I snorted, unable to hide my amusement. “Impossible.”
“Sweetheart,” he said, a playful glint in his eyes, “He’s an Offensive at Crown, which is based in the Scottish Highlands. It’s literally the birthplace of Scotch. Trust me, it’s possible.”
I imagined the untamed allure of the Highlands−and the taste of their Scotch−and discerned a sense of wistful longing. “Sounds like a dreamy place.”
James leaned in and brushed a soft kiss on my forehead. “We’ll go visit soon.”
“I’d love that,” I whispered, my mind immediately drifting to fantasies of James and me exploring some romantic setting−and drinking their Scotch−against the rugged beauty of Scotland.
“There is…” He trailed off, a note of hesitation in his tone.
“Yes?” I prompted, sensing the shift in his demeanor.
“There is something I need to tell you.”
I squeezed his hand, reassuring him whatever it was, we’d be okay, even as my curiosity piqued. “Sounds serious.”
“It is,” James replied, his voice growing more somber. “It’s about what I’ve been doing at Crown these past few weeks.”
He filled his lungs with air, exhaling slowly, before he explained. “We weren’t only hunting and fighting the Radicals who attacked Crown. I informed Sean, and Caden Colt about what happened at Coastal, and they agreed to help find Logan Stark.”
I frowned, confused by their willingness to assist. “Why would they agree to that? Caden Colt has never even met me. And Sean didn’t either until tonight.”
James shrugged. “TheyhateRadicals. You should’ve seen them during battle. They’re not just Offensives, fighting together. It’s more like they’re this huge family. Every loss was so incredibly traumatic for all of them. This fight, it’s personal to them.”
My heart ached at the thought. “I feel for them,” I said softly. “But still, they don’t know me.”
“No, they don’t,” James agreed. “But when I told them you were sedated, and what they did to your arm, they were outraged.”
I swallowed hard as the memory of the violation stirred a shadow of unease deep within me. I shifted slightly, trying to dispel the discomfort. “So, what did you guys find?”
James’s frustration was evident as he spoke. “Not much. We started searching for a Logan Stark from Area 4,” he began. “Butwe couldn’t find any Radical or magus who’s ever been the First Offensive in that Collective. Area 4 is a small one in Australia, mostly made up of Healers and Historians. I was surprised when you mentioned that was who he claimed to be, but now I’m pretty sure he lied about his identity.”
Which made sense, and I could see the determination burning in James’s eyes. He reached out, cupping my cheeks between his hands, his gaze intense and unwavering. “I promise you, Emma, I will find that son of a bitch and make him pay for the hurt he caused you.”
Emotion tightened in my chest, and I swallowed hard, struggling to hold back the lump now formed in my throat. Overwhelmed by the raw emotion in his voice, I closed what little distance there was between us, pressing my lips to his in a kiss that was both urgent and fierce.
I shouldn’t have questioned him. Shouldn’t have doubted him.
James responded with equal fervor, his arms wrapping around me as if he could shield me from the world’s pain. His lips moved against my own with a slow, deliberate rhythm, as if he was trying to convey everything he felt through contact.
He tilted my head slightly, his kiss becoming more exploratory, more sensual. I craved the heat of his body pressed against me, the firm but tender pressure of his hands guiding me closer. As his tongue found mine, he deepened the kiss with a devouring hunger, and a searing heat unfurled through my limbs.
His hands slid from my face to the back of my neck, his fingers grazing my skin with a tantalizing caress.
As James’s hands roamed lower, his thumb brushed against the sensitive curve of my nipple through my clothing. The unexpected brush sent a thrill through me, making me gasp softly into his mouth. He responded to the sound, his kissgrowing more urgent, more desperate, as if he was trying to anchor himself to me.
Unable to resist the heat pooling between us, my hands slipped beneath the hem of his shirt, exploring the firm warmth of his chest. The feeling of his skin against my fingertips was electrifying. I traced the defined ridges of his stomach, then moved to his chest where his heartbeat quickened beneath my touch.
James’s hands moved along with purpose. His fingers deftly worked the buttons of my blouse, and each movement sent thrills of anticipation through me. With a few swift motions, he pulled my top away, tossing it aside. I responded by eagerly tugging his shirt over his head, revealing his toned torso. Our breaths quickened, mingling with the heat of the moment.
A week ago, I’d been scared of moving forward. Now, all I wanted was him.
With trembling fingers, I reached behind me to unhook my bra, the clasp giving way with a soft click. James’s eyes fell on me, widening in awe as he took in the sight of my bare skin.
For a moment, he simply stared, his expression one of reverent admiration. Then, with a voice husky with emotion, he muttered, “You’re fucking gorgeous.” The sincerity in his tone made my heart race even faster, and I could see the depth of his words reflected in his face.
James’s lips traced a path from my neck to my exposed nipple, and his warm breath sent a delicious ache curling through me. When he took it in his mouth, a gasp escaped me, my body arching instinctively toward him. The sensation was intense, each light graze of his teeth on the sensitive peak making me shiver with a mix of desire and vulnerability. His hands held me close, his grasp both firm and reassuring, grounding me in the overwhelming wave of sensations.
