by Nicole Hall
“Sure. That gives us two weeks to figure out what the hell is happening here.” Keely gestured back and forth between them.
Seth cocked his head. “What do you mean?”
“Don’t play coy. You know I’m attracted to you, and if your tongue is any indication, you’re feeling the same way. There’s no point in hiding it, especially now that we’ve just made it a hundred times harder to hide from each other. I’m not saying I’m ready to jump into bed with you, but this hot and cold stuff is a pain in the ass.”
Seth nodded. “Okay.”
“Okay? That’s all?”
He crossed his arms, the wicked dagger lying flat against his bicep. “Okay. I want you. It’s hard for me to stop touching you, thinking about you, but I can’t risk getting involved and having this plan fail. So, okay. I’ll keep my hands and my tongue to myself because the other option presents too much chance to screw everything up.”
Keely’s mouth fell open. “You think I’m going to screw this up?”
He ran his empty hand through his hair. “That’s not what I said. I think you’re perfect for this. My concern is that you’ll lose focus if we cross that line. Emotions make things messy.”
“I just let you slice me open so you could bind us together, possibly forever, and you’re doubting my ability to stay the course if my emotions get involved?”
“Not only your emotions.”
Keely stood and stalked toward him until she was close enough to poke him in the chest. “You don’t get to decide how my emotions get involved.” His pec was rock hard, so she poked him a little softer the second time. “You don’t get to play with my body then leave me aching.” Seth shifted the dagger well out of the way and covered her hand with his free one, flattening her palm over his racing heart.
Some of the vehemence left her. “You need me, and I will see this through. No matter what.”
“I need you. That’s why I won’t risk this. I don’t do long-term.” His words rumbled against her hand, and Keely was keenly aware of the disconnect between his actions and his words.
“Who said that’s what I’m looking for?” He raised an eyebrow in challenge, but Keely was done playing. “Keep your hands to yourself or don’t, but don’t blame me for your choice.”
She walked away from him, sliding her hand out from under his and letting her fingers trail along his impressive chest. He wanted to hold back? Fine with her. Keely had no intention of keeping her hands to herself. If that was the game they were playing, she was ready and willing to win.
SETH
Keely closed her bedroom door softly behind her without looking back, and Seth felt like he’d just been emptied out. The bond urged him forward, urged him to follow her into her room, show her exactly how much he’d been holding himself back. He rubbed the spot on his chest where her hand had been.
Why couldn’t he stop pushing her?
Every time he thought he had a handle on himself, she looked at him with those big island eyes, and he did something stupid. Salt and copper lingered on his tongue from her palm, and he wanted to see if she’d make the same noise with his mouth at her throat that she had when he’d done it in her mind.
Seth scrubbed his face and made himself stop staring at her door. He went into his bedroom to replace the ritual dagger in what Aiden called a pocket trod. A small space between places, essentially what the trods were on a larger scale. Magical pathways that connected nexuses of power in the human world.
Aiden could access the pocket from anywhere, but Seth wasn’t as versed in that particular skill so he had to settle for a stationary pocket trod. They were useful in keeping things hidden, but annoying when he had to use one in a hurry. Case in point, last year he’d hidden a magical artifact, a necklace that protected against outside magic among other things, in the nexus near Aiden’s cabin.
The Fae called it the Wood. A stupid name if he’d ever heard one, but it wasn’t wrong. That nexus resided in a weirdly protective elemental forest. Seth suspected that having the Fae living within it for so long had warped it a little, but a weird elemental forest didn’t concern him. Now that he had Keely, he needed the artifact.
The long shadows in his bedroom made him frown. He checked his phone and cursed. The shield lessons and the binding had taken a lot longer than he’d expected. He had one more appointment that day to deal with, a problematic investment, but then he’d hoped to take the trods to Aiden’s cabin and back. At this rate, he wouldn’t return before morning since the closest trod to him was in upstate New York.
That didn’t factor in the time difference while in the trods themselves. Sometimes the journey lasted a quick couple of minutes, other times it could be hours, and the actual time in the trods had no connection to the reality of time passing in the outside world.
Seth glanced into the hallway and weighed the danger of knocking on Keely’s door. His dick hadn’t gotten the message that there wouldn’t be any fun times, and Keely had thrown one hell of a challenge before walking off. What if she answered the door in another tiny outfit like the previous night?
His chest burned at the memory of her touch, and Seth shook his head. Too dangerous. For once, he hoped the trods took their sweet time. He needed to cool off. The pull in his chest mocked him, and he sighed.
When had he started lying to himself? It didn’t matter how long the trip lasted, no amount of time would be enough to shake off the effects of Keely.
Seth pulled out his cell phone and sent Keely a quick message. One more meeting and an errand to run. Might take a couple of days.
She didn’t respond, but the message showed as read a couple of seconds after he’d sent it. He could have used their new bond to communicate, but if she didn’t want to talk to him, it felt suspiciously like taking advantage. Truth be told, he didn’t need the bond to talk to her. With some effort, he could get past any shield. It was one of his talents.
