Vander slowly dipped his head. “Thanks for apologizing. And regarding Vessa, I’m sure she did something to deserve it.”
I nearly spit out the water. “What?”
“Don’t get me wrong, Azara. I love my sister and I in no way want any harm to come to her, but she can be a little bitch. With things up in the air with you and Talon and her crazy possessiveness over him, I can only imagine what she might have said to rile up your demon.”
“Yeah, she wasn’t nice that’s for sure. But no excuses. I can’t keep blaming everything on my demon. I’m in charge, and I need to take responsibility. It doesn’t matter what she said, I never should’ve attacked her.”
“I’ll be sure to send her your apologies.” He smirked.
“Thanks.” I drew in a breath and steeled my nerves. “That’s not the only thing I need to apologize for.”
Vander’s lips pressed together, and a twinge of crimson coated his cheeks.
Memories of our drunken boneyard liaison had recently resurfaced, and while I’d already apologized once, I felt it was worth repeating now that I actually remembered what had happened. I reached for his hand tentatively and was surprised when he let me take it. Oh no, he still had feelings for me, in spite of everything. It would only make this discussion harder. Spit it out, Azara. “I let my demon take advantage of you that night in the boneyard, and I’m so sorry. It was easier for me to hide out and let her take the wheel than face my issues. I never should’ve let her get so out of control.” I squeezed his hand and met his gentle eyes, flecks of amber lighting up the hazel. “I care about you a lot, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t attracted to you but—”
His free hand came up, stopping me mid-sentence. “But I’m not Talon.”
I nodded. “I really screwed things up with him, and I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to fix it, but I have to try.”
“Yeah, you’re not the only one.” He grunted.
“Looks like we both have some groveling to do.”
“At least Talon talks to you.” He twisted his head over his shoulder to look back at the looming dragon and grimaced. “He still won’t even look at me.”
“He’ll get over it eventually.”
He shook his head. “I’m not so sure about that.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“Stop apologizing. I may have been drunk, but I knew what I was doing. I knew Talon wasn’t really over you no matter what he claimed.”
A pang of hurt sliced my chest, but I shoved it down, reminding myself how I’d acted. It was a miracle Talon still wanted to be my friend.
Heavy footfalls spun my head toward the dragon stalking toward us. A deep line furrowed his brow, his jaw clenched so tight I could practically hear his teeth grinding.
Vander shot to his feet. “And that’s my cue to leave.”
I grabbed his hand and forced him to stop. “Stay, Vander. Maybe you guys can finally talk it out.”
“No, not yet. I know my brother, and he’s not in a forgiving mood.” He squirmed free of my grasp and spun toward the door. “See you soon, Azara.”
I wiggled my fingers in goodbye a second before Talon slid into the seat beside me. Tension radiated from his shoulders, the strain evident when his bicep brushed against my arm.
“Everything okay?” he gritted out.
“Yup. Peachy. How about you?” I grabbed my pencil and crossed out Vander’s name.
The tense set of his shoulders diminished a tad as I dragged the lead across the letters. “What’s that?”
“Just something Dr. Ollie suggested I work on for my therapy.”
His gaze trailed down the list of names. I moved my forearm, trying to cover his, but I was sure he’d already seen it. “You ready for another workout session?” he asked.
“I was born ready.” My demon was antsy to burn some energy.
“Let’s do it then.”
I followed Talon to the basement, my pulse ratcheting up in anticipation with each step. I’d come to relish these moments of sweaty abandon. It was the only time I didn’t have to think. My brain could shut off, and I could focus on the physical. I’d wanted my memories back for so long, I hadn’t stopped to consider how draining they’d be once they showed up.
“You’re oddly quiet,” Talon muttered as he swung the door open to the training room.
“Just have a lot going on up here.” I motioned to my temple and scowled.
“I know exactly how to fix that.” A mischievous grin lit up his silver irises and set them ablaze.
I hurried to the duffle bag I kept behind the counter and stripped out of my jumpsuit. That was one thing I had not missed at all while in psych. Talon averted his gaze as I slipped on a tank top and yoga pants. Much better. Lacing up my sneakers, I watched Talon’s jumpsuit fall from his shoulders and hang low on his hips. A sharp V disappeared into the waistband of his boxers, sending my heart hurtling against my ribs. I still couldn’t believe we’d had sex, and I couldn’t even remember it. So not fair.
The swirling heat in my core from the mere thought of it convinced me it had to have been amazing. I shoved the lusty thoughts to the back of my mind where they belonged. Friends, we were just friends.
I popped out from behind the counter as Talon pulled up his jersey shorts. With his thumbs hitched in the waistband, he leaned against the wall. How could he make something so mundane look so sexy? As I approached, his eyes raked over me appreciatively, leaving a scorching trail in their wake.
I swallowed hard and fidgeted with the hem of my tank. “So you had something in mind?”
A flash of silver streaked across his pupils, and a low growl vibrated his chest. His Adam’s apple bobbed, and he cleared his throat, blinking quickly. “Um, yes.” He pushed off the wall, and the suffocating tension simmered a notch. Until he bent down to grab something from his bag and revealed the brilliant red sparring gloves. “I figured we could do some one-on-one. It’s been a while, but I think you’re ready.”
So far my training had consisted of the punching bag, endless squats, push-ups, pull-ups, miles of jogging and minimal weapons but nothing that called for touching. Excitement swirled with anxiety, like two venomous snakes twisting my insides.
Talon beckoned me forward with his index finger, and monster butterflies joined the battling reptiles in my gut. He reached for my hand when I didn’t offer it and helped me into the snug glove. As he tightened the Velcro straps, I couldn’t help my gaze from drifting up to meet his. We were less than a foot apart now, and the intense silver of his irises shone like a million burning stars.
He grabbed my other hand and repeated the procedure, all the while my gaze locked on his. The flecks of molten steel lighting up those blazing orbs pierced my insides, leaving me cracked open, exposed. His fiery gaze alone was enough to unravel me.
“Ready?” His rough voice only accelerated my thundering heartbeats.
“Umhmm,” I murmured.
He stepped back and I drew in a much-needed breath, one untainted by his distracting scent. He lifted his hands and took on a fighting stance. “Come at me.”
Gnawing on my lower lip, I lunged forward and took a swing. Talon easily avoided my blow with a quick sidestep.