Page 87 of Surrendering Hope (The Hope Legacy)

“Now I need another bath,” I mutter.

He chuckles as his warmth leaves my back and he straightens my underwear. “No, you don’t. I like the thought of you being marked as mine.” I spin around and look at myself in the floor-length mirror. My body is flushed, my hair is sticking out in a definite ‘I just got fucked’ fashion. My gaze narrows at the bite on my shoulder. He’s marked me in more ways than one. Archan buttons his shirt whilst his smug gaze catches mine in the mirror. I point at my shoulder. His grin stretches as he reaches out to run his thumb over it, with a possessive glint in his eyes.

“Aren’t you going to heal it?” I ask.

He shakes his head as he hands me the red tank. “No, it says to anyone who sees it, you are thoroughly and completely fucking owned.”

I roll my eyes. “For someone who has been around a long time, you act like a freaking caveman.”

“No, Natia. I am a possessive and dominant being who has never claimed something for himself until you. You are the first woman who has claimed me. It is only fair I return the favor.” He passes me a pair of butter soft, leather trousers. It occurs to me at this point that these clothes are mine. The colors, materials, style, all selected with me in mind.

“Did you stock your wardrobe with clothes for me?”

He sweeps his gaze down my clothed body with a heat which makes me feel naked. “No other woman has ever set foot in my bedroom. Here or at the tower.”

I frown. “Then where did you…” I roll my wrist, hoping he gets my meaning.

“Where did I fuck?”

I fight the blush creeping up my face. He grasps my waist and tugs me along the length of him whilst brushing my wild hair out of my eyes. “Nowhere personal for me, I never wanted them to think they were more than a means to sate a physical need.” He brushes a kiss on my lips. Archan Reinheart, the master of sounding like an ass and a romantic. “Why am I here?” I wonder.

He stares into my eyes, and it feels like the weight of the universe is measuring my soul. “I have stared at the stars for an eternity, searching for a connection, a purpose beyond my birthright. I am built to rise to challenges, to push boundaries and conquer all who oppose me. Then you waltz in with a look of defiance in your eyes and a fire in your heart. You challenged my every move, my decisions, and beliefs. You dug beneath my defenses like they didn’t exist and made me fall at your feet. I don’t deserve you, but it doesn’t mean I’m going to let you go. I’m a selfish man. You set my soul ablaze and now I’m addicted to the light you bring into my life. You’re an obsession I will never get over, and I don’t even want to try.”

My mind swims at this confession, it sounds a lot like love. Yet he’s adamant it’s something he can’t offer me. Maybe he’s been cold so long he doesn’t recognize it. Maybe I’m deluding myself. As I know without a doubt I’ve fallen for him, and it terrifies me we aren’t on the same page. If I’m an obsession rather than someone to share his soul with, then it isn’t enough. “I…” A loud rapping on the bedroom door interrupts me. We both swivel our heads as Zac and Jed pile through the door.

“Good job I wasn’t naked,” I mutter.

Jed snorts. “Everyone has seen you naked by now, it’s almost a surprise when you’re dressed.”

“She was naked when I first arrived,” Archan adds, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

Zac focuses on the man wrapped around me. His eyes harden. “Get away from her.”

Archan sighs as his grip tightens on me. “Zac, it’s him.”

He shakes his head. “You’ve been fooled, Natia. That is the beast.”

Jed frowns as he dissects Archan. “She’s right, it’s him,” Jed says.

Zac folds his arms. “If it’s you, then you should have no problem in letting her go.”

“Our previous conversation would suggest otherwise,” I mutter as I tap on Archan’s arms to release me. He squeezes tighter, sighs, drops his arms and steps away.

I’m left in the middle of three gods, who are doing their best to stare each other down. I’ve gotten better at this game, but even I can tell I’m outmatched by gods. I plonk my ass on the bench and pull on the strong yet supple boots, which fit like a glove. No blisters in these babies. I can feel the rage and mistrust wafting from Zac as it itches under my skin. I glance at him. “Tone down the vibes, War, before someone goes postal on your ass and wipes you out.”

He grits his teeth but doesn’t break his stare off with Archan. Jed steps forward and grabs Archan’s arm. They do some sort of weird ritual.

I blink. “Did you guys just do some kind of secret handshake?”

Archan grins whilst Jed laughs. Zac’s posture loosens as he steps forward and repeats the motion. “Jeez, it’s like I wandered into the boy scouts, god style,” I mutter, zipping the final boot and spying the matching leather jacket, I grab it and hang it over my arm.

“How long do we have before the beast takes over again?” Jed asks.

Archan glances at the clock above the door. “Maybe an hour.”

I stride towards the stairs. “Great, let’s go update the gang with my stint in Hell and whatever you’ve learned from Ty.”

Zac grabs my arm. I glance at his hand, just as Archan lets out an honest to god growl. “What?” I snap.

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