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This was just supposed to be a political marriage.

Yet, each time a man looked at her with appreciation, he wanted to punch them in the face. It was ridiculous. Didn’t that make him a selfish blighter?

Raziel forced himself to look away when she began oiling her skin.

If he wasn’t careful, he’d end up kneeling at her feet, begging for her to let him have just one taste.

His body stirred and he shoved himself up from the chair, pacing to the fire. He leaned a hand on the mantle and prayed his body would behave.

This is not the time.

Scrubbing a hand over his face, he pulled himself together. Tonight had been traumatic. They were both vulnerable and when you mixed in the Lure, everything became more convoluted.

“Are you alright?” Mer asked.

His gaze flickered to her once more.

It didn’t help that his wife pranced through the house in a scrap of a nightdress. Even now he could clearly see her breasts right through the dress. He cursed and snatched a blanket off the nearest chair and slung it over her shoulders.

“Here,” he said gruffly. “You looked cold.”

A grateful smile lifted her lips.

It struck him.

“Beautiful,” he breathed.

Her smile froze and Raz cursed himself for being so stupid but he was transfixed by her lips. They were the color of the inside of the softest pink shell. He found himself leaning toward her before he jerked upright.

No.

Raziel backed away before flopping down into the old armchair with a heavy sigh.

This would not do. All he was feeling was loss and was desperately seeking comfort. Nothing more nothing less.

Mer padded over to the bed and pulled back the covers. She stared at the mattress for a long time.

What was she doing?

“You can sleep in it,” she said.

He flinched. “Excuse me?”

She slowly faced him, playing with the hem of her nightdress before finally meeting his eyes. “You can sleep in the bed. If you want.”

He’d been making his bed in front of the fireplace and his back hurt something fierce.

His eyes narrowed. Was there a trap here?

“And where will you sleep?” he asked.

She arched a pale eyebrow at him and climbed into bed. “With you, of course.”

He crossed his arms. Just what sort of mischief was this? They’d finally found an uneasy truce and now she was inviting him into her bed. His gaze turned to the door. She’d thrown him outside the last time he’d walked in on her bathing.

“Why the sudden change of heart?”

Mer shrugged, the nightdress slipping off her pale shoulder, revealing so much creamy skin that his mouth actually watered.