Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 115860 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115860 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
I wish otherwise, but I respect her loyalty. “I know.”
“If you want me to meet these people, why come here alone?”
To see her. Talk to her. Touch her one last time.
Her lips part expectantly, and I tense, step closer. It would be so easy… Lean in, close my eyes, press my mouth to hers, let magic and fate take over. I would have someone who would be mine literally until death—or Mathias—parts us.
What if she doesn’t want that? Committing to me wouldn’t be for a typical fifty years, but a millennium. Every moment of it dangerous.
“I can’t stay away from you. You’re an amazing woman.”
She swallows. The moment pulses between us, thick, tense. I lean closer, drawn by her sweet jasmine scent, by those chocolate eyes that are melting me by the second.
No, no, no! My internal temperature kicks up—right along with my amped-up sex drive. I’ve barely touched her, and I’m unbearably aroused. I cup her cheek with a shaking hand and trail my thumb over her lips. Her mouth looks like heaven.
“This isn’t a good idea,” she breathes raggedly.
She feels this ungodly pull between us, too.
That knowledge sears me.
I caress my way from her shoulder to her nape. “If you don’t want me, stop me.”
Chapter
Twenty-Nine
Sydney’s breathing picks up speed. “Why do you want me?”
“I think of you. Constantly. For once in my life, I’m not in control. I shouldn’t do this. I know that. Yet I can’t stop.”
That’s the complete truth.
“I think of you, too.”
My heart twists. “I never meant to hurt you. I wanted to help my brother, but then I got caught up in you. I’m sorry I wasn’t always honest. But I can’t tell you I don’t want you. That would be the biggest lie of all.”
Sydney presses her lips together. Her expression says she’s staving off tears. “I’ve never had serious feelings for any man. In the blink of an eye, you’ve changed everything. Letting you leave here Tuesday morning was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done, but I refused to fight for something you didn’t want. Now you’re back. What’s changed?”
Even in matters of the heart, she whittles away the crap and asks the tough questions.
How the bloody hell do I answer?
I’ve had more dreams of Sydney. My magical instincts and admiration keep growing stronger, as does the fucking ache in my chest for her. “What I feel is too strong to ignore. I tried, but I’m helpless.”
I edge closer until she fits under my arm, and I lose myself in her heat and her scent. My energy, which has flagged all day, shoots up. Unfortunately, so does my need.
“I can’t fight it, either.” Her breath hitches on a sob.
“You’re smart, sexy, ambitious, tough, compassionate…and brutally honest. I adore you for it.” I’m an instant from losing all self-control and pressing my lips to the red paradise of hers. “But I don’t want to hurt you.”
“You will, if you spend the night and leave again come morning.”
“I’m not sure I can. My connection to you is stronger than my will.”
God, if I’m going to confess that, why not just kiss her? Issue the Call that’s instinctually bred down into every wizard’s bones and be done? I’ve never known or paid attention to the words of the Call until meeting Sydney. Now, they slide through my head with frightening regularity.
Because it could well mean her death.
“You truly want me?” Her voice trembles.
“I don’t think I could leave, even if you tossed me out.”
“Kiss me.”
Yes. God, yes. This is happening. It’s going to be transformative. Life changing.
Perfect.
I’m not thinking consequences as I lean closer—a breath away from the swollen temptation of her lips.
My mobile phone rings. Cursing, I tear free from Sydney and glance at the screen. Duke.
Damn it all.
“Don’t answer that,” Sydney begs.
Desire darkens her eyes. My body tightens, and my cock jerks in response. Fuck, she deserves better than me. But if I go through with Bram’s scheme, she’ll likely never speak to me again. And the knowledge is killing me.
Tonight is all we have.
At least she’ll be safe…
Yes, and likely miserable, too.
“You’re certain?” I caress her face.
She gives me a shaky nod. “I may regret this tomorrow, but you’re right. I’m honest, and I want you.”
With a press of my thumb, I silence the phone, then set it on the table.
Bloody hell, I want to kiss Sydney. So damn badly. Those parted rosy lips are mere inches under mine, moist and enticing. Already, the Call is a constant chant in my head.
Become a part of me…
I press my mouth to her jaw, the side of her neck. Then I nibble at the shell of her ear, breaths harsh. She shivers, especially when I find the buttons to her little attention-getting blouse. I undo the first, the second, none too gently, then slide my hand inside, beneath her bra, to cup her breast.