Tangled

293 Ava: Re-Establishing...

"Lucas!" I call out sharply, shoving against his chest. My heart races, desire coursing through my veins as fear dissipates. He isn't violent. He's just affected by my heat,

And as much as I'd love to have it take over us both, I can't let that happen. I know how it feels to regret decisions made in the moment. I don't want Lucas to feel that way about us.

He blinks, shaking his head as if clearing fog from his mind. Stepping back, he murmurs, "I'm sorry. I'm not sure what came over me"

"It's okay, I say softly. "I think our bond is trying to reassert itself, now that I'm here. It's what makes the most sense in this scenario, anyway.

My bond yearns toward him in my chest, and it's physically painful to not step forward and nuzzle into his chest.

Lucas nods slowly, his brow furrowed. "That makes sense. The way I'm drawn to you is overwhelming." Even as he says that, he lifts his hand to brush his fingers against my cheek. 1 can't help but lean into his touch, craving the connection we once had. His skin feels like fire against mine.

I want so much more than this.

"Why are you so hot?" he asks, concern lacing his voice.

I blink, confused. "Me? You're the one burning up."

Lucas shakes his head. "No, your cheeks are flushed. You feel warm!

As if on cue, a chill runs through my body, making me shiver. Lucas' eyes narrow.

"You have a fever," he says sharply. "Why?"

I can't help but laugh, though it comes out a bit strained. "Pot, meet kettle. You're not exactly the picture of health yourself."

His frown deepens, and I sigh. There's no point in hiding it. "I think... I might be going into heat. And it's affecting you, too." I don't remember Clayton being hot like this, though. Is it because of our bond?

Lucas freezes, then leans forward, his nose skimming along my neck. A soft growl rumbles in his chest, sending shivers down my spine that have nothing to do with fever.

"What do you usually do?" he asks, his voice husky. "For your heat?"

I swallow hard, memories of Clayton flashing through my mind. "I, uh... I slept with another alpha during my last heat. I rush to add, "But that's not an option now."

Lucas' eyes flash gold as his head snaps up, a possessive snarl escaping him. "Damn right it isn't." Despite everything, I can't help but smile at his reaction, a flicker of triumph dancing through the bond in my chest. Even without his memories, some part of him recognizes me as his.

203 Ava: Re-Establishing...

But then confusion flickers across his face, as if he's surprised by his own vehemence. He takes at step back, running a hand through his hair.

"I'm sorry" he says again. "I don't know why I'm acting like this.

I reach out, touching his arm gently, watching him shiver beneath my touch. "It's okay. It's the bond, and my heat probably isn't helping matters."

Lucas suddenly steps forward with a curse, his hands clamping around my hips. His touch sends electricity through my body, and I have to fight to keep my knees from buckling. He stares down at me, his eyes dark with desire.

"You're going to have to leave if you keep smelling like this," he growls, his voice low and husky.

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My heart races, and I can feel the heat rising in my checks. I'm acutely aware of every po where his body touches mine, and it takes all my willpower not to lean into him. "Vanessa dragged me here, I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. "She threw me into the lion's den. Lucas stills at my words, his grip on my hips loosening slightly. His eyes search mine, and I can see the conflict raging within him. He's fighting against his instincts, against the pull of our bond.

"Do you want to leave?" he asks, his voice strained.

n every

I shake my head, unable to lie to him. The thought of walking away from him now, when fiber of my being is screaming for his touch, is unbearable. But I know I have to give him a choice. He doesn't remember me, doesn't remember us. It wouldn't be fair to take advantage of his current state.

"I will if you want me to," I say softly, even as my heart aches at the thought.

Lucas's eyes darken further, and his fingers flex against my hips. The movement sends a jolt of pleasure through me, and I have to bite my lip to keep from moaning.

"I don't want you to leave," he says, his voice rough with need. It's not a request or a suggestion. It's a statement of fact, delivered with all the authority of an alpha.

I suck in a sharp breath, closing my eyes as a familiar fire spreads through my veins. It's like my body remembers his touch, even if his mind doesn't remember me. Every cell in my body is singing, calling out for him to claim me.

With monumental effort, I open my eyes and meet his gaze. "You have to keep your hands off me if you want me clear-minded," I tell him, my voice shaky.

A slow, predatory smile spreads across Lucas's face, sending shivers down my spine. "Who said I wanted either of us clear-minded?" he asks, his voice a low rumble that I feel in my bones.

My breath catches in my throat. The look in his eyes is pure hunger, and it takes every ounce of self-control I have not to give in to it. I want nothing more than to lose myself in him, to let our bodies remember what our minds have forgotten.

293 Ava: Re-Establishing...

"The heat is talking," I warn him, even as my hands slide of their own volition over his chest. "This isn't your decision. You're affected by-"

"I've wanted this from the moment I saw you," he interrupts with a growl, yanking me against him as he buries his face against my neck. "You smelled like heaven. Vanilla. Honey. Just a little bit of orange. I wanted to taste you. Touch you. Claim you." He did?

I distinctly remember how he first looked at me. Politely disinterested. Like a stranger. "I thought you-*

Lucas's lips crash into mine, cutting off my words and thoughts in an instant. The world narrows to this single point of contact, his mouth hot and demanding, invading my world. My mind, so full of questions and doubts just moments ago, empties in a rush, leaving nothing but pure sensation in its wake.

His kiss is both familiar and new. The shape of his lips, the taste of him-it's all as I remember. But there's a desperate edge to it, an exploration that's new, like he's never kissed me before.

He's devouring me, nipping at my mouth and demanding submission.

I melt into him, my body responding on instinct. My hands slide up his chest and around his neck, pulling him closer. The heat of his skin burns through the thin fabric of his shirt, igniting a fire in my core that threatens to consume me.

Lucas growls into my mouth, the sound vibrating through my entire body. His hands, which had been gripping my hips, now roam freely. One slides up my back, tangling in my hair and angling my head to deepen the kiss. The other dips lower, cupping my ass and pressing me firmly against

him.