Page 93 of Burned

That question cracked something in me. Something good. Something healing.

I kiss Lucian, carefully at first, waiting for the memory to rise, the old shadow to come.

It doesn’t. It’s only Lucian. His breath. His heat. His hands tighten slightly against my back when I deepen the kiss.

Us.

I make a sound against his mouth, needy and broken. He knows what I need. His hand slides into my hair and grips.

Just hard enough.

He pulls my head back. I gasp. His mouth moves to my throat.

“Tell me if I’m getting it wrong,” he murmurs against my pulse. “Don’t let me fail you right now.”

The words are so quiet I almost miss them. But I don’t.

“Don’t be too careful,” I whisper.

He stills.

I feel the war inside him. The part of him that wants to be gentle because of what I’ve just told him. But he knows what I need.

What I’ve asked for.

And he delivers. His teeth scrape lightly over my pulse.

I jolt. “Lucian.”

He kisses down my throat, then bites softly where my shoulder meets my neck. Heat shoots through me. My hands grip his shirt. Then I take his hand and place it at my waist.

His fingers spread. He grips. My body exhales.

“Harder,” I say.

His other hand slides to my hip, holding me firmly in his lap. I rock against him, and the hardness beneath me sends heat blooming low in my belly, spreading between my thighs.

Lucian’s jaw tightens. “You’re shaking.” He kisses me harder.

Thank God.

He takes my mouth like he can drive out every memory that does not belong to him, and I let him try. I help him. I bite his lip, dig my fingers into his shoulders, press myself closer until there is no space left between us.

He groans. The sound vibrates through me.

I need more of it.

I need him undone because of me.

I need proof not only that he still wants me, but that wanting me can still make him lose his mind.

His scars catch my eye as we remove his sweater. I run my hands over them, tracing the uneven skin.

He watches me. Always watching. I need that right now.

“Make me yours.” I lean in and kiss near his collarbone. His hand grips the back of my neck.

“You already are.” Then he takes over.