Demon by My Side(15)
Jared pushed the flimsy material of her shirt higher and she made no protest. If it felt this good with him just touching her, how shattering would it be to feel him cup her breasts? Tease her nipples? Or even slide one of those talented hands even lower?
The thought brought her eyes open with a snap. She was well on her way to screwing a demon she’d known less than two days. Where were all her vaunted standards now?
She pushed at his shoulders even as her mind cried out against the action. This had to stop now, before she lost all ability to care how far she fell.
A thumb brushed against the underside of her breast. She bit her lip at the intimate touch, silently wishing he’d to do it again.
“Stop.” Her voice sounded breathy and weak even to her own ears.
“Not yet,” he replied, kissing her again to silence her protests.
Darcy groaned. All she wanted to do was follow his lead. She kissed him back even as she knew it was wrong.
But wrong had never felt so damn good before.
He rocked against her, pressing his erection between her legs. Darcy wanted to beg for more.
Stop this, her mind ordered. Be a hunter.
Darcy wanted to cry with frustration. For the first time in her life, she wished she was anything else.
Words wouldn’t work on him, not when she could barely convince herself to back off. He was stronger than she was. If she was going to get his attention, she’d have to mean it.
Regretting her actions already, Darcy caught his lower lip between her teeth. She heard his growl of approval before biting down on the tender flesh.
Jared jerked back, blood staining his abused lip.
“We have to stop,” she said before he could interrupt her. “I’m sorry, but we have to.”
“Why?” He didn’t seem angry over her attack. If anything he looked more than willing to pick up where they’d left off.
“I don’t sleep with men I don’t trust.”
“How cute.”
She glared at him as he wiped the drop of blood from his lip.
As he glanced at the smear on his thumb, a smile curved his lips. “Fair warning, darling, demons bite too.”
“Go away, Jared. Please.”
He drew a finger over her cheek, leaning down as if to kiss her. “I like my name on your lips,” he whispered to her. “Almost as much as I like you begging me for something.”
“For your departure,” she replied, trying to sound strong. Her body already ached for his touch.
“Still sweet,” he purred. He lifted his head enough to meet her gaze. “Partners trust.”
She blinked. “Not our kind of partners.”
“Mmm.” His gaze dropped back to her mouth. “What if I promised to do you no harm while we work together?”
She arched a brow at the suggestion. It would be nice not to have to look over her shoulder every moment. Then again, there was no guarantee he’d keep his word.
“I don’t break my vows,” he told her, as if following her train of thought.
“I’m still not sleeping with you.”
His grin flashed in the darkness. “Demons also love challenges.”
“Knock yourself out, hell boy, but I’m not yielding on this issue.”
“We’ll see.” He drew his lips along her jaw in the lightest of touches. “I vow to you, Darcy Snow, I will not attack you until our task is complete so long as you offer me no violence in return.”
Her breath hissed from her in shock. Playing in bed was one thing but she’d never expected the demon to truly offer a truce. A vow like the one he’d made wasn’t merely lip service. Warmth blossomed in her chest that had nothing to do with the lust he inspired.
“Next time I find myself in your bed,” he told her, “perhaps you will remember that promise.”
It took her two tries before she could speak. “I’m barricading my window and door from now on.”
His lips brushed over hers in a gossamer touch. “Wouldn’t help.”
She punched his shoulder on principle.
Jared drew back with a grin. “Meet me tomorrow. And make sure you have something for me this time.”
She wrinkled her nose at the command. “Where?”
“Lose your entourage and I will come to you.”
“You need to buy a cell phone,” she grumbled.
“And miss seeing you hug your pillow so tight while you snore?”
She yelped in protest.
With a last brush of fingers over skin, he pushed from the bed.
“Wait,” she called as he stepped toward the darkest corner of her room. “At least tell me this. Is Kerilyn alive?”
He glanced over his shoulder. “There is a part-human hunter playing queen in the spirit realm, yes.”
Cold swept through her, replacing the lingering warmth of his touch. The hunter was in the spirit realm? Shock robbed her of breath. Had Kerilyn really betrayed them the way the rumors claimed? “What about—” But she could no longer make out his outline in the corner. “Jared?” she called.