What had I expected from him? More than that, a voice inside my head whispered. He said he loved me.
I shivered despite the warmth inside the building. The pain seared me, filling every part of my being. It flashed me back to the only other time I had ever hurt like this. The first time Raoul had slept with another woman after I'd been with him. Yet even my starry-eyed youthful heartbreak paled in comparison to what I felt when I laid eyes on Arys and Harley.
The image of that woman and their hands and mouths all over her made me want to scream. So, I did. Childishly, I threw random objects and punched several gaping holes in the wall before falling to my knees. I wept with full, gut wrenching sobs that sapped my strength.
I hated Harley with a passion that I hadn't felt for a foe in a very long time. The worst part was that I loved Arys, but I desired the ability to hate him as well. This was all my fault. I had let my power hungry nature and lust draw me into bed with Arys without a second thought. This was the price I had to pay for that. Now I was bound to him until one or both of us ceased to exist. The consequences were overwhelming.
I'm not sure how much time passed before I heard a key turn in the front door. I'd locked it behind me so the only person that could come in would have to have a key. Shit.
I wasn't ready to face any of my friends or colleagues. Not like this.
Pulling myself to my feet, I gripped the edge of my desk so tight that the wood cut into my hands. I dug my sharp claws into it, feeling the wood chip away in flakes. Kale's cold vampire energy reached me before he appeared in the open doorway.
My back was to the door, but I knew when he stood there. I didn't turn to face him. I could only imagine what a mess I was.
“Alexa? Can I come in?” Kale asked softly. When I didn't respond, he entered the room and came to a stop a few feet from me. I knew he was surveying the mess I'd made.
“You knew he was there,” I murmured, my voice thick with tears. “You didn't tell me.”
He was quiet for a moment before replying. “I'm sorry. I couldn't.”
He didn't explain further, and I didn't prompt. It wasn't his fault. My tears fell silently, but they didn't stop. I was overcome by the despair that settled deep within me.
Kale's undead energy was comforting in ways that I didn't understand. When he moved to wrap his arms around me from behind, I didn't stop him.
Kale pulled me against him, my back pressed to his chest. I stiffened, uncertain whether I should allow such a bold move or resist. The truth was, I didn't want to resist.
Being in Kale's arms felt like that forbidden fruit. The one you're not supposed to eat but can't help but do so because it tastes so damn good. Wrong … it was so wrong. And, I didn't care, not after seeing Arys tonight.
“God, you feel so good.” His whispered words in my ear sent a warm shiver down my spine. “He doesn't deserve you.”
I wiped my tears, grimacing at the thought of how blood smeared my face must be.
This strange moment with Kale had been coming for some time now. Go figure that Arys had led us to it.
“Kale,” I murmured. “This isn't right.” Despite what I'd said, I made no attempt to pull away. His power reached to touch me on every level, and mine was quick to respond.
“It feels right.”
I swallowed hard, trying not to notice how our power mingled and grew hot. “Which is exactly why it's so wrong. It shouldn't feel like this. If you give in to this temptation, you'll regret it. We both will.”
A wave of heat swept through me, and I trembled. My power wanted him so bad. I could have him, in every way, take all he was giving and use it as my own. Kale slid a hand up my arm to my neck, playing in the loose tendrils of my hair. This wasn't the best day to have worn it up.
When I didn't shove away from him, he grew bold. His lips brushed against my ear as he deeply inhaled my scent. I felt him shift into predator mode, matching the bestial pull within my core. He was feeling it, too. Of the two of us, I was willing to bet his control would slip first. Of course, that was assuming I had any left after the emotional turmoil of the evening.
Kale's warm lips brushed the sensitive skin beneath my ear. A soft gasp came from me as a tingle shot straight to my groin. No, no, no. I could not react to him like this. The desire that filled me was accompanied by guilt.
Push him away! Now, before it's too late. The voice inside my head screamed with a panicked edge. When had I become so weak willed? If I was as strong as Harley insisted, this kind of thing should not be able to overwhelm me.