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.

that the words popped from her

“What do you mean?”

world that I don’t

to want you because you are my mate now that we’re bonded but my heart belonged to another before

bald statement for its stark honesty. She supposed she ought to be appreciative of the fact that he wasn’t going to lie

preferred brutal honesty to gentle falsehoods. Well, she had until that moment. Now, she was rethinking that philosophy because the slap of that fucking statement had

for hurting her. “Cassandra…I do not wish to hurt you. I will always protect, respect, and care 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

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

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

that kind of admission? Was she supposed to thank him for being so honest? Or maybe start sobbing like a pinched baby because

Screw. That.

from the bed and stalked past

her action. “What are you doing? You’re

your commitment, Tieran. I told you I wanted more. Being second best has never been my style. I will find someone else who will

take one