Chapter: 743

I leaned closer. Just a little. Just enough for my chest to brush against his. Enough for the warmth of his breath to ghost against my lips.

The familiar heat, the pulse of recognition-mate or no mate bond-still lived there. Under my skin, rushing through my veins, buried under layers of denial.

We were so close. All I had to do was tilt my chin up, and our lips would meet. The kiss would be explosive, I knew. Terrifying in its intensity.

And gods help me, I wanted it.

Why couldn't I have it? What was stopping me now from closing the hairbreadth distance between us and-