Primal Pursuit

“Of course I am.”

“I’m going to kill you.”

I pull out of her and grab my clothes, slipping on my pants. Her clothes are ruined, something I’m making a habit of, and a habit I don’t regret.

“So, you want more, or you want me to die? Which is it?” I wait.

Rabbit half tries to straighten but collapses back against the wall, and I unbind her hands but leave the leash on as I tug her close. Her eyes are unfocused, huge. She needs aftercare, I know that. What we did was intense,murdering little creature or not. But I want more information first.

“Well? More fuckery, or more murder?”

A slight frown appears, and her dark brows take on a ferocious stance that’s at odds with the softness of her face, and the shimmer of unshed tears in her eyes.

Something tugs sharply deep inside my chest, something that makes me cup her face, brushing my thumb along her plump bottom lip as I study her exquisite features. She’s even more beautiful when she’s utterly fucked and exhausted.

Her eyes search mine as if she recognizes something, as if she knows exactly what it is tugging at my insides.

“Stop,” she whispers.

“Stop what?”

“You can’t reach me, Davian. I’m unreachable.”

I let go of her and grab my sweater, wrapping it around her. She half tries to shrug it off. But I tug on the leash, and she drops her hands. “Why did you come to Myth? Me?”

“Don’t flatter yourself.” She doesn’t look at me and swallows. “Toby. I’m after him. You’re just…here.”

I almost laugh. Tobias would be very fucking displeased to be called Toby. But she’s trying to backtrack, get to the chase once more, poking at me to come after her—which I plan on doing anyway.

I regard her for a moment, knowing full well she’s lying. But I decide to let it go…for now.

I carefully undo the leash and pick her up.

“What are you doing?” she asks, reluctant to put her arms around my shoulders.

“It’s more fun when one’s opponent is at the top of their game.” I carry her up the stairs and then to the second floor where it’s set up as an apartment that’s rarely used. I sit her on the sofa and pull the throw over her.

“You haven’t asked my name.”

She’s still sluggish, thick-voiced, and I go into the bathroom that’s just off the open plan loft apartment and turn on the shower.

“I know your name, Poppy. Rabbit’s more fun.” I go to pull the throw from her and take her to the bathroom. “Come on. Let’s get you cleaned up.”

She snaps like a rubber band and utters one word.

“Savage.”

I stare at her. “Are you serious?”

“Dead.”

“You need aftercare, Poppy. That was pretty fucking intense what we just did.”

She stands, her eyes poisoned arrows aimed at my forehead.

I cock a brow. “You don’t like me using your name even though you accused me of not knowing it.”

“I’m not your fucking pet to take care of.”