But our worlds were too different, weren’t they? We could date, sure, and even fuck…butMate?
Dakvaar’s hand tightened on my shoulder, then released me. “Good luck, Kardok.”
I heard the locker room door close behind him, and stood there in the silence, my chest aching.
Good luck.
I’d need it. Because with this terrible hope in my chest, even fearing he was right and Lila might be mine…it was all I could do to keep from chasing her down, pinning her against the wall, and claiming her again.
Mine.
She wasminein a way I’d never experienced before, some wicked way that was thanks to my cock, yeah, but also my heart and mind.
I wasn’t sure about the wholeMatething, but I did know this: Lila’s pleasure and happiness had, at some point in the last few weeks, become my life’s goal. And I would do everything I could to achieve them.
My eyes flashed open, and I met my reflection’s fierce gaze. Pleasure and happiness. Whether that meant in the bedroom, or on the ice ensuring this exhibition skate went off smoothly.
Mate or not, I would make that happen.
Chapter Ten
Lila
I toldmyself I was a mature adult, and I could handle this. Yes, what had happened this weekend wasessentiallya wild tryst with a coworker, but I could keep that separate from what needed to happen at this afternoon’s rehearsal.
Granted, I couldn’t look at Kardok without remembering the sight of him planted between my legs, licking me with an erotic gusto I’d never before imagined… But I could get through this. Yes, I might look like a tomato, but I could be professional about this.
I would be proper and composed and refined, my mind insisted.
Unfortunately, my body didn’t get the memo.
Because as soon as Kardok stepped out onto the ice—no, before that! Somehow, I’dknownwhen he was approaching,and had already turned to the door to watch him enter the smaller practice rink. But as soon as that happened, my core flooded with liquid desire.
Pussy.
That’s what Kardok had told me to call it and told me I was just as wicked as he was.
Oh dear, it was warm in this ice rink, wasn’t it?
Thank goodness Joshua had taken over more of the coaching responsibilities, and I could stand beside him and nod along like I was fascinated by what he was saying.
Like I was even listening to what he was saying, instead of being hyperaware of the male at my side.
It took me until after warm-ups to realize that as awkward as I was feeling around Kardok…he seemed even stranger. He’d spoken little to me, and none of it was that flirtatious banter from this weekend or even this morning. Instead, he seemed…
Intent.
Now, for instance, he was staring at me, one hand over his chest. Was he even listening to Joshua’s vision for the routine? I realized his claws had extended, and he was almostdiggingthem into his shirt, as if he could scratch his heart.
Oh dear.
“Okay.” Joshua clapped his hands together with the enthusiasm of a man who had been waiting to say this for weeks. “Lila and I have been working on the story wewant this performance to tell. So here’s what we’re going to do.”
He gestured broadly at the ice, as if conducting an orchestra only he could hear.
“The performance tells a story. No words—you’re not going to speak, you’re not going to act. You’re going toskatethe story, and the audience is going to feel it even if they can’t explain why.” He pointed at me. “Lila, you start alone. Center ice, full solo—two minutes of pure figure skating. Every elegant thing you know how to do. You’re not warming up, you’re not waiting for a partner. You’recomplete.”
I nodded, which required me to look at Joshua rather than at Kardok, which was a significant act of discipline.
