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“Are you usually this sassy after near-death events?”
“I’m this sassy all the time, Razai. This isn’t new.”
“Hmm…” After a moment of serious confusion, he pulled me closer to whisper, “I think I’m just adjusting my perspective of you. After all that soft pleading and calling out my name, I find it hard to go back.”
My cheeks warmed. I choked out, “Well, get used to it.”
“Oh, I plan to.”
“Hey, that’s not what I—” My voice cut off as he nuzzled my neck and pressed a soft kiss to my pulse.
He moved closer, hand sliding into the curve of my back and holding me close. Another gentle kiss, and then his tongue made me think about how it felt on other parts of me…
“I like this side of you,” he admitted, straightening with eyes hooded and mouth pinker than before.
“What side?” I asked, dazed. Why did he stop?
“The side that opens and softens when you want something. When you want me. Your lips part just like that,” he said, brushing a thumb over my lower lip. “And you look at me like I’m reaching deeper and touching your soul. It’s so honest and sexy that I think I’ll lose my mind every time I see it.”
The observations made me squirm under his scrutiny. Did I really look like that? Do that? Fuck, that’s embarrassing. I thought I was better at masking my reactions.
Looking to the side and steeling myself, I said, “So you’re saying that I go a little stupid, and you like it. Makes sense.” And then, under my breath, “Men.”
Faster than a snake springing on prey, Razai gripped the back of my neck and turned my gaze to him again.
And I couldn’t even deny my body’s response. Desire and heat flooded my chest and made my breath catch.
His stare was hard and unyielding. The war general gazed into me, splaying me open like a godsdamn book he’d been waiting to devour. “Are you ashamed of wanting me, Gray Wilder?”
The question caught me off guard, but I immediately replied, “A little. Well, a lot, actually. I should know better.”
Those dark, hooded eyes pinned me with desire. Completely undeterred by my answer, mind you. “Oh?” he asked.
I ignored the shivers that his low, rasping voice sent through me. “It’s true. I have no business being with an archangel, much less one as chaotic and ridiculous as you. But that’s not even the main issue. I’m mostly scared of the consequences of indulging… whatever this is.”
“Which are?”
I swallowed hard, finding it difficult to focus on my own words. Still, I managed, “Power. I’m already less than you, Razai, as far as this society sees it. I’m not well-off or well-connected. I don’t offer anything that can match you in influence. None of this bothers me in reality. I’m used to being in my position. But if I allow myself this…” I touched his chest. “If I surrender even a little, then I’ll be at your mercy in ways that I haven’t learned to cope with.”
Understanding flickered in his eyes. “You’ve slipped through society’s shadows and have come to terms with your perceived rank in the world, and you’ve accepted that imbalance of power. You’ve even adapted to it and learned how to thrive within it.
“But—”
I interjected, “But, this is something I don’t know how to navigate. The only things that exceed your power is the control I have over my mind and heart. If I truly trust you like this, I risk becoming completely defenseless. Not to mention short on critical thinking, because I’d have to think going to a strip club with the P.E. teacher is a good idea.”
The tension melted. His bark of genuine laughter made a passing nurse frown. He stroked the nape of my neck, grinning. “If you think you’re the only one at another’s mercy, you’re wrong. I’m not sure how it happened or why so quickly, but I find myself falling for you, Gray Wilder. Every godsdamn day.”
Heart in my throat, I stammered, “No—you… I don’t think that’s… fuck. Really?”
He became very stern suddenly. “Any other woman with that many Post-it notes would have sent me running.”
I snorted and bumped my forehead against his chest while trying to contain my laughter. “Don’t you dare come after my Post-its.”
He ensnared my waist and walked us toward the exit, a stupid grin on his face. “Ohhh, so now I know what your weakness is, don’t I? Just a little rearrangement party is enough to get you going?”
“Okay, now that’s just cruel.”
“False.” He pushed the door open. “It’s the perfect path to make-up sex.”
