Page 176 of His Ruthless Match

Cain raised an eyebrow, his lips curving into a slow grin. “Of course you did. What exactly did I agree to?”

I shrugged innocently. “I don’t know whether they’ll be contacting you or not, but if they do, you’ll need to work onreducing the impact of magic creeping into the mouths of high-profile humans, mainly Genevieve Witt. And while you’re at it, do whatever it takes to keep the masses none the wiser about the magic’s impact on America’s golden girl.”

Cain snorted and shook his head. “I’m sure they will contact me. Those crazy motherfuckers are always pestering me about political shit. Sounds like a blast. You owe me for this, Jareth.”

“Add it to the list,” I shot back, my tone lighter than it had been all night.

The Shadow turned and began to speak to Vivian in hushed tones. Now was my chance. I took Eva’s hand and stood. “Please excuse us.”

She gave me a puzzled look as I led her down the hallway, gripping her hand tightly. Her fingers were warm and soft against mine, but I couldn’t shake the tension twisting through my chest. I was limping, but with her by my side, I didn’t feel the pain.

Every instinct I had screamed to check her, to make sure she wasn’t injured. We’d just come out of chaos—fire, blood, bodies—and she’d been in the middle of it all. If anything had happened to her…

No. I couldn’t even think about it.

I pulled her into an empty room and shut the door behind us.

Eva’s lips parted to say something, but I was already stepping closer, my gaze tracking over her body.

“Jareth,” she said slowly. “What are you doing?”

“I need to check you. You were in the middle of a fucking battlefield, Eva. I need to make sure you’re not hurt.”

Her frown deepened. “I told you, I’m fine. You don’t have to?—”

But I was already reaching for the hem of her shirt. “Humor me,” I said as I pulled her shirt over her head. She squealed and tried to grab my wrists, but I batted her hands away.

“Jareth! What the hell?” she shrieked, backing up against the wall. Her cheeks flushed, and her hands flew to cover herself, though she didn’t seem entirely sure where to put them.

“I’m sorry,” I muttered, crouching down to inspect her legs. “I need to do a thorough inspection. Just… bear with me, okay?”

Her indignation didn’t last long. I ran my hands carefully over her arms, shoulders, ribs, and down to her legs, checking for cuts, bruises, or worse. My touch was methodical, deliberate, but every inch of her I touched sent heat rushing through my veins. I told myself to stay focused, but when I stood back up and caught sight of her bare skin, I faltered.

I was a man hanging on by a thread.

Her chest rose and fell quickly, her cheeks still pink as she watched me with wide eyes. “You’re impossible,” she said softly, her voice trembling just slightly.

I stepped closer, my gaze locking onto hers. “I’ve been called worse.” I cupped her face gently, tilting her head up toward me. “Eva…”

My lips found hers, and the moment they touched, every bit of control I had left unraveled. I kissed her deeply, pouring everything I couldn’t say into the motion—the fear, the relief, the need to claim her that had been building inside for weeks. She melted against me, her hands gripping my arms as if she couldn’t bear to let go.

I moved my lips down to her jaw, then to the delicate curve of her neck. She gasped as I trailed kisses lower, tasting her skin. When I took one of her nipples into my mouth, she let out a sound that ignited my blood. The cougar inside me growled, pushing against the surface, but I forced him down. I couldn’t lose control—not entirely. Not here, in her brother’s home.

“Jareth…” she murmured, her fingers fumbling with the buttons of my shirt. “Maybe I should check you, too. You know, for injuries.”

I smirked against her skin, shrugging my shirt off and letting it fall to the floor. “Be my guest.”

She ran her hands over my chest, her touch tentative at first, but it didn’t take long for her confidence to grow. Her fingers traced the scars on my skin, lingering over the newer marks from the battle. When her hands slipped lower, her touch teasing, I growled again and pinned her against the wall.

She wrapped her legs around my waist. I held her there, her body flush against mine. She was intoxicating, everything I didn’t know I needed, and I didn’t think I could stop even if I wanted to.

And then the door burst open.

“Absolutely the fuck not,” came a familiar, clipped voice. “Not under my roof.”

My head whipped around, and there he was—The Shadow, standing in the doorway with his hand covering his eyes.

“Boss,” I said, my voice rough. “I—uh…”