Tak sighed.“Hightower is her equal.Do you think she’s the first person to not mate for love?The powerful don’t have the luxury of trust.A challenge isn’t a guarantee things will go your way.What makes you think she’ll choose you in the end if she won’t leave him now?”
Lucian averted his gaze.“I don’t know.Maybe her scent tells me.”
“You were lucky that dead man’s Creator didn’t want your head.Your first night of freedom, and you’re ready to give it up again?”Tak folded his arms.“If she was willing to mate you, why does she not break it off with him?”
Lucian stalked toward the truck.“You ask too many questions.”
Tak obviously sensed something wasn’t right about this scenario, so Lucian had to watch what he said.
He had given Eden his word that he would obey the laws and not hunt down his nemesis.Instead, he’d thrown down the gauntlet.Legally.
Now he would wait.
Chapter23
Aflash of lightning briefly illuminated my bedroom window.I was barely aware that my phone was still in my hand after reading myself to sleep.My thoughts were so focused on my future that I must have read the same page a thousand times before giving up.
When I rolled over to set my phone on the nightstand, I bumped into someone.My heart lurched, and a scream tore out of me as I pounded them in the head with my phone.
“Ow!Stop, it’s me!”Lucian complained.
After a few gasping breaths, I reached across him and switched on the light.It wasn’t a dream.Lucian Cross was lying next to me in a black T-shirt that smelled like rain.
Still panting, I set my phone on the table and sat up.“How did you get in?”
He rubbed his forehead.“I still have the spare key.”
“But my alarm didn’t go off.”
“I disabled it when I pulled up.I figured you were sleeping and didn’t want to freak you out.”
“Well, I’m freaked out.You’re lying in my bed when I told you we couldn’t be together.It’s not safe.Henry could’ve seen you.He might be on the property.”
“He’s not on your property or anywhere near it.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I was at his house.”Lucian sat up and scooted so his back was against the headboard.His unkempt hair glistened with rain.He looked me over and tilted his head to the side.“You’re so pretty.”
I reached up and removed my bonnet, releasing my brown curls as they spilled past my shoulders.I patted down my hair, suddenly self-conscious in a way I’d never been around Lucian.“I’m a mess.”
“You’re perfect.”
“Did I hurt you?”I touched the red mark on his forehead.
“Do you normally sleep with your phone?”
“I was reading.How long have you been here?”
“Two hours, give or take.I spent an hour cleaning your baseboards.”
I blinked in surprise.“Why?”
“Because they were dirty.”
“No, I mean why are you here?We said our goodbyes, Lucian.We can’t risk a secret affair—not anymore.”
“Come, female.Lay with me.”
