Sweet Temptation (The Sweet Trilogy #4)(89)

I move off the bed and stand at the end. She stares hard at me as I unclasp my belt and unbutton my shorts. I’m trying very hard not to look at her body. I want to, desperately, but not like this. However, I’m more than happy to let her see all of me.

It doesn’t happen. As soon as I’m nearly naked, her eyes shift and I’m quite proud to see the look of Neph nonchalance on her face. But I also know her well enough to notice the set of her jaw jutting out—a sign she’s trying not to cry. And behind that glazed expression I can see her hurt, her fear.

I’ve hurt her. I’m scaring her. Does she think I’m going to do this, for real? If she thinks that, I will stab my own damn self with her sword. She has to know I would never force myself on her. Anna’s opinion of me is the only one in the world that matters.

I have to get rid of the damn spirit so I can explain. Just another minute more.

All I have to do now is climb onto the bed with her—breathe—throw a sheet over us—breathe—and pretend. And then it will be over. I won’t let anything happen. I swallow hard and yank the blanket down from underneath her. She scoots back and I put my hands on the bed. Then a knee. Anna’s eyes are on my chest. She knows I’m coming for her, and she’s breathing fast.

I am nearly on top of her when the demon spirit makes a disgusting sound, like something gurgling inside a zombie’s throat. Anna flinches from it, then her eyes light up and she surprises the hell out of me.

“Do you have to be here?” she yells at it. “You’re really distracting.”

“Shut up,” it hisses into our minds, diving forward. “As if I want to be here with you boring Neph!”

Bingo, baby.

“Then leave,” I say in a lazy voice. “We’re almost finished here. Anyway, I think you’d find room 108 far more interesting.”

My heart is pounding. The whisperer goes still. Then moves up and down, pondering. Please, let this work.

“You won’t tell?” it hisses.

“Tell what?” I snap, as if I’m eager to get back to work. “You did what you bloody came to do—you saw me find the girl and assure she’s impure. Your job is done, and I can finish mine much better if you’re not hovering.”

For a horrible moment I imagine it will refuse, then it spins and disappears through the side wall into the hall. Just like that. I stare at that spot forever, because it’s too bloody good to be true. When he doesn’t come back, I fall to my face on the bed beside Anna, screaming into the mattress with relief and tension.

My man parts are crying.

I want Anna so bad. My girl is naked next to me. I didn’t even get a proper glimpse. I want to beg her to let me climb atop her, just for a moment, if I swear not to let it happen, just to have our bare bodies touching. . . .

Anna scrambles under the covers away from me and throws something soft over my bum.

Right. That’s a no.

I look at her face as she stares at the wall in agony, and I can’t take it any longer. I reach a hand over her waist and lay my head in her blanketed lap, breathing in her sweet scent. I have to erase any shred of doubt, fear, or distrust in her mind.

“I would have stopped, Anna. I swear,” I babble with desperation. “I’d die before I took you against your will. Please tell me you believe me.”

Her voice is filled with emotion when she says, “I believe you.”

My head is suddenly too heavy to lift, though I know I should move away from her. Then I feel Anna’s fingers tentatively push into my hair, moving through the strands so tenderly. I cannot move away.

“Get under the covers with me,” Anna whispers. “We need to lie here for a little while in case it comes back.”

Yes. I lift my head and the doubt is gone from her eyes. Only love and concern are there, and I feel myself melt.

Her head tilts and she touches my cheek. “There you are.”

Here I am.

She pulls back the sheet and I move next to her, shielding myself with a pillow. We lay silent, side by side, and I’m trying damn hard not to think about our nakedness. About her waist and hips and thighs and legs . . .

I bolt upright. The bruises!

I take her arm and gently twist it to find fingertip bruises on the soft flesh underneath. The smoking coals beneath my skin reignite with a vengeance.

“Anna . . . ,” I whisper in disbelief as I think about her being hit and kicked. Bright spots soar in my vision. “What. The bloody hell. Happened? Who did this to you?”

“Listen, Kai.” It’s her calming voice, but it’s not working. “I’m all right now, okay?”

No. Not okay at all. Anyone who is capable of putting marks like this on Anna does not deserve to live. “Who?” I demand.

“The sons of Thamuz.”

HolyMaryMotherofGod.

My mouth goes completely dry as I recall the things they did to Marna when she was so young—things that forced her to begin seeing evil whisperers. “What did they do?” I don’t want to hear it, but I need to know. If they raped her and stole her innocence, her power . . . “So help me God—”

“Nothing!” she assures me, grabbing my arm. She sounds as if she means it, and I try to calm my breathing. “They tried to take me, but I fought. And . . . Kope showed up.”