Page 43 of Seduce Me in Shadow

Sydney

It’s nearly midnight. After another disappointing evening, I force myself off the couch and stretch, savoring the delicious feeling of the lace and silk of my bralette caressing my torso and cupping my breasts. The tiny matching thong clings to my hips like a lover.

Too bad I ended up wearing these frilly bits for myself.

Most of the evening, while I revised the next installment of my magical war story like Caden suggested, I waited for him to turn up. The article is scheduled to appear later this week. Contrary to Holly’s opinion, I think the angle makes a difference, and his is better.

But even work couldn’t stop me from fixating on my tasty photographer. Thoughts of him awakened my anticipation. My skin feels alive. I ache like never before.

It sounds foolish, but I half expected the magical diary Aquarius gave me to work. Something—instinct, maybe?—toldme that tonight was the night, so I donned my sexiest, most transparent lingerie. And I waited.

But he’s a no-show. Again. So I’m going to bed alone.

Clearly, the supposed magical diary granting fantasies is rubbish. I’m done waiting for him to knock on my door and declare his undying lust. Feeling barmy, I grab my robe from the sofa and head down the hallway with a yawn.

Two steps later, someone bangs on my door. My telly is off, and I don’t have a yappy dog, so whoever’s knocking can’t be complaining about noise. Maybe someone needs help?

I dart to the foyer. “Who is it?”

“Caden. Open the door, Sydney. Now.”

His growled demand is low. It’s insistent. It drips sex.

My heart stutters.

With jittery fingers, I flip the lock, then fumble for the knob. Before I can turn it, he shoves the door open. It bounces off the wall unchecked.

Caden fills the doorway, breathing hard, his entire body tense. Those blue eyes light on my mouth like a laser. I flash hot. Tingles flood my system.

He kicks the door closed. The crash booms in my foyer, resounding in my ears. My heart races when he reaches behind his head, gathers his T-shirt in his fist, and yanks it over his head.

Oh. My. God.

Caden is positively ripped, muscled chest, shoulders rising and falling with each audible breath. Veins and tendons stand out along his forearms and hands. His abdomen ripples with every move.

The man is gorgeous, and as I suspected he’s fit. But it’s more. He’s an extraordinary male animal.

And he wantsme.

After tossing his shirt to the floor, Caden waits. Watching. Primed. The moment feels charged, the tension thick.

I always thought he was controlled and had his emotions tightly under wraps. Now, he strains against some invisible leash. One unexpected move and he might unload a whole mountain of alpha male on me.

Yes, please.

His gaze rakes me up and down, his nostrils flaring. “You know why I’ve come.”

His sexual growl makes his intentions crystal clear. Thrill leaps through my blood.

Did he reconsider my proposition? Or did the magical book actually compel him?

“What about a fling being unfair to me because you’re returning to Dallas?”

His burning eyes blaze a path from my face to my breasts, then drop between my legs. I feel his stare as if he reached out and stroked methere.

My head spins. The robe slung over my arm falls to the floor, forgotten.

“I’ve tried,” he gasps out. “So fucking hard. But I can’t stay away. God knows this is a mistake. Do you want me?”

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