“How can you be mine?” The question spills out with a softness that belies the rush of emotions I’m struggling to contain. My brows shoot high as another thought hits me. “What if the merge had never happened? What if I’d never come here?”
Jesus. My heart aches when I say it aloud. The suddenness of everything doesn’t make sense to my human brain, but I feel everything. Feel the rightness, the certainty, the truth.
“There would never be a life where we wouldn’t have found our way to each other.” Solan cups my cheek, reverence in his tone and the gentleness of his touch. “We have a lot to discuss, to learn.”
No fucking shit. I nod rather than spout off.
“But for now, you really must rest.”
I don’t fight the roll of my eyes even as I remain on his lap, idly wondering what, if anything, he has under his leather kilt. “I don’t think I have to do anything.” Amusement colours my words—that and a clear tone letting him know that it’s been a long damn time since someone told me to go to bed.
He searches my gaze, his strong hands settling on my back. “Ineed to rest.” There’s no doubt each word is deliberate. Crafty fucker. “I ran far today.”
I narrow my gaze. Not only is he crafty, but he’s a manipulative arsehole too. I hold back my lip twitch, liking this side of his character.
“Tomorrow, we should have Jamie. He’s going to need the two of us, and then we work out what to do next.”
“Fucking hell,” I murmur with a shake of my head. “You don’t play fair.”
“I will do anything within my power to make sure you and Jamie are safe. For now, that means resting.” He angles towards me but hesitates.
“What?” I ask, already breathless from our closeness and the thought of his mouth on mine again.
“We will sleep, and I want to hold you.”
“O-kay?” I say slowly, not seeing the problem here.
“The… urge for more is hard to ignore.”
The hardness prodding at my arse makes it clear he’s not exaggerating. My own cock is so rigid, I’m not sure if the imprint in my jeans will ever fade.
“There is more to our bonding, but it will take time.”
My brain misfires. “What do you mean, take time?” Bloody hell. “Is there some sort of blood-exchange voodoo shit we have to do?” Not going to lie, I’ll totally do it, but still, I’d prefer a satisfying ride of his cock.
Solan’s nose scrunches. “I do not know voodoo shit.”
A huff of laughter escapes me, drawing a wide, beautiful smile over Solan’s lips. “And the blood exchange?” An edge of cockiness grasps on to our discussion. Though snuggling with Solan in bed is not going to be a hardship.
“No blood exchange, but….” His hesitation rears up again.
“You know, every time you trail off like that, you send my mind whirling and my imagination running wild.”
“I am sorry.” Genuine worry seeps into his words.
“It’s okay, but…?” I prompt, the question clear in my tone.
“I make a promise to talk everything through with you. Once we have Jamie and you are safe.”
I arch a brow. Is that seriously all he’s giving me? Well, that’s annoying as fuck.
A yawn rips through me so wide, my jaw cracks. Damn it. I really do need to sleep. That doesn’t mean I’m not frustrated. I stare at him with sleepy eyes.
“Will you trust me?”
Defeat wraps around me. My shoulders sag even as I cup his cheek. “I do trust you. I still can’t quite fathom what the hell is going on or how damn accepting of everything I’m being, but yeah, I trust you.”
Pieces of his hair shift, undulating as they reach for me. As before, the moment they settle on my skin, a fresh wave of rightness embraces me. What I wouldn’t do to have each silky strand permanently attached to me. It sounds weird as fuck, but there’s no point lying to myself.
