me to the seat with those inquisitive pools.
I swallow, feeling far more vulnerable than I care for. “Because I have. Now answer me.”
Tinksley holds my stare, searching my face—for what, I don’t know—but I assume she finds it, because not a full minute later, I literally watch her make the decision to throw all caution to the wind. “Fuck it. Kiss me, Captain. Kiss me as if I’ll be gone tomorrow.”
The sick part is, she might just be.
Yes, Draegan said she has two to three weeks, but with my luck, it’ll be sooner. I suspect she’s going to start feeling the effects a bit harder now that she’s had a taste.
“There’s no coming back from this,” I remind her, tightening my fist in her hair.
This is her last out.
The. Last. One.
“There’s no coming back from anything I’ve done. Do it, Callan. Kiss—”
I’m fucking kissing her. Not my lips to her cheek, or gentle brush to her forehead.
No.
I’m press my lips against hers so fervently, I’m surprised she doesn’t shatter in my grasp.
She tastes exquisite.
Feels even better; softer than I’d let myself imagine.
What gets me most?
Those little sounds she’s making, those almost inaudible, appreciative mewls as her fingers snake into my hair.
“So fucking sweet,” I mumble, high as hell on cloud nine.
Evidently, she’s right there with me, hands fumbling to undo the buttons of my shirt. As soon as she’s got the first three undone, warm, soft palms slip beneath the dark, crisp material, exploring the rigid planes of my chest.
“Touch me,” I hear her whisper. Or at least, that’s what my mind insists she said.
I want to. God, trust me I do but—
That tongue of hers, one I’m just now learning is wicked and demanding, dips into my mouth, obliterating my hesitation and coaxing me to oblige.
This is going so much further than a simple swipe of our lips. I’m mentally begging her to slow down for her own good, but the desperation of her assault disarms me completely. I’m useless to do anything but reciprocate what she’s seeking out and give into my own desires.
Releasing my hold on her hair, my hands trace down the outline of her figure, molding to every dip and swell in a slow descent until they glide over that pert little ass of hers.
A firm grip, a rough tug toward me, I roll her into my erection, my teeth nipping at her bottom lip.
“Oh my God,” she pants, head lolling back, granting me access to the smooth column of her neck.
My fangs elongate of their own accord, vision hazing over in a tantalizing red, focusing on that one spot—the throb of her pulse.
“Why does this feel so good?” Her query distracts me, bring my focus back on the fact she’s grinding all over my cock with hypnotizing rolls of her hips.
“Because,” I grit, barely withholding myself from slipping a hand beneath her dress. “Everything is heightened, remember?”
“I want you in—”
“Captain?” A deep voice suddenly rings out behind us.
I recognize it to be Leandre just as Tinksley yelps, snapping her attention toward the booming source. She tries to move, but I hold her in place, unwilling to let her go. Cutting my gaze over my shoulder, I meet his sheepish, brown-eyed stare and raise an eyebrow.
“How can I help you?”
“Uh...Armand asked me to come find you. There’s someone here to see you.”
“What are you doing here?” I bark as I stalk into the foyer, hastily buttoning up my shirt.
Marlena’s expression quirks, eyebrow arching curiously. “Busy, are you?”
I scoff at her query and yank her into the parlor, locking the door after us. “Get on with it.”
“Guess you were.” She laughs. “Did I cut you so short you’re not even going to offer me a drink, Captain?”
Goddammit.
My jaw locks so tight I’m surprised it doesn’t shatter. “Apologies. Can I get you anything to drink,” I question, placing emphasis on the k.
“Please.”
“And what would you like?”
“Whatever you have.” An amused, satisfied smile stretches her face as she drops into one of the armchairs.
I don’t return it, beyond irate my time with Tinksley was cut short for her and likely one of her antics. The only reason I’m even getting her that drink is because I need one, too, before my balls explode.
Takes me all of a minute to serve us both a swig of bourbon and join her. I hand her the glass and fall into the chair at her side. “There, you’ve got your drink. Now, tell me, Marlena—what is so important that you've shown up,