Page 10 of The Demon’s Sinful Serenade (Silvermist Mates #6)

CHAPTER SIX

RIVER

T he world blurred and twisted, dissolving into crimson smoke. My stomach lurched into my throat as reality folded around us. Then, just as suddenly, everything snapped back into focus.

I stumbled forward, disoriented, and would have fallen if Zane hadn't caught me with one muscular arm around my waist.

"Holy shit," I gasped, clutching his forearm. The cottage porch materialized around us, and my brain struggled to process how we'd gone from the Kadhan compound to here in less than a heartbeat. "That was?—"

"Awful?" Zane offered, his mouth quirking up at one corner. "Most humans say that the first time."

"Incredible," I corrected, finding my footing but not pulling away from his steadying grip. "Like being turned inside out and reassembled."

"That's... actually pretty accurate." He looked impressed, and his gold eyes warmed as they studied my face. "Most people just throw up."

"Don't count me out on that front yet." I pressed a hand to my churning stomach. Reluctantly, I stepped out of his grip. Just in case. "Is that how you get around all the time?"

Zane shrugged, his eyes scanning our surroundings with the same methodical focus he'd shown since taking my case. "When it's convenient. I can't go anywhere I haven't been before, though. I need a mental map before I jump."

"So, no popping over to Paris for lunch if you wanted? Pity." I leaned against the porch railing, watching him. He still carried the tension he always had, coiled and ready to spring into action. But something had changed in the space between banishing Julian and reappearing here.

Was it because we'd kissed? Because he'd gotten a glimpse into the fucked-up mess my life had become? Did he regret agreeing to help?

No. I'd seen him facing down Julian, stepping between me and my own nightmares. Whatever the reason, his watchfulness made me feel protected instead of scrutinized. Safe instead of cornered. With Zane, I could breathe easy without glancing over my shoulder.

Zane snorted, his tail swaying with lazy amusement. "Luckily for you, I do know Paris… London... Berlin... Prague, too." The words rolled off his tongue slow and rich, like honey. "All convenient stops for a European tour."

"Planning my comeback already?" I raised an eyebrow. "Bold of you to assume I'd bring you along."

"Just thinking ahead." His grin flashed white against red skin.

That grin hit me like the first perfect chord of a song, resonating through my whole body. The instinct to push back, to tease and tangle and touch, tugged at me like gravity. Like it was the most natural thing in the world.

"So," I said, suddenly aware of how much I didn't want this night to end. "Ghost exorcised, teleportation survived. What's next on the supernatural bucket list?"

His smile faltered, replaced by a look I couldn't quite read. Regret? Guilt? Whatever it was, I didn't like it. "I should go. Let you get some rest after everything."

Rest. Right. Not exactly the opening I'd hoped for. I pushed aside a flicker of disappointment. What had I expected? Some cosmic revelation? A declaration that fate had brought us together, like Poppy and this yet-to-be-seen Malak?

"I just..." He cleared his throat. "Tonight was... something else."

"Yeah." I tucked my hair behind my ear, suddenly nervous. "Thank you. For everything. For believing me when no one else did."

Screw it. I'd spent too long letting Julian's ghost control my life, letting fear hold me back.

I'd wasted a year running from shadows, and for what?

Even if whatever this was with Zane turned out to be temporary, I wanted it.

After everything I'd been through, I deserved to feel good with someone who made me feel safe.

My keys jingled as I pulled them from my pocket. I turned toward my door, very aware of his eyes tracking every move I made. "I suppose this means you're officially off bodyguard duty..."

Before I could fit the key in the lock, I felt him step behind me, closing the distance between us.

His hands landed lightly on my hips, his palms searing through the fabric of my shirt.

He bent down until his lips brushed the shell of my ear.

"Someone has to remove all those security measures we installed. "

My breath caught in my throat as I arched my neck, allowing him access to my sensitive skin. "I'm certainly not paying Poppy's aunt a cleaning fee."

A low growl rumbled deep in his chest, vibrating against my spine. "Invite me inside, River."

My heart pounded at his commanding tone, desire pulsing low in my belly.

Fuck yes.

I turned the key in the lock and twisted the knob. The door swung open. Slowly, I stepped inside, acutely aware of his hands still gripping my hips.

I reached for the light switch, but Zane's fingers wrapped around my wrist. I turned to face him and found his eyes glowing like molten gold in the darkness.

"River," he breathed, and then his mouth was on mine.

