He tidied himself in the bathroom and splashed cold water on his face. Damn, but he was in way over his head. Making love to Jade was the second biggest mistake of his life, one which—like his other monumental error in judgment, the Demon War—had significant consequences. For both of them.
But when it came to getting naked with Jade—physically and emotionally—would he do it all over again if given the chance?
He scoffed at his reflection in the large mirror above the double vanity.
Hell, yes.
He could restrain himself in a multitude of ways. Except with her. Especially now that he truly knew how it felt to be inside her. How it felt to have her body beneath his, joined with his. Her soft moans would echo in his ears for the rest of his eternity, he was sure of it. And the way she milked his cock and shuddered violently when she came…
If he hadn’t already been a demon with a damned heart and soul, he would certainly be one now. Ten times over, because he’d done a very devilish thing by yielding to his desire for her.
He returned to the bedroom. She whisked the towel—which he’d tossed aside earlier—over her naked body. Then propped a hip against one of the tall posts. She pressed the plush material to her breasts, covering herself.
“Don’t,” he said as he reached for the towel and dragged it away. He dropped it on the bench. “Don’t hide from me.”
She stared up at him. “I’m a bit unnerved.”
“I know. I shouldn’t have said what I said.” He shoved a hand through his hair. “Are you cold?” he asked, one of his many concerns with regard to her, since he had little issue with temperature no matter what the extreme.
“No, I’m fine. You, on the other hand… You look as though you want to slit your wrists. Not that it would have any impact on you,” she added.
He let out a humorless laugh. “I’m finding it difficult not to say everything that’s on my mind when I’m with you. I’m sorry.”
“Sorry you asked me to stay, because…? You didn’t mean it?”
His gaze locked with hers. “You know I meant it.”
She seemed to give this some thought before offering a decisive nod. “I’m glad. That tells me a lot. The problem is,” she said as her fingertips grazed his pecs, “I would consider staying. If it was at all possible.”
“But, of course, it’s not.” He might be a fool for wanting her so desperately, but he wasn’t one in general. “It was an unreasonable thing for me to say, Jade. Once more…I’m being selfish.”
She inched toward him and left soft kisses on his chest. “It made me happy to hear it. I can see by the look in your eyes that you think what we just did was wrong. A colossal mistake. And you might be right. At the same time…” She peered up at him from under black-velvet eyelashes. “I can’t imagine it not happening, now that I’ve been with you. And it’s not something I would take back. Ever.”
He pulled her to him, hugging her tight. “I crossed a line I shouldn’t have. But I wouldn’t take it back, either. We do, however, need to be realistic. Me, in particular. I get carried away with you. I can’t explain it. And, again, I’m sorry.”
“Please don’t put all the blame on yourself. I’m involved too. I weigh my options judiciously.”
“I promise I didn’t try to sway you with mind games.”
“I know.” She kissed his cheek. “Nor did you have to. I told you before, I take responsibility for my own actions.”
He stroked her hair and said, “You must be exhausted.”
“Yes, I am.”
“But you will stay for the night?”
“And the slayers will come for me in the morning?”
“Yes.”
She was quiet for several moments, then asked, “Will you tell Morgan there’s no hurry?”
&nb
sp; “Sheena?”
“Yes, my Lord. I’ll take care of it.”