She glanced up at me.
“I feel the same way.Butwe can’t act on it—you know we can’t.”
“I know.”Inodded.“I’msorry.”
“It’s not all your fault—it’s mine too,” she murmured.“Carternever called me beautiful or looked at me except to criticize whatIwas wearing or tell me how awfulIlooked.I’mnot used to getting so many compliments and hearing thatI’mpretty.”
“You’re not just pretty—you’re fuckinggorgeous,”Isaid firmly.“UncleCarterwas a fool not to tell you every day of his life.IfIhad a wife like you,I’dlet her know it.”
“You’re so sweet.”Shegave me a tentative smile, andIsaw how starved she was for compliments—how much she needed to hear that she was beautiful.
“I’m only telling the truth,”Isaid honestly.“ButIcan try to stop…if you want me to.”
“No,Idon’t mind.”Herblush was back.“Infact…Ilike it.Wejust have to be careful, that’s all.”
“Got it.Wewill be,”Ipromised.“Wewould neverdoanything about this, uh, attraction between us.Imean, we’re both adults.Wecan keep our hands to ourselves.”
“Absolutely.”Shenodded firmly.“Look, let’s get inside andI’llput some ointment on that lip of yours.”
“Thank you.”Ithought about telling her not to bother—my inner wolf was a fast healer, and my split lip would be whole again in no time.ButGoddesshelp me,Iwanted her hands on me.Evenif it was only to put a little ointment on my lip,Iwanted to feel her touch.
SoIsaid nothing—only gathered the packages and groceries and followed her into theManor.
SEVENTEEN
VIVIENNE
I couldn’t believe the discussionKorandIhad just had in the car.Hadwe really admitted that we were attracted to each other?Thatwewantedeach other?
This is wrong!screamed a critical little voice in my head.
Why?Justbecause of an arbitrary law?Iargued.
ButIknew thePackLawscouldn’t be ignored.Korhad just punchedHarrisMurdochin the mouth for suggesting we were sleeping together.Iwould be as big a slut asHarrishad implied ifIwent and did that exact thing—the thing we had both so strenuously denied.
Keeping this firmly in mind,Iput away the groceries and went to get the first aid kitIkept in my bathroom.WhenIcame back,Korhad taken off his shirt and was attempting to get the blood out of the white fabric by running cold water over it.
I couldn’t help admiring his broad shoulders and muscular chest and back.Hekept calling me beautiful, but he was too—he looked like someone had pointed a magic wand at a sculpture of aGreekgod and made it come to life.
When he heard me in the doorway, he looked up with a grin—which quickly turned into a grimace because of his injury.
“Ouch—that hurts.”Heput a hand to his mouth.
“Here—leave the shirt for later and let me see to your lip.”
I came over to him and reached up to cup his chin in my hand.Hisskin was warm and his jaw was bristly—Iliked the feel of it against my palm, butIdid my best to ignore it.
Carefully,Idabbed a bit of healing ointment on the split in his bottom lip—which already looked like it was closing.
“Thank you,”Kormurmured, andIlooked up from his lip to see that his eyes were locked on mine.
For a long moment we just stood there, staring at each other.ThenKorcaptured my hand and kissed my fingertip—the oneI’dused to put the ointment on his lip.
“Thank you,Vivienne,” he said again, and his voice was soft and deep and seemed to go right through me.
Suddenly, my nipples were so tight they ached, andIfelt hot and wet between my thighs.Hiswarm, masculine scent was filling my senses, making me want to get closer to him.Myheart was pounding asIlooked up at him, unable to pull my eyes away.
“You…you’re welcome,”Ibreathed.