He pulled out a pack and carried it into the kitchen to stuff some snacks and a water bottle into it, just in case the trods were being assholes. It hadn’t been in his original plan to bind Keely to him. The long-lasting nature of the bond made him leery, but the more he thought about taking her to Aecantha with him, the more he wanted some extra protection for her. With the bond, they could communicate without effort and he’d be able to find her if it became necessary. The advanced healing offered an unexpected bonus.
Seth shouldered his pack and checked his phone one more time. No message from Keely, but if he hurried, he could still make his last appointment. His thumb hovered over the lock button as his mind filled with all the things he wanted to say to her, but anything else he sent her would be feeding the addiction. He grunted and shoved the phone in his pocket. Keely was a grown-ass woman; she could handle being on her own for a few days.
7
SETH
Trods were such a pain in the ass. Every time Seth used one, the unpredictable time lapses annoyed him. He waved at Jeff as he strode through the lobby, but the doorman didn’t see him, too busy with a woman and the tiny dog in her purse. Seth shook his head. His building allowed pets, but he’d never understand people who went for small, yappy animals. Cats were clearly the superior lifeform.
The appointment and the drive north had gone smoothly, but getting to the artifact then back to his car had been an exercise in frustration. New York woods, Texas woods, nothing but trees and bugs. He’d checked on the wards he’d placed around Aiden’s cabin while he’d been in the vicinity, then found the pocket trod he’d created just outside the boundaries. Now, the necklace sat heavily in his pack, nearly pulsing with magic.
Seth stepped onto the elevator and pushed the button for his floor, regretting his earlier wish for time away from Keely. The trods had granted him plenty of time alone to think and fantasize before they’d deposited him back near his car. He’d been gone for two days, and he’d fully expected to have a slew of messages and missed calls demanding to know where he’d disappeared to.
Seth rubbed his chest where the bond drew taut. The need to be with her had been building since the night he’d left. He took a deep breath and tried again to think about something—anything—else. The elevator dinged, and Seth couldn’t stop the rush of excitement that flooded him.
Keely’s scent curled around him as he opened the door to the empty, dark living room. She’d left a light on over the stove and the curtains open, so the sparkling lights of the city at night spread out in a glorious panorama beyond the windows.
He’d chosen that apartment for the view, but the pull of Keely was stronger. He dropped his pack next to the couch, uncaring when the ancient relic he’d needed thunked against the floor. Considering the hour and her closed bedroom door, she’s probably gone to bed. Seth walked down the hall and paused in front of her room.
After a second, he stepped back and ran his hand through his hair. What would he say to her if he woke her up in the middle of the night? Sorry, I just needed to see you? Talk to you? Touch you? Yeah, that would go over well after his idiotic speech before he’d left.
Nothing had changed between then and now, but traveling tired him out. The excuses he’d been clinging to for keeping his distance seemed overwrought and stupid when faced with the woman herself curled up in bed on the other side of the door.
Seth pivoted and went into his own room instead of hers. If they wanted to pull this off, she had to learn a lifetime of information in less than two weeks. She’d need all the sleep she could get.
He closed the door solidly behind him, and emptied his pockets, trying in vain to breathe shallowly. The entire condo smelled deliciously like Keely. Every time he inhaled, he breathed her in. Normally, he could ignore the extrasensory sensations his kind felt along with scent, but not with Keely. One more thing for him to attempt to resist.
His phone chimed as he tossed his clothes in the hamper. Seth picked it up off the bedside table, expecting to see another message from Aiden, but Keely’s name flashed on his screen.
I’m sorry.
Seth raised a brow and sank onto the bed naked. In no version of this, had he thought she would apologize to him. Also, she was clearly not sleeping. The only things keeping him from her were two flimsy bedroom doors and his desperate adherence to his plan.
While he’d been contemplating ways to keep his ass in his own room, Keely had kept typing.
You’re right. Getting involved is stupid if we want to stay focused.
Seth wanted to argue that he’d changed his mind. Stupid was the way to go. Screw the plan and Aecantha and the last hundred plus years that he’d spent bitterly learning that his clan were no better than any other creatures in the world.
Seth?
He cursed. Conversations usually involved more than one person. I’m here. Seth started to type more, then erased it and sent the short message instead. He flopped back on the mattress and covered his head with a pillow. What the hell was wrong with him? He’d lost all his charismatic skills. The phone vibrated in his hand, and he tossed the pillow to the side.
All I’m saying is we can be friends without any heavy breathing. Anyway, I’m glad you’re home safe. Now you can take me to the farmer’s market tomorrow.
Seth squinted at his phone. He had no idea what she was talking about, but they needed to spend time together to learn. Sure, but any time we’re together outside we need to be on our game.
Fine by me. They pack up by noon, so don’t sleep in too late.
He scoffed. Says the girl who spent her entire first day here sleeping.
It was a tiring day.
Yeah, watching me move all those boxes must have really taken it out of you.
Eh, maybe if you’d taken your shirt off…
Seth grinned down at his phone. Two minutes with Keely and his sour mood disappeared. All you had to do was ask, trouble-maker.
