Page 285 of Ashen Torment

“I do not like Nathaniel Brownell,” he adds, his breath growing heavier near my nape.

I sigh. “He is a good person, you are being unfair.”

“A good person?”

“You know he is,” I reply, trying not to turn. “And he is my friend.”

He remains silent.

“You aren’t going to tell me that now you no longer like Richard, are you?” I venture, and my finger slides over his thigh.

“No, I do not like him,” he replies sharply.

“You are ridiculous.”

“I do not like Agnes.”

“I had gathered that much.”

“I do not like anyone who comes near you,” he hisses, fingers pressing into my nape.

I turn completely sideways in the tub, body against his. I seize his hair in my hands, fingers clawing into his nape. I pull him to me all at once.

I kiss him. I bite him. His lips break against mine, the metallic taste of blood exploding in my mouth. Low groans escape, but he does not pull back. On the contrary, he holds me tighter, putting his hands on my hips and pulling me toward him.

Closer. More connected.

I break away from him and my gaze falls on his blood-stained lips. I approach without hesitation, my tongue sliding out to lick it away. I rest a hand on his thigh, feeling how hard he is, erect, entirely under my grip.

Only for me.

“What an animal...”

Dorian grazes my lips with his. “It is you who continues to torment me.”

“It is you who chose to remain here,” I retort, breath still short.

“I do not usually stay.”

I pull my face away. “Then go.”

“Where should I go?” he asks, brows furrowed.

I stand up quickly, water sliding down my shoulders and thighs.

“I am leaving, then.”

But Dorian is already behind me, his hands seize me and his teeth sink into my shoulder this time, deeper, harder.

“You are going nowhere,” he snarls, then kisses the bitten spot. “I know you do not want to go anywhere else.”

“You are too convinced of yourself—”

The sentence dies on my lips because I feel his hand press against my hip, sliding down decisively, and then inside me.

“What... what are you doing!?”

“Hold still,” he murmurs against my skin. “I need to get it out of you.”