I realize that this is our first real kiss, but I can’t unpack this further because I feel myself slipping away. The exhaustion is pulling me under. I can feel Zeth feeding through our connection and the energy draining from my body. It doesn’t hurt and it doesn’t feel wrong, it just feels like sinking into warm water.
The kiss continues, but I’m barely conscious now. My body goes limp against him, and the last thing I’m aware of is his lips on mine and his arms holding me close. Then everything fades.
Chapter Nineteen
Wren
I wake suddenly, disoriented. My eyes snap open and I see Garrett Blanc leaning against the bedroom doorframe, arms crossed, watching me.
I sit up and glare at him.
“How long have you been standing there?”
He ignores the question.
“You snore.”
Then he throws a shopping bag at my feet and turns toward the door.
“Get dressed. I’ll come by later to take you to the party.”
The door closes behind him. I’m in a daze, unsure of what just happened and how I’m supposed to react. The man is a mystery and a menace.
I look down at the shopping bag and stay still for a moment, letting my annoyance settle. Having him in my space like this, knowing he was standing there while I was sleeping, bothers me. But it’s not much different from him watching me through the cameras. I got used to being watched constantly down here. This is just another version of the same thing.
I get out of bed, pick up the bag, and dump the contents on the mattress. A black pantsuit falls out. I can tell just by touch that the fabric is expensive. It’s perfectly tailored, designer label of course. A red silk blouse slides out next, followed by a rectangular box that I soon find contains a pair of Louboutins with the distinctive red soles. The heels are higher than I normally wear.
I run my fingers over the jacket, now feeling more stunned than dazed. Garrett went shopping for me. Garret fucking Blanc. He noticed I had nothing appropriate to wear and took the liberty of fixing that problem.
Well, he is the family’s fixer.
“I don’t like this,”Zeth growls in my head.
I pick up the jacket and hold it against myself, checking the size.
“I don’t like that he bought you clothes,”he continues.“You’re going to wear what he picked for you.”
I can’t help a mental laugh.
“Are you jealous?”
“Yes.”
That isn’t the answer that I expected.
The things we did last night flash through my mind, but I push the images away. I have to consider it a one-time thing because our relationship needs to stay professional. I have to focus on the mission, and I can’t let this complicate things any more than it already has.
I don’t deliberately send the thoughts to Zeth, but he hears them anyway.
“If that’s what you wish.”He sounds hesitant and defeated.
“Zeth, I don’t want to hurt you.”I sigh, mentally and physically.“But I need you to be patient with me. I have no idea what I’m doing here. Except that I need to be a hundred percent present right now. That’s all I know.”
“I understand. I won’t pressure you. We can be whatever you want us to be. I’ll take only what you’re willing to give.”
My cheeks flush at his words. I have to admit it makes me feel powerful. He’s a massive supernatural being, strong and invincible, yet I have this much power over him. He’d take whatever scraps I offer and be grateful for them.
The thought makes heat pool low in my belly. I feel my nipples harden at the mere idea that while I may let him ravage me in my dreams, I’m actually the one in control. Even when I beg, the power is all mine.
