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“Remembering what happened?”
“Yeah.” She attempted to run the fingers through the mess that was her hair and failed.
“Next time, take it easy on the fairy wine,” Jace muttered, though there was no judgment in it. He took a sip of his whiskey.
“You’re one to talk.” She nodded at his drink, teasing. “You’re practically an alcoholic.”
He snorted, a short laugh. “A functional one.”
She smiled. “Duly noted.”
She stripped the sheets from her body, and rose, coming to stand before him. In the dark, she knew he could see her nudity clearly through the sheer silk. His eyes widened at the sight of her, and she cupped his cheek.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “For taking care of me.”
He leaned into her touch, eyes fluttering like a tamed predator who couldn’t help purring. A contented grumble poured from his chest. “No thanks needed.” He cursed and looked out toward the night skyline. “I don’t deserve you,” he mumbled.
Frankie’s breath caught.
“What did you say?” She knew what he’d said, but she couldn’t comprehend it.
Suddenly, all her struggles, every emotion that’d been passing between them made sense. As if those words had brought her a sudden newfound clarity.
They were mates. Fated lovers.
A part of her had known it from the start.
And what would losing a mate do to him? To her?
She’d known it would hurt to let him go, but she’d told herself she’d get through it—survive—but what about him? What would her letting him go cost him? He’d already given up so much for her. Already come so far in accepting who, and more importantly,whathe was, but how would that change if she abandoned him?
Something in the way he looked at her now told her that despite all the power this hunter who sat before her held…if he lost her, he’d never recover…
He’d go on, yes, but all that kindness she’d seen in him would be lost in an instant.
She couldn’t allow that to happen.
His eyes narrowed, before he took another sip. “I said I don’t deserve you.”
Her throat tightened.
“Taking you captive was the biggest mistake I’ve ever made, but I wouldn’t change it even if I could,” he went on. “I never wanted to have feelings for you.” He met her eyes with a look that was half joy, half agony. “But I do.”
Before Frankie knew what she was doing, she was kneeling before him, having dropped to her knees. She cradled his face in her hands. A fire ignited in her veins, and she pressed closer, positioning herself between his spread legs. “How can you not see that it’s always been the other way around? It’s me who doesn’t deserve you. Not after all I’ve put you through.”
For a moment, the depth of emotion in his eyes froze her despite how her heart raced, until suddenly he was pulling her into his arms. He kissed her so deeply, her world spun, their lips locking in an instant. Like they were born for each other, meant for each other, and this time, Frankie felt it.
Wholly. Fully. Completely.
It was there in every part of him.
His fingers tangled in her hair as his warm tongue moved against hers, the bittersweet taste of whiskey and the taste of his tongue filling her mouth in an intoxicating blend. His hands trailed from her hair down her spine, his palms settling on her lower back, and he slowly pulled her closer. Testing. Asking.
He would love her, if she let him.
She gasped against his lips, nodding her agreement. Palming her ass, he pulled her into his lap, spreading her legs so she was wrapped around him, and pushing his fingers into her quickly. A wave of heat spread between her legs, and she trailed kisses across his cheek as he made sure she was ready, his deft fingers probing. She sucked on his earlobe, her teeth gently grazing the skin. A low growl escaped his throat, and a fresh wave of heat flooded between her thighs as Jace rubbed his palm against her clit.
He kissed her collarbone. “I have to be inside you,” he said. “Please, Frankie. I’m begging.”
