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Though his cheeks reddened, he kept his gaze on her, expression curious and…she wasn’t sure The emotion bothered her, whatever it was
He drew his wings closer “At eighteen, I let a council of Sent Ones select a wife for me A mother for McCadden”
He’d married? Jealousy sparked, and she bit her cheek “Go on”
“I didn’t know it at the time, but Samantha esteemed another Eventually, she divorced me to wed him Rebecca left me for reasons unknown” A muscle jumped beneath his eye “Perhaps she merely wished to escape my hideous face”
Ouch Okay Viola had thrown the insult to hurt him Because yes, he had hurt her Retaliation was supposed to make her feel better, not worse
She forged ahead, the prize worth the effort “I happen to like your face” Truth “And I have the best taste in the history of taste Ask anyone”
He pursed his lips, far from mollified “I’m the only person available to adht now”
As she peered over at her captor…her partner…the h de, Viola ca decision She wanted more than her own enjoyment—she wanted his And not only to prove a point
“Why are you peering atas stiff as a board
“Like what?” Strolling toward him, she rasped, “Like I want to show you how handsome you are?”
Chapter Eight
Brochan watched, enthralled, as his goddess crossed the distance between theown Her eyes were hooded, her red lips parted Long, blond hair swayed with her every movement Each step separated the slits in her das
With the foliage and flowers behind her, her whiskey eyes glittering, she ht as well have stepped from a dream
He groused, “I’ to harm you, Viola You don’t have to pretend to desire me”
“I thought we covered this already” She stopped in front of him The rain had rendered the fabric of her dress transparent “I’”
Muscles clenched on bone, his body aching Pure temptation…
Look away! “You didn’t wanta siot lost in your head” Exactly as Samantha and Rebecca used to do when he touched them
“Why wouldn’t I get lost in uy determined to kill me I had qualms”
Ohhh Air deflated fro hi, thunderstruck by the childhoodshe’d endured The pain he’d detected had nearly rent hi To protect and comfort