He cuts me off with a kiss, but I pull away."No, listen to me."
He heaves a sigh."Simon.You're mine.I know you have a hundred reasons not to want a relationship, why you think you can't have one when you have Ira, but you're mine.It's fate.There is nothing I can do about it."
I stare at him."Bullshit."
Boris shakes his head, grabs my hand, and tugs me into the kitchen.He gently pushes me down on a chair but doesn't sit himself.Instead, he paces in front of the stove.I say nothing, and when he runs a hand through his hair and groans all I can do is stare.What's going on?Is this his reaction to me trying to break up with him?Not that anything is going on.Not muchis going on, at least.A few one-sided kisses.I might not have pushed him away, but I haven't reciprocated either.
"Do you believe in soulmates?"He gives me a pleading look.
"No."
"You don't believe in soulmates?"
I lean back in my chair and cross my arms over my chest."No."
He blinks, and this time I'm convinced his eyes shift color.A shiver works its way down my spine.His eyes are normally brown, but now they're...amber.Fuck.
"Boris?"
He blinks, and the eyes are brown again.A shuddering breath leaves me without my permission.
"Do you believe in magic?"
I shake my head.
"What if I told you magic is real, and soulmates are real?"
I shake my head again.
"Simon."His tone is pleading, but I can't deal with this.I don't know what this is, but it's too much.
"No."
"Yes, dammit.You're mine.Nothing you say or do will change that."
What the fuck?"I think you should leave."
He growls.Really growls, like a dog would growl.Before I can second-guess myself, I push off my chair and rush toward the doorway.
I don't make it more than a couple of steps before strong hands grab me and shove me against the wall.Not shove, more like steer me, but it goes so fast I have no control over it.My front is flush against the surface, and Boris' chest is pressing against my back.
"Simon."His breath is hot against my ear.I know I should be afraid, I know I should fight to be let free, but instead, my body relaxes.I don't know why, and I'm disappointed in myself.
"Honey, I need you to trust me."
I snort.
"I know this isn't ideal."He nuzzles the skin behind my ear."Or you know, I don't mind standing here the entire day.I would love to, in fact."He kisses my neck, and to my absolute horror, I angle my head to give him more room.What is wrong with me?
Boris groans."Damn, I wish I could take you to bed."He gives me a little lick, which makes me jump.Who licks their...partners?
"But we need to talk.There are things I need to tell you, but I'm not sure you're ready to listen, which frankly scares the crap out of me."
I don't reply.
He kisses my neck once more."Okay, here's the deal.The wolves in Rutchester aren't ordinary wolves.They're wolf shifters.Magic is real.Soulmates are real."
I stare at the wall, and my heart sinks.He's a crazy person.I've allowed a crazy person into our lives, into our home.
