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How did he manage to sneak past my guard and bring down my defenses? I guessed it was those panther instincts of his.
“Stay with me again tonight?” Shadow’s question was less of a request and more of a proposition.
Well, look who’d turned all bold all of a sudden.
Never in a million moon cycles would I have pictured myself lying in a bed with a panther shifter. Let alone one who could turn on me at any moment due to that damn collar if my magic wore off. But the agony in his sorrowful gaze drew me to him. I understood how it felt to be under threat, in constant danger, never knowing when I’d get captured again and lose my life. It came with the territory of having a psychotic stepmother hunting me down.
All kinds of wild images flashed in my mind thanks to the old Snow…Shadow’s fingers tracing along my skin, his kisses hot and sweet, his desire rising to meet mine. Our passions clashing in raw heat. Falling asleep in Shadow’s arms the way I had the previous night. My core tingled with a hunger long buried. It was incredibly hard to resist.
But I wasn’t ready for that yet. Nor was I the kind of girl to jump into bed with just anyone. It had taken my first love three moon cycles to claim my heart, and even then, I’d made him wait another until I would lie with him, just so I would know his intentions were pure.
And mine wasn’t the only heart on the line, either. I had to consider Phantom’s feelings, too. How could I overlook his protectiveness and devotion to me? Or my growing feelings for him. Until I was sure of how I truly felt for both of them, I was safer staying away.
“I think you mistake me for a cheap floozy, sir,” I replied, sinking into the chair, taking a sip from the steaming cup.
“Not cheap.” Shadow smiled, letting out a long sigh and running his hand through his hair. “Distant.”
The single word rattled in my chest. He’d mistaken my reluctance for indifference. I still hadn’t forgotten the time he’d called me a cold-hearted bitch. Every time he was near, those words pounded inside my skull. If only he knew the truth. I squeezed the cup, trying not to break it and spill hot liquid in my lap. More than anything, I wanted to open up to him. But after everything that had happened to me, it would take time for him to build my trust to the point where I would be ready for that level of intimacy.
Perhaps it would be best if I left.
