Sean wouldn’t have believed that something like this could exist, no matter who had told him. He still found his emotions careening out of control for the dark beauty who had entered his life like a whirlwind.

Whirlwind. That made him think of elementals, which of course, made him think of Eden’s.

He watched her, breathing next to him, fast asleep in his arms. They hadn’t consummated their relationship. God knew, he wanted to. It was excruciating to get so damned hard kissing and holding this woman and to know they had to pull back.

But she’d insisted. And he’d complied. He respected her too much to push her. Though his bear was in torment, and so was he.

Her eyes flew open. Dark pools that sucked him in. Those dark pools had lost their red flames, now that her elemental was out pocket. He’d like to keep the elemental out of pocket forever. He didn’t hate her, but she was killing his one and only chance at happiness, and it wasn’t fair. She had no clue about him or who he was, or about his bear. And yet, she bore him hatred and ill will.

“Hey,” she whispered. “What’s that serious look about?”

“Hey back. It’s about you.”

“What about me?”

“Just thinking how much you mean to me.” He lowered his lips to hers, kissing her on the corner of that pouty bottom lip.

“You’re still thinking we should take this to the next level.”

He nodded. He couldn’t fall any deeper for this woman than he already had.

“You know, I can’t do that while Piria is around. And I can’t keep up this tea thing.”

“You still feeling guilty?”

“Wouldn’t you feel guilty if you did that to your bear?”

“You can’t equate my relationship with my bear to your relationship with Piria. My bear wants my happiness. She seems perfectly content to mess up your life. To hurt those close to you.”

She sighed. “You’re right, Sean. I know you are. Logically, what you are saying makes sense. But I don’t think it’s right to keep drugging her like this. Let’s face it, that’s what this is.”

“I’d rather think of it as a flame repellant. She’s dangerous.”

Another sigh. “I’ve managed to make it this far in life without hurting anyone.”

“Until now. You already know that she’s willing to kill me.”

A tear rolled down Eden’s cheek. “I’m going to stop drinking the tea. This isn’t the way to handle this.”

He wiped it away with his thumb. “Don’t cry. Don’t. The guilt is killing you. It’s too much. I get it.”

He didn’t get it. He couldn’t imagine throwing something this great away. But he loved her for who she was. Every bit of who she was. A woman with integrity who didn’t want to do what she was doing. He’d respect it, even if it meant breaking his heart.

“Stay with me tonight.”

“Sean—”

“Just tonight. Let me hold you.”

Because tomorrow he was leaving. He wouldn’t watch her go through the misery, and he didn’t want to see what sort of hell would be paid for pissing Piria off. And if he were around, he’d be more fuel to the fire.

* * *

Sean left a sleeping Eden and made his way to the kitchen on Tyler’s side. His bear’s senses had picked up the scent of coffee, and he’d heard the voices of Camden and Tyler.

It was time to get the ball rolling. He clenched his jaw.

* * *

Camden’s eyes filled with tears. “What are you telling me, Sean?”

“I won’t do this to Eden. I’m leaving.”

Tyler stood at the sink, watching the conversation silently.

Camden put her hand on Sean’s arm. “You can’t leave. I see how happy you two are.”

“She’s not going to drink the tea. She’s letting Piria out. The first thing Piria will do is light a fire. She’ll blame me for being knocked out, for everything.”

“No. Piria won’t know. And Eden won’t tell her. Please give me some time to work this out.”

“What’s to work out? She hates me. She starts fires. She’ll hate me more when she wakes up. And I won’t see all of you endangered. End of story.”

“I’m telling you she won’t know that she was asleep.”

He found that hard to believe. “At all?”

“At all. Personal guarantee from Circe. And Circe knows her shit. Please, don’t go yet. Please.”

He gritted his teeth. It would not be easy seeing Eden, day to day, knowing he couldn’t touch or kiss her.

“Piria won’t know what happened. And I’ve told Eden not to tell her. That needs to come from Circe, one of these days, when she gets back to Colorado.”

Hearing that was like having a sword pushed through his heart.