Page 77 of Cleansed By Water (The Nature Hunters Academy 3)

Gabby heard the sound of furniture sliding on the floor behind her and turned to find Liam following suit. She raised a brow at him. “Uh, who’s sleeping there?”

Liam grinned at her. “We are.”

“We?” Gabby snorted. “You got a pixie in your pocket I don’t know about?”

“Cute, babe.” Liam chuckled. “You’re exhausted, and I need to hold you. Get your fine ass in this bed and quit overthinking things.”

Shelly let out a slow whistle. “Wow. I didn’t know you had it in you, water boy,” she teased. “That’s hot.”

“Shelly,” Ra rumbled, his voice a clear warning.

“You can’t tell me you don’t notice hot chicks, Ra,” Shelly challenged.

“He’d have to take his eyes off of you to notice anyone else,” Gabby said as she tried to decide if it was worth arguing with Liam over the sleeping arrangements. She was ready to drop, and there was a part of her that wanted to be held by him.

“Everyone sleep with your shoes on,” Ra said, “in case something happens and we need to move quickly.”

Liam reached for Gabby’s hand. She looked around and realized Tara and Elias were already laying down, a blanket pulled up over them. Tara’s eyes were closed, and she looked as if she was already asleep. Ra tucked Shelly in, which was freaking adorable, and then he climbed in beside her. He wrapped an arm around her and tugged Shelly tightly against him.

When Gabby glanced at the rest of the room, she noticed that nobody was paying them any attention.

She turned back to Liam, who was patiently waiting for her, arm extended and fingers wiggling. His eyes were gentle. She let out a sigh and took his hand. Liam tugged her to him and then pulled back the covers, motioning for her to climb in.

“You going to tuck me in, too?” she asked him with a smirk.

“Ever been tucked in before?”

Her smile dropped. She hadn’t.

Liam leaned down until his lips were next to her ear. “I’m going to give you anything and everything good you’ve never experienced before. Even something as simple as tucking you in.” He gently pushed her, and Gabby went without any resistance. She laid down, and Liam covered her with the blanket then climbed in beside her.

She wasn’t surprised when he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her to him, tucking her against his side. Gabby gave up her resistance and laid her head on his chest. He sighed as if it were the most comfortable thing he’d ever experienced.

A moment later, Gabby felt something cool rush over her and then into her. Liam was sharing his magic with her.

“What are you doing?” she asked, her voice full of the emotion she usually tried to hide.

“Helping you recharge,” he replied. “I can feel how tired you are. It’s uncomfortable for me.”

“I’m sorry,” she said, feeling as if she was doing something wrong.

Liam took her chin in his hand and tilted her head up. “I’m not blaming you for anything, Gabby. I’m happy to provide for you in any way I can. That’s what mates do. In fact, I like knowing I’m the only one who can provide for you in some ways.”

Her lips turned up at the sincerity in his voice. She snuggled closer to him and allowed herself to absorb what he was sharing and then shared some of her own power with him. Liam groaned.

“Careful, woman,” he practically growled. “You’ll start something we can’t finish.”

“Pervert,” Gabby whispered with a laugh.

“When it comes to you, yes, I am. And I’m not the least bit apologetic.”

“Noted,” she said as her eyelids grew heavy.

“Go to sleep, hot stuff. Unless you’re not tired enough, in which case, I’m happy to wear you out.”

“Let him wear you out,” Shelly whisper-yelled. “The sounds of heavy breathing are kind of like white noise and will help drown out all the talking.”

Tara laughed. “That’s the excuse you’re going with? You just want to hear them making out. You’re shameless, Shell.”

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