collect the litter and flashed me his perfect backside. The soft jersey material hugged the tight curve of his butt, and I pressed my thighs together to curb the building heat.
He popped back up and after tossing the bottle in the bin, squared off with me. “Ready?” The silvery scales of his dragon tattoo danced with every rise and fall of his chest. My ears perked up at his accelerated pulse.
Had a really given him a workout or was it something else?
“Yup.” I finally answered.
I’d barely gotten out the p when he lunged. I staggered back, but he was much too fast. His palms smacked into my shoulders and shoved me back. The hard wall smashed against my shoulder blades and Talon’s arms caged me in. His reptilian eyes blazed, the narrow pupils disappearing within the molten steel. He pressed the full length of his body against mine, an ominous growl vibrating his throat and his warm breath tickling my ear.
My traitorous body leaned into his for a second before I snapped back to my senses. I strained against him and shoved him back as hard as I could. But even with my demon powers back, I was no match for him physically. The damn guy was a dragon beast.
Talon’s palms moved to either side of my head and pressed against the wall. He inched closer, his lips only millimeters from mine. “That’s it?” he taunted. “That’s all you’ve got?”
I struggled beneath the weight of him, pushing off against the wall but I couldn’t get him to budge.
One of his hands released the glossy obsidian and moved down to my shoulder to settle on my neck. Another growl vibrated his throat, and the snap of claws tearing through flesh made my skin crawl. He dragged a sharp talon across my throat, and I suppressed the cry building in my gut. Beads of sweat lined my brow, a trickle dripping into my eye and blurring my vision.
“Come on, demon. Do something!”
My core clenched, and dark tendrils of energy seeped up my torso. My head spun and scorching desire burned my throat. His lips were still only inches from mine. It would be so easy… just a little taste. A dark voice echoed in my mind, spurring me on.
My lips parted, and I leaned closer. My mouth was so parched, my tongue felt like sandpaper. Heart pounding against my ribs, I swallowed hard, pushing down the crackle of energy coursing up my throat. I needed to extinguish my thirst, my hunger—I had to. I unlocked my jaw and inhaled a breath. A wisp of blue energy swirled between us.
Talon’s eyes widened.
The darkness eclipsing my vision stopped the moment his gunmetal irises met mine. Holy shitzu. Snapping my jaw shut, I dropped to the ground slipping right through his arms. Burying my face in my hands, I sucked in a ragged breath as my heart jackhammered against my ribs. Oh gods, I almost… I chased away the dark thoughts and focused on my breathing like Mezlor had taught me. Breathe in, breathe out. Breathe in, breathe out. Finally, the encroaching black receded.
Big hands closed over mine, prying my fingers off my face. I squeezed my eyes shut as hot tears burned my lids.
“Azara, Azara, look at me.” My name on Talon’s lips forced me back from the edge.
Slowly, I pried my eyelids open. Shimmering silver orbs greeted me, the ghost of a smile tipping up Talon’s stern lips as he squatted in front of me.
“You did good.”
Then why did I feel like unipeg crap? “I almost…” I blubbered, another sob wracking my core.
“But you didn’t.”
“But I could have…” I was out of control, and I deserved to be locked up here. I descended further down the shame spiral as Talon’s hand trapped my face, forcing my eyes to his.
“Logan’s right,” he huffed. “You need training. Most supernaturals are born with their abilities and they strengthen over time. It gives you time to grow into your powers.” His words fell away, dark brows scrunching together, and his silver irises darkened. His eyes glazed over and for a second, his mind flitted elsewhere. Or maybe to some other time. After another long minute, he refocused his gaze to meet mine. “Anyway, we better get back to work.” Offering me his hand, he hauled me off the floor.
“You still want to train me after I almost sucked your soul out?”
A wry grin split his full lips, the elusive smile doing funny things to my insides. “Believe