Part 19 (2/2)

He cupped my chin in his palm and his eyes locked on mine. He leaned forward and gently brushed his lips against mine.

Oh. G.o.d. Every nerve ending in my body flared to life. In places I didn't even know had nerve endings. The b.u.t.terflies were going crazy and my thighs tingled as if I'd just run ten miles up hill. I could barely keep upright. My knees were jiggling like jello.

His mouth covered mine again. This time I could feel his tongue against mine, enticing me. As he deepened the kiss, I didn't know what to do with my hands. They were fisted along his side but this time I felt a little bolder. The heat inside me ignited a fire.

I streaked them under his t-s.h.i.+rt and rubbed them over the hard plane of his bare chest. I'd wanted to do that ever since I'd seen him in the shower. He was as hard but smooth as I thought he'd be, like silk wrapped stone.

He pulled away and murmured cautiously, ”Salem.”

”Don't stop kissing me.” I nipped at his bottom lip with my teeth.

”Believe me, I don't want to,” he murmured against my lips.

”Then don't.”

He feathered his fingertips over my cheeks and chin. As if he was afraid to really touch me. As if I might break if he pressed too hard, too fast.

”I don't want to hurt you.”

”You won't. I won't break, Trevor. I'm not like other girls, remember?”

He stared me in the eyes then smiled. ”No, you're certainly not.”

”Then kiss me. Feed off me. I can make you stronger than those d.i.c.ks in Malice.”

He chuckled a little, then he did as I asked. He kissed me. And it was hard and hot and wet. And I thought I would die from it.

My heart thudded so fast so hard I thought it would break my ribs. My whole body vibrated with want, with need. Trevor could've sucked me dry and I would've let him. It felt that d.a.m.n good.

I squeezed my eyes shut and dug my fingers into his shoulders. Everything was light and dark and hot and cold. I'd never experienced such a confliction of sensations in my life. It was a rush, like I was high on endorphins. And I probably was.

But then it was over and I was leaning against the wall. When I opened my eyes, I saw Trevor, s.h.i.+rtless, on his knees in front of me trying to breathe. Sweat slicked all of his skin.

I pushed my hair out of my face. ”What...what happened?”

”You.” He coughed into his hand. I saw the thick tarry substance in his palm.

”What does that mean?”

”You nearly sucked out my soul.”

My heart leapt into my throat. I collapsed to my knees next to him and tried to hug him. ”I'm sorry.”

Still hacking, he patted my back. ”I know. You couldn't help it. It's my fault anyway. I shouldn't have let it go so far.”

”But we only kissed.”

He made a face. ”Ah, you don't...”

I followed his gaze and looked down. My t-s.h.i.+rt was gone. I was just in my black cotton bra. Frantically, I looked around and spied my s.h.i.+rt across the room.

I leapt to my feet and sprinted across the room. After s.n.a.t.c.hing my s.h.i.+rt from the lamp where it had landed, I pulled it on, my cheeks blazing with embarra.s.sment. I didn't even remember taking it off.

I rubbed at my arms. My skin tingled. In fact, every part of my body tingled. As if it all had been asleep and now was just waking up for the first time. I didn't want to like the sensation because of what I'd done to get it. But I couldn't help it. I was invigorated. Fresh. New.

Trevor pushed to his feet, rubbing a hand over his sweaty face.

”I'm sorry,” I said again. Although I kind of didn't mean it. It felt too d.a.m.n good to be sorry for it.

”It's okay, Salem. I should've stopped it before it even started.”

I licked my lips still tasting him on them. ”Please, don't tell me we can't ever do that again.”

He shuffled over to the sofa and collapsed on it. ”We both have to learn control.”

I went to the fridge, opened it and grabbed a bottle of water. I handed it to him. ”How?”

He chugged half the bottle, then answered, ”Carefully.”

”Well how come this didn't happen when you kissed me at the club?”

He shrugged. ”I don't know. Different circ.u.mstances maybe.”

I watched him finish the water and set the empty on the table. He looked tired, drawn, worn out. I'd done that. I'd taken his life energy from him. It now coursed through my veins, feeding my muscles.

”I'm every sorrier to say this, but I feel flipping amazing.”

He gave me a look. ”Nice.”

I laughed. ”I can't help it. I feel like I could run a marathon without any effort. Is it because you're a cambion as well? You must have different energy. I didn't feel this good even after Josh.”

”I guess. I don't know.”

I splayed my arms out to the side and twirled around. ”You have to try this. It's amazing.” I was almost giddy with the power of it.

”Well maybe next time I'll be the sucker and you be the suckee.” He gave me a half smile.

I returned his smile, happy that he said there would be a next time. I thrilled at the possibility of kissing him again. Touching him even. But I just didn't have the heart to tell him that I really had no intention of being the suckee. There was no way I'd be that girl again.

”Let's use all that extra energy of yours and do Thane's laundry. The faster we do it, the quicker we can find a way to finish him.”

I nodded and picked up the black duffel bag and wondered how bad it would be if I did cartwheels all the way there.

<script>