I poke his face. “Mr. McFrown.”
I put my finger at the edge of his mouth on the side of his scar and tilted his mouth up, forcing a smile. He looked up at the ceiling, but I hoped I didn’t imagine the light in his eyes.
After the elevator made all of the stops, it finally came to the twelfth level, and he stepped into a beautiful penthouse. My eyes were wide as I took it all in. It was huge. I looked to the side and saw a large window looking out. I wiggled until he dropped me and ran to it.
“Beautiful.” I gasped, awed. The city flowed with activity. Buildings were lit up and standing tall. I pressed my palm against the surface as I peered out. Waves teased the edge of the beach. I knew it was my enhanced Fae-ness that allowed me to see so far, and for once, I was glad because it allowed me to see the beauty clearly.
Hands went around my neck and turned me. I went along with it because they were hands I knew. Hands I craved.
I craned my neck to look into Roark’s eyes. He was so handsome. I wanted to kiss his scar. I got on my tippy-toes, dragged him down, and did exactly that. He allowed it, and a harsh shudder wracked his body. I followed the scar to his lips and let my mouth hover over his.
In an explosion of movement, we clutched each other close, fusing together. My tongue flicked inside his mouth, and our tongues reacquainted themselves. I pulled back and nibbled on his lower lip. With a groan, he pulled away and straightened.
“You do not want to yell at me?” he rasped.
“Nu-uh,” I said and tried to pull him back down.
“Something isn’t right,” he muttered, seeming frustrated when I ran my hands over his chest.
“Yeah, you have a shirt on.” I tugged said shirt up and exposed his firm muscled belly. My lady bits paid attention, wanting more exposure of his skin.
Instead of giving more, Roark grabbed my shoulders and pushed me back, breathing harshly. “What were you doing before I saw you?” he asked.
I tried getting closer to him, but when he didn’t budge, I sighed and set my hands on my hips with a roll of my eyes. “Stop being a buzzkill. I just had some drinks.”
“Drinks? Our kind cannot feel the effects of imbibing human alcohol.” His eyebrows were close together. “Unless… someone gave you wolf’s bane.”
“What’s that?”
“A plant that affects Unnaturals. The outcome differs depending on species, but for Fae, it gives the effect of being drunk.”
My muddled thoughts worked to process this information. “Uh-oh, who would lace my drink?”
“Any Unnatural who wants to test if someone was Fae. Or if the owner of an establishment was Unnatural.” Roark stared over my head, retribution gleaming in his calculating eyes. “We must get you to bed. Rest will progress the effect of this much quicker.”
He turned, but I stayed in place.
“I don’t want to go to bed.” I stomped my foot and glared at him mulishly.
“You must.” Eyes sparkling with exasperation, he came to my side and tugged me in the direction of the bedroom. I eyed his broad shoulders and raked my gaze down his form.
“But I want to do naughty things with you,” I grumbled, grouchy.
“If you continue feeling that way after this is out of your system, I’ll be more than happy to oblige, my love.”
“Humph. Don’t call me that.” I glared ahead of me as the dark room came into focus.
He guided me to the bed, and I plopped onto it without pulling the sheets back. He sighed and reached for the lapel of my leather jacket. I grabbed his arms and smiled up at him. “Changed your mind?”
He gave me a warning look but didn’t answer me as he pulled my jacket off. After setting it on the edge of the bed, he knelt and slipped my shoes off. He tugged the blanket from under me until he freed it. Roark gripped my shoulder and forced me to lay as I grumbled. Pulling it up to my chin, he tucked the sides until I was a burrito. My eyes tingled with the beginning of tears. No one had ever done that for me before.
I swallowed hard at the emotion filling my chest. I didn’t want him to go. I was so sad without him. “Don’t go.”
He straightened and looked out the door, his throat bobbing up and down. He turned back to look at me and rubbed his forehead. He straightened his shoulders as if coming to a decision, walked to the other side of the bed, and laid down, leaving a gap between us.
A thrill shot through me. Giving in to my desire, I scooted closer. Roark tensed, but I ignored him and laid my hand on his chest. Sliding it down, I curled my arm around his waist, my body flush against his.
With a sigh, his body shuddered and fully relaxed as he turned and wrapped his arms around me—squeezing me to him. I cuddled closer as his hand began caressing my back in soothing circular motions.
Half-asleep, I heard him speak softly. But the only phrase I was able to make out was, “I’ve missed you.”
That was when my emotions won, and tears leaked out of my eyes.
“Why did you go through with the melding?” I choked out through the tight channel of my throat.
He stayed quiet, and my tears came faster. The hurt I’d suppressed came to the forefront, and my chest constricted. A sob built. I tried to hold it back but couldn’t. It burst out of me with countless emotions. I cried so hard that I didn’t realize Roark was lightly rocking me, holding me so tight I was sure my bones would have snapped if I were fully human.
My sobs kept coming, and I lost
