THE AWAKENING

She felt the invisible bond between them tighten and she gave into the realization that she was helpless to stop what was happening between them.

And a small part of her that was growing larger by each day, didn’t care. If only Tieran felt the same.

As the haze lifted and their sexual hunger abated, Cassandra expected Tieran to split as quickly as possible but he surprised her by staying, although he seemed agitated, as if he didn’t know why he wasn’t leaving. “I was wrong to blame you for what has happened,” he admitted, breaking the silence. He climbed to his feet and pulled his jeans on.

His dark hair was beautifully mussed and his abdomen muscles stood out in hard relief against the landscape of his bronze skin.

To look at him was to think of, and desperately want sex and the fact that Cassandra had laid claim to him was a secret thrill even if she wasn’t ready to admit that fact.

“Which part?” she asked.

“All of it,” he said. “I realize you didn’t ask for any of this either. But you’re right about us needing to work together to be good parents. The future of the world rests in your belly. We have a responsibility to work together as a team.”

Her hopes fell and she couldn’t help the bitterness that followed. Work together as a team? Okay, coach. Did he talk to his beloved Serra like that? Or did he wrap his arms around her tenderly when he made love to her?

Thus far, Tieran had simply fucked her like a maddened beast (which she loved) but she could tell he was reserving the sweetest part of himself for someone else and it killed her.

Cassandra said bluntly, surprised that the words popped from her mouth.

“What do you mean?”

anger bled a weeping wound of hurt and rejection. “I want more from you. If I’m being asked to sacrifice everything I’ve ever known for a new world that I don’t understand in the least, you’re going to have to stop fighting what you feel for me. I can sense

want you because you are my mate now that we’re

bald statement for its stark honesty. She supposed she ought to be appreciative

she was rethinking that philosophy because the slap of that fucking statement had stung like a

for you but do not hope that I will ever love you. That part of myself left the day Serra was forced from her home to make room for the woman I was supposedly destined for

sprung to Cassandra’s eyes and she didn’t try to hide them. Well, wasn’t that a bowl

Hey, I like you enough to bang boots but you’re not good enough to meet the fam. Sorry, babe. That’s just the way it is.

honest? Or maybe start sobbing like

Screw. That.

the bed and stalked past him,

at her action. “What are you

the doorknob. “I release you from your commitment, Tieran. I told you I wanted more. Being second best has never been my style. I will find someone else who will be over-the-moon-happy that I am their Number One girl. I am no

one step outside