Page 85 of Tempt

“Gerald,” he repeats aloud.

He keeps saying this human word, but it has no meaning for me. ‘GERALD?’ I spell, then wiggle my finger in question.

He points to the kradun, uses the sign again, then repeats aloud, “Gerald.”

‘His name?’ He nods, and I quickly shake my head and spell, ‘MAYPHE.’

Luca wrinkles one side of his nose, then shakes his head. ‘He doesn’t want. GERALD,’ he spells again, then uses that name sign once more.

I copy him, and he gives me a satisfied grin before brushing off his tunic, then running fingers through his hair. It’s still a bit wild from last night, and I want to fix it myself. I want to pull him into warm, running water and clean every inch of him—first with my tongue, and then with a soapy cloth.

I want to dry him, dress him, then keep him pressed against my body where no one can touch him, his cock buried in my throat, his cum mine to drink as long and as often as I want.

But I do not have that luxury, even if I had the freedom for such things.

After leaving the bed, the first thing I found was a council summons waiting for me. They expect me to bring my new companion to their gathering, and it’s not something I can turn down without arousing suspicion.

Luca waves his hand at me. ‘What’s wrong?’ Such a delicate sign tapped lightly against his chin. He makes a questioning noise in the back of his throat, which makes my insides shiver.

‘I must attend the capital today.’

His face falls, then his eyes go hard. ‘Of course.’

He starts to turn when I realize he’s upset because he thinks I am leaving him again. My hand moves out before I’m consciously aware I’m doing it, and my claws snag his tunic, turning him roughly back to face me.

‘You will join me.’

His eyes widen in surprise, and he points at himself like he doesn’t believe me. ‘Why?’

‘Companions must attend their Vyastil during these gatherings.’ My throat thickens with anxiety and it takes conscious effort to keep my hands steady as I continue to explain. ‘There are certain expectations for companions.’

He rolls his eyes, reminding me that he knows this. I was very thorough when I explained it would not be easy for him. It would not be a quiet vacation deep in the forest where no one would ever bother us. I wield power within the Vyastil society, and considering my past with humans, I am not permitted to keep one in secret.

If I don’t want my cover blown, if I don’t want to put everything I’ve been working toward at risk, I must ensure Luca doesn’t give me away.

He studies my face for a long moment, then he takes a step forward. ‘You’re hiding something from me.’ I start to shake my head, but he makes a loud, irritated noise. ‘Don’t lie to me. I can feel it in your thoughts. Something is going on. Tell me.’

Bowing my head, I take a deep breath, then meet his gaze. ‘No.’

Luca takes a firm step back. I can feel his offense like a blow to the chest, and for a moment, it steals my breath with how powerful it is. ‘Why don’t you trust me?’

The words are unexpected, too similar to the words Kori spoke right before everything in my life was turned upside down. I don’t mean to react the way I do, but my claws extend, and I bare my fangs before I reel them in.

Luca, however, does not flinch. He does not fear me. He bares his own teeth in response and curls one hand in my tunic, the other lifting into my line of sight. ‘Don’t growl at me.’

I did not growl. I was close, but I suppose he wouldn’t know that without feeling it the way I had him feel my thrymm. I take a deep, calming breath and gently pry his hand from my clothing.

‘I am sorry.’ My fist moves in a slow circle over my chest.

He licks his lips, then scoffs and takes a step back. ‘Because of last night? You regret? I forced you⁠—’

‘No.’ The word is too easy to sign because it is nothing more than the truth. ‘I wanted you. I took you. Tasted you.’

‘Then rejected me again.’ A faint blush creeps into his cheeks, and he adds, ‘Why?’

The why encompasses a thousand questions. Why didn’t I hold him after? Why don’t I trust him? Why keep myself so distant? Why close myself off? He deserves the answers, but right now, I can’t give them.

‘There are things happening. Dangerous,’ I add.