Page 44 of Crave Me

But I couldn’t give in.

Not yet.

Not until I knew exactly what this would do to my House.

“We should retire for the evening,” I said, standing abruptly. Bringing her up here had been a bad idea. She was probably about to strip and swim naked, something I would love to see, and yet hate at the same time.

Because I shouldn’t—couldn’t—touch her.

Fuck.

I didn’t look to see if she was following me. I just walked toward the exit, opened the door, and started down the stairs.

She sighed in my wake, the sound wistful, as though she were saying goodbye to an old friend.

I almost turned to look at her, but I didn’t trust my reactions. This woman was under my skin, her soul having penetrated mine beyond the damn bond.

She’s dangerous, I told myself.More dangerous than any of us could have realized.

Except Kaspian hadn’t reacted to her like this, which meant my response was definitely tied to the fated-mate spell.

Only, we broke it, I thought, entering the third floor again and heading straight for my wing.I felt it snap.

My teeth ground together, my insides a hot pool of lust that longed to be sated by the being humming along behind me.

Is she even aware that she’s singing?I wondered.Or is this something she just does?

And why the fuck is that so alluring?

I wasn’t one for childlike wonder or sweet songs. Yet this being enchanted me with her music. The way she danced and hummed and lived in such a happy state of existence was enthralling.

I just need some sleep,I decided.It’s been a while since my last rest, and it’s also been a very long fucking day.

Pushing through the double doors at the end of the hall, I led Nyx into my private wing. “Seating area,” I said, gesturing to the couches. “Bar.” I pointed to the glass wall and counter affixed to it. “There’s blood in the fridge…” I trailed off and glanced at her. “Do you need blood?” I imagined she didn’t, but she’d mentioned a penchant for biting.

“Only yours,” she purred, her sensual expression one that was going to haunt my dreams tonight.

Pure seduction.

I forced my gaze away from her and continued my tour. Which, of course, concluded with the bedroom. I didn’t have a guest area attached to my suite, making the four-poster bed at the center the one we would share tonight.

Why did I decide she needed to stay with me, again?

Oh, right. Because I’m supposed to be watching her.

As my mate.

And I can’t really do that if she’s in the guest wing.

Awesome.

“The windows there lead to a balcony, if you want to indulge in your moon a little more,” I told her, gesturing to the curtains covering the floor-to-ceiling glass wall. “Over here is the bathroom.”

It had a tub built for six because I liked my space, and a walk-in shower beside it.

My closet was at the end of the large space, mostly filled with suits like the one I had on now.

“We’ll need to arrange for you to have a wardrobe since you didn’t bring anything here with you.” I’d probably need to ask Cara to give her a tour of town. Or maybe one of my other generals. Whoever was free to—