to fight. But where did he learn? Not the Stonehurst Prep track team, that’s for damn sure.
Well, he never counted on an opponent like me. I reach up and press my lips to his, capturing him in an adrenaline-fueled kiss. My body is alive with the feel of him – all hard muscle pressed against me. Noah moans, attacking my mouth with as much venom as I dish out. As I thrust my tongue deeper into his mouth, I wriggle free of his grip and bring up my knee to get him between the legs.
Sucker—
“Oh, no you don’t,” Noah growls against my lips as he sweeps my leg out from under me. I go down, dragging him with me. My back hits the mat, driving the wind from my lungs. Noah’s on top of me, fighting to pin my hands.
“What the fuck are you doing? I said I won’t fight you.” He breathes hard, his body heaving. Sweat pours down his face, and the demons in his eyes dance on the surface, certain that any moment they’ll be free. Seeing Noah teetering on the edge of control is intoxicating. I wonder how far I can push him, and what I’ll find on the other side.
“Tell me why.” I mean it to be a command, but he has my hands pinned and he’s grinding his cock against my throbbing clit through our jeans, and it comes out more like I’m begging.
“Because I’ll kill you, Claudia.” My real name on his lips is pure poison-laced ecstasy. Noah’s shoulders tense again, and before my eyes I watch him shutter himself against the world, putting all those dangerous emotions back into their tiny boxes. But it’s too late – I’ve seen the dangerous side of him.
Noah flings himself away. He stands above me, his chest heaving, and extends a hand to help me up. His fingers lace in mine and send a shock of electricity through my body. Noah feels it too, because he yanks his arm away. My lips ache with the ghost of his brutality. I rub them with my fingers, and when I draw them back, I see blood.
“Don’t mind me, lovebirds.”
I jump and turn toward the voice. Gabriel grins at me from the designer chair, where he lounges with his feet dangling over the arm, a bowl of popcorn in his lap. He takes a handful of popcorn and shoves it in his mouth. “I’m enjoying the show.”
I pick up my knife and wiggle it in his direction. “Don’t make me come over there.”
“Is that a threat?” Gabriel sets down the bowl and leans forward. There’s a hunger in his eyes as he sweeps over my body, taking in the hard peaks of my nipples visible through my thin t-shirt. “I’m not a fighter. I’m a lover. Although for you I might make an exception.”
Noah growls, low in his throat. Gabriel chuckles. “Relax, Marlowe. I’m not here to rain on your parade, although this is the most violent game of hide the bishop I’ve seen in my long life. Claws and I already agreed that I’m cool if she wants to clean out the cobwebs with your womb broom, have a bit of crumpet, take the magic bus to Manchester, stick the llama’s head up the lift shaft, give a hot poultice to your Irish toothache…”
“What the fuck is he talking about?” Noah splutters.
“You remember our conversation?” I’m shocked Gabriel can remember anything from last night, let alone that he said you’re more than enough for me.
“But of course.” Gabriel winces. “Well, bits of it. My poor noggin is still smarting.”
“You called Noah’s cock a ‘magnificent specimen.’” I manage a smile, even as my stomach twists with nerves. I knew this conversation would happen eventually – I’d hoped to put it off until after we dealt with the gun-toting crazy threatening my life, but I didn’t count on the beautiful train wreck that is Gabriel Fallen. I know how Gabriel feels about me being with Noah, but I can’t see Noah Marlowe being into sharing.
Hell, I didn’t even know I was into sharing until I met three princes who thawed the edges of my ice heart. Even though one of them hates my guts, even though I have no right to ask anything of them, the idea of being forced to choose one of them makes my chest tight.
“I stand by my opinion.” Gabriel gestures to Noah, who is still showing signs of… having the Irish toothache, in Gabriel’s parlance.