Page 108 of Changeling
“I…did mean them,” Nathan admitted, hanging on firm to that blue gaze, “and Iwasrelieved. I wasn’t ready for all that, Sasha. Forever’s such a crazy word for me. I’d never want it to happen just for me to regret it later. Because I never want to hurt you like that. Which I realize now I’ve done anyway…”
Sasha’s arms came up to wrap around Nathan’s body again, holding him close. His words were tentative but hopeful. “Do you still want to be with me, Nathan?”
“I don’t know if I want to be an incubus,” Nathan answered quickly, “but I got caught up in the moment that night because the moment was there, because it’s always right here, tugging me closer to you. I can’t imagine life without you now. I don’t want to. Iwantto be with you. I only got a couple weeks left, baby, I want to be with you every second. If I make it past that…then…”
“It’s okay, Nate. I got caught up in it all too. It just…scared me so much what happened to Jim. And then meeting Malak andseeing the power he had. I was afraid to…touch you again. Like I carried the kiss of death or something.” He tried to laugh but the sound came out broken.
Nathan grinned a little crookedly as he said, “Do you think maybe we could skip all this…and get back to the making up part?”
Sasha laughed again, far more genuine and sweet. “I’m sorry I’m an idiot,” he said, squeezing the back of Nathan’s neck as he held it.
“We deserve awards for it or something,” Nathan chuckled. He was already leaning in.
Kisses came so naturally for them, whether a soft and simple pressing of lips like right then, or deep and possessive the way the kiss became, with the spray of water tumbling over Sasha’s shoulders and between their chests. The feel of Sasha’s tongue sent a jolt through Nathan’s body and he realized how much he had missed the redhead the past two weeks.
There was no need to ease back in, to take things slow and draw out reconciliation. Nathan didn’t have time for that.
Time, in fact, slipped away from them quickly even when they thought there was plenty of it. As their wet kiss continued and hands started to stray again, Nathan and Sasha both hard between their bodies, a knock sounded on the bathroom door.
There was laughter in Jim’s voice as he called, “Hey, no time for that! It’s already late! Come on, you two!”
There was no power in the words so Sasha didn’t immediately listen, chuckling darkly as he continued his assault and the mapping of Nathan’s body with his fingers. Nathan was the one to pull away finally because he didn’t like knowing Jim was just outside the door, not when this energy surge made both brother and lover so unpredictable. Hell, Nathan wouldn’t put it past Jim to walk right in and haul their naked asses out of the shower.
“Incubus…back in the box,” Nathan gasped and patted Sasha’s chest. “Later,” he promised, looking forward to that more than he could say.
ItwaswhenNathanwent out to start the car, waiting on Sasha to finish getting ready and for Jim to follow out after him that Walter appeared. Nathan leaned back in the driver’s seat to regard his Spirit Guide next to him.
“Changeling power is the most concentrated, Nathan, aside from the highest level sidhe. That Blue Man was still an underling. It seemed…not powerful enough to banish me.”
Nathan nodded, pleased Walter understood his question before he had to voice it.
“Perhaps there will come a time when I will be able to appear to you in Jim’s presence again. Perhaps soon…touchwill take no more effort than it once did when I was alive.” Walter accentuated the words by reaching cautiously toward Nathan and laying a hand gently on his shoulder. He smiled at his success. “I only know that this is all part of what awaits you, Nathan, and whatever role I am meant to play in your destiny, I will be happy to do what I can. Malak is indeed powerful. You know who he truly is?”
“Yeah…no mistaking it anymore. He’s not just any dark sidhe lord—he’s king.”
“And yet I do believe you can beat him at his own game.” Walter flickered and his hand fell through Nathan. He pulled it back with a frown.
Jim and Sasha were almost to the car.
“Come what may, Walt, right?” Nathan grinned. “We got this.”
Walter nodded before fading completely. A moment later, Sasha got into the front and sat where the Spirit Guide had been. Jim slid into the back.
“Ready for a night on the town?” Nathan said as he shifted gears.
The twin grins that replied were answer enough.
Chapter 42
“Sowhatdothesechicks look like?” Nathan asked, scanning the bar for an identical pair. Sasha had said they were identical twins but that they were as far from the dress alike, act alike kind as you could get.
Sasha was worrying his lip a little as he scanned along with Nathan. “Think stereotypical succubus. I suppose coloring could be all over the map, but the twins are blonde. Blue eyes.”
“And built like a brick house?” Nathan grinned.
A similar grin played across Sasha’s face. “And the last time I saw them was when we were sixteen, so—”
“There,” Jim cut him off, gesturing towards the back of the bar where there were several tall tables with stools all around them. There were two blondes sitting back there, one of whom was waving them over enthusiastically.
