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I charge Tynan, white-knuckled fists at my sides, ready to kill the bastard. But he disappears, leaving air in his wake.
Bloody hell! When I catch up with the wanker…
Still, the other wizard’s words ring in my head. As much as I hate it, he’s right. Kari isn’t mine. I didn’t Call to her. Unless I do, she can’t Bind to me.
In fact, I woke alone this morning, painfully aware that Kari left without a word. She can spend tonight with another male if she chooses. And every other night. That thought alone unleashes an uncontrollable rage. Entering the Witch’s Brew and seeing her wrapped in Tynan’s arms only made it worse.
I storm over to Kari, take her in my grip, and sniff. Thankfully, Tynan’s scent only drifts over her clothes before dissipating. So she hasn’t shared her body with him. Yet.
“Why did you sneak out of my bed this morning?”
She jerks away and crosses her arms over the sweet breasts I worshipped last night. The mere memory makes me hard, especially since I see my whisker burns abrading her delicate neck. And I still smell myself all over her. Tynan must have noticed.
Then again, he may not care. Tynan’s magical signature—the aura around him—tells me he has not yet Called to a female. Does he find Kari as irresistible as I do? If he mated with her, would she accept?
“You got what you wanted.” She raises her chin. “You shagged me, like you have every other woman. We both know that was it. I saw no reason to linger. I have a life here. Responsibilities.”
“And another magical”—What was the human term?—“boyfriend?”
“Don’t behave as if I matter to you. I know perfectly well that I don’t.”
“What the bloody hell are you talking about?” I poured more of my time, attention, and pleasure onto that woman than any other. I woke up craving her. Until I set eyes on her again, I felt as if I was missing something as vital as an arm or a leg.
Or maybe that was my heart.
My brain instantly conjures visions of O’Shea divesting Kari of her clothes, pressing his lips to the sweet red bow of her mouth, holding her hips as he sinks deep inside her. My murderous rage returns, along with an even stronger urge to claim her.
To Call to her.
Foolishly, this morning I scoured my uncle’s magical reference books and read the ritual words. I’ve only heard them in passing since all other Wolvsey males intentionally forgot them. I did more than read those words; I memorized them. Something compelled me to.
Calling myself every sort of idiot, I cradle Kari’s cheek in my hand, holding firm when she tries to pull away. “I don’t know what gave you the notion I don’t care. Nothing could be further from the truth.”
She presses her lips together and closes her eyes, shutting me out. “Don’t. Raiden told me?—”
“What?” I contemplate beating the hell out of my twin. “What did he tell you?”
“The truth. I’m not special. You take every woman to your room, your bed, then shag them breathless.” She gives a bitter laugh. “The sheets seemed clean, thank goodness. But?—”
“He lied! I have never taken a woman in my bed—until you. I never wanted any of them in my personal space, never wanted to picture them there. You… I had to have you there. I needed you.”
Kari squeezes her eyes shut as tears roll down her face. Damn it, why won’t she believe me?
“Raiden already explained. Please…just?—”
“He told you shit!”
Suddenly, Kari wrenches from me and dashes for the back room. I sprint after her. I can’t let her go, at least until I convince her I’m telling the truth. Then if she still wants me to leave her alone, I’ll respect her wishes, even if it rips my heart to shreds.
Just before she disappears behind the door marked Employees Only, I snag her arm and spin her around. Her nose has gone red and tears track down her face. Still, she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.
My heart lurches at the thought that, in my pursuit to give Kari pleasure, I caused her pain.
“What?” she snaps. “You wanted to shag me. I let you. It’s done.”
“It’s not. You’re more than a shag. Far more.”
She shakes her head. “So you came here tonight for what? To hear that I love you? Will your conquest be incomplete until you rip out my heart completely? Fine. I love you. I’ve loved you for the past six months, at least. Watching you disappear with woman after woman, knowing exactly what you were doing with them… I can’t take it anymore. You and your brother need to set up shop elsewhere. You’re no longer welcome.”
