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His wife.

I looked toward Alaric. His expression never changed. But somehow the room felt heavier.

Rafe cleared his throat.

“She spent years on them. I’m sorry, Alaric.”

One nod.

That’s all he gave.

“I’ll see what they can salvage.”

Alaric shook his head. “It’s okay. It’s time to let it go.”

Something twisted painfully in my chest.

I looked at him.

Really looked at him.

Not the man sitting behind the desk.

The man who’d spent years keeping a dead woman’s roses alive.

The man who’d walked past that greenhouse every day.

The man who’d finally let it go.

Rafe glanced my way and there was that look again. The same one Mrs. Reid had moments ago. “I’ll let them know.”

He didn’t wait, just headed for the door once more. But the moment we were alone the tension had changed.

“Alaric…”

He was already moving before I finished. Rising so quickly my breath caught. He strode to the door.

Closed it.

Click.

Then twisted the lock.

I was already reaching for him by the time he rounded the desk. His hands went to my waist, lifting me like I weighed nothing.

Hard lips found mine.

Big hands catching my chin.

He pulled away… for a second.

The tension was howling.

Then I was the one who moved, tearing at his shirt. His belt. The back of his neck to slam his lips back to mine. I couldn’t stop. Couldn’t get enough. I needed him closer. I needed him…

“Alaric.” I moaned. “Please.”

He pulled me hard against him, so I could wrap my legs around him. He kissed me, gripping the back of my neck with one hand and my waist with the other. My fingers worked on his buttons, then yanked his shirt free from his trousers. My lips found his jaw, then his neck, then lower.