Page 193 of Captive of Secrets and Storms

His fingers dig into my back even as he pulls his head away. “You’re making this difficult.”

“It doesn’t have to be.” I don’t recognize my sultry voice.

My free hand dives into his hair. A pout tugs at my lips. His hair isn’t as smooth or silky as Rian’s inky-black strands. I want to revel in that texture. I want to dig my fingers into Rian’s hair and hold tight while he thrusts himself inside me with so much force that I⁠—

Leto chokes. “Easy, Elara.”

I blink away the lusty vision. “What?”

Heat swims in his eyes even as he inches back so there is a sliver of space between our now-sweaty bodies.

“Careful with your pheromones." His gaze darts to the side.

My eyebrows draw down.

My what?

I follow his stare.

We’re still close to the dais. A larger space has cleared around us. Only we and the other two contestant couples dance.

Lust-filled stares and open mouths line the edge of the makeshift dance floor. Heaving chests rise and fall among the crowd.

I spot several men and women locked in each other’s embrace, as if they, too, are affected by the Lover’s Temptation.

A heady moan rises from behind me.

I turn. A gasp tears from my throat.

Hali and her partner are dancing, but not in a way I’ve ever seen.

They don’t spin. They don’t glide from side to side. Their sandaled feet are planted on the shining floor, and their bodies press together in a way that has me seriously wondering if they are coupling on the dance floor right here, right now, in front of everyone.

But no.

Their clothes are firmly in place.

And no one in the room looks at all surprised by what’s happening.

No one, except me.

Hali’s hands squeeze and press into her partner’s biceps, his waist, his ass.

His hands also roam, kneading Hali’s ample breasts, pinching her nipples, and sucking on her neck when she throws back her head in ecstasy. Their bodies roll and press, grinding against each other.

Beads of sweat gather on the base of my neck. One rolls down the dip of my spine, continuing under my gown. I shiver and avert my gaze.

Gerald and his wife move intimately against each other. Their eyes are locked. Hands roam, lips part, but they have not lost themselves in the effects of the Lover’s Temptation like Hali and her partner.

Like a moth to a flame, my head swings back to the sensuous couple. Hali’s hand has slipped between their bodies. She cups her partner’s manhood, and the moan that leaves his lips makes my legs press together.

“I want to dance like that.”

Leto groans then spins me away, blocking the enticing scene from view with his broad shoulders. “Don’t tempt me. I don’t want to die.”

My head snaps up, and my hazy vision narrows. “Why do people keep saying that?”

“Like me, I imagine it’s because they have a strong sense of self-preservation.” Leto’s palm flattens, drawing my body close once more as his nose nuzzles my hair. “It’s the Fae in us.”