The fervor in his tone shoots straight between my thighs, and I press them together, growing hotter and wetter by the second. The more we verbally spar, the more I want to push my hand into my panties.

“Please,” I whisper, the plea a breathless whine. “Let me touch myself.”

“No.”

“I need the release, Liam. I’m begging you.”

“If I give you permission, will you think of him when you bring yourself to orgasm?”

The memory of Sebastian astride my thighs, shirtless and shameless, his cock standing proud between us, almost makes me whimper.

“I…I-I don’t know.” My answer doesn’t earn me any points with him.

“And if I forbid you, will you still keep your promise?”

Futile tears burn my eyes. “Yes.”

Resting his hands between his knees, he dips his head. “So you’re loyal to me, but you burn for him.”

“It’s not that simple, Liam.” A drop of heartache splashes onto my cheekbone. “You’re not being fair.”

With a sigh, he stands and rounds the table. “Nothing about this situation is simple or fair, my sweet girl.” He thumbs away the teardrop on my skin. “You have my heart, but you don’t have my permission.”

“Please,” I beg again, blinking two more tears down my cheeks.

He bends long enough to press his lips to mine. “So long as Sebastian is the reason for the ache between your legs, the answer is no.”

“It’s my body,” I say, righteous defiance boiling to the surface. “You can’t stop me.”

Instead of angering him, my mock rebellion evokes a sorrowful slant to his kissable lips. “You’re right, I can’t stop you, but your loyalty to me will.”

He says nothing more as he turns toward the door of the library, cutting our session short. It shuts upon his exit with an anticlimactic click, and the last of my composure shatters. I sob into my hands, chest splintering from the onslaught of his hurt and disappointment.

Because I’m inconsolable in my grief, and at a loss to do anything about it.

12

I feign a stomach bug for the next few days as explanation for my heartbroken, lifeless state of mind since things blew up between Liam and me.

But today my mood shifts as soon as the sun rises, because it’s my last day in the House of Taurus.

It also happens to be my keeper’s birthday.

Loren and I prepare a celebratory dinner featuring Mr. Bordeaux’s favorite dishes of creamy pesto shrimp and grilled zucchini.

My keeper’s mood is abnormally pleasant, and I’m a little perplexed by his willingness to be a decent human being tonight, going so far as to let me sit at the table and speak. He even gave us free rein on choosing the menu for the evening.