He blinked. Then laughed. Damn it. It was a nice laugh—it curled into the air between us, oddly intimate.
Nyra purred.
"I wasn't. I was going to say"—he stuck out a hand—"I'd like to know your name."
My lips twitched. "Would you now?"
"Very much."
I almost told him. Almost.
I'd always found the idea of fated mates a little ridiculous. No disrespect to the moon goddess, but if I was going to be with someone for the rest of my life, it would be my decision, not fate's.
I wasn't the kind of girl you stumbled upon and just claimed. I had to be earned.
I took a step closer. Close enough to let the tension sharpen.
His scent hit me—dark leather with a trace of pine.
My senses sharpened. In recognition. In hunger.
Shit.
"Then here's a challenge, mystery man."
