Page 26 of Scornful

If Dad found out... ifanyonefound out...

The soft knock at the back door sends my heart into my throat.

For a moment I consider not answering, pretending I'm not here.

I could text him, say something came up, I had to leave.

Instead, I find myself moving toward the door like I'm being pulled by an invisible string.

Geirolf stands on the other side, his large frame filling the doorway.

His dark hair is slightly damp, like he showered before coming over.

"Hey," I say, my voice embarrassingly breathy.

"Hey yourself, princess." His ice-blue eyes rake over me, and I feel the heat of his gaze like a physical touch. "You gonna let me in, or are we doing this in the alley?"

I step back, allowing him inside, then quickly lock the door behind him.

The click of the deadbolt seems to echo in the quiet space.

"You sure Charm won't be coming back tonight?" he asks, glancing around the darkened reception area.

"Positive. She and Dad have that dinner thing with Runes and Fern tonight." I wring my hands nervously before forcing them to my sides. "Do you want something to drink? We have water, tea?—"

"Astrid." He steps closer, into my space. "I didn't come here for the damn tea."

My mouth goes dry at the intensity in his gaze. "Why did you come here?"

"You know why." His voice is a low rumble that I feel in my chest. "Same reason you asked me to come."

We stand there for a long moment, the air between us thicker than ever.

Part of me is screaming to step back, to put distance between us, to remember all the reasons this can't happen.

But a stronger part, a hungrier part, keeps me rooted to the spot as Geirolf raises a hand to my face, his calloused fingertips gentle as they trace my cheekbone.

"I haven't been able to stop thinking about you," he admits, the words rough, like they're being pulled from somewhere deep. "About yesterday. About that kiss."

I swallow hard. "Me either."

His thumb brushes my lower lip, sending sparks racing down my spine. "Tell me to go right now, and I will."

It's the same thing he said yesterday, offering me the chance to stop this before it starts.

The responsible thing would be to take it, to end whatever this is before it can go any further.

Instead, I find myself leaning into his touch. "I don't want you to go."

Something dangerous and beautiful flashes in his eyes. "What do you want, Astrid?"

"You," I whisper, finally admitting it out loud. "I want you."

That's all it takes.

His mouth crashes down on mine, hot and demanding, his arms wrapping around me to pull me flush against his body.

I gasp against his lips, the solid warmth of him overwhelming my senses.

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