She inhaled a deep breath, her eyes full of emotion. “Why not?”

“Too risky.”

“In what way?”

“The second you’re united, she’ll try to run with you.”

“If she’s allowed to come to Paris with Magnus, I doubt she would risk that just to get caught again.”

“I think she’ll feel differently if she sees you.”

“Well, I won’t run. I promise.” Sincerity burned in her eyes with undeniable brilliance. She seemed to mean every word she said to me, like this wasn’t some kind of stunt to get what she wanted.

“She might make you.”

“I…I…I don’t think she would. And again, what does it matter? Because we won’t get far.”

“It does matter.”

“Why?”

Because I’d made an oath that I would have to keep. “When Magnus asked to have her accompany him during his trips to Paris, I granted it with a condition. If she runs—I’ll kill him. It’s in my best interest to give her no incentive to do that.”

Her eyes dropped as she fidgeted with her fingers.

“I’m sorry.”

She lifted her eyes and looked at me again. “She wouldn’t have to run…if you let her go.”

Under no circumstances could I do that—because I would lose Melanie too. I turned back to my laptop and went back to work. Her final words hung in the air, echoing unanswered.

She stood there for a while, her gaze burning into my face with fierce hope. But she eventually gave up and walked away.

I had her at the edge of the bed, thrusting inside her until I hit my release, giving a loud moan in satisfaction. My desire for her figure never expired. She brought me so much satisfaction, but also constant need. Some was never enough. All of her was more, but still fell short. My dick remained hard time and time again, when for other women, it went soft after the first round.

I stayed inside her as I slipped my fingers to her back entrance.

“Whoa…” She immediately arched her back and grabbed on to my arms. “What are you doing?” Passion left her eyes as she considered my intentions.

“Getting you ready.” Two fingers were inside her, pulsing, forcing her to stretch.

With her knees pushed up against her sides, she lay there and breathed, her skin slightly sweaty even though she was only lying there while I did all the work—not that I minded. Trepidation was bright in her eyes, a look I hadn’t seen since our first night together in the cabin.

“Chérie?” I held myself over her with one arm, my hard dick inside her, my wet fingers inside her, forcing her tightness to expand.

She breathed hard at my ministrations then gave a shake of her head.

Instead of pulling my fingers away, I brought our faces close together.

“I’m just not…into that.”