Darkblood Prison - G.K. DeRosa Page 0,31

hated me.

I jerked back as his lips swept over mine. “I can’t keep doing this, Talon.” I shook my head as hot tears burned my eyes. “You give me an inch and then you take back a foot. We keep coming back to this, but we both know it’s not real.”

His eyes widened as he sat back on his haunches, surprise oozing through the bond. He threw his head from side to side and grunted. “I’m not so sure anymore.”

“Of course you’re not. You’re a dragon, and you’re used to all this blood bond stuff. I’m not. This all feels like some sort of magical entrapment, like an arranged marriage for modern times.” I’d never understood this fated mates stuff—demons and witches didn’t have anything like that. Not like shifters and Fae.

A pang of hurt streaked across my chest, and it wasn’t mine.

Talon leapt up and marched to the door. “If this is causing you so much discomfort, I’ll see what I can do to cut its lingering effects as soon as possible.”

All the air siphoned from my lungs and I was left gaping, staring at Talon’s broad shoulders as he jerked the training room door open. “Talon, stop!”

He didn’t spare me a backward glance as he stormed across the threshold.

“Stop!” I shouted louder this time, and energy crackled across my outstretched hand.

He halted mid-stride.

“Talon?” I jumped up and raced across the room. When I reached my dragon bodyguard, I nearly burst into laughter. His face was frozen in a half-snarl, half-look of surprise. His eyes were wide, and his lips were twisted into a scowl. His chest muscles were tense, beads of sweat glistening along his torso and all perfectly unmoving.

I waved my hand across his face, but he didn’t even flinch. “Hello? Talon, can you hear me?”

An evil grin split my lips. Omg, I froze him! I’d have to figure out how to undo this later, but right now, I was going to have a little fun. Because I deserved it after that conversation. I stood on my tiptoes and pressed my lips to his. I pried his jaw open with my tongue and slid it between his teeth. Though his lips didn’t respond to my advances, they remained soft and supple. Digging my fingers into the hair on the back of his neck, I pressed my body against his. The feel of his bare chest against my flimsy tank top sent my nerve endings on fire.

A long minute later, I stepped back and ran my hands over his firm pectorals, delving down over his cut abs, reveling in every dip and valley. When I reached the sharp V dipping into his jersey shorts, I paused, my fingers dancing along the soft skin beneath the waistband.

Don’t stop. Talon’s rough voice echoed across my mind. I gasped and jumped back. Glancing up to meet his eyes as heat blossomed over my cheeks, I was met with the same vacant stare.

“Can you hear me?” I whispered.

His expression didn’t change, but I heard his voice loud and clear. Yes.

“I’m so sorry, Talon. I didn’t mean to freeze you,” I started babbling. “And about the other stuff, I swear I wasn’t going to do anything weird.”

A deep chuckle resonated in my head and filled me with the most ridiculous happiness.

“And please don’t get rid of the bond.” I stared down at my feet which was stupid because Talon was still frozen. “I’ve gotten used to you in my blood, in my gut, in my head, at my side. Everywhere.” I leaned closer and laced my arms around his waist. “I don’t know what this thing is between us, but I’d like to find out more if you’re willing.”

As inappropriate as all of this is, I don’t think I have a choice. You’re a part of me now, Azara.

With the side of my face pressed against his chest, his heartbeat roared across my eardrum. My own pulse picked up as if trying to match the erratic staccato. I rose to my tiptoes once more and swept my lips against his. I was having way too much fun with this.

I nibbled on his lower lip, and a sharp groan slipped from Talon’s mouth.

Not fair. He grumbled in my head.

Which of course only spurred me on. I dropped kisses down the column of his neck, sweeping my tongue over the soft skin by his collarbone and nibbling on his earlobe.

Azara, unfreeze me.

“Don’t know how. Sorry.” I worked my way down his chest, running my tongue