Page 79 of Seducing Hope (The Hope Legacy)

“Jed mentioned your command of elemental power on the island,” he says.

“Of course he did,” I mutter, shoving a bite of sushi into my mouth.

“You didn’t tell me you were a witch at the diner.”

I spin my fork in the air. “It’s new—I’m figuring it out.”

His eyebrows creep up.Excellent, I forgot twenty-five-year-olds don’t typically get new powers.If he wasn’t curious before, he definitely is now. Congrats, Natia—you complete idiot. I give myself a mental golf clap.

“Jed said it was a strong shield—not something new witches are capable of.”

I shrug. “I’m an overachiever.”

He tilts his head and studies my face. “How new is this power?”

I grit my teeth. “This week. Seems meeting you has brought out the magic in me.” Ha, I continue to applaud my stupid mouth.

His lip twitches. “You think it has something to do with me?”

I shake my head. “No, I’m just having an exciting week.”

He sighs, and we fall into companionable silence, eating our food. The night is clear as I look up at the full moon. My gaze flicks to my food, around the yacht, then back to him. I point my fork at him in accusation.

“How did you get in my bedroom?” He has the audacity to look confused. Before he can evade the question, I cut him off. “That wasn’t for you to read. It’s private, and a breach of my trust.”

He shrugs, dropping the pretense of innocence. “In all fairness, it was before we struck a deal, but after you had been in my personal apartments and abusedmytrust.”

My mouth does an excellent goldfish impression. I stab a piece of sushi, pop it in my mouth, and chew. My heart trips over its rhythm as I realize what he must have read—about him. Opening my mouth to explain, I pause. Light gold eyes stare at me with lust and desire. Heat flares in my body as I remember our kiss.

“Stop looking at me like that,” I demand.

A wicked smile breaks out across his face. “You said that last night.”

“I’m reinforcing my point,” I quip, with as much dignity as I can manage. “You’re confused about the purpose of this little façade you have going on here. You can try to seduce me with words, food, actions—but at the end of the day, you want something quick and dirty, the exact opposite of what I’m looking for.”

“Who says it will be quick?” I notice he leaves the dirty part out and huff out a breath. His grin fades. “You think I want one night? You’re wrong. It wouldn’t be enough. I’m beginning to think I should keep you.”

I tip my head back and study the twinkling stars. “You can’t keep someone. I’m a person, not a thing.”

“Semantics. You would be mine.”

“For how long? Until you’re bored? See someone else that catches your eye?”

“No one has caught my eye quite like you, Natia. That should tell you I’m looking for more than sex.” My head snaps forward to examine his features. The sincerity there is almost my undoing… My heart picks up speed. Is he asking for more? A relationship? The intense attraction is almost too much to handle, but not enough to take a risk on; however, if he’s offering a chance at his heart…

His eyes flash with an emotion I can’t pinpoint—fear? Then he speaks, snapping that thread of hope. “I warn you, Natia, my thoughts are dangerous and impure. The fact that I haven’t stripped you naked and reduced you to a beautiful mess is a testament to my self-control. When that snaps, you should be scared.

“I will give you pain with pleasure and unravel your darkest desires. As I control your body, you will shatter and surrender as you come apart in my arms. You will scream my name. I will ruin you for any other man, and you will crave the oblivion only I can give you.”

A violent anger courses within me. Apparently, he needs this spelled out.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Archan

Unknown origin.

Natia clenches her jaw as she struggles with my words. A flash of fear crosses her beautiful face—yes, she should be scared. I have promised to take away her control—smash her inhibitions, free her desire. She wants to surrender, but her walls are so high she can’t see past them to know she’s disconnected from the world.

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