Page 39 of Knight’s Seduction

She walked out onto the balcony and looked up, searching the night sky. It was clear, stars twinkling like millions of diamonds reflecting off the moon.

Then she saw it, massive wings outlined by those blinking stars, moving slow and steady toward her. He’d come. He’d remembered. There was no containing her smile.

Then Rocco got closer, and her heart shattered, her smile slipping as he landed beside her. Her friend, her brother, was barely recognizable. He was still tall, imposing, but he was raw muscle and corded sinew over bone. His dark hair hung overgrown and limp around his gaunt face, his eyes black and lifeless.

“Roc,” she whispered.

He walked over and scooped her up into his arms. “You didn’t think I’d forget, did you?”

She wrapped her arms around his neck, buried her face there, fighting tears, and shook her head. “Of course not.” Then she lifted her head and looked into those black-as-night eyes. “I’ve missed you.”

His arms flexed around her and he lifted off, shooting up into the night sky. Usually they’d chat and he’d tease her about her hot date. She’d spend most of the flight laughing. They didn’t talk tonight, she didn’t expect him to. Instead, she kept her arms around him as tightly as she could, letting him know how much she cared, how glad she was that he was here.

Finally, they landed in the shadows, and Rocco pulled on the shirt he had tucked into the back of his jeans. He held out his hand and she took it, letting him lead her to the diner, like he always had, protecting her, being the amazing male he was.

They stopped outside the door, and he looked down at her. “Have a good night, yeah?”

She nodded, throat tight. “Thanks, Roc.”

He leaned in and pressed a kiss to the top of her head, then he turned and walked away, dissolving into the crowded street.

Meredith turned away, getting her emotions together the best as she could, and pushed the door open.

She stepped inside. The place was fairly busy, but she knew where Kryos was without looking. His booth, their booth. She didn’t glance up at him, not yet, even though she could feel his eyes on her.

No, she slid her jacket off, took a steadying breath, and then finally lifted her gaze.

Her entire body froze, the rush of pleasure, of longing, of love, so strong it almost knocked her off her feet.

It never waned or dimmed, this feeling. Never.

He sat facing her, like he always did, so he’d see her the moment she walked in. Her mate was motionless as well. His big body impossibly still, eyes flashing between brown and black, his demon, her demon, just as happy to see her. She loved that part of him as well, all of him.

Meredith moved then, the pull to get to him too much to resist a moment longer.

His dark gaze ate her up, and he was on his feet before she reached him. He pulled her into his arms as soon as she was near, hauling her off her feet and holding her to him, kissing her like he hadn’t seen her in years.

She clung to him, kissing him back just as fiercely.

Trailing his lips to her ear, he rasped, “Happy anniversary, sweets.”

She smiled up at him. “Happy anniversary.”

“I missed you,” he said, nuzzling into her neck.

“Missed you too.”

He lowered her to her feet and led her to his side of the booth, waiting for her to sit, then sliding in beside her—always the protector. His gaze stayed on her, like it often was, focused, warm, intense.

He brushed his thumb over her cheek and tucked her hair behind her ear. “You look so incredibly beautiful. Not sure how long I’m going to be able to sit here with you looking like that, sweets.”

She grinned. “I thought you might like it.” She ran her hands over the skirt of her dress. “Not too short?”

He made a growling sound. “Yes, too short. How am I supposed to sit here and eat when all I can think about is tugging that dress up over your hips and dropping to my knees.”

“That is a problem. But I have faith in you.”

“Don’t, not in this.”