Page 133 of Infernal Secrets

Made sense. People liked different things, and they didn’t always enjoy doing the same things from different people. She said she liked praise—and what happened with Cyn. I doubted she’d like him praising her if fighting with him turned her on.

I paused when I realized she’d described something turning her on, even though I’d been thinking about it the whole time.

“So you’re attracted to Cyn? I mean, I guess you are. You had sex with him.”

“He’s an asshole, but he’s a hot one.” She sighed as if she hated to admit it, her fingers brushing the side of her neck over a faint dark spot.

Did she have makeup on her neck? I shook the thought.

“Think you’ll do it again?” Why did I ask that? Stupid.

“What? No! No way.” She drew her knees to her chest and hugged her shins. “He said it’d never happen again, anyway. I think he wouldn’t have touched me if he hadn’t been asleep.” She rested her cheek on her knees to look at me. “I don’t wanna have sex with someone who hates me, no matter how good it is.”

I tried not to imagine her and Cyn having sex. I tried really hard.

She yawned, sitting upright. “I need to start dinner.”

“Cyn’s making chicken Alfredo.”

“Oh.”

“Why don’t you take a nap or something until it’s ready?”

“I’m not”—she yawned—“sleepy.” She laughed when I raised a brow. “Okay, maybe a little. I didn’t get much sleep last night.”

“Want some help?”

“What do you mean?”

I lifted a hand and wiggled my fingers. “Quick way to fall asleep.”

“Sure. Why not?” She pointed at me. “You stay out of my head.”

I crossed my heart. “I’ll just put you to sleep. Nothing else. Promise.” I refused to violate the trust she placed in me by misusing my magic while she was vulnerable.

She climbed off the bed. “Hang on.” Reaching for the button on her jeans, she said, “I am not sleeping in clothes again. It’s too hot in this room, even with the air conditioner. I’ve considered installing a ceiling fan.”

I glanced away to give her privacy when she unbuttoned and unzipped her jeans. I looked back at her after she climbed into bed and turned off the lamp.

The soft hues of the setting sun filtering through her blinds and the nightlight in her bathroom made it easy for me to see her. Pink straps peeked out from the top of the covers; she’d taken her shirt off too.

“Ready?”

She nodded. “Work your magic, dream boy.”

I laughed as I brushed a stray strand of hair from her forehead before gently covering her eyes with my hand. The softness of her skin made my fingers tingle.

It took no time at all for her to slip into unconsciousness.

Sitting up, I watched her peaceful face, the flutter of her eyelids hinting at the dreams already forming behind them.

Vithrelas magic lulled targets into a state bordering on REM sleep where dreams took root, making it easier to dreamwalk. But I promised her I wouldn’t step into her dreams.

I turned, ready to leave her to a peaceful nap, but her breathing changed, and a soft moan slipped past her lips, stealing my attention. I squeezed my eyes shut, fighting the urge to peek in on her dream. I promised.

I inhaled through my nose to calm myself, shuddering when her sweet scent edged with a buttery tart aroma overwhelmed me. The same note I thought I’d caught last night.

I looked at her, my heart pounding. My hands shook as I reached out to touch her forehead. When she moaned at my touch and her perfume bloomed, I staggered back from the bed.