Kiss of the Betrayer (A Bringer and the Bane Novel) by Boone Brux Page A

think.” One arm wrapped around her back and held her tightly against him. “I accept your proposal.”
    Of their own accord, her arms inched around his waist. She watched and waited as he slowly lowered his head. His breath brushed her lips. So close. She stretched up, offering herself to him.
    “But know this,” he whispered. His mouth captured hers in a searing kiss, his rough tongue sweeping inside to stroke hers.
    The bones in her body seemed to melt. Luc had kissed her when she was a young woman, but the memory paled in comparison to the demon’s branding.
    As quickly as he’d launched his sensual attack, he pulled back and stared at her. “If you betray me, I will kill your sister.”
    Her breath came in pants, all words failing her, not because of his threat but because of his effect on her. She nodded and then lifted her chin, asking for another kiss. A knowing and somewhat amused smile crept across his lips, but he gave her what she wanted.
    Again he lowered his mouth to hers, this time more slowly as if savoring and teasing her at the same time. It had been so long since somebody had held and gently kissed her. She pushed the memories from the past away and concentrated on the feel of Icarus.
    His knuckles brushed along the sensitive skin of her neck, shoulder, and across the swell of her breast. The light pressure of his talons scraped across her leather harness, sending sparks of desire through her nipples. He cupped her breast, eliciting a small moan from her. Icarus deepened his kiss. She tugged him more tightly to her. His warmth seemed to drive away the darkness that threatened to swallow her.
    She ran her hands up his lower back to stroke the powerful wings folded against him. The evidence of his desire pushed against his black leather breeches, stiffening against her stomach, his kiss becoming more demanding. Heat coursed through her body and the need to be closer, to rub against him, overwhelmed her. She gripped the thick edges of his wings, wrapped a leg around his thigh and pressed herself to him. He groaned, his hand traveling down to cup her rear end. No space existed between them, but still she wanted more.
    Without warning, Icarus broke their kiss. He stared at her, his breathing labored.
    Her voice sounded weak and desperate. “What is wrong?”
    “You.” He eased her hands from around his waist. “I can’t think clearly when you are…touching me.”
    She didn’t disagree. The intensity between them had been like nothing she’d ever felt, but neither was she sorry for what they had shared. For several glorious moments she had felt human.
    “There is much at stake for both of us.” He stepped around her.
    She followed his movements, somewhat surprised by his apparent lack of control. Perhaps she had more leverage with the demon than she thought.
    Icarus stopped a few yards away, straightened and turned to face her again. “Until this is over and I have what I want, I will not let myself be distracted.”
    Rell raised her eyebrows in question “And afterward?”
    A predatory smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, but he didn’t reply.

C HAPTER E IGHT
    Luc stared across the ink-black water. How much time had passed—an hour, two hours? He glanced toward the door, willing Ravyn to come out.
    “She your woman?”
    He’d been so lost in self-loathing he’d forgotten the whore was still there. She sat on a crate, one arm resting in her lap while the other hand plucked at the frayed end of her dirty skirt.
    “Who?”
    The woman flicked her head toward the cabin door.
    “No. Just an acquaintance.” He turned and leaned his hip against the ship’s railing. “Why?”
    “Don’t know.” She shrugged and continued picking at the hem of her skirt. “You didn’t accept my offer this morning. Wondered if it was because of her. You don’t exactly seem like the faithful type, but in the forest I got the impression she was your woman.”
    “She’s not.” He glanced out across