Laughing, he crossed the room to sit at the other end of the sofa. “I just think you’re beautiful and deserve beautiful clothes. Maybe I need to make a donation to Sanctuary. Artemis needs to take better care of her acolytes.”
Her body tensed. Perhaps she was remembering the way he’d thrown her against the wall. Jason was probably like a dark cave to her. Once you’d seen the bear go in, even if you never saw it again, you’d never trust the darkness. You’d assume the bear was in there, hiding in the shadows.
She scooted away from him, closer to the armrest. “How are you feeling?”
Jason leaned his head back and analyzed her body language. Yep, she was afraid. Goddess, he owed her one. “My wolf is still making demands, but he’s not as loud inside my head as he used to be. Actually, when I think about what I did to you, it makes me feel ill. It was uncalled for. It won’t happen again.”
Selene glanced at her fingers tangled in her lap. “Then we accomplished our goal. You’ve seen your vice for what it is.”
“So that’s it? I’m cured?”
She snorted. “No. Not yet. Your vice will grow stronger with time, but the more you practice pushing it away, the longer it will stay away.”
“What’s the next step of the program?” he asked.
“I’ll teach you coping techniques—meditation, anchoring—so when it does happen, you’ll be ready. You can do this, Jason. The hardest part is over.”
“Thank you.” His eyes met hers. All he could think was that she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever known. Not sexy, but beautiful, down to her very soul.
“You’re welcome.”
Jason leaned back against the sofa, and for the first time in forever, he felt trulywitha woman. As he glanced over at her, taking her in while she watched the movie, his chest swelled with respect and admiration. When this was all over, he hoped they’d stay friends, even after she became a priestess.
“Jason?” She turned and his heart leaped when her gaze fell on him.
“Yes?”
“This is the most uncomfortable couch I’ve ever sat on.” She shifted awkwardly.
“Admittedly.” He chuckled.
“It feels like I’m sitting on a burlap bag full of ball bearings.”
“Completely uncomfortable.” He nodded.
She spread her hands in confusion. “Why do you own this?”
He shrugged. “Someone told me it was the best.”
“Someone lied to you.” She started laughing. “Never trust that person again.”
He was laughing with her when his phone rang. “I’ve got to take this.” He rose and scrambled from the couch, jogging out onto the balcony for some privacy. As he watched Selene through the glass door, he answered the call.
“Hey, stranger. What are you doing tonight? I haven’t seen you at the club in weeks.”
“Samantha?” Jason asked. He’d had an on-again, off-again affair with the redhead for years. “No, I can’t make it out tonight.”
There was silence on the other end of the line. “Are you feeling okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. You could say I’m just tired of the club scene.”
“Do you want me to come to your place?”
“No,” Jason said quickly.
She scoffed. “What’s going on? Don’t take this the wrong way, but this is the first time I’ve ever called you that you weren’t interested in meeting up. Please tell me you don’t have cancer or some awful disease.”
Somewhere above him, a bird flapped its wings as it landed on the roof. Jason stared at it, admiring the flight, the freedom. “I’ve just decided... I need more.”
