Total pages in book: 16
Estimated words: 14761 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 74(@200wpm)___ 59(@250wpm)___ 49(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 14761 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 74(@200wpm)___ 59(@250wpm)___ 49(@300wpm)
I’m having a difficult time focusing. He’s barely touching me, but the intent way he stares feels like an additional touch. “Um, I don’t even know where to begin.”
“I’d appreciate it if you’d try to explain it to me.”
“Well, to start off, we can all shape-shift, though obviously the more powerful the demon, the easier time they have doing so. And everyone has their own personal preferences, so the act is unique between the demons involved. Sometimes it’s a wild frenzy of shifting and magic. Sometimes they don’t even touch in a way you’d understand. I’ve had partners of all preferences.” Even as I tell myself not to, I place my hand against Caleb’s bare chest. He’s so warm and his heart is beating a frantic rhythm, as if it’s trying to get to me through his rib cage. “Humans get plenty creative with sex, especially with the various tools you can use to amplify things, but you’re still restricted to your body as it is in the moment.” I’m wearing the same form as the first night. My body right now is humanoid enough, right down to the erogenous zones, though I’ve left off the finer details of genitals. Since I’m supposed to be generating fear, not lust, I’m not supposed to need them in my day-to-day life.
“I guess we are.” He hesitates and finally nods, almost to himself. “One last question, at least for now.”
“Ask whatever you want.” I’m enjoying this conversation. He doesn’t seem to mind the times I bumble through things. His kindness is a balm against a wound I hadn’t fully processed possessing. I don’t have to worry about acting normal with him. I can just be . . . me.
“I can’t in good conscience agree to anything related to sex without talking about the possibility of pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections. I probably have some condoms around here, though I can’t guarantee they’re not expired.” This brings about another charming blush. “It’s been a while since my last partner.”
I laugh in relief. This, at least, has an easy answer. “Oh, you don’t have to worry about anything like that. Demons and humans can procreate, but the demon has to make the intentional decision to form the interior anatomy to facilitate that possibility. As far as disease or infection, our magic wards us against such things, so we can’t give or receive.”
“Well, that makes things remarkably simple.” His gaze drops to my mouth and I lick my lips, though I couldn’t begin to say why I’m licking my lips. “I’m going to kiss you now, Gemma.”
“Okay,” I whisper. I find myself holding my breath as he leans in and presses his lips to mine. It starts so slowly, I have a beat of wondering if he’s kissing me at all, but then the pressure increases and my lips part and I can taste him. He’s minty and filled to the brim with lust and something infinitely more complicated. The emotion—both emotions—surge into me through our contact, pouring down my throat with a strength that makes me gasp.
Caleb immediately retreats. Distantly, I’m aware that he’s going to ask if I’m okay, but I’m too busy chasing him across the finite distance between us and claiming his mouth. The combination of physical and emotional leaves me loose in a way I’ve never experienced, and I want more. My hunger banishes entirely in the second kiss, the slow slide of his tongue against mine filling me in ways I can’t quantify. Caleb grabs my hips and jerks me closer. I’m alight from every point we touch, his hand sliding over my ass bright and needy, his mouth dragging along my jaw leaving fire in its wake. And the weight of him as I partially roll onto my back, tugging him with me.
I want to consume him.
That thought reaches me through my need, but only barely. It’s an itch I can’t scratch, a piece of friction in a perfect moment. Even as it threatens to be swept away in my need, I make myself break the kiss. “Are you—” I can’t catch my breath. “Caleb, are you okay?”
“Yes.” He presses his forehead to mine. “Are you?”
I don’t know. I brush my lips against his and whimper at the new rush of emotions. The lust is there, so strong that I almost feel drunk on it, but it’s the softer emotion that warms my chest and makes me loop one leg around his waist, bringing us closer. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Gemma.” His grip on my hip tightens and then eases. “I’m feeling a lot of things right now, but hurt isn’t one of them.”
“Oh. Right. Good.” It’s difficult to think beyond the demand for more. “Do you want to stop?”
He gives a choked laugh. “Not even a little. Do you?”