Page 195 of Elemental Becoming

His grin widens. “Looking all what?”

“Annoyingly attractive,” I mutter.

“Mm.” His fingers move feather-light along my waist. “And here I thought you were remembering how good I felt last night. The way you moaned my name so sweetly when I—”

“Thane,”I gasp, half warning, half plea.

His grin only deepens. “You keep thinking like that, Amara, darling, and I’m not going to be responsible for what happens next.”

I shove him, though the effort is embarrassingly weak. He catches my wrist easily, turning my hand over so his thumb can trace across my pulse.

“You need to learn how to block your mind,” he says, his voice dropping lower, the teasing edge giving way to something more heated. “Because if you don’t, I’m going to hear every thought running through that beautiful head of yours.”

His fingers drift lightly along my skin, barely there, but enough to send heat rushing through me.

“I’ll know every wicked thing you want me to do to you.” Desire sparks in his eyes. “Every. Moment. Of. The. Day.”

I swallow hard. His mouth curves against my skin, clearly enjoying himself.

“That could become a serious distraction,” he murmurs. “Especially if you’re training with me.” A pause. “Or riding Calryx.”

I swallow again. “Oh.”

Thane props himself up on one elbow, brushing his lips against my bare shoulder while his fingers skim my waist. The smirk lingers for another heartbeat before his expression shifts, turning more serious.

“Who knows who else can do this,” he murmurs. “Listen to someone’s thoughts. Speak mind to mind.”

His gaze sharpens slightly, thoughtful now. Assessing.

“I’ve never heard of anything like it before. But if we can do it . . . ” He exhales slowly, tension tightening along his jaw. “Then it’s possible someone else can too.”

Unease curls low in my stomach.

“We’ll ask Valen,” he says at last, his voice quiet but certain.

I nod, trying to process the implications. But before I can dwell on it—

“You need to block,” he murmurs, his fingers halting their exploration. “Or I won’t be able to stop myself from giving you exactly what you’re thinking about.”

I smirk, tracing a lazy circle across his chest. “You’re very full of yourself this morning.”

Thane’s lips curve with dangerous amusement, his grip tightening just enough to pull a soft breath from me.

“I have every reason to be.”

I roll my eyes, already preparing a response, but then the memory hits me without warning.

Last night.

Him carrying me to the wall. Pinning me there. The look in his eyes. The way his voice sounded against my skin. The images flash through my mind unfiltered and painfully vivid.

Heat coils low in my stomach instantly.

“Hmm.” Thane gives me that godsdamn lazy smile. “We can absolutely do that again if you want.”

I glare at him, mortified by how obviously he just heard all of that. But then another thought cuts through the embarrassment.

Why can he hear my thoughts . . . but I can’t hear his?