When they entered the lobby there was the man himself, sprawled in the lobby on a sofa near one of the gift shops. Eric had probably been waiting for her. His face lit up when he saw Sarafina and he rose to greet her, but Theo extinguished the man’s enthusiasm with one cold, hard stare.

“Thanks again, Eric!” Sarafina called over her shoulder with a smile as Theo pulled her past, toward the reception area. “I appreciate all your help!”

Theo checked them into a one-bedroom suite and then asked that the concierge send up supplies, like a change of clothes, a first aid kit, pajamas, and toiletries. Then he took her upstairs, away from Eric, away from everyone.

He needed her to himself right now.

As soon as they cleared the threshold and the door was shut, he pulled her against him and crushed his mouth to hers. Her body compressed against his, soft against hard, and her breath hissed from between her lips as they broke the kiss.

“You were right about not needing to be reminded,” she said breathlessly. He loved that he could make her sound that way. Her smile was a little lopsided. “Maybe there can be something good about today, after all.

“I want you, Sarafina. I’m sick of denying myself.”

He also wanted to put his mark on her, make sure the world knew in some way that he cared about this woman, that she was his. Not Stefan’s pawn.

And not Bai’s broodmare.

He needed to get her naked and make sure she truly was all right—that she was alive and well, warm and wanting him. They were both hurting, injured, but that wasn’t going to stop them.

He raised his head, sour realization blooming through him. “Fuck, condom.” He growled. “I don’t have one. Damn it.”

“It’s okay. I’m nowhere near the time of the month when I could get pregnant.”

“Are you sure?”

“I know my body, Theo. I’m totally sure.”

“Thank the Gods.”

Theo lifted his head long enough to ascertain where the bedroom was and then moved her toward it, his hands pulling at her clothes as they went.

Once in the bedroom, he slammed the door so hard with his foot that the walls shook, closing it just in case the concierge arrived with their packages while they were busy.

He yanked her skirt down her hips and slid her grass-stained blouse the rest of the way off her shoulders, letting both drop to the thick carpeting beside the bed. She wore a red silk bra and matching panties that made Theo’s mouth go dry.

The only thing better would be to get those little pieces of nothing off her.

TWENTY-TWO

TWENTY-TWO

“YOU’RE NOT GOING TO RUN AWAY AGAIN ARE YOU?” Sarafina ran her lips over the warm skin along his collarbone, making him groan. The scent of him intoxicated her, man and magick.