Page 74 of Covenant

“Is it so hard to believe?” His voice drops an octave as he steps closer. “I used to listen to you talk for hours, about all sorts of things.”

The crack in my armor widens a little. I mentally try to patch it back up. “Things have changed now.”

“Not that,” he breathes. “How I feel about listening to you, that’s never changed. Plus, I like watching your mouth move—your lips…”

Our hands brush, but neither of us takes the next step. We just stand there, our breath mingling in the tropical air. Either of us could lean forward an inch, but we don’t.

I don’t know what’s happening between us. I don’t understand it. Yet instinctively, I know I’m not ready. If we kiss now, it won’t be like earlier. There’s no anger. There’s no frustration. We aren’t planning on doing anything sexual.

No, it’ll be for a different reason entirely.

I’m not sure I’m ready for that.

I break first, taking a step back and shoving my hands in my pockets. “We should get to exploring, haven’t seen anything other than the beach yet, and we have those on the coast back home.”

I feel his stare on me, can almost feel the internal fight he’s having. I brace myself, waiting for him to call me out. To ask me what the fuck we’re doing.

But he doesn’t. Instead, he turns on his heel and starts walking back in the direction of the villa, murmured curses on his lips.

I rush to catch up with him. “Wait, where are you going?”

The wind whips through his hair as he nods toward the horizon. “Storm’s coming in.”

I follow his gaze and groan inwardly. Shit. Yep. Those are storm clouds. Is it just me, or is the air suddenly thicker? It’s oppressive, choking me. How did I not notice that?

Because you were so focused on him. Everything else was eclipsed.

Matthias’s lips thin as he glances over at me. “Come on. If we hurry we can make it back before it hits.”

I nod mutely, anxiety robbing me of my voice.

We hurry along the sand, Matthias sticking close to my side. It’s stupid to be scared of storms. Childish, really. Knowing that doesn’t change anything though. Logically, I know the odds of being hurt in a storm are slim.

Emotionally, that means fuck all.

Fat raindrops fall from the sky, soaking us in seconds. The crash and roll of thunder that follows has me flinching. Fuck. How did we get this far from the villa? Neither of us was paying attention to how long we were gone. We must be miles away.

Matthias grabs my hand, firm and reassuring, and I let him. What’s more, I lean into his side as we break into a run.It’s okay. Matt won’t let you get hurt. He never does.

The demon that lives on my other shoulder fires a shot back.But he did, remember? He hurt you deeper than anyone else before. He broke you.

White light crashes into one of the palm trees just in front of us. Another hits. Then another. The thunder is almost continuous now, blocking out the howling wind and hammering rain.

We skid to a halt, Matthias’s arm around my waist like a shield. “This is fucking crazy! We need to get to shelter and wait it out.”

My whole body turns numb. I’m being bombarded from all sides, only Matthias’s touch keeping me grounded, safe.

He looks around us frantically, searching, looking for somewhere we can hide. It’s been years since I’ve seen this side of him. The protective one. The one who’d do anything to shelter me.

I can’t look away. I just wait. I wait for him to make it safe for me again. To be there for me.

Just as he once did.

“There,” he shouts to be heard over the ruckus. “There’s a cave.”

Another flash of light hits and it’s like someone has poured concrete in my feet. They won’t move. I’m planted here in the sand, my roots as deep as the palm trees.

Matthias curses again, and then I’m flying through the air.

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