A Soul for Trouble by Crista McHugh Read Free Book Online Page B

was paranoid.”
    “It’s my duty to be paranoid,” he replied with a grimace. “I am your protector, after all.”
    “Well, I’m going to get some sleep. I’m exhausted after the long day.” She looked over at Cinder and patted the mattress next to her. The wolf jumped on the bed.
    “What are you doing to my wolf?”
    She laughed and stretched out next to the warm mass of fur. “Spoiling him. You know, there’s a bit more room on the other side of him, if you want to sleep in the bed.” The mattress sank as he sat down on the edge. “I thought you were worried about me taking advantage of you?”
    “There’s a wolf between us. I think I’m safe.”
    As she drifted off to sleep, she heard him whisper, “Don’t get used to this.” Chapter 6
    The darkness in Dev’s dreams parted, letting a beam of light fall on Arden. She stretched in the bed as if waking up. The silk sheets slid through her fingers, caressed her bare skin. His mouth went dry as he watched in the darkness, memorizing the curves of her body.
    The light brightened, casting his shadow on her. She sat up and backed away, the sheet clutched to her chest as though she was embarrassed to be caught naked. “Who’s there?” His skin flamed, but his tongue refused to form his name. I shouldn’t be staring at her . He turned away.
    “Don’t speak, then, Dev. Just come closer. ”
    His heart pounded. He wasn’t quite sure what he heard in her voice—fear, anger, lust—but his stomach tied in knots. He crept toward her with apprehension tempering his steps. The innocent girl from earlier had vanished, leaving a vixen in her place.
    “I know what you want, what you desire, and I’m willing to give it you.” He stuck to the shadows, hiding his face from her so she couldn’t read his emotions. The light shimmered off her hair, and her pale skin shown like moonlight. Desire coursed through his body as he lowered onto the edge of the bed. His fingers itched to touch her, to see if her skin felt as silky as the sheets around her, but he balled them into his fists . Even if this is a dream, I will not cross the line.
    She chuckled and crawled next to him, leaving the sheet behind. “Is that what you want?” Her hair draped over his shoulder, burning deep gold. He reached up to brush it out of his face. So soft , he realized with a shock. Softer than he could possibly imagine.
    She traced the lines of his back, working her way to his chest, and he realized with a start that he was a naked as her. Her touch started out light, more like a whisper at first, before massaging his weary muscles. The firm globes of her breasts pressed against him, teasing him, coaxing him to turned around and cup them in his hands. His mouth watered as he imagined how sweet those tiny pink nipples would taste, how she would moan in pleasure as he took her into his mouth.
    He caught her hand and threaded his fingers through it, forcing it to the bed. “Trouble, there’s no need to do this.”
    “You’re lying. I can see that you want me.”
    By Jussip, a woman had never tempted him like this before. If she continued, he might just throw her to the mattress and ease the throbbing in his dick.
    “Relax, and let me show you pleasure like you’ve never known.” Her lips brushed against his ear, and he moaned. The fire in his veins intensified. He tried to pull away, scared he would burn from his desire. Soulbearers had tried his patience in the past, but this made them all look like innocents.
    “You can’t hurt me unless you deny me what we both want. Please, Dev, give yourself to me.”
    The temptation became too much to bear as she nibbled at the corner of his mouth. He seized control of the seduction, completely covering her lips with his own. Her arms snaked along his neck, pulling his head closer to her. He didn’t want this kiss to end. His tongue traced the outline of her lips, and she opened them. Slow and sensual, he explored her mouth, coaxed her to do the