“Well, the list is long, considering it’s the full moon and I can sense all that lust you’re trying to stuff down.”
I swallowed thickly. “You can’t be serious.”
His nose traced along mine, and he pressed a lingering kiss to my forehead before lifting my chin to look up at him. He leaned in to kiss me again—
I jerked my head back, retreating a few steps. “We can’t do this.”
“Is it because of Aspen’s father? The Archon?” he asked, his hands tucking into the pockets of his dark jeans. “I thought you weren’t together?”
“We aren’t together likethat.” I shuffled over to the plate of desserts, grabbing a brownie and shoving it in my mouth, chewing slowly to buy myself time to think of more reasons why I should deny myself. “But you and Saros—”
“I would never betray him in such a way. As a lover or…business partner. He knows of my intentions with you.”
“And you’re sure he’s okay with it?” I asked between chews, finding the silhouette gone and the light out when I looked back at Luna’s.
“Yes. Of course.” A few veins pulsed at his words. He reached into his back pocket, pulling out his cell phone and swiping at the screen a few times. “If you don’t believe me, I can call him to come over and watch. Or join.”
I choked on my piece of brownie. After I managed to swallow it down, my voice came out in a squeak. “That won’t be necessary.”
“You sure? Your Desire seemed to perk up at the idea.” He gave me a smug grin.
“Umm…no that’s okay.” My attention dropped to my body hidden by the flowy fabric draped around my feet.
When I trailed it back up, Lynx shook his head, running his palm over the lower half of his face. Then he tucked it back into his pocket. “You really have no idea how incredible you are, do you?”
“Oh yes, as I wander around half asleep, looking a mess. I am sure the first thought that men have is wow—”
“She’s not only beautiful, she’s strong,” he cut in, gaze locked with mine, tone blanketed with sincerity.
“You can’t say things like that.”
“Why not?” He shifted toward me, but when I retreated again, he slowly backed up until he sat on the couch. “Look,youasked for the truth. Had me drink that elixir too.”
“I know.” I exhaled aloud, cradling my elbows in my hands. My eyes snapped over to the window, the Moon Goddess beamed in all her glory through the pane. Had she heard my apology? Was Lynx being here now, somehow her way of guiding me forward?
“I still don’t fully understand what you have with Saros and how yourworkcould involve my missing sister. But besides that, I also don’t know how much longer I’ll even be in Celestial Haven.”
“What do you mean?” Concern threaded his words. He leaned back, his hands gripping the thighs of his jeans, as if he was pinning them in place.
“Well, my sister is still missing. No word on her. And my magic is dwindling with each passing moon.”
His elbows dropped to his knees, and he wrung his hands together, tilting his head to the side. “Is there a reason why you don’t want to recharge it?”
“Once I decided I wasn’t staying with Aspen’s father, I stoppedreplenishingon the full moons. And I haven’t since…”
His brows lifted in surprise.
“I just… I feel like I don’t even know my body anymore,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper, not believing I’d actually said it aloud.
“Well get to know it.” Lynx’s eyes raked over me before he clasped his hands together. Then he brought them to his knees once again, knuckles pale from how hard he was holding onto them.
“Oh, like it’s that easy.” I laughed. “I used to have a bustling business and could wear lingerie and sell people a better love life.”
“Fuck, Oakley. You can still wear lingerie. Just the thought of you…” He ran a hand through his hair, as if weighing something. “It does wicked things to me, when I know it’d be better to stay away.”
“Then stay away if you have to, but first help my sister,” I said, deflecting from acknowledging the words he said and the feelings blooming inside me in response. “Please. I need to find her.”
“Oh shit, I meant to ask about that.” He stood, eyes flitting over to my room and then Hazel’s. “You don’t happen to have any communal magic tied to any jewelry, clothing, objects you shared?”
