Costin didn’t answer. He simply sent her his thoughts. He made it perfectly clear through the images in his mind that he wanted her in everyway.
She blushed and ducked her head, pressing it into his chest. But he didn’t relent, despite her embarrassment. Costin continued to assault her mind with memories of their time together and desires that he wanted to fulfill with her and her alone. She needed to understand nothing had changed the way he saw her. Nothing that had happened had caused him to lose his need or want of her. He could feel her insecurities, and most of it stemmed from her fear that he would be disgusted byher.
“I’m not going to stop until you no longer doubt me,” he saidquietly.
Her eyes widened. “You can’t go around putting those thoughts in my head allday.”
He smiled, and it felt so damn good. “Is that a challenge, Sallymine?”
She shook her head. “No, no, you idiot, of course I know youcan, but I mean you can’t because I’ll look like a freaking tomato allday.”
“No one will know what I have running through that beautiful head of yours, unless you tellthem.”
“Where is this coming from?” she asked him. “You’ve been quiet for the past few days. I know you’ve been giving me myspace.”
“That wasn’t working, so I’m trying a new tactic. It’s called seduce my mate until she’s a puddle at my feet, begging for my touch.” He knew his face must have been plastered with smugness because she was giving him an irritated look. He’d take it. It was better than her looking at him like he was her past and not welcome in herfuture.
“I didn’t mean to make you feel that way,” she said softly, picking up on his thoughts. “Something is wrong with me, Costin. I’m scared—no, I’m terrified of losingyou.”
He shook his head. “Not possible. The world will break apart until all that is left are tiny particles before I would leaveyou.”
She stared up into his eyes, and he knew she was searching for even a tiny lie in his words. She would find none. Decebel would let Jen strip in a room full of single males before Costin would let go of hismate.
“Can I tell him you thought that?” she asked with a smallsmile.
“You can do whatever you want if it will put a smile on your face,” he said in allseriousness.
Before she could respond, there was a loud pounding on their door and then Jen’s voice. “Wake up! Y’all need to pack and then spend some time with your son before you go to the airport. If you’re late and miss your flight I’m going to beticked.”
“Um, Costin, what is she talkingabout?”
He was as confused as his mate. “I have noclue.”
“DON’T MAKE ME COME IN THERE! Oh, and I have your kid. I kidnapped him earlier when Thia woke me up. Y’all need to think about some sort of security if you sleep so deep that I can steal your son,” Jenyelled.
Sally started to bury her head in his chest but then redirected for the pillow. Costin wasn’t having it. He moved her shoulders so that her forehead landed on his sternum. “You lean on me, Sally. Got it? From here on out, you lean onme.”
She nodded after a few heartbeats. “You. I lean on you,” sherepeated.
He kissed the top of her head. “Good girl. Now…” He gently pushed her back and rolled her over. “Let me go deal with your best friend before she breaks down our door. I’ll find out what she’s done with our kid and then we can getready.”
She smiled up at him. It wasn’t her usual big smile, but it was astart.
Costin snatched a robe from the back of a chair as he headed toward the front door of their suite. His steps felt lighter than they had the night before and, though things weren’t entirely fixed—not by a long shot, he finally felt as though they were moving in the rightdirection.
He pulled the door open to find a perturbed looking Jen staring back athim.
“You walk too slow,” she saidcoolly.
“What is this about packing and a flight?” he asked, ignoring hercomment.
“Sally is one of my best friends. I would do just about anything for her. Seeing her in a broken heap on her bathroom floor last night was not cool, dimple boy, not cool at all. Now, based on your relaxed face, I can tell there’s been some mending done between the two of you. That’s good. But I still pulled rank on you and made the decision, along with Alina, Lilly, and Jacque to send you and Sally on a little trip. I’ll fill you both in downstairs. Hurry itup.”
He started to respond but Jen pushed him back far enough into the suite that she was able to grab the door and slam it closed in hisface.
“Get a move on DB, daylight’s a wasting.” He heard her yell through the closed door, her footsteps getting further and furtheraway.
Costin rubbed his face as his wolf growled. He didn’t like being touched by another female, no matter how brief. Having gone without Sally’s touch for so long, hers was the only one hedesired.
