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"I don’t want to notice you aren’t a kid I don’t want to break my promise, Ree But I want…" He sed audibly, his heart thudding under her hand

Tilting her head so their noses brushed, she edged closer to him When his hand ers to wash over her body

"What do you want?" she asked quietly, her voice husky

"I just want you" His lips skimmed over her cheek and then moved slowly to her mouth He pulled back just a little and looked into her eyes, sofor the moment to pass, she placed her free hand on the back of his neck and titled her head upwards in invitation His warhtened on her waist His breath arentle but purposeful as he tested the waters When his lips parted hers for a deeper kiss she ined it would be like this, with fire racing under her skin His fingers on her waist softlyher shirt bunch up and he brushed the skin of her waist Her breath caught, and his hand slid under her shirt onto the small of her back Their kiss took on a new intensity, her body desperate to be as close to his as possible

Lost in Paden, nothing else in the world existed but this moment for Ree She had wanted hi the relief of finally kissing him was almost painful He pulled away from her mouth and she made a sound of distress, but he si delicate kisses on her cheek and forehead Then he was back, his lips soft and hungry for hers The edge of the counter pressed into her back as he leaned into her, but she didn’t care; only touching Paden ers with an intensity she hadn’t known she could inspire So her mind noted that their heartbeats matched; they beat in unison While wrapped in his ared

Someone cleared their throat from the door way, and Ree jerked her head back, startled Paden’s face was a war of euilt washed off of hi was heavy, and he obviously took a

"What do you want, Roland?" asked Paden

Ree’s eyes widened and blood rushed to her cheeks She peeked under Paden’s arainst the kitchen door

"Sorry to interrupt this beautifulfor Ree She was supposed to co" His smirk was firmly in place and Ree suspected it was one of his personal defenses Somewhere in her heart she kneas her fault his walls were up in full force "And we still have weapons training tonight If you feel up to the challenge, that is"

Paden turned away frory She stepped away fro on such a sour note

"What does thatlike a horny teenager we have work to do" Roland drew hi," Paden snapped

"No, I get it You were just capitalizing on what I started earlier, hrowl vibrated through Paden’s shoulders and he threw himself across the counter There was only a moment of hesitation before Ree erected a wall between them with her power

She hadn’t seen Rolandat Paden with disgust "Don’t tryone You aren’t ready yet"

Paden snorted and looked at Ree over his shoulder She knehat he wanted, and she wasn’t about to give it to hi her head, she faced Roland and did her best to look stern and co to stop the situation before it escalated

"We’ll be out in aroom, tell her I’ll be there soon"

Roland’s mouth dropped open for a moment and then he chuckled He stepped back to the doorway and leaned against it

"Alastriana, you aren’t quite ready to lead this little group, so forgiveI pro blood with me," he replied To his credit he didn’t sound snide or condescending "Besides, I ah ti this way right now"

Even without enhanced hearing the sound of the others running through the hall was hard to mistake They rushed past the Dark One and barely stopped short when they saw the gli on?" Bryce demanded His eyes darted between Paden and the Roland, obviously sensing that was the real proble," Ree said blithely She dropped the power and walked toward the door, doing her best to not meet anyone’s eyes "Sorry I upset everyone I have to "

"I’ into the room Other than the dark circles under her eyes, there was nothing to announce she had fed Roland a short while ago "And I’d like to knohat is going on, as well"

Ree knew she looked like a deer caught in headlights; she could even feel her pal lady was angry atas she will accept y" Roland bowed his head at Ree

"Ree?" Melanie asked quietly Her eyes held a thousand questions Ree shook her head to try and deter any ave hiy Roland" He held out his hand to shake and she responded in turn, only to have hirowl froed Paden to behave It was upsetting enough that Roland had witnessed her first kiss She didn’t want to have to give anyone else an explanation of what had happened Solared at Roland and walked out of the room to forestall anyher out of the kitchen, but she refused to look behind her to make sure Paden and Roland ith the to tell me what really happened?" Sophie asked as she closed the office door

Ree gri the flames jump in the fireplace She could still feel where Paden had touched her, and the fire seemed to understand Sophie sat down next to her and waited patiently for an answer

"Roland was angry we took so long before coh to satisfy the older wory very easily Though, he does see with your Paden" Ree saw a slight smile curl the corners of Sophie’s lips "Have you considered the possibility that Roland ht be jealous?"

"Why on earth would he be jealous?" Ree asked, startled

"Roland usually treats the Alastriana with respect, and keeps his distance Yet, he has gone out of his way to be near you Even allowing you to train with the others"

"This is the last battle He has asas the rest of us do," Ree pointed out Sophie shrugged

"That’s true Though I’m sure it doesn’t help to see how Paden feels about you," Sophie continued "The gods play dangerous games and stack the odds the best they can"