Chapter 508

She had called his name with that familiar, intimate warmth.

Rowan's entire body went rigid. Something electric shot through his eardrums, blazing straight into his blood and sending a tremor all the way down his spine.

This was the first time since their reunion that she had spoken to him with such pure, unadulterated devotion.

If someone else hadn't been staying in the apartment with her, Rowan would have lost all self-control.

Wait.

He was losing it anyway.

Rowan threw the door open and strode out, ignoring Rex's confused question about where he was going so late at night.

He stayed silent on the phone, but the rustling continued on her end. Pulling the curtains shut and slipping under the covers, Elissa teased, "If not, then I guess I was just flattering myself."

"Come outside for a second," Rowan said, his voice dangerously low.

"What?"

Elissa froze. She had no idea what he wanted, but knowing he was never impulsive, she instinctively climbed out of bed and walked toward the door before he could

even answer.

The motion-sensor lights in the hallway had already timed out. Moonlight spilled through the window, bathing the tall, broad-shouldered man in a soft silver glow. But the way his sharp, luminous eyes locked onto her was absolutely predatory.

A delicate flutter brushed against her heart. She squeezed her palms. "What's so urgent that I had to come out "

Before she could finish, the man pulled her into a crushing embrace. And then, he finally answered her previous question. "I did want to."

"You were completely right. You weren't flattering yourself at all."

"My little Nine is so smart."

He rested his jaw gently against the top of her head. His dark, raspy voice-laced with an intoxicating blend of seriousness and pure indulgence-sent a burning flush creeping up Elissa's neck.

The next morning, Elissa woke up early. She had to run her shift at the clinic before heading to the

vel?

Wilkinson estate for Suzanne Jensen's treatment session

The moment she stepped out of her bedroom, Tanya, sitting at the dining table, gave her a meaningful wink "Looks like Rowah gave you a very

Saying answer?"

She had heard Elissa leave the apartment last night. Of course, she was tactful enough not to interrupt.

They were best friends, but they were also fiercely independent women.

No matter what happened between Elissa and Rowan, she just wanted her friend to be happy.

Though, if there was a prime opportunity for some juicy gossip, she certainly wouldn't let it slip by.

UT

Elissa had originally planned to tell Tanya everything right after her shower, but then Rowan had summoned her into the hallway and held her for ages. fo

By the time she came back inside, Tanya had been in the shower, so the moment had passed.

Elissa sat down at the table and took a sip of warm water, deciding to drag out the suspense. "He gave me more than just an answer."

"What else is there?"

Tanya's curiosity was instantly piqued, her eyes going wide.

Pressed for time to get to the clinic, Elissa quickly spilled the entire story.

Tanya's eyes practically popped out of her head. "???"

So this seemingly impossible moral dilemma wasn't even an issue for Rowan!

That old hag shared absolutely no blood with him!

After her shock wore off, Tanya let out a massive sigh of relief on her friend's behalf. "That's fantastic!"

No wonder Elissa seemed so different today.

She had an extra spring in her step-a profound sense of liberation.

The morning at the clinic passed as uneventfully as usual, with one exception: Lorraine came in.