Page 222 of Cursed Evermore

He rolled. The stones clattered across the wood—two golds, one red.

“No match,” I said, trying to steady my voice.

“Not yet,” he murmured, low and sure.

We rolled again and lost the whole round. But he won the next. The stones lit up midair, all three glowing silver.

“Now, what do I want from you first?” Wolfe's jaw flexed.

“I don't know. Whatdoyou want?”

As he stared at me, everything around us faded—the tavern noise, the flicker of firelight, the scent of smoke and spice. It all blurred into the background as I waited for his answer.

“I want a kiss,” he said simply.

The words landed like a blow to the chest, and I couldn't look away. “A... kiss?”

His gaze flicked down to my mouth, then back up, dark with promise. “I wantyouto kiss me.”

Every rational thought scattered like leaves in a storm and heat spread through me, pulsing in places I didn't want to admit.

My pulse hammered against my throat as his words sank in. A kiss. He wanted me to kiss him. Not the other way around. The distinction felt important, dangerous. It meant I'd have to choose it, own it, cross that line with full intention. My hands trembled slightly as I set down my mug, and I wondered if he could hear how loudly my heart was beating.

“Okay... I can do that.” My voice was unsteady but soft and hushed, as if speaking any louder might shatter the spell between us.

“Then come here, Ziyka.” He crooked his finger at me, slow and deliberate, the gesture both invitation and command.

Heat sizzled through me, but I moved, pushing to my feet. I walked over to him, and the air between us crackled with tension so thick I could barely breathe.

He lifted his head with sheer menace in his eyes. I leaned forward to meet his lips, but then he shocked me further by pulling me down into his lap.

The world tilted as I landed, my pulse racing at the intimacy of being held this close.

“Like this. I want you like this. In my lap.” The rough command in his voice made my breath hitch.

A shiver ran through me as I adjusted to this new position, hyperaware of his hands on my waist, of every place our bodies touched, and the way he was looking at me like I was something he intended to devour.

He lifted his chin once, willing me closer.

I took one brave breath, leaned in, and crossed that line by pressing my lips to his. The moment I did, the world ignited.

His mouth was warm and firm beneath mine, and I felt him go perfectly still, as if he was savoring me, too. I kissed him softly at first and tentative, learning the shape of his lips and the way he tasted like wine and something wilder that was distinctively him.

I melted into him, my hands instinctively resting on his shoulders. Corded muscles flexed beneath my fingertips. Gods, I wanted to lose myself in this moment that felt too big, too real, too wild.

This wasn't just about a winning kiss. This was about pure surrender. And we both knew it.

Something shifted between us, and the air charged with desire. A low growl rumbled in Wolfe's chest, and he took control of the kiss with devastating precision, his mouth moving against mine with a hunger that stole my breath.

His hands tightened on my waist, pulling me closer until every line of our bodies was fused together. Then his lips parted mine, and I melted completely, a soft moan escaping as his tongue swept into my mouth. Every nerve ending in my body came alive, heat pooling low in my belly as he kissed me like I was air and he was drowning.

I was lost. Completely and utterly lost to the way he tasted, the way he held me like I might disappear, the way every stroke of his tongue sent fire racing through my veins.

I thought I'd never forget the way our first kiss felt. It had haunted me asleep and awake. But this one...

It outdid the first by miles. That one had been heat and trickery. This was fire and truth.

I wasn't ready for him to pull away. When he did, my heart clenched from the loss of him. My only solace was that dark look in his eyes. That look that had terrified and thrilled me since I met him.