Beauty in the Ashes

His lips fell from mine as he stumbled back.

He looked at me with shocked, hooded, blue eyes.

He seemed stunned and confused, then arrogance stole across his face.

“After that,” he closed the distance between us once more, leaning down so that his lips brushed against my ear, “I’m hoping you didn’t learn your lesson.”

He turned and left—humming pleasantly under his breath like he hadn’t just attacked me with his lips and hands.

I moved to watch him enter his apartment. He turned back to me before closing the door and just stood there with that smirk. I wanted to wipe it off his face and force any other expression on his face except for complete and utter arrogant confidence.

He leaned against the doorway watching me. That signature cocky grin of his widened further. For someone as grumpy as Caelan, it was as close as he got to a smile. Stupidly, I was wondered what his real smile looked like.

“Oh, look. My kiss has left you speechless,” his voice was bland, but there was a slightly pleased sparkle in his eyes that livened up their normally

dull quality. “Don’t worry. That happens to everyone. I’ve been told the affects eventually wear off…well, actually they don’t,” he shrugged. “Guess I’ve ruined you for all other men.”

I opened my mouth to retort but it was too late. He had already closed the door, because of course he was going to get the last word. He always did.

I had news for him.

This. Meant. WAR.

???

Caelan

As soon as the door closed, I leaned my weight against it and let out a breath I hadn’t known I’d been holding.

I’d intended to shut up Sutton with a kiss the next time she disturbed me, but I hadn’t expected to enjoy it. I should have known, the way she called to me like a siren of the sea, but damn.

I shook my head, my hair brushing against the knotted wood of the door.

That kiss had been unlike anything else I had ever experienced in my life. It had seared me to my very core.

If Sutton hadn’t pushed me to break apart the kiss, I’m not sure how far it might’ve gone. Probably too far. Out of this galaxy too far.

What the fuck was it with this one woman?

What was so damn special about her?

I wanted to believe it was the fact that she treated me like a human being—albeit one she messed with, but others were too afraid of me to try.

Not her.

“Are you scared, Sutton?”

“No.”

She should’ve been. She should have been terrified of me and what I was capable of. She had no idea what kind of monster lurked inside me. If she got too close, I’d explode, taking out the both of us—leaving nothing but debris behind, without a hint of who we once were.

CHAPTER 4

Sutton

I startled awake, the sound of music blaring roused me from my unconscious state.

I blinked my eyes into focus, turning to stare at the flashing green numbers on the clock beside my bed.