Free In the Flesh by Sylvia Day, Livia Dare Page B

resilience that he remained proud and unbroken after such abuse. His will to survive was strong and admirable.
    Aching with the knowledge that he would be gone when she went home, Sapphire pushed him from her mind. The only future contact she would have with him would be through news reports in the media. Look, but don’t touch or covet. In the brief time she’d known him, he had become an ever-present specter in her thoughts. Her body was attuned to his on a deep level. He had only to look at her and she became aroused, hungry. She knew he was thinking of all the ways he could please her,which was entirely removed from the king’s weighty expectation for how she would please him.
    Quite simply, she would miss Wulf, but keeping him had not been an option.
    “Who in Sari would wish to purchase Wulfric?” she wondered aloud.
    “ Wulfric, is it now?”
    She purposely ignored the query, schooling her expression into bland lines. “I’m as intrigued as you are. I’d like to join your investigation.”
    Grave laughed. “Getting restless already?”
    “I’ve been restless the last few years. I’m ready for change and a little excitement.”
    He clasped her hand in his large one and squeezed. “Well, I’d love to have you. How about we start on Firstday?”
    “Why don’t we start tonight?” The thought of returning to her home and finding Wulf gone was depressing. Her father’s company would provide a welcome distraction. “You’re staying with me, right? We can drink until we’re silly.”
    He gave a regretful shake of his head. “I wish I could, but the king is making an appearance tonight. He spends more time away from the palace since you left. Now that I’ve been seen, I will have to stay in my quarters or he may use me as an excuse to visit you. Considering his mood lately, I don’t think that would be wise.”
    “Poor Daddy.” Lifting to her tiptoes, Sapphire kissed his cheek. “I’m going home before he arrives. We’ll talk more on Firstday.”
    “I’ll be there bright and early, sweetheart.”
    “I love you.”

    Despite the crowd around them, he caught her close and squeezed her tight. “I love you, too.”
     
    It was well after midnight by the time Sapphire returned to her home. The interior was dimly lit and quiet, with most of her mästares either out for the evening, as she’d suggested, or in bed. She went straight to her bedroom, striding quickly over the threshold as the doors retracted, then slid closed again behind her.
    “Keep the lights off,” she ordered, when they didn’t come on immediately.
    Trained to be comfortable with moving in the darkness, Sapphire advanced easily through the space, setting her jewelry on the vanity before slipping out of her dress. The garment pooled at her feet and she kicked it away before starting toward the comfort of her bed.
    She was mere steps away when a rustle of sound stilled her. Paused in mid-stride, she waited, alert and wary.
    “Your clothes reek of men’s cologne.” Wulf’s deep voice rumbled across the space between them.
    He was directly behind her. If she hadn’t been distracted by melancholy, she would have felt his presence sooner. His fury radiated like a heat wave.
    She shifted away silently, knowing that when she spoke, he would be able to pinpoint her position. “You’re not supposed to be here,” she whispered.
    “We have unfinished business.” His tone was icy and originated from a different location in the room.
    He was circling her.

    Sapphire moved toward the bed, her intent to place the massive piece of furniture between them. “We have nothing.”
    Wulf tackled her from behind, twisting before they hit the bed to take the brunt of the impact. Surprised by the assault, she was easily overpowered. He rolled over her, pinning her arms above her head and her writhing body beneath his.
    “Guardian!” She arched upward, attempting to dislodge him.
    There was no reply. The only sound in the room was the