Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the safe-house villa on the edge of the lagoon. Elara woke tangled in black silk sheets, Logan's heavy arm draped possessively across her waist. His breathing was deep and even, scars on his back almost invisible now.
She traced one faint line with her fingertip. He stirred, golden-brown eyes opening instantly—predator alert even in sleep.
"Morning, wife," he rumbled, voice husky from the fight and the kiss that had followed.
Heat flooded her cheeks. "Last night… that really happened."
He rolled her beneath him in one smooth motion, caging her with his body but keeping most of his weight off. "All of it. The claws. The healing. The part where I kissed you like I wanted to devour you."
Elara's pulse raced. "And do you? Want to devour me?"
Logan's gaze darkened. "Every damn second since you signed that contract." He dipped his head, lips brushing her neck, sending shivers down her spine. "But I'm not gentle, Elara. The beast doesn't do soft and sweet."
She cupped his jaw, forcing him to meet her eyes. "I'm not asking for soft. I'm asking for honest. Why me? Really?"
He exhaled, rolling off her but keeping her hand in his. For the first time, the ruthless CEO looked… tired. "Because when I saw your file—broke, fighting for your brother, zero interest in my money—I felt something I haven't felt in years. The animal inside recognized you. Mate. It's instinct. Dangerous instinct."
Romantic conflict flared in her chest. "So I'm just a biological match to your mutation?"
"No." He sat up, running a hand through his messy hair. "You're the first person who looked at the monster and didn't run screaming. That terrifies me more than any bullet."
A knock at the door made them both tense. Logan's claws flicked out instinctively before he retracted them. It was only the lawyer with fresh documents.
"Marriage certificate is ready, sir. Press wants the first official photos by noon."
Logan glanced at Elara. "You still in?"
She nodded, even as fear and desire warred inside her. "I'm in."
As the lawyer left, Logan's phone buzzed. Unknown number. The text made his jaw clench:
We know what you are, Kane. Hand over the girl or the world learns about Weapon X. Tick tock.
He showed her the message. Elara's stomach dropped.
"They want me because of you?" she asked.
"They want to use you to control me." His hand tightened on hers. "But they'll have to go through me first."
The almost-kiss from earlier hung unfinished between them, tension crackling like live wire. Outside, the lagoon sparkled innocently, but Elara knew the real storm was just beginning.