“Doesn’t love one,” he finished for her. “And for you, love and trust go hand in hand.”
She stiffened. “We’re not talking about that. It’s been days only. Be serious.”
“Oh I am,” he replied. “For the first time I think I’m seeing things pretty clearly.” His arm snaked around her waist before he pulled her up against him.
Darcy didn’t struggle, her hands coming to rest on his shoulders.
“You fear the way I make you feel,” he said, his voice low.
“Thinking well of yourself, aren’t you?”
He shook his head. “When I touch you—” his hand glided down her spine and she shivered in response, “—I mess with the rules you’ve set up so carefully to protect yourself.”
“Ridiculous.”
“Darling, you are being so…human.”
She arched a brow.
“In your mind, what we have can’t be possible. Feelings like this take time to grow. What should have taken months, years, took days instead and it terrifies you.”
“I want your body. End of story,” she denied.
He cupped her bottom and pulled her close as he rolled his hips. She caught her breath at the sensation.
“I see time differently,” he told her. “When you have centuries, everything is relative. I’ve seen bonded mates together for generations that feel less for their partner than we do. I’ve watched mortals and demons alike search for a mate and settle for so much less than what we could have in a heartbeat.”
“It’s just lust.”
His eyes flashed. “All right. Then after one night it will be out of our systems, correct? This maddening desire will be gone.”
“S-sure.” Except she couldn’t imagine never wanting to touch him.
“Then give us a night.” He smiled one of his rare, true smiles. “And in the morning when I don’t leave you, trust me.”
Darcy reached up. She drew a finger along his strong jaw. Rising on her tiptoes she pressed her lips to the skin she’d just caressed. “Counter-offer. One night and you never mention this again.”
“Don’t you understand yet?” he whispered against her lips. “I will take you any way I can have you.”
His mouth crushed down on hers. Darcy wrapped her arms around him to keep her balance. Jaral had kissed her before, swamped her with passion more times than she should have allowed, but this was different. Any barriers were gone, for one night at least. He wasn’t holding back this time.
His hands encircled her waist, sliding under her shirt to touch skin to skin. Heat flashed through her and she knew it wasn’t because of his magic.
Am I really going to do this? she thought as he eased the material up. His mouth left hers long enough to tug the shirt over her head. When he looked at her, there was no doubt in his eyes, nor triumph. He looked…happy.
Darcy blinked. She’d seen Jaral in many moods but never had she seen him like this. He smiled at her and for a moment she forgot what he was. There was no darkness in his eyes, only joy. And a good deal of lust. He looked younger than he ever had before and it made her love him just a tiny bit more.
Not love, she corrected herself automatically. She might care for him but that was as far as she’d allow it to go.
“You are beautiful,” he said to her.
Pleasure suffused her. Her rules flew from her head at the honesty in his voice. She knew she was far from perfect but in this moment, with his hands on her body and his dark gaze drinking her in, she felt beautiful in a way she never had before.
“I want to see you too,” she whispered, running her hands up his chest.
“Your wish,” he murmured and snapped his fingers. “My command.”
The shirt, vest and weapons decorating his chest shimmered away to nothing, and her fingers touched bare flesh. For once, his show of power didn’t bother her. This was a spell she could certainly see the use for.
“Mmm,” she purred, sliding her fingertips along the contours of his muscles. “Can I do that too?”
His laugh was husky. “No, darling. You didn’t inherit that sort of magic.”
“Too bad.” Her hands trailed down to his waistband. “Looks like I’ll just have to do things the old-fashioned way.”
She slid down his zipper, meeting his eyes. Darcy slipped her hand into his jeans and grinned at his sharp intake of breath when her questing fingers found what they were looking for.
“Perfect,” she whispered, stroking along his erection.
“I think I’m a fan of the old-fashioned way,” he gasped.
“Says the ancient demon.”
He deftly unhooked her bra and cupped her breasts before she could speak. Darcy moaned as he thumbed her hardened nipples.