How could he? This was just basic lust.
But not to her. She knew a wall inside her had fallen down, and it’d left her vulnerable.
What am I going to do?This had changed her, and she wasn’t stupid enough to pretend otherwise. She cared about him. She who had never cared about anyone before now valued someone else.
And she wanted to do this again with him.
And again.
Oh my God! I’m wanton!
Horrified, she felt her eyes widen at the knowledge. For the first time in her life, she understood her mother’s insatiable hunger for men.
Only she didn’t want just any man. She only wanted to be with Xaydin.
Suddenly, someone pounded at their door.
Xaydin’s growl of frustration brought a smile to her lips. “Bastard,” he whispered in her ear, making her laugh. “Yes, Masakage,” he said louder.
“Will you let me in?”
He sighed heavily. “What do you think? Should I lower the ward and let our demon bother us?”
“I don’t know…I guess he’s been banned long enough.”
He laughed again at the feigned angst in her tone. “I’ll take care of him. Take your time getting ready.”
Withdrawing from her, he rolled out of bed, dressed and barely opened the door enough that he could step into the hallway.
Grateful for his thoughtfulness, she got out of bed more slowly.
Until she saw what Xaydin had done…
There was a full-sized tub with steaming water waiting at the foot of the bed.
“Oh my God! I love you!” Those words actually startled her, and she was grateful he wasn’t here to hear them because she feared she might actually mean them.
Something she’d think about later. For now, all she wanted to concentrate on was that precious gift.
And it wasn’t until she’d sunk her body into the luxurious waters that it occurred to her just how much power he had that he could create this for her. It was miraculous.
More than that, it was terrifying. Just how much magic was he capable of?
Given his gargantuan size, it was easy to let his physical prowess and strength intimidate. So much so that she hadn’t even really considered how much magic he wielded. Her thoughts there had been for Masakage.
But Xaydin downplayed his abilities and skills. Strange how she hadn’t really thought about that before.
Now…
She realized how pompous and stupid she’d been when she first confronted him. He could have laid her low with little effort.
I need to be more careful.But it was easy to get cocky when not confronted. To think that her abilities were superlative, which in most cases they were. But no matter how strong and capable someone was, there was always someone stronger and more capable.
Closing her eyes, she knew how lucky she’d been. How grateful that so far, they weren’t enemies.
Her only hope was that they’d continue to be friends and not turn sour.
That thought made her stomach cramp. Nothing ever lasted forever.
