He jerked his eyes back up, catching my gaze, but this time his eyes were dark with his desire, and I knew he was struggling as much as me. Still, I held myself still, watching him.
“I can’t,” he murmured, though he didn’t move.
Finally, unable to hold still, I lifted a hand to his cheek, running my thumb across his cheekbone. “Whatever you want to do, I will do it,” I told him. “I don’t want to reject you, but if you don’t want me, I will never hold you to this bond. I don’t want you if the only reason you want me is that the goddess desires it.”
He groaned and leaned forward, his forehead resting against mine. His eyes were closed, and he was struggling with his thoughts. I held still, letting him think. Letting him decide.
When he moved, though, it was only to capture my mouth in a
