The stalking had returned, but he did not scent mark her again.

Over a week and a half, Darcy realised there was something to his touch in front of others that was different. Less lover and more bodyguard. And not Whitney Houston bodyguard. The sweet words were bland if there were people passing by. He was clearly embarrassed to be seen touching and flirting with her by anyone and everyone. Apparently he had come to his senses overnight. Perhaps she should be glad for it. That’s what she told herself. She was doing her best to ignore him, after all.

Alone, he had kissed her on the cheek twice, patted her on the head, and given her backside a squeeze. Always only when they were completely alone. Every touch, graze, and gentle word made her knees weak. She pretended to hate it. He called her his mate a handful of times. She pretended not to hear the ‘m’ word. He made stupid promises to her. She pretended to believe them. Darcy felt like his mistress.

It wasn’t shockingly hurtful.

She still had the constant underlying belief that he was teasing her. This was a long-game prank, or he did half-believe his mate fortune and was simply keeping her in the wings in case MYSTIKA really did turn out to be psychic. In front of others he would only watch and follow.

Maybe it hurt a little.

The sugary side of Luca was addictive. And now she had had a taste of how he could treat her, if he felt so inclined, it was difficult to wean herself back off. But necessary. It wasn’t as though she had made the decision to try it, it was not her mistake. It was a slippery slope she was pulled down by him.

It hurt more by the day.

Darcy steeled herself. It was time to put real effort into her push-back against his clinging. Maybe if she was feeling really courageous, she might even find the strength to tell him to back-off. If not, it was time to go undercover. Or at least, wear a hoodie and loose jeans. Maybe even take out her signature hair clip for the first time in five years. Blending into crowds would be most important for avoiding Luca. As soon as he got her alone, she crumbled.

And as soon as she was truly alone, lying beneath her bed covers where even he couldn’t get to her, was when it hurt most.