“And I want you.” Rowan tilts his head, claiming my lips again, softly this time. “And I’m so tired of trying to fight it.”
My eyes flutter shut. “To be fair, we haven’t tried very hard.”
“This is me trying.” He laughs, kissing the underside of my jaw. “Imagine if I weren’t.”
“Yes, please,” I laugh.
He drops his face to my shoulder, holding me. “I missed you.”
The connection chases away all the discomfort, leaving me warm and happy.
“I missed you, too.” I glance toward the window. “Is your horse out there?”
“No, I rode my bike to the parking garage this morning. I left it at Ash’s place where no one would notice it and then walked over.”
“Then you don’t have to leave. Why don’t you stay with me tonight, like you did the night you saved me from Russell?”
He lifts his head, his eyes sweeping over me. “I shouldn’t.”
“We won’t let the bond manipulate us,” I promise. “I just don’t want to be alone.”
He brushes his hand over my back, thinking. Finally, he nods. Then his gaze falls to my lips. “One kiss probably wouldn’t hurt anything.”
“Certainly not.” I grin, standing on my tiptoes and brushing my lips over his.
He groans, his eyes closed, and then tugs me toward the bed. “Maybe two kisses.”
“Three, and then we’re done,” I laugh.
I crawl onto the bed, dragging him with me. My head falls onto my pillow, and Rowan lowers himself so he’s resting hisweight on his elbows. He gazes down at me, gray eyes drinking me in.
“What are you thinking?” I whisper.
“How pretty you are with your hair splayed out on your pillow.”
His words make me shiver, and I lower my eyes to his waistcoat. “Surely you don’t sleep in that?”
“It would be uncomfortable.”
“May I?”
Watching me, he nods.
Slowly, I work the silver buttons until the fabric falls open. He shrugs out of it and tosses it to the end of the bed. I’d like to get rid of his button-up shirt, too, but I suspect Rowan will object, so I fist my hand in the fabric and pull him down.
His mouth meets mine, his kiss unhurried, savoring the moment. I revel in the feel of his weight as it pushes me into the fluffy comforter. His smell, the slight stubble on his jaw, the way he kisses me like I’m precious—everything about him drives me mad.
He trails his mouth down my neck, creating a trail of fire.
When he pushes aside my collar to kiss my collarbone, I say, “You know, one button wouldn’t destroy my modesty…”
He playfully scrapes his teeth over my skin. “That’s a slippery slope.”
I laugh…
And then I bolt upright, pushing him aside. Bewildered, he raises his brows, wondering what got into me.
“My magic,” I whisper, horrified.
