Page 69 of Volik

Shredded clothes.

Muscles and sinew.

I clutch the bedspread and bring it to my chest as I sit up.

He pauses. “What else?”

Volik’s tone is kind. Understanding. And that makes me feel even worse.

“Take the blanket off the couch. You can’t…” Thick green jealousy crawls over my skin at the idea of anyone else seeing him naked. “No one else can see you like this.”

His shoulders, which I hadn’t realized were so low, lift, just a little. “I will not permit anyone but you to look upon me. And Mea Unica…” Volik turns his head and looks at me over his shoulder.

He drags his eyes over my body. And even though they’re solid black, no reflections, no visible movement, I can feel it. I can feel exactly where his attention lands.

Volik brings his gaze back up to meet mine. “If anyone sees what is mine… they will see no more.”

His possession thuds inside my chest, and I know he can feel it.

Then he dips his chin. “I will leave you now.”

It’s what I asked for.

What I need.

But when he turns away from me, when he lowers his head to step through the doorway out into the hall, my heart pounds for a different reason.

I don’t want him to go.

I don’t want him to feel… unwanted.

I shift my grip on the blanket and press a palm over my aching heart.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper.

Volik straightens on the other side of the door.

“I know.” His answering whisper rumbles across the floor. “I am still in here.”

Then he moves down the hall, out of view.

But I know his hand is over his heart.

Chapter 37

Volik

Iwill my heartbeat to stay steady as I walk away from my mate, pressing my palm to my chest.

I do not want her to know how this makes me feel.

She’s done nothing wrong.

I rub my hand in a circle, like it might stop the ache behind my ribs.

Later, we will talk. But for now, I will do as she asks.

My fingers close around the fuzzy leopard-print blanket draped over the back of the couch, and I shake it out, then wrap it around my waist like a towel.