Page 47 of Beautiful Prey

I shove up hard, trying to break his grip. It almost works. I’m halfway to my knees when his hand tightens at my nape and hauls me back down, knocking the breath out of me as I collide with his chest.

His grin widens, black and gold flecks swimming in the firelight. “Fuck, that’s better. Keep fighting me like that, prey. I want to feel you try.” His hand fists in my hair, holding me a breath away from his face. “Do it again. I liked it.”

“You’re hurt,” I say, still pushing.

“And you’re still worrying about me.” His mouth catches the corner of mine, then his tongue follows, the silver bar grazing my lip before he drags it slowly along the seam. My shove turns into a fist clutched in his coat. “I’ll survive.”

He leans closer, flicking his tongue across my lips.

My cock hardens against my trousers.

I shove at his shoulders and manage to get one knee under me, aiming for the mouth of the shelter, but his hand tightens in my hair and pulls me back. His hips lift into mine at the same time, grinding hard enough that I feel exactly what I’m doing to him.

“Get off me.”

“Make me.”

I push harder. He sucks in a sharp breath, his face tightening before his grin returns.

“You’re hurting yourself.”

“And you’re still trying to escape.” His fingers tighten around my nape. “Come on. Put some fucking effort into it.”

“Fuck you.”

His hips roll against mine again, and my grip slips on his coat.

“That sounded better.” His mouth catches mine, tongue dragging across my lower lip, the silver bar cold against the heat. “Say it again while you’re rubbing that hard cock against me.”

“I’m not⁠—”

He grinds again, and the lie dies in my throat.

I shove at him harder, twisting until I nearly break his grip. Pain flashes across his face when I catch his injured side, but he only laughs under his breath and pulls me back down.

“You’re fucking insane.”

“Probably.” His mouth brushes mine. “Fight me anyway.”

A moan slips out before I can stop it, and I scowl at him. “Why would you even... do that to your tongue?”

“Curiosity is a dangerous habit,” he murmurs against my lips. “Thank Light I’m already a criminal.”

He tightens his grip, tipping my chin up with his free hand until my throat is bare. His tongue drags a slow stripe over my pulse, the silver bar cool against my skin, before his teeth catch my earlobe.

Then he’s back at my mouth, his fingers digging into my jaw. “Open.”

I don’t. I clench my teeth reflexively and glare at him.

He doesn’t force it. He waits, his thumb pressing slow circles into the hinge of my jaw until waiting is worse than obeying. “You want to. That’s what’s killing you.” His breath is hot against my lips. “Open your mouth, prey. Let me in.”

My jaw gives, and Light… I hate that it does.

His fingers press into my cheeks until my lips part, holding me open as he leans in and lets a slow line of spit slide into my mouth. His eyes hold mine. “Swallow.”

I hold it for two heartbeats while his grip tightens.

“Swallow it, prey, or I’ll make you do it twice.”