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Somehow, in the course of our conversation, either Memnon has scooted toward me, or I have moved closer to him.

And now as Memnon speaks, his hand strokes up and down my spine, and I feel myself arching into that touch just a little, and my nipples have pebbled, and I’m fantasizing about what it would be like to just give in to the monster, once and for all. And this is all so supremely fucked up because we are discussingmurders.

There’s something big going on in the Equinox Building,Memnon continues,but I’ve been unable to figure out what it is. Patrick doesn’t know, nor do the other members of his team. And I haven’t been able to get close enough to the Fortunas themselves. Luca in particular doesn’t let anyone get near him, not even his own security team.

My mate’s hand is still moving up and down my back. A residual flare of lust bubbles up at the touch. Those hands were all over me last night, drawing out my pleasure like it was magic.

I clear my throat. “Will you tell me if anything else comes up?”

With his free hand, Memnon reaches out and lightly rubs my lower lip. “Command it of me and I will.”

“And if I don’t?” I ask, trying my damnedest to ignore his hand.

He drops his hand. “You’ll be forced to trust me then. Are you ready for that?”

The two of us stare at each other, and my pulse begins to race.

“I don’t know,” I admit. The fact that he gets anything but a flat-outnois gracious of me.

Memnon is quiet, and I realize our little murder chat is over.

Now that there’s no longer the somber topic to distract either of us, I’m painfully aware once again of the fact that we’re naked in a tiny bed, the smell of sex thick around us, and Memnon’s hands are stroking me like I’m a cat.

I stiffen, not sure what to do or how to handle this.

I should get away from him. Put some distance between us. I can barely even think when he’s this close.

Memnon leans forward and presses a kiss to my ear. Before I can bolt like a skittish deer, he wraps his arms around me and drags me down to the bed, rolling us a little so that I’m caged in his arms.

“I can hear some of your very loud thoughts, little witch,” he murmurs against my ear. “Let’s not make this awkward. If you want to keep me here, imprisoned in this room, so I can suck on your tits and play with your very abused pussy some more, I willgladlydo so. We can even pretend you’re still under the thrall of that potion you drank.”

He nips my ear, and I make an outraged noise, both by his words and his bite.

“Or you’re going to send me away so you can get on with your day. But we’re not going to make this weird, okay?” he says, catching my eyes. “We did not fuck like animals last night to act like strangers today.”

I close my eyes. “Memnon,” I say, embarrassed all over again.

“And the gods know we didn’t survive the ages to be uncomfortable in each other’s presence.”

“Your point has been made,” I say, opening my eyes.

“Good.” He gives the tip of my nose a quick kiss, then releases me, moving off the bed.

I sit up, eyeing him like he’s some great predator. “I want you to leave,” I admit.

If he stays, I will probably cash in on those tit kisses, or worse, keep him in my bed and have my way with him until he’s fucked the forgiveness out of me.

Memnon rises out of my bed, gloriously naked. The dappled morning light lovingly showcases his powerful physique.

He’s mine.For the first time, that thought doesn’t taste so bitter. Instead, it takes my breath away.

The sorcerer’s hair is tousled from sleep and sex, which gives him an unguarded look. My fingers itch to thread themselves back in that hair so I might tug his head back and kiss his neck.

No, no, no, Selene. Lock those thoughts up. Last night was a one-time thing. That’s all.

I get out of bed and drag on a pair of stretchy shorts and a T-shirt. Across from me, Memnon pulls on his own shirt, and I wince a little when I see the massive stain at the bottom of it.

A one-time thing, I repeat like a mantra. Maybe if I say it enough, all the erotic highs and embarrassing lows that came with it will smooth away and I really will feel indifferent about the whole thing.