“You’re the devil,” I whispered. “You should be used to being hated.” He stroked the side of my temple with his thumb, his touch achingly tender. “I am. But not by you. Not after everything I’ve done. Now, there is no escaping me, Pet. You’ll be mine forever.” “Because of the deal I struck with you?” “No.” He sat back on his heels, his hand snaking back under my shirt. I swallowed a wince when his fingers danced over a sensitive patch of my flesh. “Because you are my bonded mate.”
