Pyromancist (Seven Forbidden Arts 1)

“I thought I’d lost this,” he gritted out, clutching the chain so hard his knuckles turned white. “Meanwhile you’d stolen it?”

Resentment burned in her chest. “I didn’t steal it. It broke when we struggled.”

“Struggled?” His fingers tightened on her nape. “What the fuck are you talking about?”

“I don’t know, Joss. Why don’t you tell me?” Bitterness laced her words. “Maybe it had something to do with trying to kidnap me.” The incredulous anger building like gray storm clouds in his eyes made her add, “The chain broke off in my hand. You frightened me and I ran.”

“Back up a step,” he said, dropping the chain on the counter like the argument had nothing to do with the necklace any longer. “Before we struggled, what had happened?”

She strained in his hold, but he didn’t allow her to escape. He didn’t allow her an inch of space. The heat of his body burned through the layers of their clothes as he regarded her with a wildness that reflected disbelief, shock, and anger.

“It was you, wasn’t it?” he asked in a low voice.

“I—” She swallowed, searching for words.

His jaw set into a hard line. “Finish your sentence, and don’t even think about fucking lying.” His gaze skimmed to the hickey on her neck. “I put that mark on you. Admit it.”

She reeled at the challenge. “Let’s just forget about it. It was an impulsive mistake. You have your necklace back, so we can just—”

“A mistake?” He dropped his hand from her neck so suddenly she stumbled. “Just how big, you can’t even begin to fathom.” He advanced on her, backing her up against the basin. “What we can’t do, is fucking forget about it. You, little witch, have no idea what you’ve done.”

“What I’ve done?” She braced her hands on the counter behind her and lifted her chin. “The last time I checked, it took two to tango.”

“I was out of my mind drunk. You shouldn’t have let me lay a finger on you.” His voice dropped another octave. “But we both know why you’d do something so irresponsible. That was what you’ve always wanted.” His gaze pierced hers. “Isn’t that the truth?”

Anger surged through her and erupted like flames over her cheeks. He was referring to her stupid crush on him. “I got lost in the moment.” She added with a condescending smile, “You’re good. Convincing. I’ll give you that much.”

In turn, his smile was mocking. “I aim to please.” Dragging that dissecting gaze over her, he asked, “Did you come?”

Her cheeks burned hotter.

His smile grew wider. “Good.”

“Get out of my space,” she said, shoving him with her palms on his chest. “I never make the same mistake twice.”

He caught her wrists. “You forced me into a dire situation. When you fucked me, you forced me to take responsibility for you.”

“You owe me nothing,” she said, yanking free from his hold.

Gripping the basin on either side of her body, he caged her in. “Listen to me, little girl, and listen well. Nobody in my team can find out about this. If anyone gets as much as a sniff in the nose, I’ll be kicked off the case for conflict of interest with no way of protecting you.”

“Did I ask for your protection?”

“You forced my hand when you—”

“Fucked you,” she finished in a heated tone. “You can stop harping on it. You’ve been very clear about your feelings on the subject.”

He laughed, the sound cold. “You have no idea.”

“Oh, I have an idea all right.” She poked him on the chest. “You can wash your hands clean of what we did, but last night you wanted it too.”

“I never said I didn’t want you.”

She huffed. “Look, it happened. We can’t take it back.”

“Damn right,” he growled.

“If you’re asking for my silence, you’ve got it.”

“If this gets out…” Straightening, he dragged a hand over his head. “Fuck. I don’t even want to think about it.”

“Then don’t.” Callously, she pushed him aside, pretending the conversation didn’t hurt as she plugged in the hairdryer.

Instead of leaving like she wanted him to, Joss stared at her reflection in the cracked mirror. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

She pursed her lips.

“You were embarrassed,” he said.

“Yes.”

His face darkened. “That you did it with me?”

“That you didn’t remember,” she exclaimed.

He looked angry all over again. “That was a hell of way to give away your virginity, Cle.”

“I didn’t mean for it to happen! When I saw you entering the site I thought you were just another youngster trespassing to go and get drunk, but then I recognized you.”

“And you thought you could help.” His voice softened as he swept his gaze over her body. “Did I hurt you?”

“No,” she said through parched lips.

A pained expression troubled his face. The words he pushed out sounded like they strangled him. “Did I force you?”