I folded my arms across my chest. “I’m just saying you seem to be blind tootherthings.”
The hum that built in his throat was deliciously deep and male. “I’m not blind. I just won’t let you take me for a fool.”
Then he tossed me—literally—high enough that I left his arms for a couple of seconds, squeaking, before he caught me again.
“What was that for?”
“Loosen up.”
“I don’t want to irritate your wounds.”
“What wounds?”
I quickly glanced at his arms and realized most of his flesh had mended. He smirked when our eyes met again.
“I feel no pain,” he said, amusement in his voice. “So even if I were —”
“Excuse me for not wanting to inflict more damage!” I muttered, pushing his chest. “Let me down.”
A stabbing burn slashed through my bare foot the second I put weight on it.
“Ow!” I turned just as he leaned in closer, practically yelling the word into his ear. “You didn’t put my boots back on.”
“The boots aren’t the problem. It’s your foot.” His breath fanned my cheek. “And you didn’t put them back on.”
“You were the one who scooped me back up,” I said, exasperated.
He chuckled darkly—and then did it again. “You feel pain. It’s better that I carry you.”
My power returned, and I breathed a sigh of relief as my bruises began to heal. I nudged away from him, smiling. “I don’t need you to carry me.”
He crossed his arms, watching as I materialized boots on my feet. “Don’t think about fading, Kitten.”
I cocked my head. “You wanted me to earlier.”
“Yes, when Hell was falling on top of us.” He scowled. “Next time, leave when I say—and don’t try to pull me with you.”
“I didn’t know I wouldn’t be able to take you.”
“Now you do.”
“I would try again in a heartbeat.”
He froze, shock slackening his mouth. “What?”
“You looked…vulnerable. Just as confused as I was. Of course, I would have tried to take you with me. I’d do it again if the need arose.”
His nostrils flared. “Do not say things like that.”
“No, I’m not you. I won’t lie about what I feel.”
He stalked toward me. Heat rushed up my face, then down my neck as he swallowed me whole with his intensity. The way he stared at me was so overwhelming most of the time.
“Don’t say things like that,” he repeated.
“Why not?”
He gripped my nape, bending down, and pressed his forehead to mine.
