That was it. Just plain and simple it. He grasped her arm, rolled her so she was lying on top of him and settled back. “How’s this for proof?”

* * * *

Holy crap, the immortal had a raging hard-on. Grace heated, head-to-toe. Lying on him was like spreading out on asphalt warmed by hot lava all day. With her core pressed against his, her mind tried to switch off and let her body take over. “Okay. That’s proof.”

His grin briefly relaxed the solid rock wall of his face. This almost playful side of him stole her ability to speak. “You’re beautiful, fun, and no doubt still goofy,” he murmured, his hand splaying entirely across her lower back. “I regret we didn’t spend the last few years at least getting to know each other, but you will be taken care of in the future.”

Did that sound like goodbye? Did he somehow know her plan? “I don’t understand.” She let her knees fall on either side of his hips, and he was so big, her thighs had to widen.

He groaned.

Her breath caught, and she watched, fascinated, as his eyes changed from black to molten silver. The color was still dark, deep instead of lustrous. What was happening right now? Her body tightened in need and her heartrate kicked up, while desire tore through her with a power she couldn’t contain. “Why have you avoided me for five years?” Why the heck had that come out of her mouth? Where was her pride?

“There are many reasons, and most are work-related.” His breath was minty with a hint of whiskey on it.

“If I didn’t know better, I’d think you liked me,” she murmured breathlessly, caught by the sensation of her clit rubbing against his erection.

“You’re sweet and kind and wouldn’t lie to save your life,” he said, sliding his hand through her hair.

She blinked. Boy, had he read her wrong. “Adare, I—”

“We could’ve probably been friends,” he continued, watching her curls play over his large hand. “If I had friends other than my Seven brothers.”

Friends? Oh yeah. Internally, she deflated like a squashed grape. He had only mated her out of duty. Period. Where was her pride? She’d forgotten his type was badass killer cougar shifters, not fragile humans who broke their wrists falling on the ice. “Wait a minute. That was past tense.” He must have figured out what she needed to do the following week. She was surprised he was so accepting.

Regret twisted his upper lip. “I should’ve told you before now. The mission we’ve been setting up for the last couple of years takes place a day from now. The chances of my survival are slim.”