Demons Like It Hot (Demons Unleashed #2)(68)

Serah managed a nod. So this is how he pushed his way into her kitchen? Seduction? Sadly, it was working. Reluctantly, she pulled away from him and turned to face him. His onyx gaze burned brightly, despite the darkness. She held out the pot, her hands still shaking like leaves in a windstorm. Matthias reached out, his hands brushing hers. Who knew a simple act of handing someone a pot could evoke the most intense sensations.

“Give me the pot, Serah. It’s heavy and you’ve clearly got other things on your mind.”

Yeah, she had other things on her mind, all right. And it was all his fault. She should have known he had ulterior motives. But what exactly were those motives? “Fine, take the pot.” She thrust it out toward him.

“Careful!”

But it was too late. The force of her hands sent water flying up out of the pot and down Matthias’s new shirt. He jumped backward, water dripping down the black linen onto the checkered floor below. Thank goodness the shirt was black instead of white. That was one view she couldn’t handle.

“I told you to be careful.”

“Sorry,” she mumbled. “You made me uncomfortable.”

“I’m trying to be friendly.”

Friendly? This was more than friendly. This was positively delicious.

Matthias scooped the now-empty pot from her hands and set it next to the sink. He reached to unbutton his shirt.

Her eyes widened, giving saucers a run for their money. “What the hell are you doing?”

“Taking my shirt off.” He plucked open another button.

She rolled her lips over her teeth. “Why?”

“It’s wet. It needs to dry.” He reached for the other button.

Serah gulped. She stood riveted, watching his fingers work the buttons. Her pulse thumped in her ears. She balled her fists at her sides. “I suppose you didn’t bring a change of clothes with you?”

“I’m not psychic. I didn’t know you’d douse me with lukewarm water.” The shirt spread open, exposing a hair-sprinkled pectoral. She’d already seen it, so why did it keep affecting her this way?

“I said I was sorry.” She sucked in a breath and turned away. She had to. If she continued to gape at the work of art that was his body, she’d melt right into the black-and-white ceramic tiles.

“I know.” He turned her to face him. “I’ve tried keeping my distance from you, Serah. I can’t do it anymore.”

Close your eyes, her practical side warned.

And miss the positively delicious view? Her naughty side thought not. Curiosity always won in the end. Serah opened her eyes. The linen shirt hung off his shoulders. Droplets of water trailed down his chest, and farther down the contours of his abs to pool around his navel. Her fingers yearned to trace the droplet’s path.

“You confuse me. One moment you’re distant. The next moment, you’re kissing me. Then you go back to brooding.”

“I’ve done some bad things, Serah. Unforgivable things.” Matthias raked a hand through his sandy brown hair.

“Yet, here you are, protecting me.” What would one tiny touch do? He obviously needed some comfort. She took her fingertip and traced the long, jagged scar just above his left pectoral. “How did you get this scar?”

His muscle twitched against her finger and his breath hitched. “It was a long time ago.”

“I wish you’d open up. I’d be able to trust you more.”

“Trust this.”

With that, he crushed her to him. With his thumb and forefinger he raised her chin, angling her gaze to meet his. Those onyx eyes seared into her. His large hands roved down over her bottom and back up to lock in her curls.

Did people really kiss like this? Like that scene from Gone with the Wind where Rhett finally gives Scarlett a kiss to remember. But Serah wasn’t Scarlett, and she wasn’t quite sure she’d be able to pull away from Matthias, let alone slap him.

As if eager to feel those hard lips against hers again, her lips parted. A ragged breath escaped her mouth. Her practical side managed to ball her fists. She should resist him. He had secrets. Dark secrets. She shouldn’t trust him. But oddly enough, she did.

She relaxed in his arms and unballed her fists. She wrapped her arms around his neck and ran her fingers through the hair at the nape of his neck. She pulled his mouth to hers.

“Serah. You don’t know what you’re doing.”

“I beg to differ,” she breathed against his lips. She punctuated her sentence with a swirl of her tongue against his lower lip. Electricity zipped between them. She grabbed his sodden shirt and flung it from his body. Maybe she could seduce the truth out of him. Then again, who exactly was being seduced? Him and his smooth talking—he was just as guilty as she was.

With more daring than she had possessed in the past ten years, she moved her hands down his pecs and swirled her finger along each contour of his six-pack and brushed her fingertips along the muscles that tapered down to his hidden bounty. His body tensed against her ministrations.

“We can’t do this here. We’re in your kitchen.”

“We’re only kissing. No sanitary concerns there.”

Matthias nodded. “I don’t want to take advantage of you.”

“Seriously? You’re not taking advantage of me.” She swirled a fingertip along his nipple. Hot energy fired inside her. “Why is there so much heat when I touch you?” Serah asked.