Page 67 of Shiny Things

“You wouldn’t dare,” Elias said.

“Oh but wouldn’t I?”

One second he was himself sitting next to Gia and the next, I was watching myself sit there instead.

“No, not me. Fix it,” I cried, making them all laugh as he shifted back. “That’s just too weird.”

“And he’s a cheater,” Elias added.

They stayed late into the wee hours of morning. It was a nice and normal couple-y thing to do. I could actually relax and enjoy it without feeling judged by everyone watching, even when cuddled up next to my mate and letting him wrap his arm around my shoulders.

It made me feel safe and confident to just be me. No pretenses were necessary. I could even let my guard down and just enjoy the evening with my mate and our friends.

This is how it should always feel,I thought.

Elias

Chapter 18

Waking up with Kim in my arms in my bed brought me more joy than I knew was possible. I loved waking up with her in my arms anytime, anywhere, but this morning felt extra special having her in my space for the first time.

Her house was nice, but it was also right off the road where cars drove by at all hours, day and night. Up here on the top floor of my complex, there was a peace and quiet I’d not found elsewhere. It was a place I wanted to share with her. And if we were blessed with chicks, I still had more than half of the apartment ready to be converted however we needed. There was plenty of room to grow here.

But I also knew that if Kim insisted on staying at her place or if she wanted to sell both places and buy or build something that was just ours, then I’d do it.

Hell, I’d do absolutely anything to make this woman happy.

This morning, she was making meveryhappy.

I’d forgotten to turn my alarm clock off when we finally went to bed. It was probably a good thing too because as I reached to shut it off, I saw I had a new message.

RYAN: 9AM meeting. Collectors update.

My chest tightened. I hated to leave her here, but I also didn’t want to wake her. She looked so peaceful, small, and vulnerable in my big bed. The thought of a Collector coming here was killing me. I knew I was going to have to seal our bond soon or my bird was going to do a lot worse than threaten a sleezyscumbag. And if one of the Collector’s touched even one hair on her head, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to control my powers.

I could feel pure energy coursing through my veins at the thought.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped into a cold stream of water in the shower. I had to curb my temper before my powers got loose.

There were some that called me the bad boy of the family, the black sheep, and a hot head. They had no idea just how right they were on that last one. I was far more powerful than people realized. My parents had done well at hiding that fact. But when it came to Kim, I would do anything to ensure her safety, even letting my powers loose.

Energy could be a dangerous thing in the wrong hands, or simply in concentrated form. I’d learned that the hard way when I accidentally fried my pet hamster as a kid. It was part of why I kept to myself and rarely let others get close.

Kim was the ultimate exception.

I knew I could never really lose control with her. I couldn’t live with myself if anything bad happened to her.

Pushing those thoughts away, I finished my cold shower, got out, and dried off, before dressing for the day. Black pants and a black turtleneck. My wardrobe consisted of little else. All black pants. All black shoes. All black shirts, though I did vary the styles. All black socks. I even bought and wore all black boxers.

I’d learned at a young age that black made me stand out, but in a way that made everyone take a step back and approach with caution.

Kim didn’t really know that side of me, and I hoped to God she never did.

With her, I could be myself, the truest version of me reserved for only my immediate family. It had always been thatway with her though. From the first moment I’d laid eyes on her, I’d trusted her like no other. And I’d been comfortable enough with her to just be myself, to turn my stoic frown into a smile. It was one of the reasons I was convinced from the start that she was made to be mine. And I’d been right all along.

Mine,my raven growled.

I smiled and leaned down to kiss the top of her head before leaving for work.

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