Page 334 of Fated to be Enemies

“You’re just in time, killer,” Maddox said between heavy breaths.

Raiden turned me around. “Are you hurt?” His gaze moved to my throat. “I heard something snap, and I thought she had—” He gulped. “Elle.” He shook me.

I blinked twice, snapping out of the mini trance fear had swept me in. “I’m okay,” I whispered. “You should go after her before she gets far enough you lose her trail.”

He shook his head. “I’m taking you home first.”

The sun lowered in the sky by the time we all arrived back at the mansion. Naomi and Maddox looked at each other, then at me as we stood by the front door.

Maddox cleared his throat. “We’ll, uh, give you a moment. We can reconvene inside.”

“Sure.” I shuffled, moving from foot to foot. They left, and I passed my attention back to Raiden. “What now?”

“I thought she killed you.” He exhaled slowly. I’d never seen such pain behind someone’s eyes before. It was as if his soul were screaming, but there was only silence on the outside. “Aziel joined me. He was tracking her north, but out of nowhere, the trail changed, and she headed right back to the Vordel house, and I knew then she was going for you. She didn’t even try to hide it. Her scent was on everything. It was like she wanted me to find her.”

“Where’s Aziel now?”

“Probably on his way here,” he said. “Or still tracking Freya.”

Don’t ask. Don’t ask. Don’t ask. “Why would she come back for me?”

“For the same reason she kidnapped you.”

“Which was?” I closed my eyes. I knew why, but I needed to hear it.

“She thinks I… care for you.” He scratched the back of his neck.

I chewed the inside of my cheek. A breeze passed between us, and a bird sang from somewhere in the distance. The smell of coffee wafted from the cracked-open window.

“Do you?” My heart almost stopped.

He held his next breath. “I can’t, but?—”

I didn’t get a chance to catch my breath before he placed his lips on mine. Sparks erupted in me as he deepened our kiss. I splayed my fingers against his chest, where his heart raced under my touch. His fingers curled into my hair as he stroked his tongue against mine.

“Fuck, Elle.” He pulled away but rested his forehead against mine.

I blinked twice, innocence curving my expression. “What?”

His gaze burned into mine, intensifying the inches between us. “You know exactly what you’re doing, looking up at me with those fuck me eyes.”

Before I could say anything back, he swept me into his arms and up into the house.

Laying me on his bed, he moved on top of me, his breath tingling against my cheek. “I can’t be that man for you.”

“What man?”

“A hero. The guy who always does the right thing.”

I smirked. “Good. I don’t want that man. I want you.”

He let out a heavy breath and tilted my chin upward, pressing his lips against mine with urgency. There was nothing gentle about him. Each rugged thrust gathered wetness between my legs as his hard length pressed through his pants and against my thigh. I ran my fingers along the muscles in his arms, then over his chest and closed my eyes.

He ripped off his shirt and looked down, his gaze exploring mine. “You’re breathtaking, Elle.” He pulled my top over my breasts, eased his fingers around my back, and unhooked my bra.

The curve of his chin dipped against my chest as he pressed his swollen lips to my hard nipple. His cock pulsated through his pants, and I moaned. His warm tongue swirled against me, sending shockwaves down my stomach and into my thighs.

I traced my fingers along the curves of his abs as he unbuckled his pants and pulled them down.

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