Page 65 of Veradel

“That soundsreallyfun, though,” I say, my heart thumping in a weird pattern of emotions, wondering what it would be like to have such a carefree childhood. “Your parents loved you—love you.”

He nods. “We’ve always been close. And it’s like I have dozens of parents. Everyone watches out for everyone, and no one can keep a secret for long. Holidays are always big affairs, with elaborate meals and dancing, even though there are less than fifty of us now. In true Veradel fashion, we continue to celebrate the little things, the big things. Births, birthdays, first werewolf shifts, the first night of summer, the first snow.”

“I couldn’t imagine getting to do anything remotely close to that.”

“I know, baby.” Lucan places a finger under my chin and tips my head up to look me in the eye. “But this is your family now.”

“Lucan!” Soren’s laugh cuts through the haze in front of me. “Why’re you making our girl cry? Is she a sad drunk?”

I blink back the tears threatening to spill, which only causes two to roll down my cheeks, before I let out a wet laugh. “I’m not sad. I’m happy.”

Lucan snarls. “Call her ‘our girl’ again and you’ll be crying, too.”

Soren holds up his hands in protest, each with another glass of what they call alcohol in his grip. “Don’t get your damn balls twisted. I come bearing more gifts.”

Lucan shakes his head at it when Soren holds one out to him.

“You’re no fun anymore,” I joke, taking the other from Soren’s hand and shooting it back as he does the same.

“That’s my—” Soren darts his eyes to Lucan. “—Lucan’s girl.”

Before Lucan can snap at him, Ashe strikes up another song, this time one that makes me jump up and down in excitement. How fast the notes change. How fun it sounds.

Then the world tilts, and I stumble back into Lucan’s chest with a squealing laugh.

“Is this drunk?” I marvel up into his striking face. He nods, smirking as I run the tip of my nose along his jawline. He smells delicious. Not in a way that makes me want to drink his blood, but in a way that makes me want to put my mouth and lips and tongue all over him.

“Feel good?”

“Great,” I confirm, eyes stuck to his lips. I lift my chin to try to reach them with my own. “I want to have sex with you.”

Shit. Did I say that out loud?

Apparently so, because Lucan pulls his shoulders back, wetting both of his lips before one of his canines snags on his bottom one. “Not tonight. You’ll have to settle for more dancing,” he says, standing with me in his arms and placing me back on my swaying feet.

Disappointment flutters through me, but my body still crackles with… fun.

So I settle, but I can’t help myself from touching him. My hands snake under his shirt as we move. Over his biceps. Along the top of his ass.

Why won’t he kiss me?

“I know you want me,” I murmur into his neck after I twist and rub my ass over the hard bulge in his pants.

“That’s not a secret, little nightmare.”

“Then take me,” I beg.

Lucan’s mouth hovers against the shell of my ear. “Not while you’re drunk.”

“I’m notthatdrunk,” I say, immediately knowing it’s a lie. Whatever this is, I don’t feel normal. But it’s sogood.

My hips grind into him, wanting more each time a desperate groan rumbles from the back of his throat. And every time he scolds me and restrains himself, his fingertips digging into my hips, a thrill shoots through me.

But how much restraint can he possibly have?

This woman will be the death of me. Send me straight to hell and back.

As I unlock my front door, Saskia cups my crotch and tries to nibble up the column of my neck.