Page 14 of Contract Marked (Interdimensional Beings #1)

Chapter Fourteen

Dez

T onight had been harder than most. Listening to the waves crash into the side of the boat and the peals of laughter from everyone as the stars blinked in and out of the night sky overhead had stirred up all sorts of memories, all of which were now bittersweet.

Maybe it was harder tonight because Erin had been there.

I smelled the alcohol on her breath as soon as she walked into my room. I had smelled it on her as I lifted her into my arms, gently tucking her in after tonight’s events. I knew I’d regret lingering in her bed, tracing the curves of her ass with my eyes over and over again, feeling myself harden with every breath she took. Seeing her sleeping form teased me as I reluctantly took myself to bed.

Then she had to open that door.

Following me into my own bedroom, dressed in silk and looking like absolute sin, it was as if she was daring me to take her right then and there. And fuck, did I want to. But I knew getting involved with a human again wouldn’t end well for me. That Erin could easily turn out to be just like her .

My hands curled into fists, my nostrils flaring as I stared at the door connecting Erin’s room to mine. I shouldn’t pursue this. I should let her go or lock her up until it was time for her to permanently leave my sight. Or I risked losing everything. Again.

And yet, I couldn’t stand the thought of not seeing her. Touching her.

Something inside me broke when she fled, and I wanted nothing more than to drag her back, demanding answers. Not letting her go until she revealed all her secrets to me.

Because she was definitely hiding something.

But I could feel myself changing, the tips of my fingers sharpening. Silver horns curling out from my peripheral. If I went to her now, she would be terrified.

And still, I wouldn’t be able to let her go.

Before I blasted the door open and hauled her body against mine, I warped far, far away.