Chapter 4

Seraphina left.

I stared down at the fiery orb in my palm, feeling a surge of raw, untamed flame pulse through my veins.

Suddenly, the surface of my courtyard pool broke with a splash.

A glowing golden koi leaped straight out of the water, lunged toward me, and swallowed my pearl in one bite!

Shock froze me. Before I could process the theft, the golden fish began to morph, shifting into human form right before my eyes.

He stood there completely naked, his skin flushed crimson, his dark eyes glowing with faint red heat.

I immediately covered my eyes with one hand and shoved the other forward. "Who are you?! Give my pearl back!"

My searching hand touched something smooth, rock-hard, and distinctly masculine.

Wait... why was it cold on one side and burning hot on the other?

A low, husky groan escaped his lips. "I didn't expect you to be so eager."

Before I could pull away, he stepped closer. An intoxicating mix of frost and wildfire enveloped my senses. The sheer intensity made my head spin.

My thoughts melted into a hazy fog. By the time I regained any semblance of clarity, we were already tangled together.

On my bed!

His scent drove my instincts wild. Any urge to fight back evaporated into thin air.

Driven by raw adrenaline, I flipped our positions and pinned him beneath me. "Who are you? Are you trying to be my mate?"

With effortless strength, he rolled me onto my back again, pinning my wrists.

He was breathtakingly gorgeous. If I looked closely, he shared a faint resemblance to Julian, the man Seraphina had chosen. But my brain was too fried to think straight.

"I always take responsibility for what's mine," he murmured against my throat.

His cool lips trailed down my neck in burning kisses, completely unraveling my defenses.

And truthfully? I didn't want to fight it.

I wanted him. My body craved him, and so did my soul.