His kiss was hot and demanding, flooding me with pure adrenaline. The sensation of being lifted made me gasp, instinctively wrapping my legs around his waist as he pinned me against the wall. Every place our bodies touched burned, electric pleasure crackling along my nerves.

His tongue traced the seam of my lips, parting them easily. I groaned as his tongue met mine, exploring my mouth with delicious hunger. His teeth scraped over my bottom lip, drawing a whimper from somewhere deep in my chest.

"Fuck, the sounds you make," he growled against my throat. His hands slid under my shirt, fingers tracing up my ribs. "Let me hear more."

"Maybe if you earn them," I teased, though my breath hitched as his thumbs brushed the undersides of my breasts.

He pulled back just enough to meet my eyes, his own glowing with wicked intent. "Is that a challenge?"

His palms cupped my breasts through my bra, kneading gently as his mouth returned to my neck. I swallowed hard, suddenly wishing I weren't wearing pants. When his thumbs circled my nipples through the thin fabric, I couldn't hold back a moan.

"There's one," he murmured, clearly pleased with himself. His tail curled around my calf, its pointed tip tickling behind my knee. "But I think you can do better."

I started to make a smartass reply, but his teeth found that spot below my ear, and whatever words I'd planned dissolved into a gasp. His low chuckle vibrated against my skin.

"That's two." His hands slipped beneath my bra, skin on skin making me arch into his touch. "Keep counting?"

"Fuck off," I managed, though there was no heat in it.

He chuckled again, thumbs stroking over my sensitive nipples. Pleasure zinged straight to my core, wetness pooling between my thighs. I rocked against him, needing friction, needing release, but his hands tightened to keep me still.

"Ah, ah, that's cheating." He nipped at my throat, making me jump. "If you want to come, I'll need to hear more of those lovely sounds."

I bit my lower lip, trying not to whimper as his clever fingers toyed with my nipples. Part of me wanted to give in, to let him take control. The rest of me wanted to push back, to test his patience. See how far I could press before he pushed back.

"No?" His hands left my breasts, the sudden absence torturously illegal in at least nine countries. He grabbed my thighs and lifted me higher against the wall. "Then maybe I should remind you exactly what these sounds get you."

My head fell back as he sucked hard at my pulse point. The ache between my legs grew unbearable as his thigh wedged between mine, spreading me open. His teeth scraped the delicate skin of my throat and sent shivers through my limbs.

I dragged my nails down his sides, enjoying the way he shivered at the contact. He rewarded me with a roll of his hips, his cock grinding against my clit through the layers of clothing. Pleasure burst through me, brighter and hotter than anything I'd felt in months.

"Three," I gasped, my fingernails digging into his back.

"Good girl," he growled, rocking harder, increasing the pressure between my thighs.

He kissed along my jaw, capturing my lips once again. The kiss was just as demanding as before, and I tangled my fingers in his hair, kissing him back with equal ferocity.

Zane carried me down the hall to my bedroom, his mouth trailing lower to leave kisses and bites down my neck and along my collarbone. Each little sting sent sparks skittering through me, heat blooming in the wake of his tongue.

He set me on my feet, hands going to the hem of my shirt. "This needs to go."

I lifted my arms, and let him pull the fabric over my head. In seconds, the offending garment disappeared into the shadows, leaving me half naked before him. I reached for his shirt, but he caught my wrists.

"Not yet." He backed me toward the bed. "First, I want to see all of you."

My knees hit the mattress and I sat, looking up at him through my lashes. "I thought you wanted to hear me."

"Oh, I do." He knelt between my legs, hands sliding up my thighs. "But I also want to watch you fall apart under my tongue."

Heat rushed through me at his words. His fingers made quick work of my bra, tossing it aside before pushing me onto my back. He followed me down, his mouth closing around my nipple as his hand kneaded my other breast.

I threaded my fingers through his hair, holding him closer as his tongue swirled and flicked. When he sucked hard, pleasure shot straight to my core.

He drifted his free hand down over my ribs and stomach.

His fingers teased the top button of my jeans, undoing it with deliberate slowness.

I inhaled sharply, anticipation buzzing under my skin.

He popped each button loose, pausing to graze his palm over my throbbing clit before reaching the last one.

"You're dripping, kitten." He slipped his hand into my panties, fingers dipping between my slick folds. "Soaked and wanting."

"Yes," I gasped, rolling my hips against his hand. "More, please."