“Perhaps that was because we both wanted it. We wanted each other.”
“But I didn’t even know you at the time. I’d never even seen you before.”
“And yet I commanded your passion in a way Michael never has. Am I correct?”
Now her eyelids drifted closed. Likely so he couldn’t see the flicker of blatant need and yearning in them—an easy assumption to make because her body tensed and her chest rose and fell rapidly with her labored breathing.
His head dipped and his lips grazed her temple. He whispered against her skin, “I can’t have you in reality. That fantasy was the only intimate connection I can ever make with you.” A notion that disturbed him greatly, especially as his gut twisted and his groin tightened. But he couldn’t give into his own lust and longing.
Instead, he stepped away.
Her eyes flew open at the sudden distance he’d put between them.
As she stared up at him, there was a tinge of regret in her expression. “You won’t invade my mind like that again, will you?”
“No.” Not an affirmation that pleased him, so he changed the subject. “If you won’t allow the security of the castle walls, then I’ll have Morgan, the general of my army, escort you to your cottage. I only ask one thing of you. Stay there until we’ve isolated your hunter.”
Her jaw slackened in protest. But before she could muster a response, he silenced her with a stern look.
“It won’t take long,” he said. “I promise you, Jade. Now that we have an idea of what we’re up against, we’ll act expeditiously. Just stay put. Can you do that for me?”
He studied her while she mentally debated all that he’d said, what he’d requested of her. Clearly, she couldn’t fully process what had transpired between them in less than twenty-four hours. It didn’t compute for her, he had no delusion about that. And yet…
She reached out with her previously injured hand and swept the pad of her thumb over the dip in his brows, which he’d felt crease with his worry over her wellbeing.
“You want to help me? A human?”
“Yes,” he said in a low tone, his body tightening further at her intimate touch. “If you’ll allow me.”
Her hand fell away. Confusion flitted over her beautiful face, clouding her eyes. Her teeth nibbled her lower lip a moment—tempting him beyond all belief to capture it himself. Then she resolutely said, “I will do as you ask. Only for a few days, though,” she informed him with her usual tenaciousness. “I don’t want to leave Michael and Dane without help at the tavern for long.”
“Nor do I want you to remain in danger. We’ll be hasty in our pursuit.” He retrieved the cloak. Giving it over, he said, “You’ll need this on the way back to the hall. It’s snowing again.”
She gazed out the window and then at the garment. “That’s much too personal and people will take note.” Squaring her shoulders, she added, “You are the Demon King, after all. Try not to forget it.”
He grinned. “Nice to see you have a sense of humor.”
“It’s not all doom and gloom being a human. We have roses and sunshine from time to time.”
“You do like to mock me, don’t you?”
“No,” she said. “I’m trying to understand you. Relate to you.”
“Do you think that’s possible?”
Jade let out a small, strangled sound. “I don’t know. I’m still trying to comprehend everything that’s just happened. No easy feat.”
“No, I’m sure it’s not. Come.” Pulling open the door of the library, he gestured for her to precede him. He trailed behind her on the sidewalk, wondering how he’d go back to separating his existence from her
s. Their dream had felt remarkably real to him as well, and now that he’d spoken with Jade and had truly kissed her lips, he was more captivated by her than ever before.
An inconceivable scenario, to be sure. Increasingly convoluted because he’d just sworn his protection and was willing to take on any demon, no matter how treacherous, in order to keep her safe.
A human. A mortal. A woman he could never have. Except for that one time in the fantasy they’d shared. And holy hell had his climax been an explosive one as he’d reveled in her heat and her tight, wet depths. He could recall every sensation his mind had conjured, even now. Her soft skin against his. Their arms and legs entwined. Her sexy moans. The way she’d moved in perfect sync with him. How she’d bowed her back to keep their bodies sealed.
A groan of frustration fell from his lips.
Peering at him over her shoulder, she asked, “Something wrong, my Lord?”