wicked game of chicken. Still does as our stares clash with resounding force.
Her lips form a flat line. “I’m pissed about you stealing me away from my friends.”
The visual she paints is almost amusing. “This isn’t the playground, sugar. You don’t go anywhere without wanting to. Let’s not pretend otherwise.”
Vannah huffs with undisguised frustration. “I’m standing here talking to you, aren’t I? Being captured in the dark isn’t really my kink.”
“It’s dim at worst, and you’re hardly stuck.” But send me straight to damnation for wanting her to be. This woman is my Everest, and I’m ready to conquer the impossible feat.
“You’re fancy with semantics,” she spits.
“How am I the bad guy? Your hand was dangerously close to my dick.” Even from this distance, my height towers over her.
Vannah cocks her hip, not the least bit intimidated by our difference in stature. “That’s what you get for trying to push my buttons.”
Hunger builds inside my gut, snapping its elongated incisors. “I’m trying to do a lot more than that.”
“Fat chance, Lannie. You’re not equipped with what it takes to hold my interest.” A storm brews in her green pools. “I don’t appreciate you using sweet sentiments and romance against me.”
“Too bad there aren’t any rules. We’re a long ways off from establishing a truce.” I prowl forward until she’s nearly pinned to the wall with my fervency.
“That will never—”
With a meaningful palm on her hip, I give a strong jerk to erase the space between us. The movement silences her before she can spew more contempt. But that’s not compelling enough as her expression pinches. She’s not pushing me away, though. Her mouth is lush and soft, drawing me in with the promise of losing myself. I could use a moment to escape the bland and dull. The red gloss might be a deterrent to some, but I won’t mind wearing this vixen’s mark.
I slam my lips against hers, the motion a fluid wave crashing into stone. Vannah is stiff and vibrating against me. Our mouths meet for no more than five seconds—then she wrenches from my impulsive decision.
Her gasp ricochets against me. “Why did you do that?”
“Just checking.” In all honesty, I didn’t plan this. The opportunity dropped into my lap and I had to take advantage.
“I might regret asking, but for what?”
“If you’d be willing.” More so to disprove our chemistry, which was an epic fail on my part.
Her gaze is wild as she searches mine. “What leverage are you trying to gain?”
“None, in this moment.” Only truth rings from my statement, which will certainly bite me in the ass later.
“I’m not falling for this swoony routine you’re trying to pull. You can take the sexy allure and shove it.”
I create a cage with my arms, leaning in until our noses almost touch. “Where do you suggest I put this?”
“Holy shit. Are you talking dirty to me?” She sputters when I roll my hips along hers. There’s no mistaking the solid ridge for anything other than the fiery need that’s pumping through me. “Oh, you’re making a big play with all that.”
I lick my lower lip, biting the edge when her gaze follows the wet path. “You started it.”
Vannah is well aware she can escape, but makes no move to break free. Her chest is rising and falling with labored breaths. She stares at my mouth, desire shimmering in her green gaze. “Oh, what the hell.”
She fists the front of my shirt and hauls me in. Our lips reunite with a mutual groan. She doesn’t hesitate in deepening the kiss, parting her lips for me with a seductive purr. The sound lulls me in a hypnotic daze, much like her tongue sliding along mine. Heat infuses our connection instantly, flooding through me in a molten rush. The feverish spike has me craving more.
I bury my fingers in her hair and guide our position to opposing angles for wider access. In return, her nails dig into my shoulder with piercing force. The meaning is simple—any power I’m trying to wield is shared with this bombshell.
This isn’t a taste. This is quenching weeks of thirst, gorging ourselves until the fire snuffs out.
I lash at her while she nips my bottom lip. Vannah’s previous resistance melts from her limbs as she clutches onto me. Passion bleeds between us, spilling from her mouth to mine. With an arm cinching her waist, I meld our bodies together for maximum impact. The effect is heady and zaps straight to my balls. Warmth flares from