Page 76 of The Librarian’s Familiar

No, that was August’s thought.

But as soon as he tried to capture more, it was gone. His magic was back to fighting against him. Against them. He sighed.

“What?” August’s lips brushed his.

“We’re going to need to have sex every day to keep the bond.”

“Oh no…sounds awful.” He kissed him again. “If you really want to test it after this, we can.”

“I want to, but I’m also terrified of losing it.” He’d always believed that he was better on his own because of his magic. Now, someone didn’t care that it was literally undoing the thing that made them mates. “I don’t like that I’m scared.”

“Why are you scared?”

“Because what if that’s the only reason you’re with me?”

August drew back to look at him, and Charlie wished the light was off and he wasn’t so exposed…and sticky, his hand still on their softening dicks. Everything about this was wrong.

“It gave me a reason to see you a second time, but I didn’t need a reason for the third or fourth. I like you. You’re brave and independent, and you don’t seem to care what other people think. You care about your job. Even though it’s only temporary, you’re trying to make the library better for everyone.”

“Of course I am.” How could he not make the library welcoming?

“Not everyone thinks like that. We’ve seen librarians come and go.”

“Ah, well, I am a qualified librarian, so maybe that’s the difference.” Perhaps the others had been Agents first and librarians second.

“I’m not here because of the bond. You’ll have to try a lot harder to get rid of me because I’m stubborn.”

He didn’t think August was stubborn. “Determined. Thoughtful. And maybe a little reckless.”

Sensible people didn’t pack a bag and head into trouble.

“Only a little? I need to up my game.” He pressed a kiss to Charlie’s lips. “And we need to clean up.” August grabbed the towel, wiping Charlie’s chest and stomach before handing it to him so he could wipe his hands. It didn’t take much to get themselves sorted.

August tucked the towel away and turned off the light before moving closer and wrapping his arms around Charlie. “Don’t go wandering off without me.”

He wasn’t sure he could escape August’s embrace even if he wanted to. For the first time in his life, he didn’t want to go anywhere. He wanted to stay right where he was. He closed his eyes and relaxed, trusting that his polar bear would keep him safe.

Charlie wasn’t sure what woke him. For several heartbeats, he lay in the dark, ears straining for the sound of wild animals or storm. Next to him, August had rolled onto his back and was sleeping soundly.

After several more seconds, he realized it wasn’t a noise. There was a pressure at the base of his skull, and his magic wasn’t unpicking the bond.

It had found a thread in the storm.

He sat up.

August drew in a breath and propped himself up on one elbow like he hadn’t been asleep. “What is it?”

“I have it.” He pulled on some clothes in the dark, needing to be outside.

CHAPTER THIRTY

August dressed faster than Charlie, even though Charlie had a head start. Unlike Charlie, he was used to dressing in a hurry after shifting. He unzipped the tent and offered Charlie his hand, pulling him out into the night.

Like iron drawn to a magnet, Charlie turned toward the magical storm. It was no longer invisible; clouds had gathered, dancing with the stars, and rippling across the sky.

“It’s not ready yet.” Charlie dropped to his knees, pulled the pebbles out of his pocket, and put them in a neat line. He ran his fingers over their now rough surface, eyes closed. “I can pull it apart.”

Was he supposed to say something? Do something?