"I can't, Claire," he said and pushed her away from him.
Surprised, she tried to move toward him. He held her at arm's length, forcing himself out of the cloud of desire tormenting him. He wished Sofia would wake up and intrude. Her presence would bolster his weak will.
"Love," Claire said, "for old time's sake, please."
"Not this time, Claire," he said with resolution. "Things have changed."
*****
Sofia. The voice awoke her from her deep slumber. Moonlight slid in through the crack between the curtains. The voices were not happy, and she was surprised to hear one of them. It was a woman's.
"…and I've told you no," Damian said. "It ain't happening, sister."
"Why not? We're so good together."
She peeked through the crack in the door to see the voice of the speaker.
Claire. Darian's whisper was tortured. He was silent, as if watching. Sofia rubbed her temples but didn't move, grateful he wasn't hurting her head for once.
The woman was beautiful, tall and shapely with auburn hair and deep blue eyes that made no attempt to hide her interest in the bare-chested man before her. Damian's hair was mussed, his arms crossed.
"How long were we a pair?" the woman continued, tracing a finger lazily down his bicep. "Centuries, no?"
Her accent was exotic and complemented her sexy, sultry voice. Damian crossed to the window.
"Claire, no," he said. "I didn't realize you were rotating here, or I'd have blocked it."
"My love, we've been destined for each other since I wed your brother thousands of years ago. We had eyes only for each other then."
"And I learned the hard way. What we had is gone. Long gone."
"We don't need love. I know you want me," Claire said.
At his hesitation and the heated, lustful look he gave her, Sofia's mouth dropped open. He shook his head despite the desire on his face.
"Come, love. We will fight and fuck together. What else is there?" Claire urged. She had a damn good point, Sofia admitted, and hated her for it. Damian's gaze turned to the door to the bedroom, and she ducked back, remembering he could hear her thoughts.
If he made a choice, she wanted it to be the choice he'd make whether or not she was there.
"Not possible," he said.
She didn't know if it was meant for her or the woman sidling up to him. Or both.
"Why not?" Claire purred.
Sofia peeked out. The woman was all over him! Her boobs were pressed against Damian's bare chest, and her hands were on his biceps. Sofia knew she had no right to claim him, especially when she just rejected him less than an hour before. Fuming anyway, she pushed the curtains away from the balcony door and stepped into the night, winter's chill taking some of the heat out of her.