Poison's Kiss (Deadly Beauties 2)

"Okay. Any chance you can whip me up some pajamas? My magic isn't quite clothing creation savvy, so I'd rather not look like Jane of the jungle."

He chuckles lightly, a delightful sparkle in his eyes.

"Actually, you'll find your old room is fully stocked with everything you could possibly need. No magic necessary."

My mouth would fall open if it wasn't glued shut right now. Why would he have my room stocked?

"Why-"

"Because regardless of your justifiable resentment toward me, you're still my daughter. Every year I change the styles of the clothes, keeping things up to date and keeping the clothing in your size. Amari simply believes that room is a shrine to the daughter she believes died years ago. I've never told her any differently."

His voice wavers, forcing him to clear his throat, but he decides not to proceed with his explanation.

"Okay. Thanks," I murmur with clear confusion.

He motions for me to walk out first, and he follows behind me as t

he music plays on for the dancing immortals. As we near the stairs, I decide to call it an early night.

"If it's all the same to you, I'm really, really tired. I still have to call Thad to let him know I'm okay, and then I'd like to get some sleep."

He nods softly, and then he shifts from side to side as though he doesn't know how to handle a goodnight-departure.

"I'll see you in the morning, Drackus."

He smiles, his eyes sparking with excitement, and then I see the faintest hint of a watering effect. I almost forget all of our past drama in that instant, feeling for the first time in so long that he really is my father.

"Goodnight, Airis," he says in a near whisper, not correcting himself this time.

He walks away, smiling as he heads back toward the dancing craziness just down the hall. I head up the stairs, touching the banister that is engraved with memories of me sliding down it, laughing as my father held me to keep me from falling off the steep edge.

It seems like a lifetime ago when I was a happy, naive child with no real understanding of the world. I see the hallway leading to my childhood bedroom, but I'm deterred from my path when I hear Gage's laughter coming from a nearby room.

The door is open, so I don't pass up the chance to peek inside. I instantly regret that decision when I see him standing in front of the window with his shirt stripped off. He talks on the phone with his back turned, giving me a guilt-free view of all the perfect contours he has to offer from behind.

The dark denim, frayed jeans look even sexier with his perfectly golden toned skin in sight.

"Yeah," he says to whoever he's talking to. With my hunger for touch growing stronger, I can't even manage to listen in on the other end. "She's doing fine here. Drackus has talked her into spending the night by now. I'll follow her back in the morning... Yeah, just meet us there. And get your own room."

Obviously he's talking to Thad, but I can't stand here and keep staring at his perfect body. I wasn't planning on anyone else already being up here. I guess that's why he essentially bid me goodnight in the library.

With quick, silent steps, I scurry past his room before he can see me. It would be bad... so bad for me to step in there right now.

Kane's lips press against mine as he owns my body. His expert motions remind me why I gave myself to him the first time. He pulls me close, not giving me much room to breathe.

Just as I'm about to fall over the edge, his fangs sink into my soft flesh, offering me the excruciating pain of dragon's breath venom... deadly venom.

I scream out, leaping from my bed to feel my heartbeat en route to explode. I fell asleep in this house full of dark creatures, and it has offered me dark dreams in return.

I glance around the modernized room that leaves no trace of a small girl's refuge. It's so sleek, clean, and me. It doesn't bring me comfort though, not right now. The dream only reminded me of how dangerous this bond is getting.

Everyday I'm losing it a little more, and it's time to end the misery before it ends me. Despite all my better judgment, there's only one guy I'm willing to do this with. After a long process of listing pros and cons, there's no way I'm doing this with Thad.

With a shaky breath, I make my way out of the room and creep down the silent, dark hallway. My red satin gown is trimmed in black lace and has a split up the leg. Normally, I would mock such attire, but tonight it'll serve me well.

I expect him to jump up, ready to fight an intruder when I open the door, but he doesn't move. The dark user sleeps peacefully, one arm stretched over his head, the other resting wide at his side.

The black sheet has slid down, and the moonlight shines through the window to cast a mouthwatering glow over his sleek abs. From the sexy body to the tattoos to the piercings, the dark boy is definitely not one I can overlook anymore.