Page 98 of Us Defiant Few

“Don’t go, Takeshi. You can trust me.”

“I can’t even trust myself, Kanes!” Takeshi cursed, chest heaving as he closed his eyes, like it was the only way to escape the hell he was living in.

“I just want one night where I don’t hear these voices in my head,” he rasped. “One night where I can pretend my mind isn’t splitting apart and I’m not one breath from killing everything.”

“Then use me.”

He turned sharply, as if he didn’t hear her correctly. “What did you just say?”

She gulped, in the back of her mind knowing this was a terrible idea, but for some reason, she didn’t move. They were two twisted souls in the world, searching for something to keep them sane.

“If you want to forget everything, then use me.”

His eyes blazed with a relentless fire, but he turned away, dismissing the notion. “You don’t know what you’re asking.”

“I know exactly what I’m asking,” she said. “I don’t have all the answers. I don’t know how to fix what broke between us. But maybe we can pretend everything’s not falling apart together. Just this once.”

Takeshi was eerily still, waiting for her to take the words back. But she’d already laid her soul bare for him.

She just needed him to pick it up off the floor.

“I’ll give you one more chance to change your mind,” he said in a voice that was too calm, too predatory as he turned to her. “After that, you don’t get to.”

The low warning lingered in the air, but Khalani lifted her chin, making her choice.

“Well, I’m still here. So, what are you going to do about it—”

She yelped, suddenly lifted off the floor in one swift motion. Takeshi positioned her so she was straddling his legs. His hands were steady as they firmly gripped her hips.

He looked maddeningly at ease, like he had her exactly where she belonged. But a fiery need set in his jaw. He leaned in, crowding her space, capturing all of her focus.

“You made the wrong choice,” he whispered.

“Why?” she breathed as he bent his head toward her neck, nose grazing along her skin.

“Because I’ll unmake you.”

He licked her pounding pulse.

Khalani’s head fell back against the door, her chest heaving, goose bumps forming along her arms.

Like she was slowly being set on fire.

One hand gripped the back of her neck while the other secured her body closer until no portion of them was separated, and she felt every inch of him.

Takeshi bit her neck, the sting sharp and punishing, but he tenderly sucked the same spot, a moan escaped Khalani’s lips, and his mouth found hers, refusing to let anyone else hear her sounds.

Their tongues tangled, fighting for control. His hands molded to her body, and she held his face, grinding her hips in a feverish movement that made him growl low in his throat.

He stood, keeping her legs securely wrapped around his waist. Still kissing her, he carried her to the bed, dropping her to the sheets.

Takeshi hovered over her, their eyes locked like she was the only person worth staring at on the surface.

Khalani didn’t like the distance and reached for him, but he caught her wrists, pinning them on either side of her head.

“Not a chance, Kanes. It’s my turn tonight.” Takeshi’s deep voice caressed her body, making her feel weightless.

Only when she nodded did he move to the foot of the bed, eyes trailing her with unrelenting passion. He hid it well before, but for once, he let her see his hunger.