Page 16 of Shifting Desire
But I hold back because I have to.
I watch her laugh with a customer as she finds her spot behind the bar.I watch her tuck her hair behind her ear and scold the new bartender for stacking the wrong glassware.I watch her shove a stool under a drunk vampire’s ass before he faceplants, as if it’s no big deal.
Like she isn’t kindness wrapped in thorns.
And then it happens.She’s walking past me, arms full of bottles, and she stumbles.I’m there in an instant, catching her before she hits the ground.Glass shatters as my arms wrap around her waist and her palms press against my chest.
And she gasps.Not because she’s surprised.Because her body feels it.The magic.The bond.
She jerks back like she’s been burned, blinking up at me with wide eyes.“What the fuck was...?”
“Nothing,” I lie smoothly.“You tripped.”
“I ...no, I...”She stops.Her breathing’s shallow.Her pupils are blown.I can smell her pussy and my mouth waters, but I need to remain levelheaded.
“Ari.”My voice drops low, just enough to be felt, not heard.“Do you feel it?”
She opens her mouth.Closes it.She shakes her head as if that will clear it.But her skin flushes and her throat bobs with a swallow.
“Don’t lie,” I murmur.
“I don’t know what it is,” she whispers.
I smile, cupping her face.“You will.”
Soon.Because the bond is fully free now and there will be no turning back.
Chapter Seven
Ari
Tremor
Idon’t sleep.
Not even a little.
