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This wasn’t absurdity or madness— it was tangible infatuation.

“Katerina,” my voice hollowed as our lips grew closer, “may I—”

Our rocky foundation had long sunk, yet I craved to plummet further. Fully. To subdue the craving that had long intoxicated me.

And Katerina fulfilled it as her lips crashed onto mine.

ChapterTwenty-Seven

KATERINA ELI

Itook the lead, and Alek immediately followed. His lips lightly caressed mine, so carefully as if studying my course of action. I kept it sweet. Mellow, even. Yes, for him, but for me, too. It had been a while since I’d last done this. I couldn’t mess it up. For either of us.

He was quick to pick up the rhythm, following steadily as he leaned more into me. I hoisted us with an arm, but the other traveled up. From his chest, his neck, onto his hair. My fingers pulled a handful of his soft waves. It pulled him deeper into the kiss, one I’d never felt before.

Never sought before.

Traces of his fingertips hovered over my neck. His ghostly touch sent a shiver down my spine, and he responded with a tug.

“Katerina,” his voice rasped, penetrating my heart as it drowned my ears.

One second we were sitting next to each other. The next, I was on top of him, straddling his waist with his arms wrapped around me.

He slightly pulled away, his low gaze taking me in. But my eyes were on his fangs as they retracted. On his plump lips that parted further apart. On the pants that filled the air between us. I’d never heard something so sensual. So inviting. So hot.

“I don’t want to prick you,” he panted, his voice dangerously low. It definitely sent another shiver through me.

“I don’t mind it.” Never had I thought about it before. But for him? I’d try anything.

A smirk edged across his face. “Another time, please? I need to savor this more than I need to breathe.”

He didn’t wait for my response. He dove head first, slamming onto my lips, my body instinctively melting into his. Molding my hands onto his solid chest and curving to the firm hold against my back. I didn’t know I needed this, how much I’d missed it. Thank fuck Alek awakened this part of me that was asleep for way too long.

This kiss wasn’t slow or careful. It was hungrier. Needier. So much greedier as he devoured me as if he’d been underwater for hours and finally took his first breath. Even if he begged to be drowned again as his hands slid up my spine.

One settled around my neck with light pressure while the other dug my hair out of its bun. Strands of darkness coated us as he never broke apart, the kiss intensifying.

“Alek.”

There was no savoring. Just engulfing deep down.

His flowery scent circled in the air, the space between us long gone as he continued his lead. I followed him without hesitation.

Kill him.

My hands cupped his cheeks, my thumb rubbing along his jaw while another trailed down his neck.

No.

There, a heightened pulse met my touch.

Just like the others, Katerina.

I pressed down, thinking of his plump lips as they kissed me. The blood that stirred beneath his skin. Would it smell as potent if I nicked him?

Stop.

I pulled away, whiffing a gulf of air that immediately electrified my body and forced me away fromherwhispers. Alek’s hold stilled behind my neck, his fingers caressing my skin and treading on my hair around us. I could feel his eyes heating my cheeks, and my thoughts washed away like a wave with his voice.