At least he finally knew that part of him still worked properly, and thankfully there was no pain with it. Well, nothing more than what was normal when a man went this long without sex.

And that didn’t help his resistance toward her either…

His gaze dropped down to the low cut of the cheap dress she wore. One that didn’t fit her at all. The entire top swell of her breasts hung out of it, making his mouth water for a taste of her. Even now, he could taste her skin as he imagined her sliding her fingers through his hair.

He hadn’t touched a woman in over a year. Not since the night he’d asked her to marry him.

Those buried emotions rose up to play even more havoc with him, especially as her breath tickled his ear.

In that moment, he forgot his bitter rage as he went right back to that time and place when he’d lived for no other reason than to be in her arms. She was all he’d ever had…

All he’d ever wanted.

And she was here, in his arms.

So close he really could taste her…

Zarya froze as she saw the heated look in his eyes. It wasn’t anger anymore.

It was desire. He stared at her as if he could eat her up and relish every bite.

This was the man she remembered so well. The one who had made her so happy. The only one she’d ever lived for.

The only man she’d been willing to die for.

Licking her lips, she could already taste his kiss. Come back to me, baby. It’d been way too long.

He dipped his head toward hers…

A knock sounded on the door.

Instantly, his entire body went rigid. She silently cursed and condemned whoever was on the other side of that door as the moment was broken and he pulled back. The anger returned to his gaze full force.

Darling returned her to the sofa. “Enter,” he growled, stepping away from her.

The medic hesitated in the doorway. Tall, slender, and blond, she was extremely attractive in her dark blue uniform. Something that made Zarya feel like a ragamuffin Darling had dragged in from the trash bin.

The medic bowed low to Darling. “You summoned me, Your Majesty?”

He gestured toward Zarya. “She injured her ankle.”

The medic came forward to tend her foot while he left them alone.

The minute he was out of the room, the medic let out a long breath in relief. She looked up at Zarya. “What did he do to you, hon?”

The question confused her. “He carried me in here.”

The medic indicated her foot. “What did he do to sprain your ankle? Did he beat you?”

Why on earth would the woman think that? “I slipped on the floor.”

Zarya could tell the medic didn’t believe her as she pulled out a scanner and ran it over her foot and calf. “If he hurts you again, call for Senna, or Dr. Yerzan. That’s me, and I’ll document his abuse. If you want, I can even tell him that we need to transfer you to the hospital for observation. That should get you out of his hands for at least a day. Maybe longer, if we’re lucky.”