How many times had he said that to me? How many times had I blown it off, because talking meant giving breath and life to fears? It had always been easier to keep all of that neatly hidden away, but easier wasn’t always better.

It wasn’t always the right thing to do.

“I’m just... I’m scared that something is going to happen,” I admitted. “That there will be a consequence for this.”

“There might be, Trin.”

I sucked in a sharp breath. “You’re supposed to say something that reassures me. Not freaks me out more.”

“What I’m supposed to say is the truth.” He brushed his thumb along my lower lip. “Look at me.”

Opening my eyes, I was immediately snared in his pale gaze. “I’m looking.”

“No matter what happens, we’ll face it together. I didn’t kiss you without considering there could be a risk. I didn’t share with you what we just shared believing nothing could come from it.” His eyes searched mine. “I knew there was a risk for us—and there is an us. I also know that you’re worth the risk. That we’re worth the risk.”

A ripple of pleasure danced its way around my heart. “You always say the right thing.”

Zayne grinned at me. “You know that’s not true.”

“You say the right stuff a good ninety-five percent of the time.” I reached up and touched his jaw. “Together,” I whispered. “I like that. A lot.”

His hand slid up to cup my cheek. “Happy to hear that. If you didn’t, things would get a whole lot more awkward and annoying for you.”

“How so?”

“Because I have no plans of letting you go anytime soon,” he said, moving wickedly fast. Before I knew it, I was on my back and he was above me, his lips brushing mine as he said, “So, I’m glad to hear we’re on the same page.”

Then he kissed me, and yeah, we were definitely on the same page.

Zayne was perched on the parapet of one of the hotels not too far from Federal Triangle. In his Warden form, wings tucked back, he was a fearsome sight.

All day I’d kept waiting either for things to become weird between us or for an Alpha to randomly show up and mete out punishment.

Neither happened.