Page 26 of Twilight Echoes
“I saw you dance so many times,” she said quietly. “When I found out you took the job on the other coast, I went home and boxed up the posters.” She closed her eyes, shaking her head. “I don’t know why I felt like you were abandoning me, and God, I resented that feeling, so I tried to block you out of my mind.”
“I did the same thing.” He tilted her chin. “Look at me, please.”
Her chest rose as she took in a breath, her fluttering lashes giving way to the orbs that let him into her soul.
“I can’t tell you how many times I flew back here just to watch you dance,” he whispered.
“Why didn’t you reach out when I turned eighteen?”
His pulse sped up. Their bond was growing stronger and more intense with each passing moment. “I knew we’d be together someday, but I didn’t want to be a distraction from your career. You’re too good and too special, and I know what it means to you. I wanted you, my mate, to experience everything that I had already had the chance to live. I couldn’t take that away from you.”
“Why now? Is it just because your pack is sick?”
“No,” he said behind gritted teeth. “I could have reached out to your father without you.”
“Then why? I really want to know.” She shifted on the sofa, tucking her feet under her butt.
“I couldn’t live without you anymore. When I was offered the job, I thought maybe the universe was telling me something.”
She burst out laughing. “I guess maybe it was.”
He pressed his finger over her lips. “There is something you need to know about wolves and mating since we’ve already crossed that line, and I want to respect you and your goals. Although, I don’t know how this fits in with the whole double moon thing.”
“Are we really going to have this talk before we even go out on a date?”
He nodded. “Once a wolf mates, birth control isn’t something we think about, much less reach for. So, you’re going to have to shove it under my nose when the time comes. Or go on the pill, if you’re not already.”
“I can’t take that. I get horribly sick on it. The bane of my existence.”
“Then when we finally make love, like I said, you will have to remind me. I’ll do my best, but it’s not in my nature once I’ve mated.”
The sound of knuckles on her door made him jerk. He glanced over his shoulder.
“The door’s unlocked,” she said.
Her mother stepped inside. “Sorry to interrupt, but your sister Arianna is here, and your father texted. He and the boys will be back shortly.”
“Thanks, Mom. We’ll be right down.”
Her mother stepped out of the room, tugging the door closed behind her.
“Arianna is the painter, right?” Darrell asked.
“For the most part, she gave that up.” Avery stood. “She writes now for an art magazine. She’s very talented too. Much like my father. His next book comes out in a month.”
“I read all his novels.” Darrell chuckled. “Are any of his stories based on real life?”
“Well, since he writes in the paranormal world, some of it has a ring of truth, but he keeps all coven and Twilight Crossing Council business from bleeding into his fiction.” She waggled her finger. “However, he does draw on life experiences and some of the mishaps of his wizard detective with his faulty magic has actually happened to my dad.”
“In this moment, I don’t need to hear about any faulty magic coming from your dad.”
“Don’t worry. It was all from when he was in wizard school.” She tugged at his hand. “Come on. Let’s go hang out with my sister and mom while we wait for the other men in my life.”
“Oh, goodie. I get to hang out with a bunch of ladies. Just how I wanted to spend my night. It’s not like I don’t spend enough time with a stage full of estrogen.”
“Watch it, buddy.” She slapped his shoulder. “Or you won’t get a chance for the need to remind me about birth control.”
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