Page 41 of The Curse of Redwood

“I might like books if you read to me.”

“Fair enough,” he said, before resting his head against mine and opening the book on top.

As he started to read, I closed my eyes, listening to the soothing tones of his voice. His cadence was so different than anyone else I’d ever met. My chest warmed, and I snuggled in closer to him. I could spend hours like that and never tire of hearing him.

“Are you listening?” he asked.

“Yes.” I smiled and nuzzled my face against his arm as he kept reading.

Then, somewhere deep inside me, there was a dull ache. A longing. The ache spread through my stomach and to my heart. Tears sprang to my eyes.

Why was I sad? I had no reason to be.

“Carter?” Z smoothed a finger beneath my eye, wiping away a fallen tear. “Why are you crying?”

“I don’t know,” I said as more tears surfaced. Something didn’t feel right inside me. The throbbing in my skull turned to an outright banging, and it felt like my head was about to split open.

“Do you feel ill?” Alarmed, he closed the book and placed a hand behind me while caressing my cheek with the other. “Do you need to lie down?”

“No. Just hold me,” I said, needing him as close as possible. It seemed to be the only thing to make the ache go away. “Please.”

“I’ve got you.”

As his arms came around me and I breathed in his scent, the strange sadness receded. But another emotion surged forward, taking its place. Desire. I crushed my lips to his, and he grunted in surprise. My actions weren’t my own. It was me doing it, but it was like I had no control over my movements.

With our lips locked, I pushed him to his back and got on top of him, straddling his waist. I grabbed at his shirt and popped the buttons as I devoured his mouth. When I started to slide the material aside, he gently grabbed my hand.

“Why are you stopping me?” I asked, panting.

“Because I’m confused.” He frowned up at me. “This doesn’t feel like you.”

His words made me irrationally angry. And again, I had no control over what I did or said.

“Shut up and kiss me,” I growled, before slamming my mouth back to his. I shoved a hand down and rubbed his hard cock through his pants.

Z gripped my shoulders and pushed me up, breaking the kiss. I was about to protest, but I got suddenly dizzy. I sat up and swayed a little.

“Carter?” Just as I started to fall to the side, he threw his arms around me and prevented me from falling into the floor. He laid me on the cushion and put a hand to my forehead. The pain in my head was so bad I felt nauseous. I whimpered at his cool touch and closed my eyes. “Christ, you’re burning up.”

“Ez…ekiel,” I said, trying to look at him. I finally felt back in control of my actions, but I had no strength.

“I’m here, little dove.” He smoothed the hair from my forehead and whined a little in his throat.

Then, I lost consciousness.

***

People talked nearby, their voices low. One of them sounded like a child.

“Is he dead, Mr. Warren?”

“No,” a deeper voice responded. Cold pressed to my head, and it felt amazing. I wanted more of it. I felt like I was on fire, burning from the inside out. “He’s only sleeping. His fever finally seems to be breaking.”

“That’s good news, sir, right?”

“Yes. Keep the others out of this room. Can you do that for me?”

“Yes, sir, that I can!” Steps sounded on the floor, growing distant.