Even though I knew Petra was a demon and even Blaze thought she could take care of herself, I was still worried about her. It was on the tip of my tongue to call Blaze, but I tried to my best to wait.
I stood in my living room, glancing out of the window every now and then, looking for any signs of Petra or someone watching me. Each minute that ticked by made me worry that much more.
What was she doing?
Where was she?
Luna and Shadow started barking just seconds before Petra popped up out of thin air. I opened my mouth to question her, but Blaze appeared right beside her. The two looked at each other and I wondered if she had called him.
âWhatâs going on?â I asked, looking at the two of them. Petra looked over at me, then back at Blaze. When neither of them answered me, I crossed my arms. âWhat? Who was it? Am I in danger? Has someone found us?â
âWe donât know,â Petra finally said. âBye, the time I dropped you off, they were gone.â
âButâ¦â
âIt could have been nothing,â Blaze said.
âButâ¦â
âIt could have been somebody contemplating stealing your wallet,â Petra said. âBlaze and I both searched and came up empty-handed. Iâm sorry I worried you.â
Before I could even open my mouth to speak again, Petra disappeared. My mouth dropped. âWhere is she going?â
âHome, I daresay. She did have to stay here last night.â
I narrowed my eyes at Blaze. âYou really didnât find anything?â
He shook his head, ânothing that Iâm worried about.â
âIve never had enemies before,â I mumbled.
âNot until you started fucking with demons,â Blaze said chuckling, making me roll my eyes.
âYouâre in a good mood,â I said.
He shrugged. âMy visit with the council went better than expected.â
âCan they help you?â I asked.
He shook his head. âNot with Kyler. But they have agreed to back me when I challenge Gregar for the throne.â
âOh,â I said, not really having any idea what he was talking about. All I really heard was Iâd be leaving you soon. âThatâs good.â
âThey arenât stupid,â he said, snorting. âThey donât want certain others to get involved.â Once again, I was left in the dark, but I just let it go.
Things were awkward between us. It wasnât him. It was all me. I didnât know what to say. Or what to do. It was almost pointless to build a relationship with him.
Blaze tilted his head, looking at me. âPetra told meâ¦â
âWhat? She promised she wouldnât?â
Blaze frowned. âI have no idea what you are talking about. She told me that you stayed up last night waiting for me to get back. What the fuck are you trying to hide from me?â
My eyes grew big. My guilty conscious showing through. âUmm that. I didnât want her to tell you that.â
Looking unconvinced, Blaze crossed his arms. âI suggest you tell me before I get my sister to.â
Sighing, I shook my head, knowing that it was pointless to lie to him and even if I did, he would go and question his sister. âI asked her about being bonded.â
Blaze arched a brow. âAnd she told you?â
I looked down. âYes.â
âFucking idiot,â he said.
âWould it really be so bad to be bonded to me?â I asked, a little offended.
âFor me no. For you yes.â
âItâs whatever,â I said, pushing past him to leave the living room. I wasnât ever sure why I was mad. It couldnât be because I was mad a demon wouldnât want to be bonded to me. I wasnât that stupid.
âWeâve had this talk, Riley.â Blaze said, following after me.
âIâm human, blah blah blah,â I said, walking into my room fully prepared to shut it in his gorgeous face. His hand reached out, grabbing it instead.
âDo you hear yourself?â Blaze said, looking down at me.
I opened my mouth, but then shut it. I sounded desperate. Looking down, I kept my eyes glued to the floor as Blaze walked up to me.
Grabbing my chin, he pulled it up, so that I was forced to look at him. âYou want to be bonded to me so bad. If you feel this way now, how do you think it will feel when I leave you?â
I jerked my head free from his grip. Iâd already had my heard ripped to shreds once, and it pissed me off I was letting it happen again. âI donât want to be bonded to you,â I spat out at him. âYou are a demon. I wish Iâd never gotten this stupid tattoo.â
Blaze looked a little amused by my ranting. âIs that so? Then send me back Riley. You have the power.â He looked down at me, âsend me back little witch. I dare you.â
âI will,â I said, crossing my arms and backing up from him.
âDo it,â Blaze said, opening his arms. âIâm waiting.â
âIâ¦â I paused as Blaze took a step toward me, closing our gap. Our eyes were locked in a battle of wills that I was failing in. It was like he knew the rules to the game that I didnât.
âYou what?â he taunted.
âI..â
It was pointless. Both he and I knew that I wouldnât be able to send him back. I couldnât do it. I wouldnât do it.
