Page 100 of Wicked Prince of Frost

Joon huffs a soft laugh and shakes his head as if it should be obvious. “For saving my life.”

“If it weren’t for me, your life would never have been in danger out there. Besides, you’re the one who saved my life.”

He lifts his hand beside my hip and curls his arm around my waist, pulling me into a hug so tight it’s as if he’s afraid I’ll evaporate if he lets go. Joon turns his face to rest his cheek on my shoulder, resting his brow against the side of my neck.

“We saved each other,” he murmurs. “You are not responsible for us getting caught by a harmony of wild demons.”

That is a difficult point to argue, so I don’t. Instead, I say, “We should get some rest.”

Joon hums in agreement, then he shifts, and the next thingI know, I’m on my back with him next to me. He flings the blanket over both of us.

I still can’t decide if he is oblivious to the effect he has on me, or if he’s well aware and enjoys teasing me for it. Either way, with him shirtless and me in my chemise, the temptation is too great.

“I should get dressed,” I whisper because I don’t trust my voice not to tremble. “And you should sleep on the bed.”

When I try to sit up, he holds me down by my shoulder. “It is better to share body heat, and our clothes are still damp.” Joon closes one eye, peering at me with just the other. “We have slept beside each other before.”

Heat prickles over my chest and works its way up my neck. “That was different… I had a fever.”

Joon props himself up on an elbow and leans over me. A wicked smirk spreads over his mouth. “I will grant you that, but I think there is another reason you are trying to run.” His eyes scan my face, then move down my neck to my chest before meeting my gaze again.

Any hope that the orange firelight disguised my blush is immediately dashed. He isdefinitelyteasing me.

Joon’s expression turns serious again, and he lowers himself back down. He reaches up and brushes his fingertips over my forehead, then down the side of my cheek to guide my chin, turning my face to meet his gaze. The desire from a moment ago is back.

He is relentless, and I cannot hide from him.

“Violet…” His breath skims over my lips with the sound of my name.

My lashes flutter as a tremor passes over me. How could I ever stand a chance of resisting him when he does nothing but endlessly find ways to make sure I can’t?

“You were breathtaking out there.”

I shake my head. “You shouldn’t exaggerate.”

“It is no exaggeration. You fought beside me. You carried me when I could not stand on my own.” His lips graze the corner of my mouth. “There are a thousand ways to be strong, and you are all of them. I saw it in your face, the way you moved—you are the strongest person I know.”

He kisses me, soft and light. Then again, lingering a little longer. Without meaning to, my mouth searches for his, pulled by some unseen force, and I lean to the side, and he is there, meeting me halfway.

The kiss starts gentle and tentative, gradually deepening as uncertainty falls away.

A groan escapes me at the taste of him. Of ice and candied ginger and honey. Joon’s fingers tangle in my hair, cradling my head, urging me closer still, until our bodies are flush.

I let my hands roam over the plains of his chest, along his side, and over his stomach, feeling each muscle until my little finger bumps into the waist of his trousers.

A rumble, like a growl, vibrates in his chest. He rolls us, and I am on my back again as he holds his upper half over me, creating a cage I have no desire to escape.

Joon pins me with his stare as he slides his palm over my side, splaying over my stomach before gliding up to my ribs. His thumb brushes the underside of my breast, where he pauses for half a heartbeat.

My breath catches and releases on a shudder filled with need. Then Joon is kissing me again. I moan into his mouth, which only encourages him. His hand cups my breast, massaging gently before taking my nipple between two fingers and pinching. I arch my back as the unexpected desire pools between my legs.

Joon trails kisses down my neck, nipping at my collarbone as he moves lower and lower. I gasp again as he takes the stiffpeak into his mouth, using his tongue and teeth until I’m writhing beneath him.

He lifts his head, and our eyes meet. The material of my chemise is wet from his mouth, transparent, and plastered to my skin. I drag my teeth over my bottom lip. He watches me watching him, leisurely trailing his fingers to the thin strap, then sliding it off my shoulder, then the other. He hooks a finger along the collar, inching it down. Lower and lower, until the material bunches around my waist.

Joon takes his time, letting his hand wander over every inch of exposed skin. I practically vibrate under his caress.

His mouth descends on my breast again as if he means to consume me. Then he moves to the other, sending fresh waves of insatiable need down to my core.