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“And do you agree with her?”

“No.” He answers immediately. There wasn’t even a second of doubt in his response. It’s clear there’s something more between us, if only I can make him see that he shouldn’t be afraid to admit it. But then again, I should stop pushing him away.

Etienne turns toward me again, his gaze trailing over me, from head to toe, and back again. When his dark eyes lock on mine, they narrow for a moment before he reaches behind his neck and tugs his T-shirt off.

The material hits the floor, and soon enough, his jeans have joined the discarded item. He stops when he’s standing before me in his boxers.

“I want you,” he tells me earnestly. “I need to feel you, to be inside you. Something deep in my gut is pulling me toward you, and I can’t stop it.”

“Like a hurtling rollercoaster that’s not going to stop anytime soon,” I speak, linking my arms around his neck. I’m only wearing a tank top, and the heat of him turns my own body hot and needy.

“Pretty much,” he grins wolfishly, the mischievous glint in his eyes burns through my defenses, and Etienne lifts me up against him, my legs wrapping around his waist, as he carries me to the bed.

Setting me down, his mouth finds mine. Our lips fuse, and our tongues dance with each other as he steals my every breath and replaces it with his own. My hips rise to meet his, and his hands grip my body in a vise-like hold, keeping me steady as he takes the memories of the past few days and replaces them with him.

Only him.

“Etienne!” Ares’s voice bounces through the door. He knocks three times and waits.

“Fuck,” Etienne curses through clenched teeth. “What?” He calls to the closed door, and I pray Ares will leave us, but we’re not so lucky.

“Meeting, in my office, NOW.”

“Jesus, you’re a fucking cock block, man,” Etienne bites out in frustration. He places one last kiss on my lips before he rises, pulls on his jeans, and grabs his tee. “Stay here, I’ll be back for you, little wolf.”

It’s a promise that makes my core clench. With a wink, he walks out of the bedroom, leaving me wet and needy for him.

We’re bad for each other, but I no longer care.

I want Etienne Durand.

20

Etienne

I watch her sleep. She’s beautiful, flawless, as she breathes softly, and I can’t prevent my chest from tightening when I think about what’s to come. She’s right; Fergus won’t stop, and neither will Thane.

Even though love isn’t something I see myself giving freely, I enjoy my time with Rukaiya. My walls are being chipped away with every smile she gifts me, but I learned from my parents that those grins, those promises don’t always mean forever.

The sun is slowly setting on the horizon, making the room shimmer with a bright orange glow. The light streams over my little wolf’s body, which only makes my dick respond as I take in her smooth, silky flesh.

“You know, that would be considered stalking,” she mumbles as her lashes flutter up at me, causing me to chuckle at her sass.

“Oh? And you’re not blushing because I’m staring at you?” I ask, leaning in to taunt her with a kiss that I don’t give. She lifts up quickly, pressing her lips against mine. The softness of her mouth elicits a growl from me, and I can’t stop from deepening the kiss. My tongue darts out, licking against hers to taste her sweet flavor, which I can’t get enough of. I’m a hungry monster who would devour her in one sitting. And I’d do it easily.

“We have to go down for dinner,” she mumbles against my lips, breaking the kiss that I was rather enjoying. I’d rather stay up here and fuck her, but she’s right, we should get something to eat.

“You know, we didn’t really decide on what we’re going to do.” She’s right, but I don’t want to think about all the shit we’re going to have to get through. My father is landing in a few minutes, and once he arrives, we’re going to have to tell him about Thane and Yasmine.

My dad knew Tarian’s parents. They were best friends all their lives and knowing that he’s about to find out Yasmine is alive is not going to ease the tension that’s already twisted itself around this situation. There’s an impending storm when secrets are spilled, especially with ghosts coming back from the dead.

“I know we still have a lot to work through,” I tell her. “But little wolf, you’ve been through the worst, and you know why?”

She shakes her head, her innocence shining through. Even though she’s convinced she doesn’t need a hero to save her, she can’t deny that having someone beside her makes it easier.