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“I don’t want to wait.” My hands are under his shirt now, sliding up his stomach, slowly pulling the cotton up with them. His breathing hitches, and that only makes me pull it up slower, savoring the feel of his smooth skin and loving the way he reacts to everything I do.
“In the tunnels,” I say, “you said you wanted to talk about something with me. What was it?” I press a kiss to his neck.
“I wanted to talk about us.”
“I can think of something more fun than talking.”
He finally grabs my hands with his own. He doesn’t pull them away, only holds them in place so he can catch his breath. I tilt my mouth up to his lips again.
“Alosa, stop it.”
I open my eyes and look at him. “What’s the matter?” I say, irritated.
“I want to stop.”
I give him a wicked grin and press my mouth to his ear. “But don’t you want to feel my lips here next?” I put more pressure against where he has my hands trapped against his chest.
His entire body shudders, and I lean back, triumphant.
“You don’t want me to stop. Now let me take off your shirt.”
Riden pauses for a very. Long. Time.
But eventually, he shakes his head.
“What’s the matter? Are you tired of standing? Would you rather I kissed you in my bed?”
He releases my hands and steps back several paces until he comes into contact with a painting on the opposite wall. Itlands on the floor, the glass shattering, but neither of us looks at it.
“What are you doing now?” I ask.
“You could make a monk break his vows.”
“You’re no monk.”
“No, I’m worse. I—” He takes a deep breath. “You’ve been abandoned by your mother all over again, and you’ve just learned your father’s been lying to you your entire life. You’re vulnerable.”
Strangely, I feel like hitting him again. “I’m no weak thing. I know what I want.”
“I didn’t say you were weak.” He pulls his neckline outward, as though he needs more air. “Damn it, Alosa.Ideserve better than this. You come find me when you’re not so emotional.”
Emotional? I’m beyond furious and confused now. Maybe a little hurt. But I don’t let it show. I cloak my face in indifference.
His face falls and he takes a step forward. “Now I’ve hurt you. There’s nothing wrong with what you’re feeling. Take the time to feel it. I’m not rejecting you, Alosa! How could anyone reject you? Just take some time to adjust. Then you can come find me. But right now, you’re making me feel like some scoundrel taking advantage of—”
“I’m makingyoufeel—well, it should be all about you, shouldn’t it?” I ask, my tone dripping with sarcasm.
“No, it shouldn’t beallabout me, but it should havesomethingto do with me. When we kiss, I want you thinking aboutmeinstead of everything that’s infuriating you. Until you’re ready for that, we won’t be kissing.”
Something about those words hits deep, and guilt sweeps in. I don’t need it on top of everything else! “Right now,you’reinfuriating me. And there won’t be any more kissing. Now get out.”
I kick his arse on his way through the door.
Chapter 9
DAMNED SIREN BLOOD.
It’s the only thing I can think of to explain my behavior yesterday. Surely no human girl would throw herself at some man she doesn’t fully trust because her parents disappoint her.
