Sethios chuckled. “Yeah? Does that include showering together, angel?”

“Yes. You must remain within arm’s reach of me to be misted, or we risk my having to leave you behind.”

“Chaining us together already?” He did not appear to be taking her seriously. “And I haven’t even proposed yet.”

She turned in his lap to level him with a glower. “Do you understand that had I been in my room when he arrived, I would have been forced to leave you behind?”

Some of his amusement faded as he held her gaze. “And that would bother you?”

“Yes.” What a ridiculous question. “Of course it would.”

A fire lit his green irises. “You took me with you because you wanted to.”

“You didn’t compel me, if that’s what you mean.” She could sense his persuasion, and he hadn’t used it on her in weeks.

“Caro.” He threaded his fingers through her hair and pulled her face close to his. “You saved me tonight. Because you wanted to.”

“Why do you seem startled by that?”

“It shows you care.”

She scoffed at that. “Caring is a human trait.”

“It’s a natural instinct,” he fired back. “For some.”

“Fine. Maybe. I don’t know. All I could think about when I felt Osiris’s presence was misting us both out of there, and I was terrified you wouldn’t be awake enough to hold on to me.” She stopped talking and nibbled her lip. If he hadn’t been aware…

His mouth captured hers in a violent move that scrambled all her thoughts.

I… Oh.

Okay.

More.

Sethios had kissed her before, but not like this.

He practically devoured her, much in the same way he did… down there.

Mouth fucking, she realized. But with more heat and emotion, and a carnality that left her breathless.

His hands fell to her hips. In a move as quick as lightning, he had her straddling his lap with her sex pressed intimately to his and restarted their kiss before she could properly inhale.

Heat mingled with sensation throughout her body, stirring a fire deep inside. She had no idea an embrace could be so enlightening. So inspiring. So real.

Her nails dug into his bare shoulders as his tongue dominated hers. This was no civil mating, but a claiming that required her submission. And she couldn’t refuse him. She doubted she ever could.

What is happening to me?

Three weeks ago, she would have resisted this compulsion to do whatever Sethios wanted. But now? She couldn’t give him enough.

Her shirt disappeared over her head, followed by her sanity. His teeth scraped against her neck, her collarbone, and down to her breasts. She arched into him on a moan and clung to his biceps.

Sethios stood with her legs wrapped around his waist and started moving blindly through the home. When her back hit a soft mattress, she sighed in contentment.

“How many places do you own?” Because clearly, this house belonged to him.

“Several.” He pulled off her pajama bottoms and panties. “I’m going to pleasure you until morning, Caro.”