Page 223 of The Edge of Darkness

I could offer to chop wood for her so that we could get a fire going, but everything was too wet, so instead, I held out an arm for her to sit next to me.

She stared at it, warily.

“What?” I lowered my cup and hiked up a brow. “I think you and I are way past minding boundaries.”

“Yes. About that.” She straightened her shoulders. “I can’t participate in . . . whatever that was last night.”

“You mean sex? With me?”

“Yes. Sex. Do not expect it to happen again.”

No. No! She was not about to pull this card on me. I’m the one who usually says that line. Me. Not her.

A wave of frustration overcame me. I suddenly felt . . . inadequate. Was this what females experienced whenever I said the same thing to them?

I didn’t believe her. There was too much hesitation in her eyes. Too much effort in trying not to look at me. But that could have been because I was still completely naked, and there was nothing subtle about what was resting between my legs.

“Did it mean something to you?” I asked, not quite able to keep the sly tone from seeping in as I spoke.

Her eyes flared, and a flush stained her cheeks. “No⁠—”

“Don’t lie, Nivelle.”

“I’m not⁠—”

“Yes, you are.”

“How would you know!?”

I grabbed her wrist and tugged her forward, bringing her between my thighs, into my arms. “Because it meant something to me.” My gaze dropped to her mouth. “I haven’t known you for very long, but I do know that you’re more like me than anyone I’ve ever met, and that’s how I know you felt something. You just don’t want to admit it to me, or to yourself.”

Her body tightened in my grip, her mouth parting as if she wanted to agree. But still, she fought it.

All night, I’d sat against the headboard, going over everything in my mind, wondering how I’d gotten here and what sort of weakness I’d opened myself up to. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that something else was at work here. I had never experienced the thrumming in my chest before Nivelle came into the picture. And from all the stories about mates, and seeing it firsthand between Niall and Auren, I had a feeling that’s what this was.

Did that make me weak? I thought it did, at first. But if Nivelle was indeed my mate, then the gods and the fates had sought to give me an equal, someone who matched me in spirit, stubbornness, and fearlessness. And what was that, if not a strength and a blessing?

There was no denying her or what she was to me. Just thinking about it seemed to solidify it in my heart.

Her lips were a breath away from mine, and I leaned in, keeping them in my line of sight as I said, “You want me, just like I want you.”

Slowly, she tipped her hips forward, pressing them into mine, but she kept her face where it was, still hesitating.

Stubborn little thing. She didn’t deny my statement, though.

“You’re mine,” I said, pulling her in tight.

My cock swelled, the shaft thickening as Nivelle let out a small, breathy sound.

Her eyes lowered to what was now pitched high between us, then she dragged her gaze back up to meet mine. “Is this some sort of punishment?”

I tilted my head, confused.

“When we first met, you threatened to be my worst nightmare if I didn’t respect your High Lord and his mate.” Her voice lowered into a tempting tone. “Is this you making good on your promise?”

I grinned, finally beginning to understand how she worked. She liked thinking of this as a game. And I was more than happy to indulge her.

“Yes.” I gripped the back of her neck. “This is your penance.”