Adam stared down at me, his expression thunderous. “It was you. I know it was you.” My head was rocking side to side before I could stop it. “No.” I wrenched my hand free of his. “You’re wrong.”“I’m not!” Anger blazed hot behind his eyes as they burned into me. “Look at me, Kia! Look me in the eye and tell me you’re not her.

How have you always felt?” he wondered.“Loved.” Her eyes opened and met his. “Wanted, happy, excited. A little sad.”He felt himself stiffen. “Why sad?”“Because it always feels like one lifetime with you just isn’t enough.

That isn't fair.' Her voice came out small, barely a whisper. 'I didn't ask to be thrown into all this. I didn't ask to fall for a guy that isn't even human. It just happened and I have no idea what I'm supposed to do next so if you have some magical guidebook, I'd love to borrow it.

I know.” The two words ghosted against the skin of her neck, sending goose bumps down her spine. “But I want to touch you. I want to put my hands all over you. I want to kiss every inch of you and taste you as you come apart in my arms. I want to feel you wrapped around me with nothing but my name on your lips and the sheets a tangled mess beneath us. I want…” He exhaled heavily into her ear. “I want. I want. I want!

No one is born with a talent. Talent is something we create on our own with practice and dedication.

Because I loved you!' she shouted. 'Because I didn't want to let you go! Because I didn't want to lose you!' She hadn't realized she was crying until her voice hitched and she felt the tears on her cheeks. She swiped at them impatiently. 'I have never fought for anything in my life because I never had anything worth fighting for, but I was going to fight for you.

Do it, Octavian” She ghosted the tips of her fingers along the hem of his shirt. “Touch me.”He growled low in his throat, his forehead dropping another inch toward her shoulder, his hair tickling the side of her face. “Be my angel, Riley, not my siren. Don’t tempt me.”Moistening her lips with a sweep of her tongue, Riley glided her fingers over his belt, tracing the strip of leather to the silver buckle in the center. She felt rather than heard his deep inhalation and the tremor that raked his powerful body. Driven by his surrender, she used two fingers to walk over the square carvings etched into his abdomen, biting her lip to stop the grin that pulled when he groaned. “I want to be both for you, Octavian,” she whispered, letting her lips brush the curve of his shoulder.

You’re beautiful when you do that.”She dropped her gaze to his. “What’s that?”“Smile.

Hey.' He waited until he had her attention before continuing. 'I'm not angry.' He gave her a small smile. 'You're back and I'm okay with that... For now.'Her fingers trembled around the bottle. 'For now?'His smile broadened and a wicked grin danced in his eyes. 'Well, it's only a matter of time before you remember why you fell for me.