JASMINE POV
"No." I croaked, but even to my own ears, it sounded unconvincing.
His hand slid down to my waist, his grip firm and possessive. "Then why are you leaning into me? Why haven't you pushed me away?"
I hated him for being right. Hated myself more for the heat pooling low in my stomach, for the way my heart raced, for the way my cheeks burned, and for the way I anticipated something so forbidden.
He dipped his head lower, his lips grazing the corner of my mouth ever so slowly that a whimper left my mouth. But he stopped, pulling back just enough to meet my eyes, his smirk turning into a full, dark grin.
"Self-denial doesn't suit you, Mine," he said, his voice sounding like a velvet taunt.
"This is wrong, Alaric... Please, stop it." I whispered as a stray tear slid down my cheek.
