Circle of Desire (Damask Circle 3)

She put down her coffee and turned around. The nut-colored eyes that had haunted her dreams the last few nights met hers, his gaze all but consuming her. Her breath caught somewhere in her throat, and for a second all she could do was stand and stare. The

n his hands slid under her shirt and around her waist, his touch sending a flash fire of desire across her skin as he pulled her close to him. But that flash fire was nothing compared to the heat in his eyes. Her heart snagged right along with her breath, and the whole world seemed to spin around her. He leaned forward, his mouth capturing hers, his kiss passionate and tender and oh so wonderful.

“I missed you,” he whispered, his breath warm against her lips when he finally pulled away.

“It’s was only two days.” Even though it had felt like an eternity.

“Two days and one night,” he corrected, gently brushing the back of his finger down her cheek. “You have no idea how angry and how scared I was to arrive back at our cabin the following morning to discover you and Gwen gone.”

His words sent hope and joy tumbling through her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and lightly kissed his chin. “You were scared? I can’t even imagine that.”

“Then walk away from me now, and you’ll see true terror.”

His words seemed to echo through every fiber of her being. Never had she heard eleven sweeter words. She smiled and let her gaze search his. “Do you want me to walk away?”

“Not ever.” He hesitated. “Can you ever forgive me?”

She raised an eyebrow. “For what?”

“For hanging on to a dream that didn’t exist.”

“Jacinta?”

He nodded. “I loved her, but I don’t think I was ever in love with her. As my brother pointed out, I was never tempted to perform the moon ceremony with her.”

Her throat went dry, and the giddy sense of happiness died a little. “But you did perform it—the night before the full moon. It was Jacinta you were seeing, not me.”

The smile teasing his wonderful mouth made her heart do another heady dance. “Did I ever say her name?”

“Yes. When I told you your lady was waiting, you said Jac—”

He raised an eyebrow. “I also said no, if you remember.”

“Because somewhere deep inside, you knew she couldn’t be waiting for you?”

“Or I was simply denying that she was my lady.”

And with that, he kissed her. Long and hard. When he pulled back a second time, his feelings were in his eyes. The air sang with the sheer depth of them, so that it felt like she was breathing in his love with every breath.

“I was seeing you,” he said. “It was your name I howled to the moon. It appears my animal half was certain that I loved you even when my human half continued to dither.”

“Then I’m glad the full moon was close and the wolf took charge, because I think I fell in love with you the first time I met you.”

“Then marry me. Let’s finish what the moon began.”

The tears in her eyes made his face shimmer before her. “Yes. Though there is something I should tell you.”

“That you’re not the only shifter in your particular family unit? I know. Gwen told me.”

“I bet she didn’t tell you I’m pregnant.”

“No.” Amusement tugged his lips, and his eyes shone. “I figured that out myself. There could only be one reason why you were so certain you didn’t get pregnant the night we made our promises—because you already were.” He brushed his hand down her hair. “I don’t think I can ever describe how happy I am. Or how fiercely I want to see you round and fat with our child.”

“Children,” she corrected with a smile. “Gran tells me I’m carrying twins.”

He didn’t seem surprised. “I hope they’re girls. I hope they have their mother’s beautiful green eyes and midnight-colored hair.”

She cupped a hand against his cheek and ran a thumb over the lips she could kiss forever. “I thought most men wanted sons.”