Page 147

‘I think that I have never known someone to be soinfuriating… Someone who makes my blood boil in such a way that I want to kill you and kiss you all at once.’

Thea’s heart stuttered, her skin tingling as she realised just how close he was. ‘You’ll no doubt fuck it up either way,’ she taunted, recalling how he’d drawn her in before, only to leave her wanting. ‘But go on,’ she challenged. ‘Do it.’

His gaze darkened. ‘Kill you or kiss you?’

Despite all logic, she leaned in. She wanted this, wantedhim, even though she shouldn’t. Even though she knew better. Even though it put everything she’d worked for at risk. Even though he wasWilder Hawthorneand he had spurned her twice before.

Thea lifted her chin. ‘Take your pick, Warsword.’

Then, his hands swept around her waist, pulling her to him, and he kissed her.

It was hard and brutal, nothing like the kiss they’d shared in his cabin before, as though even in the action itself he warred within, just as she did. Her lips parted under his, his rough stubble grazing her chin. The taste of him was peppermint on her tongue, the scent of rosewood soap and leather engulfing her senses, her legs turning to liquid beneath her.

She met his kisses fiercely, losing herself in the taste and feel of him, intoxicated, a storm in her chest begging to be unleashed.

His arms encircled her waist fully, and he turned them around, half carrying her to the wall, pushing her against it so her body was flush against his, the warmth of him encompassing her.

He deepened the kiss, scorching and bruising, demanding…

Thea arched her back and moaned against his lips, kissing him just as savagely, feeling his heart beat madly against hers. She traced his muscular torso, revelling in the strength and power of him beneath her touch, running her hands over hischest freely as she’d wanted to do for so long, his shirt still damp from the rain, his nipples hard through the soft material.

His fingers curled roughly in her hair and he claimed her mouth with his, catching her lower lip between his teeth, stealing the air from her lungs before he broke away, pulling back to gaze upon her.

The heat in his stare had her fingers at the buttons of his pants.

‘What are you doing to me, Thea?’ he murmured, his soft lips finding the column of her throat.

Desire pulsed all over, an insatiable need coursing through Thea. She slid one knee between his legs.

And Hawthorne made a sound deep in his throat that was her undoing.

She kissed him again, her tongue brushing his as his fingers trailed her nape, then her collarbone and the soft skin below, where her fate stone rested.

More, she wanted to cry out.More.

And he gave it to her, coaxing spirals of pleasure from her with every little touch, so that her whole body ached for him. Was it possible to die from need?

He kissed her neck, where her pulse fluttered wildly, and his hands sought the hem of her shirt, slipping beneath. Calluses met her bare skin, mapping her ribs and the curve of her breasts before dipping to cup her between her legs, rubbing her through the fabric.

Thea gasped.

‘Is this where you want me?’ Wilder asked, the rich timbre of his voice promising all manner of dark pleasure.

‘Yes,’ she breathed.

We’re going to do this,here, on the porch, out in the open. The thought echoed pointlessly in her mind. Pointlessly because she didn’t care where she was, all she knew was that she wantedthe layers between them gone, she wanted his hands on her, his cock inside her. She wanted to feel every part of him. At last the buttons of his pants came undone and his breathing hitched.

Her own chest heaved, need coursing like a blazing fire – she was utterly lost in him. And she knew that would be their downfall, knew this would change everything.

The same hands that had taken the hearts of monsters now traced her skin, dangerously close to her own heart. Would he rip it from her chest as well? Would it matter?

‘Wilder,’ she whispered, his name like a prayer on her lips.

Suddenly he was pulling away.

‘Someone’s coming —’ he murmured, starting towards the door, leaving her alone and panting.

A moment later, footsteps sounded on the porch, followed by someone clearing their throat.