Page 78 of Wrathful King

His thumb glided up and down my skin, and I leaned into his touch like he was my gravity. He dragged me onto his lap. His hand lowered from my cheek and came down to my neck while I was trapped in his gaze.

His possessiveness fueled the fire burning in my chest.

“So what’s for dinner?” I asked.

“If you keep looking at me the way you do, it’ll be you,” he teased, but his voice was raspy, a deep desire lacing through it.

My mind blanked and my throat dried at the images my mind conjured of Amon worshiping me.

He must’ve sensed my body tighten, because he brought his hand up to my throat, his long fingers covering the expanse.

My brain faltered, certain there should be a reaction, but the lack of it rendered me almost giddy. My body took charge suddenly, becoming hyperaware, but it had nothing to do with the instinct to fight.

The door in my mind closed with a soft click, pushing all my fears away.

His other hand trailed down my shoulder, his finger hooking on the strap of my pink dress. Amon’s gift from Sri Lanka, along with a golden bracelet with eight emblem charms of the Wheel of Law—a conch shell, a victory banner, an umbrella, a lotus flower, a vase, a pair of fish, and an endless knot.

The charms jingled as I reached up and tugged on my straps, letting the dress pool around my waist and expose my scars.

His fingers traced them, one by one. Somewhere in the corner of my mind, I recognized the touch and drowned in the familiar, masculine scent.

The two of us stared at each other, the feral pull of his desire leaving me dazed. Each breath he took awakened a dormant chamber inside of me that I thought Perez Cortes had killed.

I moved to straddle him, feeling his length against my hot entrance. Still no panic. Still no urge to flee.

My hand trembled lightly as I pressed my palm against his chest.Bu-bum.Bu-bum.Bu-bum.

His heartbeat drummed in sync with mine. Strong and warm.

He clenched his jaw, and it was the only thing that gave him away. I knew it pained him to remain still.

“Are you sure…” He trailed off when I nodded my head once, the look on his face dark and emotional.

My fingers tightened around the material of his shirt.

“I don’t want to keep talking.” I swallowed. “I don’t want to feel broken anymore.”

Amon cupped my cheek, the touch so soft that it had me tearing up.

“You’re not broken.” His voice deepened, the heart-wrenching tone shaking me to my core.

The look in his eyes took me back to the first time I saw him. The boy who watched me with stars in his eyes.

All these chaotic emotions twisted in my chest, suffocating me and stealing my breath. I brought my hand to my chest, twisting the necklace to calm down. Then I tapped my chest once, twice, hoping to release the pressure.

Amon shifted, putting space between us.

“No,” I whispered, reaching for him. “Don’t leave me.”

A muscle clenched in his jaw and his eyes darkened.

“I’llneverfucking leave you.” He squeezed my thighs to emphasize his words. “There’s nothing that will keep us apart. Not in this life. Not in death.”

My heart pounded.

“I’m scared,” I breathed, ashamed.

Tension oozed out of him. “I’ll never hurt you, cinnamon girl.”