“Don’t be so sure of that.” Goading her has become such a regular part of my routine, I find this quip slips out of me with barely a second thought. When I see the indignation dance inher eyes, I can’t help the gloating grin that fills my features. Sometimes she just makes it too easy.
She bounds to her feet, bringing herself nose to nose with me, and Sky’s Divine does she smell delectable. Like a fresh meadow of flowers after a spring rain. “It was a lapse in judgment.”
“Of course.” Though I’m agreeing with her, my words are dripping with sarcasm.
“I had too much to drink,” she presses more firmly.
We’re still nose to nose, and my fingers itch to grip the back of her neck and pull her flush against me, closing the rest of the distance between us.
“Whatever you say,” I taunt.
“What does that say about you, really? Letting me kiss you while I was in such a state?” She presses her body closer to mine, thinking I won’t catch the split second her eyes drop to admire my lips.
“You already believe me to be a monster.” I wrap my arm around her back, stopping her from coming to her senses and stepping away from me. The feeling of her body against mine drives me half mad. It hasn’t even been 24 hours, and I want, no,need, to taste her again.
“Believe me, if there was a knife in reach, I would have it pressed against your throat.”
I roll my eyes before a rakish grin takes over my face. “Full of false promises, aren’t we, Azalea?”
“There’s nothing false about it.”
“There’s a knife right there.” My eyes point to the serrated blade next to her plate. “Go on, grab it,” I taunt. Her nostrils flare.
Knowing she’s lost this battle, I watch as she accepts defeat before realizing just how close we’ve gotten. I drop my hand from her back, letting her step away from me. The cold air thatswallows the space where her body was just occupying sends a jolting chill up my spine.
“I would like to retire to my room now.”
Not waiting for me to give her any response or permission, she turns toward the door, her dog quick on her heels. As her hand reaches for the doorknob, I stop her.
“Azalea.” She doesn’t turn when I say her name. “How long have you been here?”
Now, she tosses me a withering glare over her shoulder. “I don’t remember. Your wretched curse has made sure of that.”
I suck on my teeth, trying to swallow my frustration. I need this answer from her.
“How did you come across that thing you decided to keep as a pet?” I nod my head toward the dog, who somehow is giving me a bored expression that mirrors Azalea’s as she turns to face me.
“Is this some kind of weird test?”
I let out an exasperated breath. “Humor me,” I deadpan.
“Well,Luna,” she emphasizes the dog’s name as if I’m going to make any kind of effort to remember it, “Was hurt near the forget-me-not bushes after you attacked her.”
“Attackedher? She—” I cut myself off with a shake of my head, and it’s only when I take that pause that realization sinks in. “You remember the attack?”
“Honestly, Braxton, how little do you think of my intelligence? Yes, I can remember what happened a few days ago.”
My mind spins, or is that the room spinning around me? “I have to go.” I turn abruptly, leaving the dining room and racing for my study. Once inside, I swiftly close and lock the door behind me.
I need quiet.
I need to think.
I need to find answers. The fact that her memory wasn’t wiped completely clean could mean so many things, and I need to find out if this is good or very, very bad.
35
Braxton
