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“Scarlett,” he whispered, his fingers playing with the band, gliding along it. She bucked her hips against him again, silently demanding him to bring that hand lower. He laughed darkly, the sound playing over her lips.

So different. His touches. His kisses. Everything was so different from Callan. So new. Her thoughts were bouncing around inside her head.How far would she let him go tonight? How far did shewanthim to go? She’d only done this with one other person. Well, sort of.

That one thought had her breathing turning ragged as memories surged up unbidden.

“Scarlett.” A glimmer of concern sounding in his tone. She tried to regulate her breathing. “Scarlett, open your eyes.”

She hadn’t realized she’d closed them.

She did so to find him studying her, watching her carefully. “What?” she managed to get out.

His fingers had stopped their perusal, and his hand now splayed against her stomach.

“Your breathing changed. Are you all right?”

“Yes,” she whispered. “I’m sorry.”

Something akin to wary confusion came over his features. “You know that I would never do anything you do not want to do, right?” he said slowly. “The second you say stop, we do.”

“Yes,” she whispered again. “I know.” He studied her a moment longer before he pulled his hand from beneath her top and sat up, grabbing her hand and tugging her gently up with him. “I’m sorry,” she said again, still trying to regulate her breathing.

His confusion deepened. “Why do you keep saying that? What could you possibly have to be sorry about?”

“I… We… I’m sure you thought…Ithought…” She was stumbling over her words, trying to force more air into her lungs.

“Scarlett, you never need to apologize toanyonefor telling someone to stop touching you. The moment you say stop, the second you say no, there should never be any question. You certainly never need to apologize or explain yourself. The fact that you think—” He stopped abruptly. She felt his fingers tentatively curl around her chin and lightly lift her gaze to his. “Did someonenotstop? Did Callan—”

“No,” she said quickly. She tried to avert her gaze, but he gently held firm.

“But someone else did,” he said softly. She saw rage darken those golden eyes.A fury so vast and violent, her own eyes widened at it. “Who?”

There was a knock on the door, but Sorin did not move. His eyes stayed locked on hers as the knock sounded again.

“Sorin? Scarlett?”

It was Cassius.

“Does he know?” Sorin asked quietly. Even his tone was laced with anger.

“No, but he suspects,” she whispered.

The knock sounded again. “General!”

Sorin gave her one last look of deep concern before he rose and crossed to the door. She closed her eyes, forcing air into her lungs.

In and out.

In and out.

When she opened her eyes again, Sorin was at the door, his hand on the knob. “Are you ready?”

That one gesture, him giving her time to compose herself, himknowingshe needed a moment, made her chest tighten in a way she wasn’t quite sure what to do with. She took one more deep breath, letting it ground her and steady her. “Yes,” she said quietly.

Sorin opened the door, and Cassius shoved past him into the room. “What the hell?” he growled. “I thought something had happened to you two.” He stopped short when his eyes met hers on the sofa. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing is wrong,” Scarlett answered, rising to her feet.

Cassius glanced between her and Sorin, who still stood near the door. She could tell he didn’t believe her one bit, but he didn’t push it. “You’ve been summoned by the Council. Tomorrow night.” Scarlett tensed at the words, but he wasn’t done. “And after that, he will see you privately.”