God.She rubbed her dry eyes, the nightmare of being nearly decapitated by a boat strangling her. It surprised her that she’d even fallen asleep after what had happened.
Breathing hard, she glanced outside into the still night. All appeared quiet. Even the blue vines snaking over the balcony rail didn’t stir. Moonlight filtered into the bedroom in a calming beam—
A figure stalked past the window, and she jackknifed up, her heart jamming in her throat in terror.
A flash of light blue hair glinting beneath the moonlight had her mind screeching back on track again. Not a specter. Aerén.
He stopped and scrubbed his face, then pivoted to grasp the balustrade.
Leya scrambled out of bed, threw open the door, and hurried out. Humidity hung over the land, causing her thin nightdress to cling to her dampening skin. Water dripped from his hair, and his clothes were plastered to his body. He appeared as if he dove into the sea or lake, boots and all.
“Go back to bed, Leya.” He didn’t glance back. “You need rest after the terrifying ordeal.”
“I’m fine. Why are you pacing the balcony this late at night, dripping wet?”
“I told you I don’t sleep much.”
“Did you find him, the one who pushed me into the river?” It could be the only reason he was still in this rage.
“He’s been dealt with. Go to bed.”
“Would you stop ordering me around? I said I’m fine.” She halted at his side.Oh, crap!She choked back a gasp at his state and clenched her prickling hands. Bruises marred his cheek and jaw. “You’re hurt!”
“It’s been known to happen when fighting,” he drawled, casting her a flat sideways stare. “It’s just a few scratches.”
“A few scratches?” God, he had a way of pushing her buttons, but she reeled in her frustration. “Come inside. Let me treat those wounds.”
“I’m fine.”
Dammit, he was so stubborn. She swiped her sweaty brow. “Aerén, please—”
“Why do you care what happens to me?”
So, they were back to that?
“Stop it! What did you do, play shield for your enforcers?”
She did worry about him. But more, the crater in her belly from denying whatever this thing was between them, continued to grow. With Lee, she’d gone out with him for a year, even though there’d been no guarantees of a committed ending. So, why couldn’t she take a chance with Aerén, have something that would give her some happiness, no matter how short it was? God knew she did want him.
“Aerén—”
“Go inside, Leya. Or, I won’t be responsible for what happens.”
She heard the warning and didn’t care.
“Leya,” he growled.
She gripped the railing and cut him a sideways glare. “Stop threatening me—”
Then he was behind her, his wet front pressed to her back. “You don’t listen too well, do you?” His tone was harsh, but all she felt was him. He grasped her chin, turning her face to his, his other palm sliding to her belly. “Is this what you want? Show me what I can’t have and torment me until I can’t think straight?”
At the raw emotion in his voice, her chest tightened.
“Answer me!” he growled, nipping her earlobe, then sucking it, turning the sting to a deeper hunger.
A moan caught in her throat. She shot him a frustrated glare. “I want you, too, dammit! Okay?”
His eyes glittered like the stars in the sky and equally distant. “So, a quick fuck,a bit of fun, is that it?”
