A tremor of unease moved through me, sending every instinct I had on high-alert. Eryx's nostrils flared as he lowered his lips to my throat, placing a soft kiss against my thundering pulse. His hand moved, skimming his fingers over the curve of my hipbone. Deep, wicked laughter escaped him before he lift- ed his mouth to press it against mine. I turned away, keeping my lips at a distance from his.

"Come on, give me some sugar, Brae. You and I could have ended up to- gether if you'd ...