No-no! She pivoted as Aerén approached. If he touched her, she dreaded to think what could happen. “Stay away from me.”
“You’re hurting.”
“Aerén, please, just go.” She sucked in another breath, but nothing would ease her humming body. Her sensitive nipples brushing against her shirt became unbearable. She wrapped her arms around her chest and pressed down. “Why–why aren’t you with them? Isn’t this what you waited for?”
“Yes, but they don’t need me. Let me aid you.” Cautiously, he approached her as if afraid she’d jump off the balcony. She saw the concern on his face and something else, too…desire? The truth hit her like a punch in the belly.Oh, God, he knows.
“Go away, please.” Tears of humiliation blurring her vision, she hurried for the front entrance.
Cursing in his language, she heard Reynner’s name mentioned, then Aerén came after her. His was jaw set, but his light gray eyes were filled with empathy, too, as he put his arms around her and drew her close. Her body shuddered uncontrollably.
“Shhh…it’s okay...” He stroked her arms, her back. Then said quietly, “We’ll take this slow. I’m just sorry I’m not him.”
He bent his head, his lips brushed hers.
Her lungs seized in shock.
Guilt flooded her. His touch didn’t repel. It felt...good.
Soothing.
No!She struggled to deny him, all she thought of—the only one she wanted was—
He doesn’t want you.
Eve fisted Aerén’s shirt, tried to tamp down her arousal. But it was a lost cause. She could barely swallow past the painful lump in her throat, despair and unwanted desire sweeping through her as Aerén kissed her again…
Chapter 17
“What the hell does it mean?Go back to the start. What you seek is but a tale away?” Reynner snarled at Lucan, jabbing his finger toward the scroll.
Everything he’d endured and put Eve through, only to end up with the scroll giving them a fucking riddle.
Lucan frowned. “It’s never straightforward with scrolls and cryptic messages.Go backto the start,would suggest our realm, where it started, but I don’t think that’s it—it has to be the mortal one.”
“You mean New York?” Reynner snapped, trying to hold in his impatience, wanting to take Eve and get out of there. He was aware she’d left the room. Better she was outside then with these horny bastards.
“Yes. It makes sense,” Lucan agreed. “It’s where the scroll was awakened. The Stone will be close. Keep Eve safe while the search is in progress.”
“From what I learned before I left Empyrea, Darkreans are gathering in force on this realm,” Northaen said then. “Security is paramount. It’s why I’m here.”
“Yeah, fine. Fill me in later.” Reynner pivoted and his heart nearly stopped. The couch opposite where Eve had sat was vacant. With her in that tenuous state of arousal—the truth slammed him like a sledgehammer.
He wouldn’t fucking dare!
Anger exploded in a flare of power, couches and table crashing into the walls. The others jumped out of the way as Reynner tore out of the room, down the corridor. If Aerén touched her, then what Reynner had done to bring down Hell when he’d broken free of his prison would be child’s play.
***
Eve broke away from Aerén.
Why couldn’t she want him? He was sexy, gorgeous,andgentle. He’d be perfect to ease the savage need riding her. But the bitter truth was that Aerén couldn’t ease the pain of wanting someone else.
Reynner was too filled with hatred and a darkness that sucked out every facet of emotion in him. His mind focused only on his quest and killing demoniis. Despite the sting of his rejection, she couldn’t change how she felt. And she really, really wished she could.
“Eve?”
She looked up. Her breath hitched, her body too jittery to calm down. Aerén stroked her cheek, his silver eyes bright with compassion and desire. “Let’s get out—”
