As calmly as I could, I walked into the bedroom and closed the door behind me. At least I could shut out the smell of Declan’s lust, even if what I wanted was to inhale it forever.
The bedroom was filled with Sonny’s scent, a blend of his dreams and stale air. I cracked open a window to let some fresh air into the room and then went to stand by the bed and look down at him. He was frowning in his sleep, his head moving from side to side restlessly. His skin was warm and I hoped I’d done the right thing by not trying to pile the blankets over him.
As I walked round the other side of the bed to reach the chest of drawers with my clothes in, I stepped on the creaking floorboard and Sonny made a sound, partially waking.
“Declan?”
“He’s just outside,” I reassured him in a low voice.
“Declan… love you… love…”
My chest tightened. Why did I have to meet these two men just when they were working out their shit and getting together?
“Hold me… please…”
I looked over my shoulder. Sonny’s eyes seemed to be fixed on me, but they were too bright. I wasn’t sure he could really see me.
Easing down onto the bed, I stroked a hand across his forehead. “I’m here. You’re safe now.”
His hand fought free of the blankets, pushing them down his body out of the way. He grabbed my wrist, clutching hold of me.
“Don’t let go.”
“I won’t,” I said. “I’ve got you.”
I stroked his forehead again, holding his other hand with my free one. And his face cleared and his breathing evened out and that was when I realised that two of my tentacles had extended and reached for him, sliding over his stomach and winding around his chest and upper arm.
Why did I suddenly have such difficulty keeping control? I’d never lost control before, never given myself away.
I began to withdraw them but Sonny grunted and that frown came back.
“Tighter,” he demanded. “Hold me.”
I know he was probably sleeping, probably dreaming, maybe even dreaming of falling through that ice and the feel of my tentacles dragging him to the surface. Yet I couldn’t bring myself to disobey him.
Those bright eyes opened and tried to focus on my face, blinking. “You’re so pretty,” he mumbled.
I held him tighter, wrapping my tentacles around him and wondering whether the pleasure I smelled was from his dream.
Chapter 17
Sonny
Iwoke, feeling gross and sweaty. My mouth was dry but somehow I was sure I could taste pond water in it anyway. Yuk.
It took a few seconds for me to work out that I wasn’t too hot. I’d been burning for what felt like endless hours, my head pounding.
And the dreams. Those had been weird.
I turned my head the other way, hoping to cool my suddenly hot cheek against the cool pillow, and saw Declan sitting beside me. He was looking directly at me and it only then occurred to me that I must look awful. I raised my hand and scrubbed at my face.
His voice was deep and rich. “How do you feel?”
“Better, thanks.”
He reached out and grasped my hand, his fingers curling around mine in a warm embrace.
“I’m glad. I was worried about you.”
