I hugged him close, realizing Quillan’s word choices might not have been clear. “The top floor of the building has suites—like a hotel—that visitors, guests, and people like us who need protection can use temporarily.”
He relaxed, clearing his throat as color reappeared on his cheeks. “Oh. Yeah, okay, a mini vacation sounds good right about now.”
I petted his hair this time. “And we have much to discuss.”
Wiley nodded and held my hand with both of his. Hopefully, what I had to say about us being mates would ease his fears instead of adding to them. I’d never had this talk before, but I’d heard that it could be very difficult for humans to understand given they didn’t react to pheromones and instincts like we did. All I could do was be patient and hope.
Several people were in the hall once we stepped out of Quillan’s office. It was immediately clear to me that they had either gotten some kind of notice or might have listened in on the recording as we spoke because they were talking about plans and roles already. Quillan directed everyone down to the large conference room at the end of the hall and asked for an immediate breach of the institute’s computer system. Someone with electricity arching between the wild ends of their black hair said they were already on it, and I realized the hackers were elementals, not witches.
“Hi, I’m Felix,” a man of about Wiley’s age said with a smile. “I’m going to take you upstairs, get you settled, and take care of getting food, clothes, and anything else you need while you’re staying with us. Okay?”
“Oh. Yeah, okay.” Wiley’s grip on my hand eased, and I was glad to see him embracing the vacation aspect of this.
Perhaps, I could do the same.
Felix wassome breed of cat shifter from the scent of him, and he knew exactly what he was doing as he eased both of us into our new accommodations. Normally, I didn’t like to be handled, but it was working for Wiley, so I didn’t fuss. I merely gave my measurements to Felix, while Wiley discussed fabrics and vibes like that was all anyone needed to know about clothes.
It was my hope, though, that Wiley wouldn’t spend much time clothed, assuming the revelation of our mating went well.
Not wanting to think about that, I explored the suite since I’d never been up here before. Like the home we’d borrowed, there was a great deal of glass, but it was definitely laminated to keep those like me safe. The furniture was mostly firm cushions and chrome as if it had been done in some attempt to be both modern and easily cleaned. It wasn’t my aesthetic, but it was fine for a getaway. And, truly, I did need to get away from the past six weeks of my life.
Part of me wanted to jump back into normalcy. To return to my condo downtown or my estate in Saint Jude, make sure all of my clients had been taken care of properly in my absence, and live as though none of that captivity nonsense had happened. But I was also self-aware enough to know that would never work out well for me or anyone else.
Suddenly, Wiley was thumping against my back and wrapping his arms around me, his cheek pressed to my shoulder blade. “Felix is going to get us two entire wardrobes that we can take with us when all this is overandhe’s getting the whole kitchen stocked with all kinds of gourmet foodsplussomeone to cook it all for us!”
I chuckled as I eased open his embrace of me so that I could turn around and face him. “I’m glad you’re so delighted.”
He re-plastered himself to the front of me and snuggled in as I looped my arms around his shoulders. “It started awful—and you’ve been through so much, baby—but this all feels like a chance at a new start, you know? Like, I wasn’t loving my life as someone who had no idea that supernatural anything was real, but now I could maybe be part of that world. I could work with you guys! And starting this new beginning in a penthouse suite with fancy everything and you…” He blushed and bit his bottom lip, eyes sparkling. “I’m having a very good day, Your Excellency.”
A snort slipped out involuntarily at his use of that title, but I dipped down to kiss the top of his head. “You can absolutely have a new start.” I gulped some but made myself say the words. “And I hope you’ll allow me to be a part of the life you make.”
“Absolutely,” he said when I’d paused to breathe.
“Well, um, let me continue by saying…”
He pulled back and looked up, frowning.
I cleared my throat, finding it more difficult to go on now that I could see his eyes.
“The reason I grew strong enough to escape after being with you was because we’re mates.”
He cocked his head at me. “Like g’day mate?”
“Oh, no, like fated mates. Life partners.”
“Husbands?”
I licked my lips and nodded, still worried because he kept frowning. “Yes.”
Wiley stepped back and turned around, pacing away. He looked thoughtful to me, so maybe this wasn’t the end of the world. I couldn’t quite convince my heart of that, though, as it galloped in my chest while I watched him.
Then all of a sudden, he put his arms in the air and yelled, “I’ve won the fucking lottery!” And a second later, he turned and launched himself at me.
I wasn’t prepared to catch him and so fell backward from his momentum, landing on the couch with a grunt as he came down on top of me. He wiggled his stiffening dick against my stomach and grabbed my face in both hands before kissing me hard.
Was I the lottery he’d won? It felt as though I could be, and oh, that eased my heart entirely. I wrapped my arms around him, took control of the kissing, and pressed his little ass down, encouraging him to frot against me more.
But when he started unbuttoning my shirt, I had to ask, “Isn’t Felix coming right back?”
