Page 23 of The Human Element (The Human Element Collection #1)

Daemon’s voice felt small; he was never one to question his actions, or God forbid, get shy around somebody, especially with a woman.

In centuries past, he found he was adept in flirtation and seduction, and always had the right thing to say, or the move to make a girl swoon; but Lorelei turned him into a damned pre-pubescent boy, unsure of what to do with his hands.

The way she tied a chain around his heart, how his body responded to her without a word spoken, how he fucking stumbled over his thoughts when she was nearby—it was as infuriating as it was enlightening.

Never in his lifetime would he believe he possessed the capabilities to be taken by surprise, particularly emotionally.

And yet, here he was. Too afraid to take the next step, getting lost in the eyes of a mortal.

Not just for pleasure, but in a way that resonated with his very being.

She opened him up in a way he couldn’t fully put a finger on to explain how or why.

He was stumped by her, and she was totally unaware of the physical effect she instilled in him, fists clenching to keep from grabbing her—holding her and not letting go.

At the same time, they nearly died earlier.

On top of a rough moment before where Lorelei called him a dick, the sting of the word still made Daemon’s heart sink.

It was a dick move to hide that from her, to hide the fact he saved her, that a part of him was eternally connected to her essence.

Who was he to keep that from her? She deserved to know.

He should’ve told her from the first moment.

He was foolish to doubt her ability to handle such information.

There was no way to gauge how she felt with him currently, and he cared for her enough to keep his distance; even if it broke him inside to do so.

No lines would be crossed; he would never instigate something he wasn’t sure she ever wanted.

No. He needed to step back, despite his increasing need to be close to her.

He thought back to the look on Lorelei’s face when she realized what he’d been keeping from her.

The image of her tears falling still made his chest twinge.

Looking down at his feet, he sighed deeply and knew Lorelei was watching him.

But before he had time to say more, she was swiftly on her feet and making her way toward him.

He barely had time to look up and see that she was meager inches from him.

And as he opened his mouth to speak, she placed a soft hand upon his chest and leaned up, placing her lips against his own with a ferocity that startled—and entranced him.

Kissing her sent tingling sensations that filled his entire body. The way their lips moved against each other made it seem like they’d done this a million times before.

In her kiss was the Universe to him. The love he’d never felt until now, the worries of their journey, and the pain of his past melted away; leaving only his purest emotions, his purest instincts, and the purest passionate love that he was sure there could be no equal to .

He finally found his own hand on the back of her neck, drawing her closer to his body; he knew that all the feelings he felt for her before now, were true.

And he knew she felt the same way. Strengthening the kiss, Lorelei’s arms wrapped tightly around his neck, the small of her back curving more to tug him closer.

When her tongue swept against his, a growling moan escaped from his throat; his hands gripped her thin t-shirt and found the warmth of her skin beneath it, fingertips digging into her, causing a stirring reaction from Lorelei that reinforced his hunger.

Close wasn’t close enough.

His chest pounded, like his heart was doing all it could to leap out and fasten itself to her own.

There was never a first kiss before that would measure up to this one.

This one surpassed all others, and he knew right then, he’d never get enough of her lips from here on out.

There was no more denying it; he was hers.

She had him. And he didn’t want anything more than to stay hers, this way and every way; for the rest of his existence.

When their lips unlocked, the moment stilled to nothing but breathing and passion, which continued to rage like fire overtaking the field of his centuries long life; putting all else before this to blow away to ash.

This kiss, this moment , was the light he lost and begged for: the knowing he was where he was meant to be and that all the heartache was worth it.

Daemon could see how easily the pain of the years could slip away within that kiss.

Lorelei set ablaze to his renewed spirit and hope in a way he feared was lost long ago.

He licked his lips, making sure to memorize the taste of her lip gloss; a decadent mixture of raspberry and vanilla he would dream about for the rest of time; imprinted into his psyche like an iron-clad tattoo.

Taking a deep breath, he leaned his forehead against hers, holding her tightly against him. Lorelei nuzzled his nose and he chuckled, finally pulling back enough to see those blue eyes that reflected a beautiful, clear day. When at last she broke the silence, she spoke with a fervent reassurance.

“You have nothing to feel badly about, Daemon. You saved my life and I will always be grateful for that. Because in the end, it brought me to you.”

Her words set his heart alight and his mind at ease. She was forgiving him for keeping the secret from her. Daemon cupped Lorelei’s face with both hands and spoke tenderly.

“Thank you. You are truly changing me in ways I never thought possible.”

Lorelei pulled him down to place another gentle kiss on his lips and grabbed his hand, leading him toward the bed.

“Will you lay with me?”

Daemon nodded, seeing that exhaustion plagued her face, her eyes growing heavier and her body moving rigidly from the ache of the evening's events. He followed her without a word, turning the lamplight off beside the bed and settling beneath the covers with her as she set her head upon his chest. With feeling her heartbeat against his own, feeling the warmth of her soft skin and the steadiness of her breath, he calmed. The mixture of passion and peace he felt with her rivaled nothing else. If he’d never known Heaven before, he’d say now, he found it in Lorelei.

He’d never feel the loss of his home realm again.

For this girl, this human girl, who has set his soul on fire, would be where he found his strength moving forward.

She would be his destiny as he helped achieve hers.

She would not only save humanity, but save him as well .