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engagements meant to help her decide on a mate.
    Janus’ image rose in her memory and pain twisted through her. She hugged herself as she bit into her lip, trying to banish the regret flowing through her. The Hunter’s blue eyes haunted her with their display of desire. Harsh disappointment flared through her as she faced the truth that she had seen that passion for the last time. His kiss taunted her with the possibility she had cast aside last night. So many lost opportunities rose from her mind as she recognized what leaving the Hunter sphere meant.
    She would never have the chance to touch Janus again. The choice was gone now, evaporated like morning dew. Her nipples tingled as she considered the fact that she would never know what it felt like to allow Janus to suckle them. He’d wanted to, demanded her submission. It was amazing how much more agreeable she was to that idea now that she had to embrace the reality that Janus might not want her anymore.
    “Well, I shall simply endure.” No one would take her own confidence from her.
    “Easier said than done.”
    32
    Janus’ Conquest
    She jumped and turned too quickly. Her ankle rolled under her own weight, crumpling with a painful twist that made her gasp. Janus caught her arm and slipped his arm right under hers to support her body. He clasped her to his chest as her hands landed on top of his pectorals.
    “What are you doing here?” Not that her question truly mattered. He was there.
    Discovering the details would not change that she was pressed against his body.
    “Your dwelling is no longer private, Fay.”
    Although true, due to the nature of her father’s recent arrest, there was still honor to be observed. Her fingertips begged her to simply allow Janus the excuse, let him continue to clasp her against his body because it felt so delightful. Yet his voice wasn’t harsh like so many she’d heard today. It was only firm. After a full rotation of duty with her coworkers, she was highly sensitive to any hint of kindness, even from Janus.
    But that was weak of her. She could not begin to depend on his strength. No one ever grew strong if they allowed others to hold them up. Pushing against his chest she strained away from the hard body her flesh craved. “You abuse your position by entering my sleeping room. It was not something I thought to see you doing the moment my sire was removed from between us, Janus.”
    She was free instantly. At least her body was. She still felt overwhelmed by his presence in her sleeping room. It was as though he now could strip each and every façade aside and stare at her naked form. It was so much more than skin. At that moment she felt exposed right down to her soul.
    But she had always feared Janus could do that to her. It was the sort of danger you needed to harbor a healthy respect for, unless you wanted to be consumed by the predator stalking you.
    “I did depress the door chime.” His eyes flashed with enjoyment for a moment before his lips pressed into a firm line of guilt. “Yet your point is well spoken, even if I have a good case for arguing against it.” His eyes moved down her body. He did it slowly, taking in each curve. Heat rose up her neck and bled across her cheeks before he 33
    Dawn Ryder
    moved his gaze back to her eyes. “Your resistance has prompted me to become more aggressive than I intended. That is not an excuse, simply an explanation. It is time you understood how determined I am.”
    Wasn’t that exactly like she thought he would be? Always believing in his correctness. Never granting her any space because he desired her? Therefore, she belonged to him simply because he had decided to claim her? “I have told you before, Janus. You need to find a female more suited to your demanding nature.”
    A hard hand cupped her jaw, holding her head in place as he stepped closer to her again. Her nipples tightened into hard peaks that ached for freedom from her robe.
    Heat bled over her skin, making the