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Nestled in his safe warmth, it was no surprise that Violet’s eyelids began to droop as sleep threatened to drag her into its dark depths.

At first, she resisted the lulling call—after all, who knew what this fool would do to her while unconscious?

However, fatigue won over, and she decided to risk it.

And sleep, she did, for all of a few minutes because something was poking into her back.

At first, Violet ignored it, shifting slightly in the cramped space, desperate to stay within the blissful haze of sleep.

But then it poked her again and again, until her eyes snapped open, and her brain immediately caught up to what was happening.

She was swaddled in Roman’s heat, his blanket wrapped around her like a cocoon, but there was no mistaking what was pressing against her considering a certain Alpha was naked behind her.

She clenched her jaw. Oh, for fuck’s sake.

"Behave," she muttered, her voice thick with sleep.

There was a beat of silence. Then he said, "Who?" Roman feigned innocence.

Violet ignored him, obviously not in the mood for his games.However, before she could sink back into sleep, "it" poked her again. A slow, bubbling irritation bloomed within her.

"Roman," she said through gritted teeth. "I’m trying to sleep."

Roman hummed, the vibration of his chest resonating through her back."Don’t worry about ’him.’" He admitted shamelessly. "He’s just saying hello. First time meeting you and all."

Violet’s lips twitched despite herself, but she forced the amusement down. She knew Roman and if she encouraged him even once, he’d never stop.

"Well, tell him his greeting is explicit and highly inappropriate," she shot back, her voice oddly cool. The gods knew she had no idea why she was even entertaining this ridiculous conversation.

Roman sighed dramatically. "I can’t."

Her brows furrowed. "And why’s that?"

"Because," he used a falsely timid tone, as if confessing a terrible secret, "he’s big, long, and scary... and I’m afraid of him."

Violet swore she wouldn’t laugh but damn it all, a burst of laughter escaped before she could stop it. And the moment it did, Roman grinned like the smug bastard he was.

He added almost immediately, "He wasn’t lying, though, he does have all those features."

The suggestive undertone in his voice was impossible to miss, but oddly enough, it wasn’t aggressive and didn’t repulse her. Roman was teasing her, and Violet begrudgingly appreciated the lightness of the moment.

It wasn’t until now that Violet realized how dangerous this situation was. She was alone in a secluded treehouse, pressed against a naked Alpha, and if Roman had any ill intentions, there would be no one to stop him.

Yet, he hadn’t tried anything. The thought made a strange and unfamiliar emotion coil in her chest.

"I can tell," she deadpanned, making a point not to move. "It’s poking right at me."

She had no idea why those words left her mouth. It wasn’t flirting. Was it? No. Definitely not. Just a neutral observation.

Right?

"You’re handling this better than I expected, Miss Purple." The contented sound Roman made rumbled right through her and made her feel warm all over. Violet knew at once she couldn’t let whatever this was continue.

"I think I’m warm enough now," she announced, shifting in an attempt to untangle herself.

"No, wait—" Roman reached for her.

The problem was the couch was ridiculously small, so when Violet twisted to get away, she lost her balance. Roman tried to catch her but failed.

With a startled yelp, they tumbled to the floor in a tangled heap with Violet flat on her back, and Roman on top of her. Violet gasped as the air whooshed from her lungs, leaving her momentarily stunned.

For a long, charged second, neither of them moved until Roman lifted his head, their eyes locking in the dark. Those piercing green orbs of his glowed strongly, almost hypnotically, and Violet felt her heart stutter in her chest.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

Even without light, she knew exactly what that look in his eyes meant. He was going to kiss her.

Violet’s breath hitched in her throat. Roman’s face was so close she could feel the warmth of his breath as he leaned in slowly.

But just as their lips were about to meet,

Violet slapped a hand over her mouth.

Roman paused, blinking at her in surprise. Then, he grinned lazily like a predator who knew nothing could stop him from getting what he wanted.

Instead of pulling away, Roman lowered his head and let his lips press against her palm softly. As Roman lingered, the deliberate caress sent heat shooting straight through her.

It was just a kiss on her palm. But fuck! Violet felt it everywhere. And worse? It was not just that. His body was flush against hers, and his undeniable arousal was now pressing directly between her thighs.

God help her!

Flustered, she shoved him away. "Get off me, asshole."

Roman rolled onto his side, laughing.

Violet had to scramble to her feet, mortified, her face burning. She faced the entrance, wanting to get out before she lost whatever sanity she had left.

She would not fall for his tricks like the other girls had.

Violet knew guys like Roman. The second they got what they wanted, they moved on to the next conquest. He was untamable. And Violet wasn’t so damaged in the head to think she could change a man like him.

Her chin lifted. "I want to leave. Now. Take me out of here."

Roman sat up, stretching leisurely, still amused as hell. "Fine," he snickered, "but you can’t leave like this."

Before she could argue, Roman was moving again, rustling around for something.

A moment later, something warm and thick was pulled over her head. It was his wooly sweater.

The overwhelming scent of pineapple and whipped cream hit her all at once. It was intoxicating. Then—oh fuck, then—Roman’s knuckles brushed against her breast as if by accident while adjusting the sweater, and a violent shudder ran through her.

Violet jerked back like she’d been burned.

"I can do it myself," she snapped.

Roman raised his hands in mock surrender. "If you say so, my lady."

Violet yanked the sweater down furiously, realizing it was huge. The thing nearly swallowed her, hanging down to her knees. And his scent was everywhere, so strong, she almost wanted to bite into him.

What the hell was wrong with her?

She took a deep breath. "I’m done. Now let’s go."

But Roman didn’t move.

He said, "Before you go, there’s something we need to talk about."

Violet would have said this was not the time but something about his tone made her hesitate.

She asked carefully. "What is it?"

"It’s about the hunt."

At the mere mention of it, her body went rigid. But she remained curious. "What about it?"

Roman exhaled slowly. "If I help you win tonight, don’t choose a house."

Violet’s heart skipped a beat.

"What?" she asked, voice a whisper.

Roman’s next words sent a chill straight through her.