“We will take this as slowly as you need,” he murmured, brushing strands of hair gently away from my face.
But the thing about it was—I didn’t want to take it slowly.
He kissed me again, eyes open, and I let him.
Hell, I participated willingly because how could I not?
The truth was, I caught feelings for this Monster.
And why shouldn’t I?
Sten was intelligent and sharp, and devastatingly sexy, and being around him felt exciting and comforting at the same time.
Dangerous combination.
The more time I spent with him, the more curious I became about him.
Because beneath all the horns and shadows and growling was someone surprisingly careful.
Someone lonely.
Someone who looked at me like I was extraordinary instead of disappointing.
“Ready to head back, Luna?” he asked after pressing a surprisingly tender kiss to my temple.
I nodded even though I absolutely did not want to leave.
Nothing sounded better than staying right there, wrapped in his arms and tail, while he kissed me until sunrise.
I changed out of his shirt—the one I always put on when tidying his room as per our agreement—in the bathroom reluctantly, lifting the fabric briefly to my nose before stepping back out.
It smelled like him now.
Smoke.
Night air.
Sten.
“Oh—I should probably wash this,” I murmured, clearing my throat and pretending I wasn’t just sniffing his clothes.
“No.”
The response came instantly.
Sharp.
Possessive.
He cleared his throat awkwardly.
“I mean, it’s fine. I’ll handle it.”
He practically snatched the shirt from my hands before rehanging it carefully beside the door.
And then—oh my gods.
He was blushing.
