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“Agaveheart almost works better than entrancing,” Theon said, his arm winding its way around her waist. “How did you deal with the assessments in the past?” She shook her head, refusing to give him any more of herself. “Tessa,” he coaxed, stepping further into her and forcing her to take a step back. “I’m ready to hear all those secrets.”

“I have nothing to say to you.”

“You have nothing to say to me? Only to the mortal downstairs?” His nostrils flared when he brought up Tristyn, ire flashing in his eyes, but he seemed to push it back down just as quickly.

“He fed me pizza, so he automatically ranks higher than you on that action alone,” she retorted, stepping back when he stepped forward again.

She felt a growl emanate from deep in his chest as he muttered, “This fucking mouth of yours is going to be the death of me.”

“You sure seem obsessed with my mouth tonight.”

“Beautiful, I’m constantly obsessing over your mouth. Over what’s going to come out of it next. What it tastes like when you let me kiss you. What it would feel like around my cock,” he replied, his gaze dipping to her lips as he spoke. She swallowed thickly as he moved into her again, and when she stepped back, the backs of her knees hit the bed. She hadn’t even realized they’d moved this far across the room. A slow grin spread across Theon’s face. His arm was still wrapped around her waist, and he leaned into her, forcing her back down onto the bed.

She tsked at him. “It’s just the bond, Theon,” she said, trying to ignore the feel of him as he pressed his body into hers.

“You say that a lot,” he replied, reaching up and trailing his fingers down her cheek, her jaw. “I’m not entirely sure why you think that—”

“Because you didn’t even know who I was a few weeks ago,” she interrupted, slapping his hand away from her face. “You’re telling me you suddenly care for me? Want me for more than a fuck? In that short amount of time? And it is not because of a bond?”

“Even if that were true, why would it bother you so much?” he pushed, his eyes searching hers.

“It’s not real, Theon!”

“What makes you think it is not real? The bond did not simply create something out of nothing. It amplifies what is already there,” Theon argued, his hips pressing down onto her own in a way that had her thoughts scattering. “Why do you think the other heirs spent the last few years building a relationship before they Selected their Sources? It was so the bond had something to build on.”

“I don’t understand,” she rasped, not daring to move and cause more friction between them.

“The bond builds on what is already there,” Theon said again, his power snaking along her bare thighs. “There was something instantaneous between us whether you want to admit to it or not, and the bond increases that desire. If you find you are seeking comfort from me, then the bond is building on something that is already there.”

“I was seeking comfort from the bond, Theon, not you.”

“And yet you said you needed me.”

“Semantics.”

“There is some part of you that already feels safe with me.”

“You don’t know what I’m feeling,” Tessa bit back.

“You are right. I don’t,” Theon answered, his fingertips running delicately along her cheekbone again. “That is, admittedly, the Mark I am most looking forward to you receiving. I want to know what you are feeling when you shut down and refuse to tell me.” Tessa tensed beneath him. “Like that right there. Why did you do that?”

“Because I don’t want you knowing what I’m feeling all the time or what I’m thinking. Just like I don’t like you knowing where I am all the time,” she retorted. “I don’t like needing you. I don’t need you.”

“You are telling me this entire day, you saying you needed me, initiating all the physical contact, the compliant nature, all of that was an act?” he demanded.

A sneer curled up on her lip. “Yes. I knew if you thought I was starting to embrace the bond, you would let your guard down a bit. I could tell it was working when you let me go to the restroom by myself at dinner, so I ordered the agaveheart to be sent here.”

“Because you deal with the assessments by getting drunk?”

“I deal with assessments by getting drunk and fucking mortals to make me forget everything I had to endure,” she spat back.

“What did you experience today, Tessa? Aside from the physical pain?” Theon’s tone had softened some, his emerald eyes watching her intently.

She shook her head. “I may be drunk and telling you way more than I ever planned to share with you, but I won’t be giving you any more pieces of my soul tonight.”

He cocked his head to the side, a smirk tipping up on the corner of his mouth. “Would you like me to distract you in other ways?” His hand dropped to her thigh, and his fingers began trailing through his shadows. “You claim this entire day was a ruse, but I bet your body says otherwise. Tell me, beautiful, will I find you soaked and ready for me?”

“Does it matter? Did you suddenly become mortal while I was out fraternizing with one?” she ground out.