Page 46 of Examining the Bond

“I don’t want you to hold back.” The words fall out of my mouth before I’ve even processed them. “Whatever this is, whatever is happening between us, I… I want it to keep going. Kiss me, touch me, do whatever you want to me.”

Her dark brows pinch together, her lips pressing into a hard line. “And if you change your mind? If it’s too much?”

“I don’t think that’s going to happen.” A smile curves my lips as I reach to cup her cheek. Her warmth seeps into my fingers, spreading up my arm. “But if it does, I’ll let you know.”

I brush my thumb feather soft over her lips, my core clenching at the way her breath stutters.

“Besides,” I go on, already hating the words before they leave my mouth, “if I’m only here for a few days, I don’t want to leave with any regrets.”

I hate the thought of leaving, especially when I’m laying here with her, but it’s an undeniable truth we’ll have to face sooner or later. I might have a few days left in Boston, a week at most, and I’d hate to live the rest of my life knowing I spent my time trying to stay away from her.

She opens her mouth like she wants to say something, but instead leans forward to close the distance between us again. Her lips lead mine in a perfectly-choreographed dance as her hand brushes down my back, over my hip, along my thigh. I lose myself completely, focused solely on the feel of her mouth, the warmth of her skin, and our scents dancing between us.

Hours pass, maybe days, before I settle into the crook of her arm, my eyelids heavy. The rise and fall of her chest is a soothing rhythm that threatens to carry me off to sleep, and I can’t think of a single place I’d rather be.

“It’s getting late,” Skylar mutters, pressing her lips against the top of my head.

I hum a response—at least, I think I do—without opening my eyes. I don’t want her to leave; I want her to stay here with me, curled up next to me under the sheets.

I’m not ready for this to end.

“Riann.”

This time, I manage to pry my eyes open with a pout. “Yeah?”

“Are you going to let me leave?” she asks, keeping her voice low. She brushes my hair back with her fingers.

“Too comfortable.” I shake my head. “You’re just gonna have to stay the night.”

A gentle laugh shakes her chest.

“If that’s the case, you’re gonna have to let me take off my pants.”

My eyes fly open wide to meet her gaze. “Are you serious? What about the sample you wanted? The tests?”

She shrugs. “It can wait until the morning. Forewarning, I’ll have to get up early.”

“Deal.” I drag myself away from her reluctantly so she can shimmy out of her slacks, and she reaches over to turn the lamp off. I click off the television, dousing the room in darkness, then I’m right back in her arms.

“Sweet dreams, preciosa,” she whispers into my hair.

If I wasn’t so tired, I’d tell her that I’m actually dreading sleep. Because nothing in my dreams could be better than this moment with her.

But before I can say another word, darkness drags me under.

CHAPTER TWENTY

SKYLAR

A smile plays on my lips as I step into the Buchanan Center, Riann’s vial of blood tucked securely in my messenger bag. I haven't been able to get her out of my head since I left her room.

I never planned to stay the night—it was possibly the dumbest thing I could have done—but I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

I'd fall asleep next to her every night if she'd let me.

Having her tucked up against me, her soft snores the only thing to break the silence, quieted something inside me that I hadn't realized was fighting to be heard. For the first time, possibly ever, my alpha instincts were completely content. Settled. Reassured.

And that scares the shit out of me.