Keely didn’t respond for a second, and Seth wondered if he’d taken it too far. Then the dots appeared.
Yeah, but then we’d have to beat off the hordes of women who’d want to lick your chest.
The image of Keely licking his chest shot heat straight to his cock. He should probably tell her goodnight and put the phone away, but as long as Keely continued to instigate, who was he to stop it?
There’s only one woman’s mouth I want on me.
Lucky her.
Seth eyed the door again. One room away. Push the boundaries or take the safe route?
He’d never been good at the safe route.
Speaking through texts instead of directly into her mind provided a layer of separation that he’d thought he wanted, but screw that. Keely had started the slow burn, and Seth intended to show her how hot the bond could get.
He set his phone aside and reached for his magic. Reached for her.
A quick shot of surprise, then Keely reached back.
And only one woman I want to touch. Seth told her, sliding into her mind. She’d thrown off her blankets hoping to cool her naked body. The urge to cross the distance and see her in person nearly undid him, but he didn’t need to see her to feel her trembling. He imagined running his tongue down the column of her throat, tasting the salt of her skin.
Seth… Her plea turned into a low moan as his mouth explored lower.
He paused and nipped her collarbone, feeling her clench the sheets with strained fists.
Don’t you dare stop. Her need wrapped around him, holding him close, and he caught a glimpse of her fantasy before she yanked it away again.
Seth chuckled. Show me.
She hesitated, and he skimmed a hand down her chest to brush over stiff nipples. Keely shuddered, and her hand joined his on her stomach.
Show me. Seth’s lips brushed over hers, capturing a sigh.
Together, they slipped between her thighs to delve into her slick folds. She showed him how to move, when to speed up and when to go excruciatingly slow. Tension built, tightening her muscles and her hold on him. Her breath came in quick gasps, and he stroked himself with his free hand.
Seth dropped his mouth to the spot just below her ear and sucked hard.
Fuck, yes. Keely’s exclamation echoed his thoughts, and the intense pleasure of her orgasm gripped him, dragging him with her.
Exhaustion and contentment settled over Keely, and Seth found himself reluctant to let go of their connection. He wanted to gather her close and join her in sleep. Instead, he eased out of her mind.
Seth’s heart rate slowly returned to normal, and he groaned. So much for no heavy breathing. He squeezed his eyes closed and leaned back against his headboard, ignoring the mess he’d made in the sheets in favor of the mess in his head.
They sucked at making sensible decisions, but he wouldn’t trade this night for a lifetime of staid responsibility. No matter how many times he tried to convince himself to keep Keely at a distance, he gave in with the slightest bit of encouragement. At this rate, he’d promise her just about anything to sate the need driving him slowly insane.
Seth shook his head and smiled. Fuck, yes, indeed.
“I didn’t even know this was here. How did you find this place?” Seth eyed the rows of pop-up tents set up in an empty lot not two blocks from his building. Keely walked next to him, her gaze darting from one table to the next.
“Jeff mentioned it.”
Seth nodded absently, trailing his fingers over a selection of silky fabrics. Neither of them had mentioned the late-night texts or what had happened after. His alarm had gone off earlier than he’d wanted, but he’d dutifully gotten out of bed as expected. Keely had already been dressed and ready to go shopping.
She bustled around the apartment, then ushered him outside without once meeting his eyes. If he didn’t know better, he’d think her actions embarrassed her. But he did know better. Keely had never shied away from their mutual attraction. In fact, she’d been the one to push for a physical relationship before he discovered his long-lost ability to put s
omeone else’s needs ahead of himself. A stupid discovery, really. And one he’d rescinded at the first opportunity.
Keely stopped in front of a fruit stand and picked up one melon, then another, eyeing them critically. Seth wanted her focus on him, the way it had been last night. Preferably, in the same room and without any pesky clothes or emotional issues getting in the way. Instead, the bond indicated she was working through something without giving him any details. Proximity and clothes he could deal with, but he always got in trouble when it came to the hidden minefield of the female psyche.
Surprisingly, being able to read thoughts caused more trouble than it helped. Keely abandoned the melons in favor of a basket of apples, and Seth’s patience started to wear thin with the silence. This exercise wouldn’t do much unless they actually interacted with each other.
“Tell me again why I had to come with you for this?”
“Because this is what couples do.”
Seth let his eyes linger on her slight curves. “I can think of something we could be doing instead.”
Keely smacked him lightly on his chest with the back of her hand. He caught her wrist before she could pull away and lifted her hand to his mouth. Fire erupted in her eyes as he slid his tongue along the crease of her palm, then pressed a kiss to the center. Her pulse raced under his fingers, but she looked away.
Keely walked toward a table of handcrafted jewelry. The bond filled with arousal, but also panic. Seth frowned. Panic wasn’t the usual response when he kissed a woman. She attempted to pull her hand away, but Seth held tight. If they wanted to convince anyone, they needed to work the kinks out early.
After last night, the bond seemed steadier, but they had limited time before the first real test run. Keely’s panic subsided, and Seth decided against addressing it out in the open. They could discuss it when they got back to the apartment.
