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“First…” Edmond dragged in a deep breath, releasing it slowly. This was going to test him. More than any battle he had ever fought in. “First, you must remove your clothes.”

She gave a nervous laugh. “Oh. Yes, of course.” Isobella unlaced the stays of her dress.

Edmond’s eyebrows shot up. She did not question it? “I can remain clothed or…or…if it would make you feel more comfortable, I can…I can…” Fates save him. He sounded like a blithering fool with no less than half a wit to his brains. “I can also undress.” Edmond focused on a point over Isobella’s shoulder. The Fates have mercy on him should he glimpse her removing her embroidered gown.

It hit the floor with a swish of material. His body quivered, every muscle taut and held in place by sheer will. He breathed in through his nose, then wished he had not. Her underdress dropped to the floor, and Edmond’s breeches pulled tight across his cock. Swallowing became difficult. Should she wish him to remove his clothing, he would not be able to hide what she did to him. It was neither prudent nor safe to turn his back on her.

Her chemise hit the floor. “Whatever you think is best.”

Unbidden, his gaze dipped.

The Fates give me strength.

Untying her glorious curls from the braids wrapped around her head, she was unaware of his regard. And merde, though his conscience begged him to shut his eyes, to turn away, he could not help but stare. At her warm skin he was desperate to touch. At her lithe thighs and the curve of her hips he longed to trace. His mouth watered at the thought of tasting her. Of sucking her dark nipples into his mouth. Of dipping lower, licking her skin down to her navel. Lower still.

Isobella finished untying her braids, and Edmond snapped his eyes shut. But she was there, on the backs of his eyelids. A goddess with golden skin and dark curls. He wanted her with everything he had. Merde. How would he walk away if she chose Aubert? The pull, the desire, had not been this strong with Sabine.

The thought of Sabine pulled him back from the brink and cleared his mind. Enough so he could do what they were here to do. Train her. “I will remain clothed.” It was the only option, for if he were naked, not even the Christian God smiting him from above would stop him from scooping her up into his arms and having her beneath him, clenching around his painfully hard cock. “If need be, I will shift.” His words were gruff. It was a surprise he could speak at all.

She nodded. “I’m ready when you are.”

Even her voice sent fingers of desire racing across his skin. His clothing itched—too constricting. He resisted the urge to rip it off. Drawing on years of discipline, Edmond focused on the task at hand and opened his eyes, fixing his attention on Isobella’s face. “We are going to let your wolf out now. You will ask her to come forward. Try to hold on to your center, that place inside you that is Isobella. She will come out fast. Try to slow her down.”

Concern flickered in Isobella’s dark eyes.

“Do not fear if you cannot. I have you. I will always have you.”

Would he? Not if she chose Aubert.