Free Taunting Destiny by Amelia Hutchins Page A

see the baby blue silk nightgown he'd conjured.
    “ If you complain because I used my magic to stop something you didn't want from happening, I'll have you undressed, and my cock buried balls-deep inside your warmth, so fast it will make your head spin, Synthia.”
    I hid the smile that threatened to tak e a hold of my face and replied. “I wasn’t even thinking it.”
    He laughed huskily. “Liar. Go to sleep, Syn. The only thing protecting you right now is the fact that you are exhausted, and I can feel it through the brand. Make no mistake—if you weren't tired right now, we'd be fucking.  Hard.”
    I swallowed and closed my eyes , pretending to be asleep. Eventually, it worked because I felt my body growing slack, even as Ryder's hand caressed my palm.  For some reason when he touched my palm, I felt it to the very center of my being. It calmed and relaxed me until I drifted off to sleep, wrapped in the safety of his arms.
    When I awoke , I was alone in the bed. It took a few minutes to remember where I was, and when it came back to me, I was up and out of the bed as if it was on fire. Husky laughter made me turn back around.
    “ Running from my bed won't save you, Syn. I put clothes in the bathroom that Ristan retrieved from the house. Get dressed, we have a meeting to attend.”
    I rubbed my eyes and tried to focus. “Meeting?”
    “ We are meeting with the Guild about what happened last night. All week long we have been dealing with crime scenes where High Fae have been tortured to death. You remember what iron poisoning feels like—those Fae died in the most horrific way an immortal can die,” he amended angrily, slipping from the shadows where he'd been leaning against the wall, watching me sleep. “Everyone is convening to share information. You wanted to know what is going on, Syn. Here is your chance.”
    “ Mages?” I asked, but it came out silently, barely above a whisper. I flinched as he moved closer. It was reflex from years of hating the Fae.
    “ Could be, or a group of human zealots. There are a lot of possibilities—none of them are good.” He walked slowly to where I stood and pulled me against him. “You need to get over this fear you have, Syn. Transition is going to happen whether you want it to or not. I won't share you,” he growled, lowering his face inches away from mine.
    “ Until the contract is up. After that I'm a free agent, Ryder,” I replied, and backed up a step.
    He smiled , and licked his teeth. “What makes you think you will want anyone else after I bring you over to my world, Pet?”
    I smiled and shook my head sadly. “Because you want to own me and, believe it or not, some women just don’t want to be owned. I'm not sure when you were born, Ryder, but women these days like to be treated with respect. Wined and dined, not owned.”
    “ What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” he snapped.
    “ Caveman much?” I snorted, and ended up laughing at his confused expression.
    “ Are you laughing at me?” He was annoyed, but his lips were twitching as if he was barely managing to keep his own laughter in.
    “ You should try dating. Get out more often, Ryder,” I smirked and, before I knew what I had done, I'd stepped dangerously close to him.
    “ You should go shower, Syn, before I decide my hunger is more important right now,” he said quietly as his eyes roved down the silky ensemble he'd conjured. I tried to step back away from him, but he was faster, his hands pulled me close, and his mouth was on mine immediately.
    He pulled away , smiling. “This caveman just made your panties wet with a kiss, and you’re the only item on the menu that I want to dine on.”
    A delic ious shiver crept down my spine. “I'm not food.”
    “ You’re right, Syn. You are so much more…and I wouldn’t want word getting out that I like to play with my food.”
    I pulled away. “It's not funny, and I'm not a fucking Fairy happy meal, Ryder!”
    “ A fucking Fairy happy