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She tasted so good.

I sat there for a moment, chest heaving, curls clinging to the sides of my face as I struggled to catch my breath. Water rolled down my skin in heavy beads, and my gaze swept the room like something had invaded it, as the shadow might still be lurking in a corner.

Swiping a shaky hand across my eyes, I wiped away the sting.

There was no time to process what happened. A soft knock echoed against the door, catching my attention. The sound, gentle, polite, still managed to jolt straight down my spine. “Alexander?” a voice called sweetly from the other side. That voice… wind-chime soft. Impossible to forget. Valentina. “I brought you some more blood before we head out to train,” she added when I didn’t answer fast enough.

I dragged in a breath and steadied my tone. “I’ll be out in a minute. Thank you.” Of course she’d be my first visitor. I should’ve known. And now she was right outside the door… and I was still figuring out what the hell I was going to wear. The only thing within reach?

A damn towel.

“Do you want me to wait for you?” she asked, that warm lilt in her voice making it so much worse. The image hit me instantly, her, waiting inside, while I stepped out with the cloth slung low on my hips. Another bolt of heat shot through me. This time, not supernatural. Not shadow-born.

Just her.

White-hot, low, and focused entirely between my legs. Sucking in a sharp breath, I gripped the edge of the tub to keep grounded. A crack claimed my voice before I forced it steady. “Yeah, uh… come back in a few minutes.” Standing quickly, water cascaded down my body as I grabbed the nearest towel from the counter. Wrapping it tightly around my waist, I took one more deep breath.

Valentina had almost walked in on me, still buzzing with the power of a storm god. And somehow… that wasn’t the part that scared me most. I waited for her response… but none came.

Her footsteps were always so light, graceful, like a dancer, that I wouldn’t have known if she’d left or was still standing on the other side. Maybe she had left. Maybe she was still upset about the night before. Maybe I hadn’t earned a reply. Rolling my eyes at the thought, I was too damn raw to play games.

Giving it a few more seconds, I waited before crossing the drenched marble floor. Hesitantly, I pulled open the door to my chambers. My focus was set on the dresser near the wall, where I knew fresh clothes had been set out for me. That’s where my feet were headed until they froze mid-step.

Valentina was still in the room. Seated in one of the plush red chairs, her body was angled just slightly, but her eyes? Locked directly on mine. I stiffened. My hands instinctively tightened around the towel at my waist. She didn’t move. Just watched me.

And gods help me, she looked dangerous.

She wore a royal blue corset dress today, tighter than usual, form-fitted instead of flaring at the hips, layered in black lace that draped over soft silk. The sleeves hugged her arms all the way down to her wrists, ending in a pointed V that made her delicate hands look even smaller. The neckline was sweethearted, soft… low. And her cleavage? Spilled over the corset like freshly baked muffins. Served warm. Served for me. My throat went dry. She tilted her head slightly, biting that damn bottom lip, teeth sinking into the plush curve like she knew what it did to me.

Her gaze dropped slowly. From my eyes to the sharp contour of my chest still wet from the bath, and finally to my hands. Where they were clenched tightly around the cloth.

She didn’t say a word.

She didn’t need to.

Every second of silence screamed louder than anything else. I had to find my voice. Right now, I have none. Valentina’s gaze hadn’t found mine, and the longer her gaze lingered below, the slicker my palms grew with sweat. My erection strained against the fabric, pitching a sloped tint.

My body didn’t care but embarrassed me entirely.

Dropping one hand lower, I shielded the evidence, but there wasn’t much point. She saw. She knew. Clearing my throat, she finally lifted her eyes and met mine again. “Why are you still in here?” I asked, voice low, almost hoarse. I didn’t want a repeat of last night’s rejection anthem. Her attitude had turned sharp when I pulled away. She was hurt and demanding all at once. And in retrospect? It was hot. The way she wanted me. The way she challenged me. Still… I had to be the one to hold the line. If I didn’t, I wasn’t sure what would happen.

“I didn’t think you meant for me to really leave,” she said sweetly, tilting her head. Her voice was all innocence, but her eyes knew exactly what they were doing. Then she rose from the chair. The fabric of her dress fell to the floor in soft waves, gliding down her body like liquid night. Every inch of her frame moved with slow, deliberate grace; each step was carved from temptation itself.

My breath caught. “Valentina…” I murmured, her name barely forming on my lips.

“Alexander,” she echoed back with a soft, knowing smile, like we were sharing a secret no one else could ever understand. She was almost within reach. Almost close enough to pull me under again. Val lifted her hand, and I went completely still. Her fingertip brushed gently across my collarbone, barely grazing the skin. It burned like fire. Slowly, deliberately, she dragged her touch between my pecs until her palm settled at the center of my chest.

Following her hand, desire burned low in my stomach as she moved lower, toward my navel. Every point of contact sent lightning through my nerves, desperate and electric. My bottom lip found its way between my teeth as her other hand rose, cradling the side of my neck with that same warmth. It was more than just calm that penetrated my skin; it was pure lust. That hand of hers slipped lower, gliding back across my chest until her thumb brushed against the tight peak of my nipple. Gently, she pinched the flesh, twisting it between her thumb and index finger.

Shuddering beneath her touch, my shoulders tightened as my knees nearly buckled under me. Even though I knew I didn’t want to take advantage of her, I couldn’t help but savor the feeling. It was more than just wanting; it was a pure need to let her feel me. My own fingers twitched with anticipation, but I willed them still to let her explore.

Valentina’s fingers dipped lower than I expected. She teased the edge of the towel, slipping just the tips beneath the seal, so her nails could graze right above my pelvis. It would have been so easy to let her see what her curiosity demanded. But another part of me knew better. That’s when I caught her wrist with one hand, my body trembling with restraint.

A guttural groan tore from my throat as I spoke. “Valentina…” I breathed, thick and low. “Let me get dressed.” Opening my eyes, I finally dared to look at her. That one look and I knew what she’d see.

Need.

Lust.