Page 31 of King of Tides

“Did Candido Ricci send you and those fucks to finish me off?”

He tilts his head to the side and studies me. “I’m not here to do Ricci’s bidding, baby girl. I’m here for you.”

I snort, then freeze. “Hold on a minute. Did you just stand there and watch me get jumped?”

“I stood here and watched you take them down without batting an eye. Impressive. I wasn’t going to allow them to hurt you, but I got the feeling you would have fought me if I jumped in,” he says as he looks me over with a heated gaze and amused smile.

As my adrenaline starts to come down, I can think more clearly. I jerk my head back as I stare across my apartment at him, leaning against the wall with his arms across his chest. None of this is making sense.

What the fuck just happened? How did I get these weapons in my hands? I don’t know how I know they will, but I drop my hands to my sides and allow the axe and shield to vanish.

Placing my hands on my hips, I speak my thoughts as I try to get my heart rate under control. “How did you get in here? You didn’t come in with them and you couldn’t have come through the front door.”

“You pulled me to you. I didn’t need to come through the door.”

“Ardan, what the hell are you talking about? Am I tripping off that shit you gave me last night?” I say with a grimace as I reach to rub at my chest.

One minute, he’s across the room, leaning against the wall. The next, he’s in front of me and has me pinned to the wall behind me. My heart begins to race more and not because I’m afraid of him.

“You feel the fever too,” he says against my lips.

“What?” I ask in confusion.

“For me, it’s like a punch to the gut. My powers are humming to break free. It’s a high that comes with pain and excitement.

“So much excitement because I know it’s you. Baby, my veins feel alive, my heart is beating double time. If I thought I wanted you before, I’m sure I’ll go insane if I don’t have you now,” he breathes into my mouth as he has a hold of my throat.

I shake my head. “I don’t know what’s going on, but you lost your chance. You left last night after I told you how I felt. I’m over it.”

He snorts a laugh into my ear. “You. Will. Never. Be. Over. Us,” he says as he kisses his way down my neck and pushes my chin up with his thumb.

“Get over yourself. I was over you the moment you walked out.”

“I only left because I didn’t know you were my mate. I should have felt it from the first time we met. I didn’t want to hurt your feelings when my true mate arrived.

“I also thought you were only a human. If you were, not much could’ve happened between us. I would have torn you apart,” he says as he nuzzles my neck and inhales.

“Mate? What the hell are you talking about?”

“Everything you’re feeling is because you’re my mate. You will be able to handle me because you were made for me. I’ll never walk away from you again.”

He’s driving me crazy with his sensual kisses against my neck. I stifle a moan as my body reacts to him. Frustrated with myself, I push at his shoulders, but he brings his face to mine and takes my lips.

All my fight fades as he devours me. In one swift motion, he has me wrapped around his waist as he holds me tightly in his arms. My pussy begins to pulse for him.

As he swirls his tongue in my mouth, I whimper and lock my fingers in the top of his hair. His mouth is cool and tastes of cool mint.

I don’t know what I was expecting, but his kisses are making my toes curl. I get lost in the kiss and begin to grind against him.

The more he kisses me, the more I begin to feel complete. However, I force myself to pull away. His blue eyes seem to glow as he looks back into mine.

“Wait, this is moving too fast. I don’t even understand what’s going on. What are you? How am I not human?”

“From what I’ve learned, your father is human. However, you’re something else entirely. We haven’t figured that part out yet. Your scent is familiar, yet it’s not. Each of you has this slight variation.

“I’m not sure if it’s because you’re part human or if it’s just unique to each of you as individuals. It’s odd but alluring. Almost intoxicating,” he says.

“Ardan, what are you rambling about? Each of who?”

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