His Mate, His Enemy novel · Chapter 22 of 24

Chapter 22: Say It Out Loud

Corinna's POV

The silence in my chest was so large that I put my hand on it.

For four years I had felt him there, a warm weight under my breastbone, and now there was only my own heart.

It was lighter, and it was lonely.

Lorcan stood a step away with his palm bleeding and his eyes fixed on my face, and he didn't know what I felt.

I could see him not knowing.

He had never had to ask me.

"Say something," he said, hoarse.

"I can't tell what you're feeling either."

"No."

"It's strange."

"Yes."

"I hate it."

His mouth twitched, and I nearly laughed.

I walked past him out of the Moon-Keeper's house and down the hill into the cold.

He followed three paces behind and asked nothing.

By the time we reached the shore the sun was a bright line over the lake.

I stopped at the door of the fishing cabin.

"I'm going to tell you what I want," I said. "Out loud. Because that's the only way you'll know.

"And you're going to tell me what you want, and I'll hear it and decide."

"All right."

"I want you inside, with the door locked, and your clothes off."

His breath caught.

"Is that all right?" he asked.

"That's what I want. It isn't a thank-you, and it isn't pity.

"Your turn."

"I want to touch you," he said roughly. "Everywhere. I want to be slow.

"And I want you to tell me when to stop being slow."

"Good."

I opened the door.

The cabin was cold, and I lit the stove.

We undressed in the growing light, clumsy and slow.

Keep reading free with an account. Start His Mate, His Enemy from Chapter 1, then sign up free to read the rest of this chapter.