Page 28 of Bad Moon Rising
“Are you on the good guy side or bad?” she asked the mage.
Dom smiled a radiant spread of his mouth that showed white teeth. “Good, bad, gray, white? Nothing is black and white. Lines are drawn by those who need control. Roman aligns himself with demons one day and angels the next. Is he good or bad? Right or wrong?” Dom shrugged. “Who’s the judge? He protects humans from all things magical and not human, but what do the inhumans think of that? They’d think him the enemy much of the time. I don’t think humans deserve his protection. Sure, they’re the weakest of the upper-level species. Perhaps, they’re superior for cursing Roman and his brothers into being their protectors. I do agree it’s important to defend the innocent whether that be human or…” He waved at her. “Non-human. You must rely on your gut and draw your own morality lines.”
“Roman has honor. You…” She walked a circle around Dom, tracing a finger near his shoulder as she did so. A kiss might allow him to see something about her. He tensed under her touch, his body so taut, she suspected he considered fleeing. He feared her knowledge of his death. That was power. More than that, he didn’t want to try this, either. It was written all over his scowl. Somehow, that made her fear him and their attempting this a little less.
Once she returned to his front, she said, “Have you known many women who have powers like me?”
Dom shook his head. “I know no lycans with your capabilities.”
“I’m not sure if I want to try this,” she said.
“Me either. It’s the price of knowledge. There are no other options.”
She pursed her lips and stared at his. Nope. Didn’t want her lips on his. “One kiss and you’ll read my last memory that might be left in my chemically erased mind?”
“Elemental magic…our magic runs on energy. To find out a purposefully erased memory will require a lot of power.” Dom nodded in Roman’s direction. “Perhaps, if you channel him while kissing me, it’ll work. And I’ll channel…someone else.”
“What? Roman?” Her face flamed hot. “We’re not like that.”
Dom’s eyebrows shot upward, skepticism all over his face.
“I don’t see the price as worth it.” She glared at him. “I’m not convinced you’d even be a passable kisser.”
“I can deliver,” Dom said.
Eww.
Roman grabbed her hand to drag her a few yards away from Dom. Maybe he sensed she was about to pantomime a vomit, which would probably irritate Dom further.
He said low, “This is your best chance of finding out what happened. Let’s find your people.”
“Youwantme to kiss him?”
“Fuck no. But it might get you answers. I’d be more upset if he didn’t look like he was about to vomit every time he looks at your lips.”
She squinted at him. “You just want me out of your life as fast as possible.”
He drew back. “Jesus, Nova, it’s the only way I know how to help you.” He tugged a hand through his hair. “You’re not safe around me. I’m cursed. I have no choice but to follow orders to fight inhuman evils on a weekly basis. It’s a bloody miracle I’m not dead yet. You can’t be near those creatures. If my handler gets wind of you, he’d… Maybe you were sent to me so I could get you to Dom?”
She nibbled on her lip. “I don’t know if I can drum up enough interest in him to get through this without gagging. Might be a mutual gag fest.” She peeked around Roman and shuddered. Her stomach twisted and hurt. “Nope. Can’t do it. Suggestions?”
Roman cupped her chin to force eye contact. “Why would he suggest you channel me?”
Because I WANT to kiss you.
Hot, cold. On, off. She couldn’t get a handle on what Roman thought of her. One minute he was protective and staring as if he wanted to rip her clothes off. The next he was grumpy and cold-shouldering her.
She studied Roman’s lips. Their sculpted softness tempted her. She wanted to rub her hand against the scruff of his jaw, to feel the prickle against her palm while he gave her a taste of what a kiss should be like.
She blinked and gathered her nerves to make eye contact. But remained silent.
“Why?” he rasped out.
“Because…Roman…all right, I’ll do it, but I have a price, too.” She swayed toward him and put her hand on his chest. Solid. Immobile. Her fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt.
“Why do I need to pay something for you to get your memories back?”
Hoarsely, she said, “Promise me…swear to me that before you ditch me, you’ll erase the memory of this. You’ll kiss me. Like you mean it.”
