Page 69 of Puck & Her Blades

I blink.

Fuck, that’s intense and such a brave show of loyalty and love of pack that it makes my heart clench.

I study Asher with respect. “Does that mean you want me as much as the others do?”

Please…

He strides to me, clasping his large hand around the back of my neck.

Asher’s lips lower to mine. “A public heart sign isn’t enough, huh? Tough crowd. Would a kiss be sufficient?”

“It’d be a start.”

“Let’s try it then.”

“Oh, yeah.”

He kisses me.

He pulls me hard against his muscular chest, and his hand tightens around my neck.

His hot mouth opens against mine. I breathe in his delicious scent like summer is waking around me in the midst of winter.

There’s heat and passion in every press of his tongue, and I kiss back with everything that I have.

“That is hot,” Cygnus murmurs.

Flushing, I draw back from Asher.

As if he’s been snapped out of a dream, Asher’s gaze darts between Cygnus (who’s now pulled on his clothes, although his pants are rumpled and his shirt hangs open; it’s a look that I sincerely approve of on him), and me.

Then he snatches me by the arm and points at Cygnus.

“Good to see you.” He pulls me toward the door and beckons Cygnus to follow. “But my psycho coach will be on his way here right now…”

I squirm out of his hold. “I’m going but not before you answer one final question.”

He sighs. “I respect how dangerously you like to live.”

Cygnus wanders to my shoulder. “You don’t have to answer, Ash. This isn’t an interrogation.”

Asher hums. “Go on, this whole Domme Omega thing is making me hard.”

I narrow my eyes.

Well, he asked for it.

“Why don’t the Blades bond with you?” I ask. “They love you, right? So, why not publicly claim you?”

For the first time, Asher’s face becomes stony. It’s like the sun dying.

Immediately, Cygnus dives across the room, throwing his arms around him in comfort.

“I want to get to know you and this pack,” I explain. “How can I do that when I don’t understand? The pack seems shattered. Why?”

“Coach, that’s why.” Asher’s voice is hollow. “Trust me, even if they haven’t bonded with me, we’re together in every other way that matters. They want me just like they want you. Jackson’s going to figure out a way for us all to be together.”

“But why aren’t you together already? Aren’t you a star?”

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