Page 71 of The Order of the Bitter Hunt

“My mother said I look sickly.” I touch my cheek. “She could tell I haven’t been drinking enough.”

I love my mother, and I know she adores me, but it’s always been too easy to compare myself to her. She’s tall and thin. I’m several inches shorter and curvier.

Little comments about my appearance, even if she doesn’t mean them that way… they get to me.

The way Jun looks at me suddenly may be the one thing that can distract me.

He leans in, his thumb on my chin. His gaze is scrutinizing and penetrating, using the grip to turn my face. Each time he touches me is pure heat, it’s lava, and I could melt under his watchful eye.

My gaze is stuck on his, and his eyes dart around my face, taking me in. There’s a gentle nature to him, one I never realized before. It’s another thing about him I find oh-so terrifying.

I would rather face the killer than feel Jun looking at me… and touching me. His hands are rough with calluses, but they’re delicate now.

“You want the honest answer?” he asks.

I’ve always been able to trust Jun to be blunt with me. While my mother’s bluntness is a knife, his is more soothing. Predictable. Needed.

“Yes,” I breathe. “Please.”

“I think…” He squeezes my chin. “You’ve never looked better. Who’s filling your head with this shit?”

I avert my gaze. “My mother.”

“Fuck her.”

My lips part. “I thought you were going to be a gentleman, Jun-seong.”

“I am.” He smirks, leaning away. “As long as she’s around to hear me, I’ll be a perfect angel.”

“Funny, coming from a demon.”

He snorts. “If you’re worried about whatever your mom said, my offer still stands.”

“Your offer…?” I know exactly what he’s referring to, but I pretend I don’t. I’m the picture of innocence as I meet his sharp gaze—my lips parted, my eyes wide.

“Keep looking at me like that, and I’ll take the offer back.”

I laugh. “What? Why?”

“Do you want to drink from me or not?”

“You already know the answer, don’t you?” I shake my head, pressing my lips together. “You said…”

His hand is on me again, turning my face, guiding me to look at him.

When our eyes lock, I don’t have a doubt in my mind. I know what I want.

“Go on,” he says. “Tell me what I said.”

It’s not truly a command, but it’s spoken with such soft reassurance that I melt under his touch. My eyelashes flutter, and the blood in my body goes warm.

“You said… I like your taste.” My words are just loud enough to hear.

Oh, how I long to avert my gaze—but I don’t. Our eyes lock into place, and they stay that way.

“And do you like it?”

“It’s…” Hell. I can’t give him this much power over me… but I can’t hold back anymore. “It’s all I’ve been thinking about.”