Page 66 of A Clash of Moonlight

He chose a white wine. He hated whites.

“You won’t even look at me,” Nora accused. “You’re a coward.”

He poured the pale liquid into a glass. Hurting her would be easy for the monster. Hurting her would make her go. Two minutes ago, Jared had said the right words. He had wounded her—he had seen it in her quick inhalation. In the tightening of the skin around her eyes. Why had she not fled?

“Drink?” He started to turn, but she invaded his space, pressing against his back.

“I’d love a drink.” Her sweet breath warmed his neck. His pants grew uncomfortably tight. His monster had fed on the blood and sex and debauchery of others. He should have partaken himself. Nora would have left the moment she smelled another woman on him.

“I do not offer my blood to the desperate.” The words were delivered coldly. Delivered without care.

“Noted,” she whispered. Then she licked his neck.

He spun and growled, unleashing his aura at her audacity. She tried to stand her ground when he stalked forward, but he was bigger, stronger, and he had to make her see that she was insignificant. “You mean nothing to me, wolf. Get out!”

She stumbled into a table, snarled as she gripped its edge, her eyes blazing wolf gold. “I told you what you had to do to get rid of me.”

“That is what you need? One last fuck?” He gripped the front of her shirt and yanked, ripping the top buttons open.

She slipped her fingers over his waistband and yanked him toward her. “Yes!”

His fangs pulsed, and his hips thrust forward, wanting those fingers to wrap around him. Pull him free.

No. No.

He pushed her hands away and retreated again.

“You want me. I can smell it and see it.” She looked pointedly at his crotch. “A monster would take what he needed, then discard me.”

The swells of her breasts captured his attention. He could sink his fangs into the soft flesh, drink as he slid his fingers inside her, and watch her head tilt back as he felt her body tighten.

“You…” He closed his eyes. “You are a fool.”

“Prove it, Jared.” She had moved closer. “Prove that you don’t want me, that you don’t want this to last. Prove you are Arcuro’s monster.”

“Nora.” He opened his eyes. She stretched up, kissed him, and the last of his villainy crumbled away.

He gripped her hips, pulling them hard against him. Her tongue slipped inside his mouth, teasing him, devouring him, awakening him.

“Nora,” he murmured again.

She wrapped her legs around his waist, her arms over his shoulders. She separated from him just enough to meet his gaze. “You back with me?”

His throat was thick with emotion. Fear, yes, but also… awe. She had not walked away from him.

He nodded.

She tightened her arms around him and pressed the side of her face against his chest. She fit so perfectly in his arms. He felt her relax. Felt her breaths steady. Felt her quicker heart beat against his heart’s slow, intermittent thud.

“You promised to fight for us,” she said. “Instead, you tried to hurt me.”

“When I drink from Arcuro—”

“I’m not talking about Arcuro. I’m talking about you. I don’t give second chances.” She lowered herself from around his waist. “I don’t give many first chances either. But…” She drew in a long breath. Swallowed. “Never do that to me again. Never.”

He smoothed his hand down her silky hair. “Let me apologize.” He kissed her cheek. “Let me pleasure you.” Her jaw. “Worship you.” The enticing curve of her neck. “Protect you.”

She weaved her fingers through his hair. “I can protect myself.”