Page 142 of The Hunter's Empire

I glance toward him, unable to hide my exasperated smile. "Aurelia's going to murder me for disappearing from her wedding."

"And Keith?"

I laugh under my breath. "I'd rather survive another plane crash than explain this to my brother."

The smile that tugs at Nico's mouth disappears almost as quickly as it comes. He steps closer, reaching up to gently brush a loose strand of hair behind my ear before his hand falls away again.

"We should go."

Chapter 29

Zora

We slip back into the reception hall after our moment together, but I pause just outside the doors, needing a few seconds to compose myself before facing an entire room full of people.

Taking a slow breath, I smooth down the front of my dress, brushing away wrinkles that refuse to disappear. I push a few loose strands of hair back into place before instinctively touching my lips. They still feel warm... swollen enough that I immediately pull my hand away.Fantastic.

My lipstick is completely gone, my makeup probably looks disastrous, and despite the cool evening air, I can still feel the heat lingering beneath my skin. If anyone pays enough attention, they are going to know something happened.

Beside me, Nico looks infuriatingly untouched.

His suit is immaculate, his hair perfectly in place, and his expression carries the same calm indifference he wears everywhere else. If I didn't know better, I would never guess he had spent the last several minutes buried deep inside me.

I glance at him before letting out an irritated sigh. "You could at least pretend to look guilty."

He turns his head toward me, a hint of amusement settling into his eyes. "Guilty?"

"Yes. You look as though you've done nothing more scandalous than attend a wedding."

"I am attending a wedding."

"You know exactly what I mean."

"I do." His lips twitch ever so slightly. "I simply fail to see why I should look guilty."

I shake my head. "This is unbelievably unfair."

"What is?"

"You look perfectly composed."

"And you don't?" His gaze drifts over me for the briefest moment before returning to my face. "I think you look beautiful."

I roll my eyes, refusing to let that affect me. "I look compromised."

"I disagree."

"My lipstick is gone."

"It is."

"My hair is a mess."

"I rather like it."

"My makeup…"

"I stopped noticing your makeup quite some time ago."