Page 40 of King of Tides

“How do I close you out?”

He sighs and nuzzles my neck. I squirm in his hold. I need to keep my wits about me, and I can’t do that with him on me like this. I think that’s his point.

“It’s not. I just can’t keep my hands off you. It’s simple.

“To close me out, you need to find the door in your mind. Pull it closed and I won’t be able to see into or hear your thoughts. We can still communicate like this, but your thoughts will be limited to me until you open the door again.

“I will only know what you chose to let me into,”he replies to my thoughts.

I quickly search my mind for this door and pull it shut. Ardan chuckles into my ear. A shiver runs through me as his breath tickles my skin.

“We should head upstairs too,” he breathes against my neck.

“What? I need to head back to my place.”

“I thought we could stay here tonight. I don’t want you in your place alone.”

“I have work tomorrow and none of my things are here. I need my workbag,” I protest.

“Not a problem,” he croons as my bag appears in my lap.

“My service weapon and my badge,” I say.

“Look inside.”

I open the bag and peek inside. Sure enough, both are in there. I shake my head. I’m going to have to get used to this magic stuff.

“Okay, fine. I’ll stay, but only because I have questions.”

“All of which I plan to answer after I’ve taken you again,” he says with a wicked grin.

“Tour first, I’ll think about the rest.”

He rumbles with laughter and lifts to stand while holding me close. Ardan takes my bag and slings it over his shoulder.I listen intently as he points out different areas and the species occupying them.

“You will be presented to everyone as my mate tomorrow,” he says, interrupting my thoughts.

“Tomorrow? I have work,” I say in confusion.

“As you have said. I will call a town hall meeting for the afternoon before we leave.”

Stopping in front of an elevator, I then turn to face him. “We?”

“You can handle yourself with humans, but you got lucky earlier. I’m not going to chance them sending others who are more skilled and more powerful.

“I will be with you when you’re not here. Wherever you need to go, I will be there,” he says so matter-of-factly.

“Okay, back up a little. I have an entire life outside of you, outside of this. Whatever this is. As I’m sure you have obligations outside of me. What are you talking about?”

“This I understand. However, I will adjust to your life. My sole purpose will be to ensure you’re safe. I will maintain my obligations to the club as well. This is nonnegotiable, Billy.”

“Excuse me?”

The elevator opens and he stalks toward me, causing me to back into it. I look up into his eyes and see the unyielding determination in his gaze. I stumble backward a step. He shoots his hand out to steady me.

“I know you understood what I said. None of that attitude is going to work with me, Billy. You can reel that right on in. I don’t have to interfere with your life or your career, but I will be there to protect you.”

My protest is cut off as he delivers a passionate kiss that ends the conversation. I run my fingers through the short sides of his hair as he devours my mouth. When I get to the longer hair in the back, I thread my fingers in it and lift onto my toes.

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