The Darkest Lie (Lords of the Underworld #6)(41)
Author: Gena Showalter

Like that, the anger drained from him, wonder overshadowing everything else. “You aren’t too good for me. In every way. No, thank you, devil. For everything.”

He thought she was too good for him? Slayed. Her. “No welcome,” she replied softly.

He licked his lips as his gaze fell to hers, and suddenly she knew his passion hadn’t been extinguished, after all. “I—I—”

“Want to kiss me?”

He nodded. “I’m not dying to do so.”

Don’t admit it, don’t you dare admit it. “Me, too.”

One more time, she thought dazedly. She would enjoy him one more time. Sex, though? No, she wouldn’t go that far. But kiss him, continue touching him? Oh, yes. She needed to pass the time, anyway. At least, that’s the only reason she would cop to just then. Besides, it wasn’t like she truly would have left him here, helpless against any god or goddess who entered the room. For the moment, he was still her husband and she would protect him.

“If we do this, the shadows and the screams will return,” she warned. “I won’t be able to stop them. They’re part of me, part of my demon.”

“I dislike anything that’s a part of you. I don’t want to experience everything you have to offer.”

Melting… “Then kiss me,” she commanded. Then his sweet words would cease, and she could begin to rebuild the ice. That needed ice.

Gideon needed no other encouragement. His lips were on hers a second later, kissing her as if he needed the air in her lungs to survive. He moaned as if he’d never tasted anything more delicious. Kneaded her br**sts as if nothing, even weakness, could prevent him from enjoying them.

Once again, her blood heated in her veins, a growing inferno that liquefied her bones. Her ni**les hardened, ever-ready for his mouth, and her skin tingled, a plea for more.

“Want you clothed,” he rasped.

Only time she ever had to translate his demon’s lies was when they were in bed, her mind on other things, so it took her passion-fogged brain a moment to realize that Gideon actually wanted her naked.

Sex? she thought again. If she got naked, he would be inside her. She might even beg for it. Beg…yes… Hopefully, though, she had a little too much pride for that. “No,” she managed.

He paused, lifted his head. Their gazes met, his eyes so bright a blue they rivaled a king’s ransom in sapphires. He licked his already moist lips, breathing careful. “How about we don’t negotiate?” His voice was rough, as if each of the words had been rubbed with sandpaper.

Negotiate, huh? “All right.” Never let it be said that she was unreasonable. “Shoot.”

“All rather than half.”

Reality: he was willing to remove half her clothing rather than all. A concession, yes, when he could have insisted on full nudity. Eventually, she would have caved. “And in return I get…?”

“Definitely not an orgasm.”

Her lips quirked at the corners. “Do you want me to remove the top or the bottom?”

“Top.” Lightning fast, no hesitation.

He wanted her pants off, and gods, she wanted to take them off. “Deal,” she said with a nod. “You can take my top off.” Better that way.

Too bad she hated “better.”

His lips quirked as hers had done, because he knew she’d purposely misunderstood. “As if you didn’t know I wasn’t lying,” he said, calling her on it. “As if I don’t know you meant to say pants.”

With a strength she wouldn’t have thought him capable of in light of his demon’s curse, Gideon shoved the sweats and panties from her waist to her ankles, then off completely. A gasp left her, cool air suddenly caressing her. He didn’t give her time to complain or even encourage him. He crawled down her body. And there was the moment to stop him…gone. He pushed her legs apart. Another moment…gone again. He licked the most aching part of her.

“Yes!” Her back arched as she cried out, her hands already in his hair, holding him close.

She rode the waves of pleasure with abandon. No, no, not abandon. Had to keep the shadows and the screams inside. Gideon didn’t mind them, he’d said, but she wasn’t yet ready to share him. She wanted this moment all to herself, that fiery tongue working her, loving her.

“Don’t want more?” he rasped.

“I—I—” Can’t admit it. He’ll say something sweet, and more of that ice will melt. “More. Please.”

“No more it is.” He continued to lick, his teeth scraping perfectly, making her shiver. Soon his fingers joined the play, one sinking in and out, then two. Three. The shadows pulled, and the screams tugged.

“Gideon.” She released him and grabbed the headboard, hips arching in a fluid, desperate rhythm. Felt so good, so damn good. Was propelling her so close to the edge…

“Terrible,” he muttered, eye closed to half-mast, lips curled in a half-smile. “Just terrible. Had my fill. Will always have my fill.”

He likes it, she reminded herself. Wants more. Wouldn’t ever get enough.

Ice…melting. Heating…

Don’t care, she realized suddenly. She wanted the blaze to grow, consume.

Scarlet draped her legs over his shoulders, the heels of her feet digging into his lower back, her thighs squeezing his temples.

“But something I do like…you’re not holding out on me.” A muscle ticked below his eye as his lashes lifted and he pinned her with a hard stare. “Where are the shadows and the screams you didn’t promise me?”

“I don’t…I can’t… Don’t stop now!”

“Don’t let them go, and don’t show me our wedding,” he said, and then sucked her clitoris between his teeth.

She screamed, she shook, she almost came, the pleasure was so intense. But she wasn’t quite there. Just a little more, and she’d fly to the heavens. “Please.”

“Scar…wedding…I don’t want to see it.” His voice was strained, as if he had to force the words out.

“Now?” she panted. While he was…while she was…“We’re a little busy.”

“Can’t you do it while I’m sleeping?” He blew a puff of air against her warm, moist folds, and as sensitive as she currently was, she was thrust ever closer to satisfaction.

It was wonderful and terrible, gratifying and frustrating.