Page 49 of Death and Donuts

Another growl escaped him as he opened his mouth and deepened the kiss. When his hand found my breast, I ground my hips against his hardness.

Give in to your hidden desires…

“Am I interrupting something?” Cross asked from behind me.

I ripped my mouth from Shepard’s and smiled at Cross.

“No. You’re just in time. Join us.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

Shepard jerkedlike I’d hit him and pulled back to stare at me. His eyes were more gold than grey, and I could feel the fragile hold he had on his control with each tremor traveling through his body. The need to see that control shatter consumed me.

I reached up and stroked his cheek.

“Unless you’d rather he wait until we’re finished.”

He caught my hand, kissed my palm, and distanced himself.

I tried reaching for him, but Cross was right there, holding his shirt, which was still intact and blood-free. He had it over my head and my arms through the sleeves before I could protest. Then, to take the sting out of Shepard’s rude abandonment, Cross kissed my forehead and looked into my eyes.

“Forgive me for this, Everly, but you must tell me what happened since the moment we left your side.”

His words echoed in my mind, but they didn’t weigh me down like Adriel’s had. They wrapped around me lightly like a comforting hug, coaxing me to confide in him, which was easy to do.

“I had dinner with the king, princess, and Mrs. and Mr. Hunter. Then…” I repeated everything—how I’d revealed Shepard and his crew at Blur were all werewolves, how I’dpurposely not mentioned waking Cross or what Cross was, and finished right when they burst into my room.

“If you hadn’t arrived when you had, I would be like Miles.” I reached for Cross, running my fingers through his hair, so grateful he was a part of my life. My pulse sped as I thought of the ways he could become more a part of me.

Give in to your hidden desires…

“Youarelike Miles,” Shepard said. His voice, laced with anger and regret, distracted me from Cross' tender gaze.

I frowned at Shepard, but Cross drew my attention back to him with another forehead kiss.

“You’re right. You would have been like Miles. But I wouldn’t have let you stay that way. When Adriel told you to give in to your hidden desires and let go of what was holding you back from enjoying everything life has to offer, what did you think of?”

“You. And Shepard. How much both of you tempt me with your touching and kissing.”

Cross smiled, but his eyes didn’t flicker black, which was a bit disappointing.

“So Shepard and I are your hidden desire?”

Shepard turned and left the room.

My gaze shifted from the empty doorway to Cross, and I tried not to show how upset I was that Shepard left. Cross still seemed to know, though. He smoothed a hand over my hair and kissed my cheek.

“He’s not upset with you or abandoning you, Everly. He’s upset with himself and Adriel. You’ve done nothing wrong. Would you like to sleep now?”

I thought about it for a moment then nodded. He helped me under the covers and kissed my brow again before meeting my gaze.

“Your mind is too strong for Adriel’s words to work their magic for long. When you wake, you’ll be yourself again. But I’m glad your hidden desires are no longer hidden from us, Everly. Do what you want of your own free will. Shepard and I won’t mind. I promise.”

He kissed me gently and told me to sleep.

I sank into oblivion without another thought.

The words “be yourself”and “desires are no longer hidden” played on a loop through my sleeping mind and were still in my thoughts when I woke the next morning. At least, I thought it was morning. With no windows in the room, it was hard to say.

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