Page 99 of Legacy of Chaos

He froze mid-chew. “What?”

She laughed. “Don’t worry, it’s basic psychology. It’s going to help you associate positive feelings with things that are currently negative.”

Taking a deep breath as if the air contained courage, she stripped off her sweater and hoped she wasn’t making a huge mistake. She’d seen a different side of Stryke over the last few weeks, and especially during their time on theSea Storm, and somehow, she’d gone from hating him to wanting to help him. She wanted to see the villain be redeemed, to become the good guy like in her favorite movies. She wanted to see the Grinch get a big heart. Severus Snape to reveal his loyalty and love. Darth Vader to choose his family over the dark side.

And, she had to admit, her scientific curiosity was killing her.

“See, after you eat that,” she said, “we’re going to go for a swim and have sex.”

Stryke barked out a laugh. “You seriously think eating this is going tochange my brain.”

“It’s not a magic pill,” she said as she shoved down her jeans. “But, yes, absolutely. My mom always used to talk about the brain’s capacity to rewire itself. She even conducted a few breakthrough studies.”

“You’re talking about neuroplasticity. The ability of the brain to change, adapt, and heal.”

“Exactly. Your brain can create new neurons and pathways with repetition and positive associations.”

He appeared to consider what she’d said as he studied the plate of wafers. Then, with a shrug, he took the one he’d put down and popped it into his mouth.

“I guess we’ll see.” He eyed her. “Did you bring a swimsuit?”

She shrugged out of her bra. “No. Is that a problem?”

Gold flecks glittered in his eyes as he watched her step out of her panties. “Not at all.” He glanced out at the pool. “But I don’t think I’ll be joining you.”

She grinned. “We’ll see about that.” With that, she sauntered to the sliding glass door, feeling his hungry gaze following her.

She didn’t have to look back to know that he watched as she stepped into the warm water, but when she did look back at him, she laughed.

He was eating another wafer.

Suzanne’s wafers were fucking phenomenal. Savory, spicy, and sweet. He didn’t enjoy eating, but if he had to, that was the type of food that intrigued him and awakened his taste buds.

He didn’t feel any noticeable effect from eating them, though. Maybe Suzanne’s talent was a scam. Or the effects were psychosomatic. Because he felt the same as he had before he’d eaten the cookies.

Well, that wasn’t entirely true. He was seriously turned on, but that had more to do with the naked female swimming in his pool than some cheese biscuits with pepper jelly.

Because, damn, Cyan was something else. Her long, lithe body cut through the water like a shark as she swam from end to end, barely even creating a ripple on the surface. He could watch that all day.

And it wasn’t just because she was naked. He’d come to admire her in so many ways. She was smart, unafraid to speak her mind, and as curious as he was. She wanted to know howthings worked and make them work better. From spells and weapons to, well, him.

The thought filled him with a pleasant, effervescent sensation that was almost…euphoric. How long had it been since anyone besides Eidolon wanted to make him better? To help him get past the shit that had weighed him down for almost half his life?

How long had it been since he’d allowed anyone to get close enough that they wouldwantto do any of that?

Yeah, he bore some responsibility for how people reacted to him. Bore most of it. Like, ninety-nine percent of it. And he hadn’t cared. Up until right this minute, he hadn’t cared.

Suddenly, he did. He wanted to let Cyan into his life. But…maybe not all the way. He wasn’t ready for that.

He may never be ready for that.

She dove beneath the water’s surface, her slinky body outlined in the glow of the dim pool lights. He held his breath in solidarity and let it out in relief when she did a porpoise, flinging water everywhere as she shook her head and wiped her eyes.

Rivulets streamed down her face and neck, disappearing in a gentle current that swirled around the tops of her breasts.

He wanted to do that with his tongue.

His pants grew uncomfortably tight, so he whipped them off. His shirt went next, followed by his boxer briefs, and then he found himself at the edge of the pool, his hungry gaze glued to Cyan.

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