Page 42 of Yearning For Her

Why? Who would ever see it? He never invited guests into his home, never brought his prey here. The only people who’d ever come into Kian’s apartment had been contractors and technicians he’d hired to perform work that had been beyond his capability, and they’d never had reason to go into the art room.

This apartment hasn’t changed. I have.

The thought hit him like a splash of icy water. It really was that simple—the apartment was no different than before, but his perception was. After seeing Willow’s home, after noting all the ways she’d imprinted herself upon it, the way it reflected her so perfectly, how could he ever look at this place the same?

What would this apartment look like with a mortal’s touch? A mortal’s tastes? A mortal’s…life?

Kian cast all those thoughts aside, pressed the call button, and entered the elevator as soon as the doors opened. He jabbed the garage button on the control panel until the doors slid shut and the elevator began its descent.

He’d gone centuries without such thoughts. Why was he having them now? This entire thing…

It was a phase. A needed break from routine. That was what he wanted to tell himself, anyway. But neither desire nor denial could alter the truth.

Willow was Kian’s mate.

And he would have to charm her the mortal way. No magic, no power.

The elevator halted, and the doors opened. He stalked to his car, climbed in, and started the engine. Loud rock music blared from the stereo. Kian let it envelop him and blast away his worries.

He’d never failed to gain the attention of any mortal he’d set his eye on before. Willow would not escape his desire, and she would not escape her own. Tonight, she would become his again. He’d sink his cock into her hot, welcoming cunt and use her body to his heart’s content as he feasted upon the passion that blazed between them.

He turned the music louder and drove. The setting sun created a dazzling backdrop of reds, oranges, and purples for the tall, modern buildings of downtown Memoree, but those dense city blocks soon gave way to uniform suburban streets. He passed schools, strip malls, and supermarkets, passed quiet parks and residences that all looked the same after a few minutes.

For an instant, he longed for the uniqueness of the fae realm, where no two things were quite the same. Where everything was bristling with magic…

And danger.

Always danger.

As though I need a fucking reminder of that place.

Kian hadn’t forgotten why he, like so many incubi and succubae before him, had fled to the mortal realm. He didn’t want to think about the treatment he’d received in his earliest years. He didn’t want to think about the scorn, mistrust, and ridicule he’d faced, didn’t want to think about the constant attempts to control him. To dominate him.

And he certainly didn’t want to reflect upon the fact that all that cruelty had been directed at him because of what he was.

No. There was only one thing worthy of his focus tonight, only one thing worthy of his time—Willow.

I will have what is mine, he thought as he parked in front of Willow’s house. He turned his head to look at the building, and his usual smirk settled easily into place.

For all his nervousness and distress, he was eager to see her. He tucked his hair behind his ear and exited the car to walk to her front door. All he had to do was behave in his typical manner—calm, seductive, confident—and everything would fall into place.

She would fall into place—right into his lap.

And yet he couldn’t pretend his heart wasn’t racing as he mounted the porch, couldn’t ignore the panic skittering through his mind. What if she denied him? What if he failed to win her?

No. She will be mine.

Loosely balling his fist, he raised it and rapped on her door. He waited, and when no answer came, he knocked again.

“I’m sorry, but Willow isn’t home right now,” someone said from the other side of the door in a muffled voice that sounded suspiciously like Willow’s.

“How unfortunate,” Kian replied, leaning closer to the door. “But it’s fine. I’ll wait until she’s back. I’ve nothing if not time.”

The deadbolt clicked, and the door swung open to reveal Willow on the other side, one corner of her mouth quirked. “You really don’t give up, do you?”

He chuckled and shook his head. “These little games only encourage me, Violet. You’re the one who’s going to give up.”

Movement at her feet caught his attention. Her cats had gathered behind her, silent guardians sitting with their intent, wary eyes locked on Kian. At least they weren’t growling or hissing anymore.

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