I can’t muster a greeting or even the words to ask why he’s like a stray dog around here lately. Cute but unasked for—and always hanging out where the air smells the tastiest.
Except I’m not in the mood to entertain his presence right now. My whole world has come crashing down in a matter of hours. My heart’s been shattered, and I’m pretty sure I’ll never be whole again. Maximus doesn’t even know we’re over. That truth cuts me deep enough to threaten a wave of tears I’m certain Arden would be entirely immune to.
He drapes his jacket on one of the stools and walks over to where I’m standing at the sink. He leans his hip against the counter and looks me over.
“You’re upset,” he says quietly.
“I don’t really want to talk about it.” Not with you. Not with anyone.
“You don’t have to. Your mother brought me up to speed.”
I roll my eyes. “So glad her art dealer is up to speed on our family drama.”
He doesn’t flinch. Just considers me thoughtfully for a long moment.
“I think we both know I’m more than that, Kara.”
I blink up at him, my lashes beating in time with my thudding heart as I search his expression for meaning. What I find is too much certainty. Too much bold, presumptive possessiveness. He tilts his head slightly.
“You really have no idea, do you?” He brushes the backs of his fingers against my cheek. “Lucky for you, even your naïveté turns me on.”
I jerk away, my eyes narrowing. “Don’t touch me.”
His nostrils flare, but he drops his hand.
“Your little rebellions are over. No more stalling. And no more dalliances in the professor’s office either.”
I take another step back, heat prickling my palms. “Excuse me?”
He answers with an unpleasant grimace. “I had a feeling someone might be distracting you. Then I saw you at the fundraiser, and it all made sense. The minute that oaf barreled into our conversation, I knew you two were involved. Neither of you can lie worth a damn.”
I fold my arms across my torso as if it can protect me from what Arden already seems to know.
“I have to admit, after I followed you out and saw you pressed against his window four floors up, I was pretty pissed off.” He bares his teeth slightly with that admission. “I was even tempted to go find you and straighten things out myself, but I figured I’d let the chips fall as they may. If you broke your vow, I could at least take pleasure in dragging you back home.” Something devious flickers across his gaze as he flexes his fingers, fisting and unfisting them. “And by home, I don’t mean that adorable little place you’ve got in the Hills.”
Now my mind can’t find a single word, spoken or unspoken, of reaction. I’m blank. A void. Buried in a snowdrift of disbelief.
I really can’t believe what I’m hearing.
It can’t be… He can’t be…
“No,” I finally gasp. “You’re not—”
“I’m your incubus, Kara. And as much as I would have enjoyed tormenting you on your way to hell, I’ll be honest, I’m much more interested in fucking you here on earth.”
I open my mouth to speak but again have no words. The shock is still lodged in my throat.
He has the audacity to laugh as he straightens. “Are you so surprised?”
Surprised? I didn’t think any more devastation could rain on me today, but I was so very wrong. Perhaps if Maximus hadn’t been consuming my thoughts these past two weeks, I would have figured Arden out myself. Seen through to his true intentions. His true purpose.
The purpose he’s withheld from me. But not all on his own.
I shake my head, fresh tears burning at the corners of my eyes. My mother knew. She knew this whole time.
“Wh-Why didn’t you just tell me?”
“Your mother thought it’d be better to ease you into it. Play with you a little before pouncing.” He smirks, like this is all some fun game that I should be laughing at.
Except I’m sick over it. Sick and disgusted and devastated.
I need to get out of here.
I turn and rush through the house. I’d love to give my mother a piece of my mind, but creating space between Arden and me is more important.
Except he’s on my heels, whipping me around to face him once I reach my car.
“Let me go!”
I try to twist away, but he makes it impossible.
“I don’t think so, my love.”
He presses me against the door of the car,