The Demon King of Lust

Chapter 21

Zahra was already asleep by the time I got home—which is good, because it means I didn't have to hear her I-told-you-so speech tonight. But after staring at my ceiling for almost two hours, I'm wondering if I should wake her up for some advice.

Who else can I talk to about being anxious to fall asleep because I'm feeling awkward about having to confront the "dream-walking" guy that I just had sex with? It's not like I can google it.

I know because I've already tried.

I've never felt so many butterflies over seeing a guy after sleeping with him, but I've also never had to see them in my dreams before. But it's not just that and I know it—I really like him, and that has me nervous. I really liked Vic too, and I already know how that turned out. It's not that I don't trust him, but I don't trust myself anymore.

The lighting seems to shift slightly; it's warmer and just bright enough to see, which I've come to recognize as a sign that I've entered the dream world. As I sit up, I hear Kieran's voice from the corner.

"Hey babygirl." His tone is rough and low and sends tingles down my spine.

I roll over to face him, sit up, and pull back the covers. His eyes go wide as he scans my body, and I remember that I wore my blue silk romper to bed. I've been dressing my best since he started showing up in my dreams, but tonight I wanted to go a little sexier. It's kind of like having him sleep over after sex, but he's not technically here and we're not technically sleeping.

"Hi," I say with a bashful smile.

He walks toward me with long, determined steps, before stopping right in front of me and pinching his eyes shut. He hisses and shakes his head.

"Do you know how many times I told myself I wasn't gonna show up here and immediately try to fuck you again?" He opens his eyes again and they lock on mine as he licks his lips. "I'm trying to be the good guy and show you I'm not just into you for your body and you go ahead and wear this little number like you're trying to fucking torture me. This is just not fair."

I can't help but smile and he smiles back, biting his bottom lip as he shakes his head like he's almost scolding me.

"Oh I'm sorry," I tease. "I didn't realize it was supposed to be fair."

He leaps on top of me, his arms on either side of my waist as he lowers himself in to kiss me. I expect his lips to touch mine, but he stops just before they do and sweeps his tongue across my bottom lip. I lace my fingers in his hair and pull him in to close the distance. The kiss is dizzying and frantic; like we're starved for each other. My legs wrap around his hips and he scoops me up by my waist, tugging me flush against him. His head dives into my neck and he kisses, licks, and sucks every inch of my skin. I feel his breath against my skin as he brings his lips to my ear.

"Seriously, Red. I think I'm addicted," he whispers, pulling back to look me in the eyes. "You need to have one of those Surgeon General's warnings or something."

His eyes sweep down to my chest, which is barely covered by the fabric.

"Dammit," he curses. In a flash, he's against the wall on the far side of the room, staring up at the ceiling and making a pained expression.

"Where you going?" I sit up and turn toward him.

"I'm not here to have sex with you again, Sam. I'm trying to make a point, damn it. I'm not going to let your gorgeous, delicious curves work their fucking black magic on me."

I laugh and sit upright.

"You're trying to be a gentleman?" I can't help but giggle a little at the idea.