Page 80 of Bond of Passion

Chapter 26

Deja truly had no idea how she was going to handle a single thing from this point on.

What she did know was that she no longer wanted to kill Tavin. She didn’t want him to suffer anymore, either.

They’d both suffered enough, and it was time for it to stop.

But should she tell him the truth about herself? If she didn’t, this could be a fresh start for her. For both of them. But if she told him that she was Gristlen, and that she’d been plotting to kill him, how would they get past that?

She had too many questions and doubts to go straight to Tavin despite what she’d told her parents. The bond was definitely conveying his growing arousal and anxiety—he was probably wondering if she’d heed his biological call. But she didn’t get the sense that he was in a bad way yet, and she really needed someone to talk to.

So, instead of going to Ireland, she’d asked Ronnie to meet her at a Sydney coffee shop.

Ronnie, being the amazing friend she was, got over her shock at the truth of what Deja had done fairly quickly.

“I’m super impressed by the lengths you’ve gone to in order to get revenge on this guy,” she said, “but I’m hurt that you didn’t tell me a long time ago.”

“I know. I should have. It’s just that I’m not used to having friends. I’m not up on the protocol.”

Ronnie had understood, but the only advice she’d been able to give was for Deja to: “Follow your heart,” which was something she’d learned from human movies and books.

It was the exact opposite of what Deja had learned growing up, which essentially amounted to: “Follow the trail of blood and misery.”

Ronnie had also pointed out the fact that whether Deja told Tavin the truth or not, she wasn’t losing him. They were bonded for life even if they hated each other.

What a comforting thought.

A spear of desire shot through her, hitting her hard enough to stop her in her tracks as she strolled down the path from the Harrowgate to Tavin’s cottage.

He needs me.

For some reason, the idea that he needed her, like needed her—and only her—filled her with a strange sense of power. She had all the control right now.

If she wanted him to suffer, he would. If she wanted him to buy her a hell stallion, he would.

If she wanted him to go down on her for an hour, he would.

Oh, yes, she could get used to this kind of power.

Another blast of need hit her, this time spreading across her skin and melting into her muscles. It seemed to seep through her, warming her, making her erogenous zones spark to life.

Erotic awareness became a beacon, and when she followed the sensation, she saw Tavin, standing between the hedges where Gorm had been, his massive shoulders filling the gap between the foliage.

Excitement shot through her. Hot, shivery excitement that made her forget everything that had happened today. And yesterday. And pretty much ever.

Even dressed in jeans and a plain navy T-shirt, he was the epitome of the male animal, a male that wanted his mate and would have her.

His hungry gaze scorched her as she became his one and only focus. The bag in his hand dropped unnoticed to the grass, and he clenched his fists at his sides.

Her heartbeat skittered in an erratic rhythm and her core went wet as her body responded to her mate.

Whoa, the bond was so much more intense than she’d expected. It was as if she could feel not just his need but also his emotions. They were…scrambled. But at the center of the tangle was a comforting warmth that filled her with confidence.

This was…right. This was how things were supposed to be between them.

As if drawn by a magnet, she went to him, throwing off her clothes as she walked. Her shirt hit the ground first. Then her bra. She managed to kick off her shoes as she went, but things got a little dicey when it came to her pants. She had to stop, but she turned taking off her jeans into a slow, sensual show that had him panting before she even got to the panties.

“Leave them on,” he commanded, his voice low and rough. It didn’t even cross her mind to disobey. “I want to take them off with my teeth.”