Page 225 of Flirting with Darkness

He’d just shaved, but it was already rough and stubbly.

I bit back a giggle and instead covered his arms with mine. “ButI want to stay alive as long as I can.” I left out thewith youthat chimed in my thoughts.

The corner of his mouth rose as he touched a kiss to my brow. “Well, aren’t you justfullof wants now?”

I blinked up at him. “Was that a joke?”

He shrugged. “Almost.”

Laughing, I turned in his hold, and planted my hands on his chest. “I’m counting it.”

“Hmm.” It was a stern sound this time and his eyebrows lowered as he made it, but he couldn’t hide the glint in his eye. Amusement. I really was softening my gruff wolf.

“Just don’t make too many”—I stretched out along his body, absorbing the silent rumble that came from him—“or I might think a changeling has taken your place.”

His eyes hooded as he ran his hands down my back and pulled my hips against his. It seemed my wolf wasn’t entirely exhausted from our adventure—in fact a sizeable part of him was just waking up. “I wouldn’t letanyonetake my place.”

It was a delicious promise, which I sealed with a kiss that became slow, slippery lovemaking that sent water sloshing over the edge of the bath.

Eventually, we had to emerge—Faolán insisted that topping up the hot water twice was enough, and his stomach growled its agreement. We dressed in clothes that had been left for us—me in an emerald silk gown with a low neckline and him in black shirt and trousers. Not as tight as the ones House had provided the night of the, uh,fuckingparty. Unfortunately.

In the bedroom, a table had appeared, covered in food. At its side, Bastian sat back in a chair, ankle resting on his knee, like this washisspace. He speared a round, green thing that I didn’t recognise and paused with it halfway to his mouth. “You took your sweet time.”

Faolán’s jaw rippled as he nodded at the platters of meats and fruit. “I also said bed.”

Bastian shrugged, munching on the thing he’d speared before flicking the cocktail stick onto the table. It landed in an empty glass. “Yes, the bed is here. I have provided it along with your hot bath, the clothes you’re wearing, and this delicious spread.” He spread his hands and inclined his head to me. “And I sent a message to your threadwitch friend. I even arranged for guards at your door—abonus. You can thank me later, Faolán. Now for your side of the bargain.”

I didn’t know whether to laugh or sigh at his reply and the answering scowl on Faolán’s face. I patted my husband’s shoulder as he slumped into a chair. “You didn’t specify we had to sleep first.”

“More fool me.” He pulled the empty chair beside his even closer; when I sat, our thighs touched.

A month stuck in a house with me and my wolf still wasn’t ready to be parted. No doubt, my smile was exceptionally smug as I selected a small spinach and cheese pastry.

Bastian and Faolán lifted their heads as one, turning to the door. A moment later, I heard the commotion outside.

“… said they weren’t to be interrupted.”

“I don’t give a damn what that man said. Don’t make me set my hellhound on you!”

My eyes widened. “Aria—?”

The door flew open and in she burst with a large white dog at her side. Lysander followed in her wake, looking a little sheepish.

I was still staring at the creature as I squeezed Ari close. The hound sat a few feet away, watching us with flaming red eyes. Her ears, paws, and tail were also wreathed in crimson fire, yet the carpet didn’t singe.

Lysander cleared his throat and bent towards us. “Her name’s Fluffy,” he murmured.

“Oh, yes!” Ari pulled out of my arms, giving a bright smile. “She’s our hellhound. And”—she ruffled the dog’s head—“she’s the best girl. Aren’t you the best girl, hmm?”

Fluffy’s tongue lolled as she closed her eyes and pushed into the affection.

Fluffy. The massive hellhound who came up to Ari’s chest.

And Ari, the woman who was afraid of mostpeople, had just threatened the guards with violence and was now cooing over a…

“Wait,hellhound?” I looked from her to Lysander and back again. “As in one of the Wild Hunt’s hunting dogs?”

“She didn’t get on with them.” Ari shrugged, scratching the dog behind the ears before casting a look over me. “Are you all right? That place…” She shuddered. “The magic there smelled foul—like death and loss.”

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