Poison's Kiss (Deadly Beauties 2)

I look at him just as his saddened eyes find mine. "You can take the last room. I'm sure you've figured out by now that I don't want you in my bed."

He huffs out, barely nodding, and then Dray stands to walk over to me. "Let me see your hand."

I hand him the bandaged hand to see the blood has started seeping out and dripping. I guess I cut it deeper than I realized. The throbbing is painful, but I've learned to shut pain out... physical pain - not extreme physical pain, but this isn't extreme.

I feel something warming me, flowing through my veins, as the throbbing yields and the blood flowing from the wound slows to a halt. He smiles as he unwraps my hand to show the healed surface that has left no trace of the mark left behind.

I gasp at how perfect it looks, and then my eyes find his. "Can you heal old scars?"

He tilts his head curiously. "You mean the one left behind by-"

"Yeah. I figured you knew about it. Can you make it go away so I never have to see it again?"

He frowns, and Kane's hand slides up my back as Dray answers. "I wish I could, Alyssa. Your father asked me the same thing years ago. Dragon's breath venom scars a mortal if the night stalker is of a strong sire. There's nothing I can do. It's amazing you ever even survived that attack."

I just nod; grateful I can at least mask it. It was miraculous I survived. It just goes to show the strength of the magic inside me. Any other mortal would have slipped away quickly.

"It was worth a shot," I murmur softly,

moving away from Kane's touch and out from under Gage's glare. "I'm going to bed."

"We're discussing the leads Gage was able obtain," Dray chirps, trying to keep me from retreating to the folds of my glorious bed.

My right eyebrow cocks up as I turn my gaze on Gage while speaking to the dark angel instead of the dark user. "I'm sure he worked hard for those leads, but I'll let you fill me in on the details in the morning. I'm too tired to try to process anymore tonight. Some of us are still mortal."

"Very well, Alyssa. We'll see you in the morning." Dray's paternal tone bids me ado, and I head up the stairs, away from the eyes burning against my back.

While walking over to my dresser, I use my magic to shut and lock the door. I'm exhausted, and my tears don't take long to start falling. Gage was the one to pick me up when Kane broke me, and now he's the one who has left me in shambles.

I don't intend on letting Kane pick up the pieces. I still love him - as much as I hate to admit it - but I can't go back.

I smile as I stare down at the luxurious fabrics in the drawer. One thing is for sure, Drackus has exquisite taste. I should have thanked him a little better for the hefty amount of clothes he gave me.

Changing into a soft, long white gown, I stare into the mirror at the girl with blond hair and teary eyes. The sexy ensemble makes me think back to the first night with Gage. It hurts to feel betrayed, more so than I imagined.

Kane betrayed me, but not intentionally. Still, he's intended to be my enemy. It's hard for me not to feel brainwashed right now. Everything I've believed in for so long is constantly proven to be half-truths.

Not all dark are evil. That doesn't mean Kane and I can ever be. Gage was so perfect until he wasn't. The two of them are really driving me crazy.

I definitely have a migraine.

I drop to my bed, only covering the lower half of my body with the sheet as I stare at the ceiling. As my thoughts wander around aimlessly, a small breeze stirs for Gage to materialize on the bed next to me.

"Please just go away," I groan while rolling over to my side.

His arm slides around my waist as he snuggles up next to me, letting his body spoon with mine. I stiffen against his touch that always makes me warmer.

"Alyssa, I don't want to lose you. I didn't do anything with her besides what you saw. It's just a tactic to seduce information out of someone - more flies with honey and all that. I swear I only did it to get information. You know I want to be with you."

He rolls me over to see the fresh spill of tears on my face, and he wipes my cheek with his thumb as I finally stare into his eyes.

"I don't know anything anymore. I've trusted two men with something as intimate as a person can offer, and both of you have hurt me in your own ways. Maybe we should just take a step back. I don't want to be with you right now. After seeing you with her... It's not the same. You looked at her the way you look at me. I feel as played as she probably does."

He sighs out hard while pressing his forehead to mine. Before I realize what he's doing, his lips are pressed against mine. He jerks my hips to meet his center, letting me feel his arousal as he kisses me harder.

During a moment of pure weakness, I clutch him to me, reveling in the feel of his body against mine no matter how wrong it is. His tongue plays with mine, the heated metal in his mouth delighting me to my core.

At last, sanity returns and I push him back. "Stop. Just get out. I can't do this."