Holding up the bowl of shredded chicken breast I’d found in the fridge, I wriggled it. “Midnight snack?”
The panther huffed and arrowed straight for the offering.
Placing the bowl beside me, I stroked the panther’s huge solid head while he wolfed down the chicken. Leaving him to enjoy his feast, I grabbed the juicy apple I’d left on the windowsill so the afternoon sun would make it extra sweet.
I moaned as I bit into the crisp fruit.
Reclining against the soft cushions, I closed my eyes to enjoy a moment of companionship in the dead of night.
Whisper nudged my knee, searching for more.
“Greedy-guts. No more I’m afraid.”
He growled.
I laughed and stuck the apple in my mouth.
I went to bite, but a sound wrenched my eyes open.
My heart stopped.
A shadow lurched into my doorway, illuminated by the braziers and firelight blazing outside.
Lucien sagged against the doorframe.
Jet black hair hung down his handsome cheeks, shivering as he tipped forward in utter agony. His right hand clutched his heart. He panted as if he’d run here, swaying as if he was moments away from passing out.
Our eyes met and held.
His chest heaved as he braced a hand against the doorframe, his breath sawing in and out, a feverish sheen burning in his eyes.
Whisper rumbled a welcome, moving toward his master, but Lucien staggered inside.
He crossed the room with unsteady strides.
He wrenched to a halt over me, looking as if he’d fall.
I cowered backward, unsure what mood he was in but with a savage groan, he tipped forward, smashed one hand against thewindow frame, and grabbed my apple with his other. Yanking it out of my mouth, he tossed it over his shoulder.
My pulse jumped as he grabbed my wrist.
“What are y—” I gasped as he jerked me upright.
No warning, no explanation.
He half-stalked, half-stumbled toward the bed, dragging me with him.
When we were close enough, he grabbed me by the shoulders, spun me around and pushed.
I went sprawling.
The black silk nightgown I’d chosen to wear matched his familiar uniform. The only difference was my skin was cool from moon watching and his was ablaze with fire.
The bed creaked as he landed heavily beside me.
“Lucien—”
He hauled me against him, rolling on top of me, his arms banding tight as steel. His forehead crashed to mine, his sweat dampening my skin, his chest plastered to mine with every shuddering breath.
