"If I was capable of such strength," he said quietly, "there would not have been a first time."
My gaze briefly met his. Deep in his differently colored blue eyes desire burned. He might be keeping it in check better than I was, but he definitely wasn't as immune to my nearness as his actions sometimes led me to believe.
I swung onto Spencer Street and headed toward Southern Cross Station. "You do realize this decision of yours means that you can't object to me being with Lucian. I may not be driven by the moon's heat as most werewolves are, but I do have an above-average sex drive."
I didn't need to see his expression to know that his anger had just ratcheted up several notches. The force of it singed my skin and senses. "You know I do not trust the Aedh."
Yeah, I did. Just like I knew that his distrust—hell, I'd even call it hatred—left him unable to even say Lucian's name. It would have been amusing if it wasn't so damn frustrating.
"And we both know," I snapped back, "that your distrust stems more from the fact that I'm with him than from anything he's actually done."
For once, he didn't dispute it. "I am not jealous, if that is what you are implying."
"Then why do you have a problem with me being with him?"
"He is using you."
"We're using each other."
"Yes, but his reasons are not what he states. He lies, Risa. I can taste it."
"If he's lying, then he's doing it so well my internal radar isn't picking it up."
"He has been earthbound for many, many centuries. Have no doubt that he is well practiced in more than the art of sex."
That, at least, was something we both agreed on. But it still didn't mean Lucian was lying to me—or rather, I hoped it didn't. I swung into the parking lot under the Flinders Street bridge and squeezed into a spot between one of the bridge stanchions and a large four-wheel drive.
I turned off the engine, then faced him. "You can't have it both ways. Either you and I run the risk of assimilation, or you accept the fact that I will be with others. No more shitty aloofness."