“You should try dating. Get out more often, Ryder,” I smirked and, before I knew what I had done, I'd stepped dangerously close to him.
“You should go shower, Syn, before I decide my hunger is more important right now,” he said quietly as his eyes roved down the silky ensemble he'd conjured. I tried to step back away from him, but he was faster, his hands pulled me close, and his mouth was on mine immediately.
He pulled away, smiling. “This caveman just made your panties wet with a kiss, and you’re the only item on the menu that I want to dine on.”
A delicious shiver crept down my spine. “I'm not food.”
“You’re right, Syn. You are so much more…and I wouldn’t want word getting out that I like to play with my food.”
I pulled away. “It's not funny, and I'm not a fucking Fairy happy meal, Ryder!”
“A fucking Fairy happy meal…Go shower, Syn. I'm losing my patience and my tolerance for your sassy mouth. Unless you want me to find something for it to do, you had better get away from me.”
“I thought you liked my sassy mouth,” I replied with a smirk.
His eyes landed on my lips. “I do, and I like it better when it's busy…sucking or doing other things…” He let the words hang on the end of his tongue like silk.
I turned and basically ran to the bathroom, because something had happened to make him grow harsh and angry. He’d turned cold again, and I’d seen it in his eyes before I’d left him standing in the bedroom. He hated that I still flinched from him, but it was habit. I knew I was safe with him, and yet I was afraid that I was getting too close to him. I’d let my guard down, and he was reminding me of why it was dangerous to do so.
I slipped into his shower, not bothering to remove the nightgown until I was behind the etched glass. I turned on the water and stepped beneath it, showering quickly to get down to the urgent problem. People were dying again, and if we could stop the killers, I was going to help.
I jumped as the shower door slammed open, and Ryder walked inside naked, his smile all predator with no trace of the gentle creature who’d held me all night and made me feel safe. I had just finished washing my hair, so I stepped back as he crowded me, until I felt the cool black slate tiles against my flesh.
“I'd run, little girl, before I decide the sight of your tight, wet body is too much for my puny little caveman brain to resist.”
“Seriously, did you climb in here just to tell me that?” I challenged with a glint of anger in my eyes.
He was baiting me, provoking me—and it was working. His eyes glanced off to the side for a second, and he seemed to get more annoyed.
“Your boyfriend is waiting for you in the club,” he snapped, and dismissed me as he grabbed the soap.
“Why do you even bother with a shower? That neat magic trick you do is a lot faster.”
“Faster isn’t always better, it’s just more convenient. Sometimes, Syn, this feels…better on my flesh. Like other things, I like to feel it, and enjoy it.” He smiled wickedly and ran his eyes down my body…slowly, hungrily.
With hungry eyes I watched him lather his body. His hands slow and methodical as they dipped lower to stroke his cock with the soap. I mewled as my eyes feasted on him until I heard his dangerous rumble that ripped my eyes back to his. “You’re staring at my cock again, Syn. Either get on your knees and fuck me with your mouth or get out.”
He was a bastard. I pushed past him and tried to leave the shower, but his hand snaked out and pulled me back into the water with him. His eyes watched me expectantly, waiting. I pulled my arm away and turned to shove the door open and leaving him and his bi-polar ass behind. I was beginning to think that he did it on purpose, that he was trying to push me away.
Chapter Eight
Adrian wouldn’t even look at me, let alone talk to me. I didn’t blame him for it. This was my mess, and I’d dragged him into it. I'd kissed him, unable to stop myself, while trying to fight against something I couldn’t control.
Everyone assembled in the mansion’s foyer. The air was tense and no one was making eye contact with me, except Ristan. The Demon was the only one who seemed to want to push Ryder's buttons. “Looking ravishing as always, Syn, or should I say ravished?” he waggled his eyebrows and smiled impishly.
“Neither?” I offered, feeling eyes lock onto my back.
“You slept in his bed. Interesting turn of events,” he continued.
“Your point? I’m assuming you have one.” I growled.
“Oh, I don't have a point, not one I'd volunteer while you have Ryder's brand on you. That would be suicide.” The last word was tossed in Adrian's direction.