Chapter 3

Chapter 3: The Unexpected Mate

Chair

He steps forward.

Slow. Deliberate. Crosses the terrace toward me like someone who has made a decision they

cannot take back. Stops close enough that I can see the scar through his left eyebrow the tight set of his jaw, the way every muscle in him is working to hold something in check.

“Look at me.” Low. Almost gentle.

I don’t know why I do it.