Wicked Deal (Shadow Guild: The Rebel 2)

“You won’t turn into a vampire, but my magic needs to get into your system. Born vampires would anoint the wound with their blood, but I am turned.” His gaze flicked to my lips. “This works better with our kind.”

“Um…” My gaze dropped to his wrist, and heat flashed through me.

I felt like an inferno, a blazing desert storm.

My human side rebelled. This was crazy.

The magic side of me leaned closer, drawn by the intoxicating scent of his magic and the crimson liquid that beckoned.

I swiped my tongue over his wrist. The flavor made my head spin.

A low, rough groan was torn from his throat, a sound so faint I almost didn’t hear it. I lifted my gaze. His head was tipped back, and his eyes were squeezed shut, as if he were in pain.

Or pleasure.

He acted as though he hadn’t been touched in centuries, and he wasn’t sure if he liked it.

“Does it hurt?” I asked.

“No.” The roughness in his voice was like a caress.

I shivered and stepped closer to him.

He straightened and opened his eyes. The pupils were dark and blown out. “Careful.”

“Of what?”

“Me.”

We were so close that I could feel the heat of him. I could smell his fireside scent and see the pulse at his neck. His touch earlier tonight had shown me how good he was. Deep down, at least.

He wouldn’t hurt me.

“Don’t think that,” he said.

“What?”

“That I won’t hurt you.”

“How did you know?”

“I can see it in you. Your trust. You can’t trust me not to hurt you.”

“You won’t.” And he wouldn’t—not on purpose. I could almost feel his restraint, like a physical thing on the air.

For the first time, I wondered if he was torn about his species. If he didn’t like it. He was so complex, the Devil.

I had to touch him. I couldn't help it. Maybe it was his magic racing through my system. Maybe it was just him.

But I had to.

There was something dangerous between us. Something I didn’t understand.

And I didn’t care.

I rested my hands on the wide planes of his chest, the warmth of his skin burning my palms and shivering up my arms. My gaze moved up to his lips in time to see them part on a groan.

His big hands came up and gripped my waist, pulling me to him. His touch was forceful, commanding.