Page 112 of House of Crimson Cloak and Silver Teeth

“Garrett.” I look at him directly. “That would cost a fortune. The guild doesn’t just let Grimsbanes walk away.”

“I know what it would cost.” He leans forward slightly, his eyes intense. “That isn’t the question. I’m asking if you’d want to stay and make this permanent. I know I want to.”

My heart is pounding.

“Why?” The question barely makes it past my throat.”Why would you want that?”

“Because I want you.”

The words are simple. Devastating.

“Garrett, I’m not—”

He pushes back from the table so fast the pieces nearly fall over. In the next moment he is beside me, sitting on the edge of the table, invading my space. His presence cuts off every thought I was trying to hold onto. “You’ve seen what I am and you didn’t run. You didn’t try to fix me or make me into something I’m not.”

His hand comes up, fingers brushing my jaw.

“Do you know how rare that is?” he continues quietly. “Someone who sees all of you and stays anyway?”

I can’t breathe or think. His touch is burning through every defense I’ve carefully constructed.

“You don’t have to answer now,” he says. “We still have three more days. But think about it. Please.”

“The guild might not allow it. Buying out a Grimsbane contract isn’t simple. They could refuse, or demand prices even you can’t afford, or—”

“If I want to keep you, I will.” There’s absolute certainty in his voice. “My father is in the Aldarelf council. My family has resources and connections. If the guild wants to negotiate, we’ll negotiate. If they want a war over you, they’ll get one.”

The possessiveness should bother me. It should feel like another cage, another form of ownership. Instead, something fierce answers back in my own chest.

“Your move,” he says softly, still so close I can feel his breath.

I move a piece without looking at the board. I can’t look away from his face and the intensity in his eyes.

“What do you want, Wolf?”

You.

The answer screams in my head, but I can’t say it out loud.

I look at him properly. Light plays through his loose hair and turns it molten. His eyes are darker than usual, burning with intensity that makes my blood run hot. The curve of his mouth promises trouble.

Kitty was right about my type.

His thumb brushes across my cheekbone, testing boundaries, seeing what I’ll allow.

I should remind him that this ends badly no matter what we do. But I don’t pull away.

“Would you let me—” He stops and swallows hard. His hand moves to my wolf mask. The upper half that covers my eyes.

“May I?”

I tense immediately. The mask is protection and the last barrier between who I am and who he wants me to be.

I reach up and release the mechanism myself. Garrett lifts the mask away with careful fingers and sets it aside on the table next to the chess pieces.

The air feels cold against my exposed skin, making me feel vulnerable. His eyes trace my features like he’s memorizing them.

“Beautiful,” he murmurs. His mouth hovers dangerously close to mine.