Irina’s POV
The words cut through the primal haze in the room like a bucket of ice water.
Aiden froze, his body coiled and trembling with barely restrained need. His dark eyes, which had been blazing with possessive fire, blinked. Once. Twice. A low, frustrated growl rumbled in his chest, a sound of pure, animal protest.
“Now?” The word was a strangled, disbelieving rasp.
“Yes, now,” I said, my voice firm despite the frantic beating of my heart. I gestured down at myself. “Aiden, I’m covered in dirt, sweat, and probably blood. You are not any better. We are not doing this while we are both so filthy.”
Theia was howling with laughter in my head.
Aiden stared at me, his expression a comical mix of utter bewilderment and raw, aching desire. “If it weren’t for the blood, I wouldn’t stop,
