Page 72 of Rain of Shadows and Endings

“What will it take for you to go running with me, Tessa?” he asked.

Her lip curled into a mocking smirk. “I don’t negotiate with you.”

He paused. “So mouthy this morning.”

She scowled, turning her head to the side and averting her gaze. Mainly because if she kept staring at him, she was going to kiss him. And if this kiss was anything like the other two times they’d kissed, she didn’t think she would be able to stop. Theon sure as fuck wouldn’t stop.

“Would running with me versus Axel really be all that terrible?” he pressed, his fingers trailing along her torso again.

“Yes,” she gritted out.

“Why?”

“Because he’s not you.”

He still held her wrists above her head, and his other hand came up and gripped her chin, forcing her gaze back to his. He didn’t say anything for the longest moment, only searched her eyes. Finally, he said, “Axel can go running with us if you would like.”

“No.”

“I am trying to compromise with you, Tessa.”

“And I am declining your proposal, Master.”

His eyes flared brighter, that swirling darkness starker against them. “You do need to exercise. It’s as important as proper nutrition.”

“I’m fine,” she bit out.

“Running or training in a gym. Your choice.”

“I don’t get choices.”

“Both then.”

“What? Why?” she cried in dismay. “As a punishment for being born? Or simply because you think I’m yours?”

His thumb brushed along her bottom lip, his features softening. “It’s not a punishment, Tessa.”

“Consequence. Punishment. They’re the same thing, even if one word sounds prettier than the other. I would know.”

At that, he stilled again. “What do you mean by that?”

Too much. She’d revealed too much.

“Nothing.”

“I am going to need you to explain that statement.”

“No.”

“Tessa…” She could hear his irritation growing.

“Fine, we can go running,” she said in a rush, if only to keep him from pushing her on this.

He eyed her for a moment before he released her wrists, but his body remained hovering over her as he braced his palms on either side of her head. She couldn’t move. Parts of her would press against parts of him and—

A soft pinging sounded, and Theon’s eyes darted to his phone where it still lay on the bed.

“Axel is on his way here with breakfast,” Theon said, his eyes coming back to her. “Are you hungry?”

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