Page 34

“Why, thank you. I’m quite fond of them myself,” I quip, trying to distract myself from the heat rushing to my face.

My knees nearly buckle as she traces her fingers along the seam of my mouth. “Have you ever kissed anyone, Ren?”

Before I can answer, she reaches up and lightly strokes my left fox ear. “I love your ears.”

My eyes cross as pleasure shoots down my spine, and I stumble sideways, slamming into the wall with an agonized groan.

“Are you all right?” Concern furrows her brow. “Did I hurt you?”

“Quite the opposite,” I rasp, my pulse racing. “Fox ears are very sensitive. Even to the slightest touch.”

Undeterred, she trails her fingers along the outer edge of my ear again and my eyes roll back in my head as I bite back a growl of arousal.

I open the door to her room and kick it shut behind me before walking to the bed. My Fox is clawing beneath the surface to break free, desperate to claim and mark her as our mate.

Pulling back the comforter, I lower her onto the mattress. But when I try to release her, she grips my shoulders, and I lose my balance, tumbling onto the bed beside her.

Before I can move, she snuggles into my side, resting her head on my shoulder, placing her delicate hand on my chest, directly over my heart.

“Rapunzel?”

“Goodnight, Ren,” she murmurs sleepily, closing her eyes.

Carefully, I pull the blankets over us both, trying not to disturb her. When she nestles closer into my side, I bite back an agonized groan.

Gazing down at her sleeping form, I brush the hair back from her face, tucking it behind the curved shell of her ear. “Goodnight, my amira,” I whisper.

CHAPTER 18

RAPUNZEL

Iwake up surrounded by warmth. Stretching my arms and legs, I yawn loudly but then go still when I feel something tighten around my waist.

Still a bit foggy, it takes me a moment to realize it’s Ren’s arm. I twist my head back to look at him. His body is pressed along the length of mine and his eyes are still closed in sleep. The warm mint of his breath whispers across the back of my neck.

I don’t remember falling asleep with him last night, but I’m reluctant to move. His masculine scent of fresh pine and earth surrounds me.

Slowly, I turn in his arms to face him. His lashes flutter and his golden, fox-fire eyes meet mine. “Amira,” he says, voice rough with sleep.

“I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“It’s all right.” He gives me a sleepy smile. “You can wake me anytime.”

His short, red hair falls across his eyes. Tentatively, I reach up and comb it back from his face. He’s the most handsome manI’ve ever seen. My gaze travels over the scar that cuts across the strong line of his right brow and down to his cheek. Without thinking, I brush my fingertips over the faint silver line. “How did you get this?”

A shadow of pain flickers across his features as he wraps his fingers around mine, pulling my hand away.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“It’s fine.” Ren looks down, swallowing hard. “I’m just… I”—he sighs heavily—“I suppose I’m just sensitive about it.”

“Does it ache?”

“Only when someone looks at it too hard.” Sadness laces his voice. “A scar is a sign of weakness among my people.”

“Why?”

“It’s a primitive thing, I suppose,” he says bitterly. “It means I couldn’t defend myself. And if I cannot do that, then it’s assumed that I would be unable to protect a mate or any kits we may have.”