CALLUM
“But he kissed you,”Gideon grumbles as he prowls around the bedroom after lunch.
“On the wrist,” Sheena insists from the bed, waving her arm for emphasis. “He’s kind of old fashioned. I bet it was just some weird fae custom.”
Gideon scoffs. “Yeah, I’m sure it was just some weird fae custom... to get in your pants.”
I’m inclined to agree with him, but I’m also not stupid enough to involve myself in a losing argument. From my spot on the love seat, I pretend to scroll on my phone and stay out of it.
Sheena groans and massages her temples. “You’re being ridiculous.”
“Or you’re being oblivious.” Gideon digs his heels in. “He definitely wants to fuck you. Why did you make him a sandwich in the first place? He’s a grown ass man.”
“Because I’m not an asshole.” Sheena’s voice is tight. “He was obviously overwhelmed, and I know what that feels like, so I made him a sandwich. It’s not a big deal. You need to let it go.”
Gideon should listen to her, but I’m starting to think he can’t. The animal inside him sensed competition at lunch. With the bond still incomplete, the instinct to claim her is probably eating him alive.
“I don’t want to let it go,” he roars. “We found you first, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to let him snatch you up.”
I lift my eyes from my phone, trying to figure out a way to stop him before he takes this too far.
“Are you telling me you called dibs?” Sheena’s voice is too quiet.
“You’re my fated mate,” Gideon says, crossing his arms belligerently. “The gods called dibs for me.”
“Then why are you being so insecure?”
Gideon deflates, his shoulders sinking.
“Because I am insecure,” he admits, all his anger gone.
Sheena’s pinched face softens, and she reaches out to him. Gideon climbs into the bed, scooping her into his arms.
“You shouldn’t be,” she reassures him, her voice thick with exhaustion. “You’re smart, kind, and sexy, and mate bond or not, you’re mine. You shouldn’t give a damn if some guy kisses my wrist.”
Gideon peppers her arms with kisses, starting at her wrists and traveling up until he plants his lips on hers. She melts into the touch, pulling back only to suck in a deep breath.
“How long will you be at the library?” Sheena looks at me as she asks the question, and I give up pretending I’m not paying attention.
“We’ll be back tonight,” I respond. “I convinced the faculty to give us an alumni pass without admitting why we needed it.”
Walking up to them both, I drop a kiss to her soft lips, ignoring how close my best friend is to the action.
“So I’ll see you when I wake up?”
Sheena yawns. Close up, I can tell she’s barely able to keep her eyes open. “Yeah, sweetheart. Get some rest. We’ll be back before you know it,” I say, speaking softly.
After her eyelids drift closed, I drag Gideon out of the compound, urgency building in my chest.
“Dude, you’re way too eager to be holed up in that fucking library,” he groans as we climb into the SUV.
I throw the car in reverse. “I’m not too eager. She’s too tired.”
“What do you mean?” Gideon snaps his seatbelt into place, worry in his voice.
“I mean, she worked hard this morning, but she shouldn’t bethat tired. She needs a talisman, and she needs it fast.”
Silence settles over us, and we’re lost in our own thoughts for the rest of the drive.
