up. “What isn’t?”

“You love that I’m so... so hot and bothered for you,” he pants, yanking at my hair. “You know exactly what you’re doing to me.”

I huff a chuckle that vibrates against his nipple. “You make me horny, you fucking menace.”

“Me?”

“Yes, you. Why do you think I keep coming back? Something about you, mouse...”

He goes quiet, waiting for me to finish, but I don’t. I just watch anticipation spread across his face and enjoy it.

Fuck. This feisty creature is my own brand of crazy. I love the tinge of pain, the way his skin seeks the rough squeeze of my hands.

“Something about you...” I repeat, this time biting and sucking along the lines of his V, lingering there far too long.

He notices what I'm doing somewhere around my third mark and goes still under my mouth. "Halvern's going to see that tomorrow."

"I know." I don't stop. "That's most of the appeal."

"You're a menace."

"Mm." I shift lower between his legs and settle there, still deciding exactly what to do with him. "Tell me to stop."