She’s my filthiest fantasy and Gideon’s fated destiny. I have no right to want her, but I’m starting to fear that I no longer have a choice.
I wake upwith Sheena wrapped in my arms, her back to my chest. From her shallow breathing and the rigid way she holds herself, she's already awake and no doubt feeling prickly about our bodies’ decision to cuddle up in our sleep.
“Good morning,” I manage to say. I’m determined not to let her overthinking screw us over right away. She turns her emerald eyes to me, and I’m relieved to see that they’re cautious but clear.
“You came to get me,” she whispers. It's a prompt, not a question. I think I’m starting to be able to read her tells. She still sounds wary, but some of the fear is gone from her voice.
“I did.” I tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear. “Things got out of control yesterday. We all need to talk. Figure this shit out.”
Sheena huffs at that, but I don't acknowledge her skepticism. I’m on a mission now, and nothing is going to get in my way.
“Why am I in here?” She looks around my room, unable to hide her curiosity as she checks out my space. I sit up, pushingback the covers. I’m only slightly irritated when she doesn’t seem to notice my naked chest at all.
“I didn't want you waking up in the middle of the night and bailing out the window again. I think you can agree we all deserve some answers.”
Sheena looks at me then, searching my face for a long moment. Her silence unnerves me, so I do my best to return the favor, hopping out of bed and stretching.
“No time like the present, I guess,” I say, faking a yawn. “Let's go find Gideon and hash this shit out. If you want to take off after, I'll give you the keys to our spare car. You can walk right out of the front door, no acrobatics required. I know you didn’t want to leave your boots behind.”
“You don't have to give me a car, Callum.” Sheena sits up. “Neither of you owe me anything. If you just drop me off near a main road, I’ll be fine.” She trails off at whatever look must be on my face.
Is she fucking for real with this shit?
“I told you last night I'd give you a car. I know life has taught you differently, but you can trust me.” She doesn’t argue, which is a small win. But I can't tell if she actually believes me or not.
I get dressed in silence, making no effort to hide my body from her. I would never use my powers to control her, but there's nothing wrong with giving her a little taste of what she’ll be leaving behind.
A tingle runs down my spine.
Lust. Sheena’s lust.I drink it in. Even this small taste of her desire is delicious. Our eyes lock. Her pride won't let her back down from me, so I put on a show, knowing she’s glued to my every move. I slowly pull up the zipper of my jeans. Her eyes stay frozen on my crotch.
“I can take them back off if you want,” I tease her, loving the blush that floods her pale cheeks.
She jumps out of bed, swaying slightly on her feet and grabbing the nearest bedpost. I’m prepared to help her, but her vertigo passes quickly. Irritation and embarrassment war for control on her face, but standing there in my room, wearing my baggy sweats, she’s what my dreams are made of.
I can’t believe how badly I want to beg her to stay.
I chuckle to cover my desperation. She storms from the room then, tossing her long, tangled hair over one shoulder. Good. I prefer her sassiness to her fear and apathy.
I trail behind her as she rounds the corner and barrels right into Gideon. He's shirtless, as usual. Instead of wrapping her up in a hug, he sets her back from him in a way he's never done before. Sheena’s face wilts, and she shifts her weight uncomfortably.
I’m clearly fighting an uphill battle here. The path forward is littered with obstacles for all three of us, but I don't know how to fix things if neither of them is willing to get out of their own way.
“Living room?” Gideon asks, ignoring Sheena completely by looking over the top of her head at me.
“Sounds good to me.” The chipper note I force into my voice is obviously fake, but no one calls me on it. Walking around them, I hand Sheena her phone as I pass her and lead our procession down the stairs. “Ciprian has been trying to get in touch with you. He's threatening to come up here if he doesn't hear back by lunch.”
“Okay. Thanks . . .” Sheena murmurs.
I sigh, tired of the eggshells we’re all stomping around on.
It might take a miracle to fix this.
SHEENA
My face is still burningfrom Callum's teasing. Why is he acting like we aren't teetering on the edge of disaster?
I scrape my hair into a rough bun on the top of my head as I walk down the stairs. The strands are coarse and twisted from the storm last night. It probably looks like a family of birds are nesting in it, but that doesn’t matter right now.
