Chapter 164 164
“Who’s behind you?” she gasped in a low, dramatic whisper, her eyes flying wide as if she were staring at a ghost standing just over his shoulder.
Damien didn’t even flinch. He knew there was no one there. She was performing trying to distract him, trying to slip free from his grasp. All he could do was breathe her in, her scent curling around his senses, and listen to the frantic rhythm of her heart as it sped up with every passing second.
“Is that my shirt?” he asked mildly, one brow lifting.
He knew exactly what he was looking at.
She refused to meet his eyes, worrying her bottom lip between her teeth. “No,” she murmured, barely audible.
His gaze flicked toward the dresser, and realization snapped into place. In one swift motion, he tugged her closer and reached for the shirt clenched in her hand, pulling the fabric taut between them.
His cologne clung to it strong, unmistakable and his wolf stirred, purring low in approval. His own heart betrayed him, stuttering once in his chest.
She yanked the shirt back and glared at him. “It’s mine. You gave it to me. You’re not getting it back,” she snapped defensively, twisting her arm in an attempt to break free.
She failed.
His grip remained unyielding.
He stared down at her scrunched nose she always did that when she was annoyed. She wasn’t short, not really, but against him she felt small, barely reaching above his shoulders. Her teeth tortured her lower lip again.
“Can you let go?” she complained, huffing as she struggled against him.
Damien caught her chin, tilting her face upward until their eyes locked.
For a single suspended heartbeat, his dark olive gaze burned into her wide brown eyes.
Then his mouth crashed down on hers.
She froze.
His lips claimed hers, and his wolf surged forward inside his head, demanding more. He shoved the beast back with sheer will. His free arm slid around her waist, hauling her closer until her soft body was flush against his hard frame.
She shuddered.
His tongue brushed her lips, coaxing, and her hands pressed weakly against his chest as her body slowly melted into his hold. His mouth worked over hers, and when he bit her bottom lip, a flash of memory hit him hard.
He hadn’t slept the entire night after the way she’d spoken about her first kiss how sacred it was to her. It had gnawed at him, left him restless and irritable. He’d wanted to confront her, to ask what she meant. Instead, he’d fled at dawn, burning his frustration out at the training center.
It hadn’t helped.
He’d sparred with two seasoned warriors until they begged for a break, his temper sharp, his mood foul. Dominique and Alexandre had noticed but wisely said nothing.
Later, he’d let his wolf run free through the woods, the earth and wind calming him. It helped. For a while.
Until he came home.
Her scent had hit him the second he stepped inside sweet, clean, devastating. He’d tried to ignore it, heading straight for his room.
And there she was.
The trigger.
Every shred of restraint unraveled the moment he saw her. He was fighting himself now. He didn’t want to hurt her but damn it, he couldn’t stop. He never should’ve crossed this line with her. But now that he’d tasted her?
He wanted more. Always more.
His hand tightened around her waist, pressing her against him as he kissed her again, harder. She landed soft, frantic punches against his chest, and only then did he realize she was breathless.
He pulled back.
She gasped, chest rising rapidly, eyes wide and unfocused as she stared up at him stunned, dazed.
And suddenly, it hit him.
He was her first kiss.
The way she’d spoken about it like it was something precious. Something meant to be saved. She had guarded it for someone special.
And he had taken it.
Knowing full well he could never give her the forever she deserved.
His gaze dropped to her swollen lips, and restraint shattered again. He captured her mouth once more. Her lips were soft, lush addictive. Her mouth fuck, her mouth was pure temptation. She tasted divine.
His tongue traced the seam of her lips, and she parted them with a small, startled gasp. The moment his tongue touched hers, she jolted in his arms and he groaned.
Their tongues tangled, the kiss turning hungry, consuming. He devoured her, deepening it as she tried to keep up. His hand slid from her jaw to the nape of her neck, holding her there as he kissed her slow and sensual.
The sounds between them were sinful.
She moaned softly into his mouth, and he swallowed every breathy sound.
His hands burned with need to touch, to claim, to explore. He wanted her curves, her warmth, her heat wrapped around him
He tore himself away.
No.
He couldn’t let it go further.
He couldn’t have her.
Her legs gave way, wobbling as she stumbled back a step. Her eyes were heavy-lidded, her hands shaking as she clutched his shirt in a tight fist. It was a miracle she was still upright at all. Her heart thundered in her ears as she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.
She looked at him.
He was staring back with raw intensity. For a split second, she thought she saw gold flash in his eyes but when she blinked, it was gone.
The desire, though?
That was unmistakable.
She turned and walked toward the door, slow and unsteady. This time, he didn’t stop her. She passed him without a word, gathering every second, every touch, every stolen moment and tucking it away safe inside the pages of her most treasured memories.
Because she knew a man like him didn’t deserve a girl already cracked and breaking like her.