But my heart refused. It clung to two fragile souls, burning within my heart.
This might be my only chance.
Somewhere in this mess—between Lykos, my promise, and my fear—was a piece of me that I wasn’t ready to lose again. In fact, I was almost terror-struck at the horrible feeling of solitude that haunted me if I were to turn away this chance.
Then a sharp knock split the air, like a call for a final judgement, and I stilled. Did I imagine it? But then it sounded again.
“Coming,” I called out as I made my way to the door.
When I opened it, Lykos stood on the other side, his attention like a brand.
“Hello,” he purred, and I did a double take at the teasing expression on his face. His mood swings rivaled those of teenagers.
“Hello,” I said slowly, trying to gauge him. His housekeeper brought me meals throughout the day for some reason, and checked up on me while I furiously searched medical journals for any similar cases to Amara. There were none.
Lykos took a deep breath and let it out. “We’re having dinner in thirty minutes… if you’d like to join us.”
“Do I have a choice?” I retorted dryly. “Because so far you haven’t given me any.”
He stepped forward, stopping dangerously close to me. His familiar scent occupied the space between us and I fought the urge to close my eyes, inhale his scent deep into my lungs, and let myself reminisce.
Thankfully I didn’t, because I was stronger than that.
“You always have a choice with me,” he said, all velvety smoothness. “It’s a risk that might… pay off greatly.”
Was he flirting with me?
My defenses lowered and I tilted my head.
“Be specific,” I finally said, playing along even though it was probably the dumbest thing I could do.
Lykos made a strangled noise, bringing his hand up to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. I should push him away, take a step back. Instead, I held my breath and relished his closeness.
“Can I talk freely?” he asked, and I nodded. “You and me… we have unfinished history, and it’s time we brought it to a close.”
The double meaning was there, and we both knew it. The problem was whether I was deciphering it the way he meant it.
“And how are we going to do that?” I said lightly, although my pulse was thudding in my ears—and unfortunately between my thighs.
Lykos’s voice dropped, making heat curl low in my belly.
“I’m going to show you exactly what I’ve been thinking about for the past ten years.” Again, that could be taken in so manydifferent ways. But then he clarified. “I’ll have you shattered into a million tiny pieces.”
My fingers curled into fists while the flush crept up my neck as I recalled our passionate night together. The slide of his lips on my neck, his fingers inside of me. His cock inside of me.
“I can’t decide if that’s a promise or a warning,” I rasped, my voice wobbling.
“Oh, golden one,” Lykos murmured, “I don’t do warnings.”
God, his nickname for me after so many years still made me melt.
His intoxicating scent, sandalwood and expensive cologne, invaded my lungs and had every fiber of my being throbbing with an aching need.
Push him away, my mind whispered, but my hands refused to obey.
Instead, I leaned into his hard body until we were flush, letting his heat consume me. Years of loneliness and arousal were at war within me.
His gaze burned through me for too many seconds, almost as if he were waiting for me to push him away. When I didn’t, he lowered his head. The moment his lips brushed against mine, all reason scattered.
