Page 61 of Seducing Hope (The Hope Legacy)

Duncan steps up to him and whispers fiercely, “So this is the level you play at? Taking advantage of an intoxicated woman? Natia deserves more than some asshole that relies on his powers for seduction and manipulation. She needs someone to give as much as she does.”

“And what’s that?” Archan snaps.

“Everything. When Natia falls, she gives her entire heart and soul; she’ll drown you in her love, and if you can’t return that, then you’re not good enough for her. The last person she fell for not only didn’t catch her—he almost destroyed her. I’ll be damned if I let that happen to my best friend again.”

Archan fists his hands at his sides. “I don’t want her to fall for me.”

Duncan shakes his head. “Then you know nothing about Natia, because she doesn’t do purely physical relationships.”

The group goes silent; for once, Archan is completely speechless. Duncan steps away and turns his attention back to me.

I blink back the sudden tears and turn to Zee. “Open the robe so I can step into it, and look away.” I’m surprised when he does as he’s told.

Archan doesn’t move until I head back into the apartment, decency restored. I reach for the wine, but Duncan swipes it. “Sorry, Locks, I’m cutting you off.”

I pout and bat my lids.

Tense moment over, Archan chuckles and gives me a thin smile. “I’m seeing such a different side of you, Natia.”

“Why does he call you ‘Locks?’” Jed enquires.

Smirking at Jed, I crook my finger at him. He approaches me with a wide grin, anticipating a good explanation—it is, but not one I’m willing to give. “I could tell you, Smoothie, but then I’d have to kill you.” It’s Duncan’s play on Goldilocks, my unusual aura locked up behind shields made impenetrable by his training.

He gives a derisive snort and sifts his hand through my damp caramel hair. “It’s obviously something to do with Goldilocks.”

I return his cynical response with an arched eyebrow. “I’m anything but predictable. Think less fairy tale and more paranormal.” He scrunches his face at my cryptic response.

“Who wants to dance?” I shout. Yeah, I give people whiplash with my change of topic when I’m drunk.

Duncan puts his hands on my shoulders, nudging me toward the stairs. “As entertaining as you are, you need to go to bed.”

Wriggling out of his grip, while yawning so wide I could swallow a baby elephant, I manage a garbled, “I—I’m going to b—bed.” Pointing at Archan, I say, “And you’re not invited.” Zee laughs, and I point at him, too. “You neither.”

Waltzing off upstairs, I drop the robe on the bedroom floor, climb between the luxurious, soft sheets, and drift into a dreamless sleep.

Chapter Twenty

Natia

A Taurus’s biggest strength is common fucking sense.

Never. Drinking. Again.

The phrase should be printed on a bumper sticker and slapped on my ass. To summarize my embarrassment: My guys, Jed, and Archan had a glimpse of my darker side, I announced my nonexistent sex life, then I stripped naked, got into a hot tub, and told Archan there was no way in hell he was having me.

The door opens, and the smell of coffee drifts through the room. I put my head under the pillow. I don’t suffer with hangovers, but I’m too embarrassed to look at anybody.

The bed dips. “Morning, sunshine.” I grab the pillow above my head, securing it there.

“Go away, Aaden… If I stay under here, it didn’t happen.”

He chuckles. “Come on, you’ve got work to do.” He lifts the sheets in an effort to get me out of bed. Cool air hits my naked body.

“Shit,” he grumbles. I groan and throw the pillow at him as he drops the sheet back over me.

Pulling the sheet with me, I prop myself up against the headboard and grab the coffee from Aaden. “I may as well become a naturalist and walk around naked.”

Aaden chuckles. “Emi called—the autopsy’s done. She’s expecting you in an hour. Detective Patton will be there.” I down my delicious coffee while Aaden continues to sit on my bed.

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