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I turned the handle and it gave way.

She didn’t lock it and she’d been locking it of late. I didn’t want to linger on how I knew that. I just pushed the door open and stepped inside. She trusted this house now. She trusted me. The splash of water was instant. Then, a deep moan. She wasn’t just in the bathroom. She was in the damn bath.

“Alaric.”

I froze at the sound of my name. Then came a moan. Soft. Low. Unaware of what it was doing to me. Hunger surfaced instantly.

“Please.”

The plate in my hand trembled. I slammed my eyes closed. What the fuck are you doing still standing here? What the fuck are you DOING?

I opened my eyes. Took a step backward. This wasn’t right. This wasn’t what she deserved. What kind of bastard stands outside her bathroom door and⁠—

“Again. Oh, God.”

Wanting her felt dangerously close to pain. My body betrayed me, pressing hard against the inside of my zipper. I needed to leave now. I needed to leave before this went too far. A low, aching whimper came from the bathroom. She was close. She was so fucking close and I⁠—

I couldn’t move.

I wanted to see her.

Wanted to touch her.

Wanted to show her just how fucking perfect she was. Her soft skin. Her twisted thumb. I could almost feel her fingers trailing down the scar of my cheek.

Let me ease her hunger. Just once. Please, for the love of fucking God. Just once.

Desire settled low and painful inside me. I turned around slowly. Some part of me hating myself even more. But I eased the plate down carefully, beside it the tea. I knew what I was doing. Knew I was crossing a line. This one… comes with me. But the truth was—I crossed that line the moment I bought her home.

That realization lingered as I moved away from the doorway and left her room.

I went straight for the east wing.

And with each resounding thud of my steps the anger inside me grew. I should stop. Go back in there. Pick up the plate and the tea. She’d never know I heard her. Never know I was there at all.

I could’ve fucking ruined it.

I froze at the entrance of my room.

Do you get that?

I could’ve fucking ruined it all.

The door closed with a bang when I stepped into my room. My fingers fumbled briefly over the buttons. I slipped off my shirt, kicked off my shoes and crossed to the bathroom. Unbuckled my pants and let them fall. They hit the bathroom floor at my feet before I stepped free.

Alaric.

Please.

Her whimpers returned as I turned and stepped onto the shower. A tiny sting came at my neck. I touched it, remembering the way she held the knife to my throat. Her hand trembled. She fought me a little as the blade kissed my skin. She was terrified and yet, she didn’t want to hurt me. Me… me who was easily twice her size and her weight. Me—a man she should’ve feared.

Yet every cell in her body wanted to protect me.

Even from myself.

Again. Oh, God.

She said my name like she wanted me there.