âSay it,â he said, leaning down and placing his lips beside my ear. âYou know the words,â he whispered. âSay it.â
Leaning back, I looked at him. âYou know I wonât.â
Blazeâs lips twisted into a smirk. âSee? Why bond you when Iâve already got you exactly where I want you?â
My hand reached out and slapped him in the face so fast, I grabbed my wrist, wondering why he brought out the violent side of me. Iâd never hit anyone, yet I couldnât keep my hands off of him.
Standing up straight, Blaze bit his bottom lip, laughing. Balling my fist together, I had never wanted to send him back more in my life. Was this all a joke to him?
I shook my head, feeling my emotions spiral out of control. Maybe he saw it in my eyes. Or maybe it was just who it was. When he leaned down, he grabbed me by the throat, tilting my head back with his other hand.
Blazeâs eyes were pitch black. The demon was back in charge. âLast chance Riley,â he growled.
Instead of banishing him, I leaned forward as much as I could in his grasp and kissed him. His hands relaxed slightly as his lips moved with mine.
Toxic. He was toxic. The exact opposite of what I needed, yet I craved him. My body craved him. It was like the more red flags he threw at me, the more I wanted him.
The hand that was tilting my head back was now running down my long hair. The hand on my throat was still there, but was more of a dominant show now than anything else. My hands rested on his chest as I bravely deepened our kiss.
It was stupid. I knew it was stupid. We had just been yelling at each other and Iâm pretty sure he had insulted me. This was justâ¦this was just sex. I wanted him. He wanted me. It meant nothing more.
Blaze broke our kiss, looking down at me. âWhy every time I kiss you, do you get all in your head?â
I realized then that I had been frowning again. âMaybe Iâm trying to figure out why you are kissing me.â
He snorted, âyou kissed me first.â
I rolled my eyes. âThat was a really low thing to say to me, Blaze.â
âWhat that you kissed me first?â he asked.
I tilted my head, frowning at him. âBlazeâ¦â
His hand released my throat, running to the back of my neck, âsome things sound better than they are Riley. Yes, I would be able to track you and come to you any time I wanted, but that also means that even if you sent me away, I could ignore you. That no matter where you went, you wouldnât be safe from me. I would be in your head, your dreams, your very being.â
âYou already are,â I whispered, looking down hating myself for not being braver.
Taking a long breath, Blaze pulled me closer to him, circling his arms around my waist. âDo you really want to have this same fight again? Iâve given you my reasons twice now. Why is it so important to you?â
âI donât know,â I answered honestly.
He looked down. âI think you need to feel wanted. Needed.â He leaned down, running his mouth over my jaw. âI do want you, and I do need you. Is that not enough for you, little witch?â
Swallowing at his words, I closed my eyes, feeling his kisses move down my throat. âNo.â Blazeâs lips stilled on my skin, and I felt like I needed to explain. âI have this fear that you wonât get to me in time. That something will happen and no-one will be able to find me. I will be alone. Iâm always alone.â
Lifting his head, Blaze looked down at me. âHave you been dreaming?â
When I shook my head no, he smoothed my hair out of my face. âIf I felt like you were in danger, or that Kyler was on to you, Iâd bond with you. Iâm not going to do it just to be an asshole and own you. I donât want to own you.â He leaned down kissing my lips, âif you want to be mine, then be mine willingly. Not because a blood bond wonât let you refuse me.â
âI thoughtâ¦â
Blaze shook his head, âI found you once without bonding with you. I will find you again. There are other types of bonds, you know.â
âButâ¦â
He looked down at me, licking his bottom lip slightly. âDo you really want to spend tonight fighting? Cause I can think of at least ten other things Iâd rather be doing to you right now.â
âIs that always your answer?â I asked.
He smiled, âsex?â When I nodded he laughed, âif it works. Does it work?â
âIt only confuses me more.â I admitted. âIs it because of the mark? Or do you think itâs what I want to not send you back?â
Blaze shrugged, âthe mark only makes me listen your commands. Trust me, I never wanted to fuck any of the Wumberts.â
When I frowned at him, he laughed, pulling me up against him. âDemon or not, Riley, Iâm only a man. I have wants and needs. I was locked up for longer than you could even fathom. You donât keep me restrained, you let me come and go as I please. Iâve told you once before, I could fuck anyone I wanted, yet Iâm here with you. Donât you think that means I want to fuck you, and only you?â