Page 45 of Forging Bonds: Part One

Reed:Good, he needs to. I’ve got to go, Doc needs a hand.

Me:We will keep you updated if we find anything. Tell Doc I said hi and that he needs to remember to eat. You too!

Reed:I will. He never answers the phone when he’s in this state of mind and focusing on work, so don’t be offended if he doesn’t reply if you message him.

Me:Don’t worry, I won’t.

I look up from my phone. Surprisingly, I’ve managed not to walk into anything, and it takes me only a moment to realize why. River’s holding on to my hand, swinging it between us as his thumb rubs circles on the back of my hand.

I smile. “How often have you guys done that?”

“Done what?” River asks, looking down at me with amusement in his eyes.

“You know what,” I retort with a smile. I clarify anyway, “Pulled me out of the way of walking into things and people while I’ve been distracted. I haven’t been covered in nearly as many bruises as I usually am.”

River’s smile widens, “We take it in turns.”

I groan, “That’s kind of embarrassing actually. I’m a thirty-something-year-old woman, and I can’t walk in a straight line.”

River laughs at my indignation and then asks, “Why do you say thirty-something all the time and not your actual age?”

“Because I never remember exactly how old I am. I know I’m in my early thirties, but working out exactly where in my early thirties that is isn’t something that I want to waste time doing. Especially when I’m trying to make a point,” I explain as we finally get to the library and walk inside.

“Hey guys, that took you ages. I thought you were right behind me,” Van greets us, already making us coffee.

Chapter Fifteen

Neith

“Igot distracted messaging Reed and Doc,” I explain.

“Doc replied?” Van asks in surprise.

I shake my head with a smile, “No, Reed did and explained that Doc wouldn’t.”

I have literally just finished speaking when Doc suddenly appears in the room. He glances around, and then, as soon as he spots me, he smiles. He strides over, his eyes briefly flashing gold.

He’s got a pristine white lab coat on, and it just adds to how fucking hot he looks, I have never in my life thought of lab coats as hot, but on Doc, yeah I’m gone.

“Is everything . . .” I start to ask.

He pulls me into his arms and dips his head. His lips meet mine as I immediately open for him, and our tongues dance together as he pulls me impossibly closer. I nip his lip, making him growl and me smirk. The kiss slows, and he pulls back, his eyes are like molten gold, glowing with heat and threatening to pull me into their depths.

He smirks, “I missed you too.”

A smile stretches my lips as I realize that this is his reply to the text message that I sent him.

He steps back, smiling again, and then winks as he disappears.

“That was smooth as fuck,” River mutters.

Evander chuckles, “I had no idea that he was capable of thinking of something so romantic.”

“Damn,” I say breathily, biting my lip as I stare at the space that he just left.

It’s pretty much all I’m capable of saying right now while I try to figure out which way is up. Evander described it perfectly, it was romantic, and I don’t know how to deal with that.

I like it.

---