His spine straightened. “You know nothing about me or my resolve or my desires in life.”
“I don’t need to, Air Fae.” I leaned in, lowering my voice. “All I need is to know Claire, and trust me, you don’t stand a chance. None of us do.”
* * *
Claire’s bare breasts peeked up at me from the sheets as I entered the room, her eyes closed in blissful unawareness. Titus lay behind her, lazily alert and observing my entry.
“Find anything?” he asked softly.
I shrugged out of my shirt and tossed it onto a chair in the corner. “Not really, no. We’ll discuss it more in the morning. Did she eat?”
He pressed his lips to her neck and nodded. “Yes.”
“Good.” I unbuttoned my slacks and kicked off my shoes. “Congratulations, by the way.”
His green eyes met mine. “You feel it?”
“Yes.”
No hint of guilt or regret entered his features, only pure male pride. “She’s amazing, Exos.”
“I know.” I pulled off my socks and finished removing my pants just as her eyes opened. “Hello, princess.”
Her nostrils flared as she took in my black boxer briefs, her lips parting in appreciation. “Exos.”
I smiled as I slid into the bed beside her, cupping her cheek. “There are burn marks in the kitchen.” I’d noticed them immediately. “But well done on not destroying the dorm.”
Claire’s skin darkened to a delectable shade of pink. “Thanks, I, uh, think.”
Pressing my mouth to hers, I indulged her in a deep kiss meant to arouse. She responded with her tongue and wrapped her palm around the back of my neck to hold me to her.
Titus chuckled, his palm sweeping up her side and back down. “I told you—amazing.”
“Mmm,” I agreed against her lips. And kissed her again, this time with more fervor than before, allowing her to feel my approval at bonding with Titus and also to provide her with a glimpse into how much I craved her. She needed to know that this arrangement worked for me, that I accepted her as my Claire regardless of the others.
Her spirit was mine.
And only mine.
Just as my spirit was hers.
“How did it go?” The words were a breath into my mouth.
I slid my fingers into her hair, holding her to me. “Vox will make a fine mate when you’re ready for him,” I admitted. “But I didn’t come to bed to talk. We’ll do that in the morning.” I met Titus’s gaze over her shoulder. “You’re welcome to stay, but I’m going to kiss her until she falls asleep.”
He drew a line of fire down her bare arm, sending a flicker across her skin. “That’s fine. I don’t mind finding other ways to relax her while you do that.”
“Careful, Titus, or I’ll start to think we make a good team.”
He chuckled and pressed another kiss to her neck. “Where Claire is concerned, I believe we do.”
I smiled, pleased by his reply. It proved my suspicions from earlier accurate. All he needed was a little alone time with our Claire to work himself out. Now that he’d regained his focus and staked his true claim, he would be a formidable ally in protecting our heart. I approved.
“I like it when you two get along,” Claire said, a grin in her voice.
“Yeah?” I kissed her again—long and deep. “Shall we show you just how well we can get along where you’re concerned?”
She shivered, her blue irises glazed with lust and adoration. “Only if you let me play in return.”
