“My wife.” He’s upon me in a moment, his hands gripping my forearms, dragging me into the room. “I’m sorry that I wasn’t there when you woke again. But I needed to practise. I trust you slept well.”
“I had a great sleep.” I swallow. I don’t want to explain about the nightmares, that last night is only the second time in three months where I’ve slept through the night. And most of the day. I especially don’t want to explain when he’s so close to a weapon that could have my clothes cut off in a matter ofmoments. “Your mother didn’t try to suck me dry, so I’d say luck is on our side.”
“She’ll be awake shortly. As soon as Gideon arrives, we’ll speak with her.” He frowns at his discarded blade, as though this is somehow its fault. “I am aggrieved that I couldn’t keep you safe from her without this absurd plan.”
I press my forehead against his, wishing we could stay in this moment, that we could be Winnie and Alaric again, but I’m dangerously close to falling for this man, and I can’t be distracted from said plan. “You’ve saved my ass three times now. I owe you.”
“You owe me nothing.” He brushes his thumb over my lower lip and chases it with his mouth. His tongue slakes across mine, a spear of dark magic that makes me long for the kind of chaos that only he can give me, the kind of chaos that’s wrong and right all at once.
It’s difficult to pull away, but I do it, my feet sliding across the polished marble floor. Questions burn on my tongue, but he’s being soAlaricthat I don’t want to ask them yet. I want more tiny pieces of him before this fragile thing between us withers.
I fight to catch my breath. “Why did you suddenly need toswing a sword around?”
“I’m training,” he says seriously. “For the next time I meet Patrick.”
Why does that make my knees weak?
“Maybe don’t kill him,” I suggest. “Just maim him a little. Can I try?”
“Certainly.” He spins me around. His arms wrap around me as he presses his chest into my back. “My wife shouldn’t need me to maim her enemies for her. Pick up the sword.”
I bend down and pick up the large, two-handed sword. Bending drives my hips back into Alaric. He lets out a hiss as his fingers dig into my hips, and a cheeky part of me likes hearing him lose control. I purposefully grind myself against him as my fingers close around the hilt of the sword. I’m rewarded by a low groan.
I’m dancing with a monster.
I’m making things messy.
But I don’t care.
The sword is lighter than I expect, the leather hilt worn and the blade chipped in places. This sword has seen battle.
No wonder Alaric didn’t want to get rid of his swords. They’re part of his story. I wonder what battles this weapon has seen? I wonder if …
My questions die as I straighten up and feel a very different type of sword dig into my thigh.
“Legs wider.” Alaric’s commanding voice brushes against my ear.
He kicks my foot out. Now his thighs are pressed into mine, and I can feeleverything.
Oh, he isnotplaying fair.
Alaric places his large hands over my much smaller ones and shows me how to grip the hilt of the sword. His voice rumbles through me as he explains how to keep a firm grip with the top hand, but to keep the other looser so that I can wind the blade.
His cool hands move over mine as he describes the different stances and guards. He nudges my feet, forcing me to move, and he moves with me, our bodies locked in a deadly dance as we step and spin across the ballroom, the sword blade whipping in front of me. Every touch brings back flashes of our night together, of howgood he made me feel.
It doesn’t matter how good he makes you feel. You are too fragile for this. You can’t just jump into a relationship with the first supernatural creature you meet, especially after you’ve just been dumped by Patrick.
Don’t make a mess of your heart, Winnie.
“Winnie,” Alaric breathes, his chest heaving as he struggles for breath. “I must tell you that I?—”
“Pardon me. Don’t let me interrupt. I’m here for the show.”
I leap away from Alaric, the sword flying from my fingers. Alaric catches it midair and whirls around to face the intruder.
Gideon leans against the door, wearing an impeccable grey suit, his blond hair slicked up in a trendy style, and his eyes crinkling at the edges with suppressed laughter.
“Winnie Preston, it’s so lovely to see you still hanging around.” Gideon winks at me. “I see you’ve got Allie to give you his weapon.”
