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“That can’t taste good,” I whisper, and his eyes darken at the words.

“It tastes better than you can imagine,” he replies in a strained whisper. My heart pounds as he surveys the cut, blood welling at its irritated edges just for him to catch it once more on his tongue. “When did this happen?” he asks, distracted, when once again there’s no blood for him to lap up like a cat.

“Just…just now.” There’s a lump in my throat, but that’s not my biggest problem. No, I’m much more concerned atthe warmth spreading through my body; pooling between my clenched thighs.

I barely even notice when he pulls me another step closer. My brain certainly doesn’t register anything until my back hits the railing, his body pressed against mine and one of his hands still holding my wrist up to his face, while the other one presses against the rail beside my hip.

“It can’t taste good,” I say again, brain short circuiting. There’s no other explanation for why I’m still here. For why my body isbeggingfor him to close the scant centimeters between us so I can rub against him like a cat.

“You don’t think it can?” His eyes slant to mine, impossibly blue in the light filtering through the trees. “You really don’t?”

I shake my head, extra-aware of the fact he’s sliding impossibly closer, until his body presses against mine, thigh slotting between both of my own.

Andfuck,I should really push him away.

“Find out,” he invites, dropping my arm. His free hand comes up to my chin, tilting my head up to his as his eyes darken and that look from before, the one where something dark and sinister lurks behind his gaze, finds mine in the light of day.

He’s hiding something darker from me.

But I don’t get a chance to say anything about it. The kiss I expect to be as gentle as his hold on me sears against my mouth; his teeth sinking into my lower lip as he growls, expectant, against me. Immediately I open my mouth to him, feeling his tongue press against mine as the combined taste of my blood, coppery and sharp, andJedhimself takes over my entire existence.

Fuck, he tastes so good.My blood adds a strange sharpness to the act, and I feel myself reach out to grip his shirt, balling the material in my fingers as I drag him more tightly against me. For a moment, I don’t realize what the sound and feeling in mymouth is until I realize with a shock it’s his growl. His fingers tighten on my jaw, holding me with a ferocity just this side of painful.

And he doesn’t let me pull away.

Not that I want to. No part of me wants to pull away from him, and a deeper, feral part of my brain wants him closer than this, if that’s even possible.

But when his sharp canines nip at my lip, nearly drawing blood, the answering jolt that shoots between my thighs is enough to shock my brain into the realization that this isn’t right. I can’t do this. Not with him. No matter how much every part of me begs to.

“N-no. Wait,” I hiss, pulling away from him. “I can’t?—”

“I know,” Jed sighs, dropping his arms immediately and pulling away, though a glance at his face shows that he isn’t angry, or disappointed. He’s actually…amused? “I know, Saylor.” Jed runs his fingers through his hair, licking his kiss-swollen lips. “Just give me a second before you run. Please?”

“Why?” I demand, breath coming in fast pants. I know the way back. I know how long it’ll take. My muscles clench; thighs burning as they beg for movement. “Why?”

“So I can remind myself not to chase you.” It’s there again, the dark hunter in his eyes that he tries so hard not to let me see. As I watch, he forces it away, seconds before his eyes cram shut. “Go,” he says lightly, tilting his head back towards the cabin. “I know you need to. So, run.”

He’s right. And his words only make my heart pound harder.

I run.

And with every step, his words echo in my ears and in my brain.

So I can remind myself not to chase you.

Run.

Chapter

Eleven

Taking up cardio as a hobby is starting to feel like something I should look into. At least, if I did, maybe my lungs and thighs wouldn’t burn and tremble so much from running for more than thirty seconds.

Thankfully, Jed hadn’t chased me. Even though his words sent ripples through my body, shivers up my spine, and it’s hard to tell myself the heat between my thighs is from sore muscles when I can’t help but think of the look in his eyes and the tone of his voice when he’d threatened to chase me.

Or rather, hinted that he wanted to.

My breaths come in deep pants as I slow to a stop; doubling over with my fingers splayed on my knees as I try to suck in more oxygen than my lungs can hold. Everything hurts, and my heart pounds in my chest, beating painfully against my ribs while I try to breathe.