Booo. Not a single correspondence.

She gathered toiletries and clean clothes, showered, brushed her teeth and dressed in a tank top and a pair of shorts. Still no sign of Bane. Was he out chasing Ronan and Petra?

Kill them both, but save their hearts for me.

Another memory surfaced, and Nola sucked in a breath. Had she truly uttered those words to Bane, planning—hoping—to eat the organs?

Reeling, she plopped onto the edge of the bed. Did Adwaewethian queens often eat other people’s hearts?

Queen of Hearts, yo.

Well, Nola would just have to use her iron will to ensure she never gave in to the urge. Because yuck. If I put my mind to something, I will accomplish it.

Hinges whined as the door to the mobile home swung open.

Anticipation propelled her to her feet, her heart a pounding fist in her chest.

Bane stepped inside, and the RV suddenly felt a thousand times smaller, the walls seeming to close in. He spotted her and stopped abruptly; the heart-fist started punching her ribs.

Locks of wet hair were plastered to his forehead and cheeks. He wore a T-shirt and leathers, both garments soaked through and clinging to his muscular body. The scent of rain blended with his innate fragrance of male musk and exotic spices. Will never get enough. A leather strap bisected his chest, anchoring his sword to his back, the hilt rising above his broad shoulder.

Lightning flashed behind him, gifting him with a temporary halo. Flutters erupted in her belly. The way he moved...as fluid as water, as graceful as a jungle cat, every inch of him pulsing with the hunger of a nocturnal predator. His eyes blazed with desire. And he was hard. Perhaps throbbing.

She shivered and hugged her middle.

Tone rough around the edges, he asked, “You are well?”

“Thanks to you, I am.” She shifted from one foot to the other. “What about you? Where have you been?” Gross! Whiny, nagging girlfriend, anyone?

Wait. She remembered an article she’d written. The research she’d done. When you were in a relationship, it was 100 percent okay to want to know where your person was, and there was nothing whiny or naggy about it.

“I’ve been overseeing our defenses.” He slid his dark and hotly sexual gaze over her slowly, languidly. “Were you worried about me?”

Did she detect delight in his expression?

Arousal fizzed in her veins, the rest of the world vanishing. A series of stronger shivers traipsed down her spine. How could she want him this much? How could she want anyone this much?

As he took a step forward, the door slapped closed behind him, sealing them inside the RV. Alone. He took another step. He fisted and unfisted his hands, saying, “I like your mind—when it decides to obey my every command.”