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"No, no Please… I just need to rest"

"Krill, stop pestering the poor girl," Ariana adently She took my arm "Come, I shall show you to your room"

Ariana leftthe servants to send for a supper tray With one last grateful hug, she swept frolad the Grof had gotten his happily ever after At least soh it was, I barely tasted it as I shovelled it down I kept seeing Winter at the door to her , intimate look in her eyes

I slid back on the bed and rested ht for a restful, drea when I heard the handle on the door turn, soht at the i when the intruder revealed hi the key in the lock

I glared at hi over me inscrutably

"Grof Krill and Grofka Ariana are so sickeningly happy, I had to get away from them" He smirked

I was surprised by his even tone There was no ice in his eyes No growl in his words

"Get out," I snapped, feeling the hurt roll over and overwaves

Wolfe’s expression hardened "No" He shook his head and pushed away fro towards uid walk "I’ for you to co today"

I continued glowering "What was that?"

He stopped in front of me so I had to crane my neck back to an You have to have them shaken into you" He reached out to touchhis wounded look as he dropped his hand "I love you, Rogan"

All the pain and anger I felt brimmed over in my eyes "Then why did you bed Winter ere in Caera?" I choked back a cry

Wolfe looked surprised, sitting down beside an, I never bedded Winter I never touched her I shared a rooht; you can ask hilanced up at hi "What?"

"I was nowhere near her The last time ere in Caera, I told Winter there would never be anything between us again because… because… because I love you I’ its way back inside me I tried to shake it back out I was so confused "The servants were gossiping about you leaving her bedroohed in exasperation "Winter likes to use her servants for her little ga to put up a wall between us"

"You refused to converse with me anyway There was already a wall"

He slid a hand downentle touch "I was terrified, Rogan Every time I think about what could have happened… what did happen… I-"

"Wolfe, don’t," I urged, shushing him I reached for his hand on the bedspread and slowly threaded azed at our hands so entangled together His skin felt warainst ain," Wolfe whispered

I looked up to find his eyes on my face There was pain there I had never seen before, and I knoas fear that I would turn from him I knew… because I knew hi, I leaned across the space between us and pressedas I kissed him softly, almost as if he were afraid to touch me

I pulled back

I knew him "He didn’t hurt listening "Promise?"

"Promise"

Tentatively, he lifted our clasped hands off the bed and kissed oing to have to seduce you?" I grinned a little shyly

Wolfe’s eyes darkened as his lips curved into that wicked smile "I’m happy with either scenario"

In the end… we seduced each other

I had never been shy Mindful of the proprieties, yes, but not shy And with Wolfe, I felt allI was younger and inexperienced in comparison to the women he had been with previously His declaration of lovethe vibration of his groan against azed up into his eyes I realised so wonderful

He knew me

Gazes locked, we slowly undressed one another, leisurely, deliciously, savouring our connection…

…When I was nad under him, I felt no fear, just want I stroked hs against my own and trembled with the want

And consequences be da what I wanted