Then his gaze settled on her and a sexy smilecurved his lips. Butterflies erupted in her stomach as that smilewarmed her to her soul. Yes, she was an idiot who had allowedherself to get too close to a dark fae, and she was going to misshim when he left.
“Cole!” Brokk greeted loudly. “We were justtalking about you.”
Lexi tried to suppress the blush creeping upher neck and into her cheeks, but she failed. She’d been hopingCole hadn’t heard their conversation, but Brokk was happy to informhim that he was their topic.
A steel edge settled into Cole’s eyes whenthey flicked to his brother. “I heard.”
Lexi rose from the chair. “I should go. Areyou sure you don’t need anything?” she asked Brokk.
“No, thank you.”
She strode around the bed and toward thedoorway, but Cole didn’t move out of her way. Her step slowed asshe approached him. Memories of what passed between them in thelibrary flooded her, and her mouth went dry.
If he didn’t move, she’d either be stuck inthis room with them or forced to squeeze past him. And if Lexitouched him again, she might kiss him, and if she did, she didn’tknow if she would stop.
“You don’t have to rush off on my account,”Cole said as his gaze raked over her.
Her step faltered. “I’m not.”
Though she was.
After the library events, and then withMalakai, she wasn’t entirely sure what to do about him. Shecouldn’t deny she was coming to like and even care for him, but ifshe allowed herself to get closer to him, it would only lead toheartache, and her heart had been battered enough this year.
And since they were leaving soon, she had toput some distance between them.
•••
Cole reluctantly stepped out of her way so she couldpass. She glanced at him, but her gaze fell to the floor as sheslipped by him. The blush warming her cheeks was endearing andadorable.
It took all he had not to clasp her wrist andhalt her, but he didn’t move as she left the room. Stepping back,he watched the sway of her hips as she strolled down the hall anddescended the steps.
When she was gone, he turned his attentionback to his brother, who grinned at him. When Cole scowled at him,the smile slid from Brokk’s face.
“I’m warning you, Brokk, don’t fuck withher.”
Brokk pushed himself up higher on the bed.“Unlike you, brother, I have no intention of doing so.”
“I’m not fucking with her,” Cole said.
“Maybe not, but it’s obvious you desire her.And not only is she an innocent, but she’s a good person, and Ilike her. Del was also our friend, and I don’t want to see hisdaughter hurt.”
“That’s not going to happen.”
“You’re part dark fae, Cole. It’s what thefae do.”
“You’re as much dark fae as I am.”
“I didn’t say I wasn’t, but I’m also nottrying to screw our host. So, in that sense, I’m less dark fae thanyou while we’re here.”
“I’m not trying toscrewher,” Colesaid.
“Yes, you are. You can deny it, but we bothknow the truth. It’s what the dark fae do. But this time, beforeyou act, take a look at what you’re leaving in your wake.”
“You nearly died, but I’ll still beat theshit out of you.”
Brokk laughed as he lifted his book. “Youcould try, but we both know you love me too much to mar theperfection that is me.”
Normally, Brokk’s arrogance made Cole smile,but as his gaze returned to where he last saw Lexi, he didn’t feelmuch like smiling. What did he want from her?
