CIARA
The fire in the master suite bedroom was the only thing moving in the room. I sat on the edge of the mattress, my bare feet digging into the heavy wolf-fur rug, staring at the dark wood of the double doors.
The heavy latch clicked. Hayes walked into the room, closing the door softly behind him. He didn't have his boots on. He was just in his dark trousers and a soft gray shirt, his jaw tight, his golden eyes fixed on my face with an expression that looked dangerously close to pity.
I turned my head away, my throat tightening. "If you came up here to tell me how much I embarrassed you in front of the elders, don't bother. I already know."
"I don't give a damn about the elders," Hayes said, his deep voice rough and low in the quiet room. He walked over to the bed, his weight sinki
