Something about the words “going at it” sent another flash of heat sizzling through my bloodstream, and I shot him a look. Did he mean that the way it sounded?

His gaze on mine was so dark, so sensual, that my mouth went dry over again. Yeah, he meant it.

Rowan coiled in again, bracing his elbows on his knees. His gaze focused on my lips as he leaned in until his breath whispered over my lips, warm, scented with the chocolate from dessert. That sweet heat rolled through me again. He pressed his lips to mine, running his tongue over my lower lip, tasting it. Drew back a little, staring into my eyes. “So sweet. I think I want seconds.” And he kissed me again, deeper, his tongue sliding between my lips, penetrating my mouth, tongue swirling around mine. My heart pounded harder, waves of heat rolling through my body. This time it had nothing to do with nanotech.

I pulled away, not quite panting, mouth dry. “My dad said the military frowns on… fraternization.”

“Mama doesn’t,” he told me, his breathing just as rough as mine. “She thinks ‘fraternization’ encourages team cohesion.” He drew back, and his gaze went from seductive to searching. “But if you don’t want me, if you aren’t in the mood, whatever -- say no. I’d never force you to do a damn thing. If there’s ever someone you’d rather have, all you have to do is ask for a transfer. I’m not going to give you a hard time about it -- we don’t engage in that kind of power games. Mama doesn’t put up with it.”

“I don’t want anyone else. I want you.” The words emerged low and rough before I had time to think better of it. I forced a laugh. “Which is ironic, since I always kinda figured I was asexual.”

His teeth flashed. “We’re not asexual, heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual. Mama designed us to be us sexual. That team cohesion thing again. You fight the hardest for the people you love.”

A shaft of razored pain pierced my heart. “Trouble is, sometimes you lose anyway.” An image flashed through my mind -- Di’s mother, lying like a broken doll in the house’s foyer, shot dead. My mom, a bullet hole in her forehead, a gun in her lax hand. Our fathers, sprawled among the wreckage of the living room, surrounded by dead Horsemen. The sound of Di’s heart-broken scream blending with my own howl… My voice dropped to a rasp.

“Then all you have left is revenge.”

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If you’re as big a fan of audiobooks as I am, I’ve also got a terrific new Merlin’s Legacy audiobook out on preorder, Master of Valor. I love the narrator – Su does an amazing job