She climbed onto the bed, crawling over the man until she could stretch out on top of him.He grunted but otherwise didn’t move.
“Anyone follow you?”Kira asked.
She inhaled.
Hmm.
She detected top notes of wind and rain.With an undercurrent of lightning to hold everything together.
Delicious.
Smelling it, letting it wrap around her in a formless embrace was like coming home, but in the best way possible.The anticipation and pure relief you felt upon sliding into your bed that first time after being away for months.The comfort and solace that came from knowing you were right where you belonged.
How could something so ordinary, one might even say mundane, have such a profound effect?Kira didn’t know.What she did know was that she was willing to fight dirty to preserve it.
At her question, Graydon bent a chiding look on her.
She hid her face against his shoulder.Despite her best efforts, a giggle slipped out.
“Such an expression, my dearest tempest.”She reached up, tracing the line of his nose with one finger.“Even the best make mistakes when they drop their guard.”
His arm tightened.“I’ve missed this.”
Kira’s levity vanished.“Me too.”
She bent her head, pressing a kiss onto the synth armor above his heart.
It had been a hard week.The fear of what might happen with Roake mingling with the stress of having to keep her distance from Graydon.
She wasn’t used to needing anyone but Jin.Graydon was an anomaly.Somehow, he’d managed to become just as vital.But in a totally different way.He was her port in the storm.Her anchor when everyone and everything else tried to cast her adrift.
Like it or not, she needed Graydon to stay.Losing him would be like severing a limb.She’d probably survive, but her existence would be forever changed.
Graydon tightened his hold around her waist, pulling her from the dark path her thoughts had taken.“I took every precaution.”
Kira was sure he had.Graydon was meticulous.It was one of the things she loved about him.
He threaded his fingers through hers, lifting the wrist with the cuff so they could both see.“I’m surprised you and the little menace haven’t removed this already.”
“Jin tried.It proved unexpectedly stubborn.”
It was unusual for her friend to be thwarted.His frustration would have been gratifying if she wasn’t so handicapped by its presence.
“I don’t suppose you have any ideas,” Kira suggested hopefully.
Graydon rubbed a thumb along the metal of the cuff, his forehead creased in thought.“Maybe one.”
Kira held her breath as his soul’s breath slid along her skin, leaving a trail of goose bumps in its wake.
She shifted, suddenly restless.
That felt good.Too good.
And he hadn’t even touched her yet.
Hiskitickled and teased, sliding beneath her skin in a tantalizing seduction.Sluggishly, her ownkianswered.
It started to rise to twine with his, when it bounced off something invisible.
