ra's

k to mysel

ecognize. Then the ache between my thighs, deep and insistent, I couldn't

arrived like a f

issing him. Saying Lucas

then

The blanket slid down, and I was naked underneath. His shirt had

his name now.

hile I was still in it. The windows were cracked open, letting in the cold morning air. An

ssed over his broad chest as he watched me panic with

g her home, and fucking her into forgetting

mach f

is ready,

ned and lef

ldness. Just a s

ute, breathing, trying to

***

diately felt more revealin

he small kitchen counter. He sat across from me at a tiny table, eating his

Why did you help me? Why

cause I was afra

caught the name on the screen b

review: "You good? H

e, the sharp jaw, the dark skin, those

biggest competitor on the rink a

was what happened whe

s more steadier than I felt. "For the food. And for..."

said something obv

chair, he'd folded them and dressed quick

mara,"

kno

is was

t that last n

held my gaze. I

and looked dow

ess

****

of my normal life. I walked the same paths, sat in the same seat

most

ucas f

ng between classes, backpacks bumpin

y, head down, earbuds in, when

smug look he always had feeling lik

w I'd traced with my fingers a hundred tim

ooking for y

one he only used in empt

zed with a jolt. F

is head, studying my face like he was trying to

l my wrist fre

of me,

mar

e me

gh to hurt, just enough to s

ir eyes on us, on the Ashford Alpha holding the

outh to screa

d settled

warm an

urn

mine. He wasn't touching Lucas. He didn't need to. He just looked at hi

you he

d and turned. Whispers started. Lucas's pa

ent ver

arrett. Then back to me. Th

adable, almost like he was reeling

ased my

that said it was not a question or re

ed at him with that same unbothered

ne last time, searching, measuring, remembering

and promised something

over," he

lked

ted for him.

ill warm on my back. He didn't move it. He didn't say you're wel

st wa

tomach drop, that Lucas had just understood s

r Garrett was. It wasn't