“I didn’t try to kill you. I was testing you,” Darkness said, looking away. “And yes, she knows. We had to be sure you were the one.”
“I’m not the one,” I spat.
Darkness groaned. “If I hadn’t gone there that night and given you the medallion, you would not have survived.”
“That is not how I remember it at all.”
“Because you weren’t allowed to remember it any other way.” Darkness squeezed my hand. “What if you’d been the wrong one, hm? And I’d given the medallion to the wrong person? It was my job to keep a close eye on you, and for the most part, I did a terrible job.”
I closed my eyes, inhaling deeply. “The Oracle thinks I can stop this, but I’m just a girl. I’m not anyone special.”
“You are special,” Darkness said, holding my gaze. “What The Oracle didn’t see was how I would end up feeling about you.”
I turned on my side. “I don’t for a second believe I can stop any kind of apocalypse.”
“I do, but I can’t risk losing you.” Darkness rolled onto his side as he slid his hand up my arm and around my waist. “We will figure out a way. It’s possible you just need to be here in our realm.”
Darkness’s fingers traced a tantalizing path around to my back, sending a warm, delicious shiver spiraling up my spine. His glowing, mesmerizing eyes locked to mine, their magnetic intensity drawing me into a tempestuous vortex of desire.
We’d been through so much together in a short time, but it had created a strange and strong bond between us that was undeniable. As his fingers continued their seductive dance over my skin, I couldn’t look away from him.
My heart pounded as he pulled me against his icy skin, igniting a blaze of longing that had been smoldering deep within me. His breath danced over my cheek as he leaned closer.
“I’ve never felt like this with anyone before,” he whispered, his voice filled with husky passion. “And I never want to feel it with anyone but you. Do you know what you do to me? The power you hold over me?”
I swallowed hard, my words catching in my throat. My fingers trembled as I reached out, touching the side of his perfect face.
It was a longing beyond words, an ache that defied explanation. As our lips met, it was as if a bolt of lightning surged through my soul, setting every nerve on fire.
I’d never imagined a moment like this with someone like Darkness. He was strong and powerful.
I didn’t want it to stop.
It wasn’t going to stop.
I needed more.
I needed him.
Chapter
Seventeen
The skin at the back of my neck prickled as our tongues tangled together in a passionate dance. Darkness’s powerful hands gripped my hips, and he pulled me impossibly close. His mouth hungrily moved down my neck, devouring every inch of exposed skin, sending shivers through my body.
“I’ve longed to make you mine,” Darkness whispered, his breath warming my skin as his icy touch tingled through me.
His hands skillfully moved over me as if he couldn’t get enough. My heart raced with anticipation as his mouth found mine, savoring me as if I were a succulent dessert.
Every emotion tore through me like a violent tornado tearing across the land. Excitement, terror, lust, danger, desire… confusion. I was afraid of what might happen if I allowed myself to get lost in Darkness, but I also wanted nothing more than to get completely lost with him.
How had I gone from being afraid of him to being in his bed? Was I under some kind of spell?
It felt as though my insides were about to boil as his hand glided down my backside. Still, I wanted him closer. I needed him like I’d never needed anyone before.
It was just lust.
Nothing more.
There wasn’t anything wrong with enjoying a little alone time with someone. We were both adults.
“What about rest?” I asked, my head falling back as he kissed down the side of my neck.
“This works to restore our energy too,” Darkness whispered as he gripped the back of my neck, tilting my head to force me to look into his glowing eyes. “Perhaps it’s even better than sleep.”
My hand trembled as I pressed my hand against his solid chest. I didn’t feel tired. I felt energized.
Powerful.
With each kiss, he stoked the flames within me, growing them higher and higher. His hands were everywhere at once, leaving a blazing trail of passion across my body. I felt like I was melting into his arms.
My breaths quickened with each caress until it felt as though I was gasping for air. He moved away long enough that I could catch my breath, but it only made me want him more.
Darkness stared into my eyes with a hunger that could rival any wild beast. He ran his hand down the side of my body before cupping my chin and bringing his lips back to mine, kissing me so slowly and gently that it made my heart flutter.
“A man like me can only dream of a woman like you,” Darkness whispered into my ear. “There was a part of me missing for so long, and now it is full again.”
“You give me far too much credit,” I said, biting my lip as my eyes closed.
