Sin pauses before answering, “Because you reminded me of a kitten when I brought you here. You curled into my arms like you belonged there.”
My heart skips a beat.
He nudges me. “You were going to tell me what we’re doing backwards.”
I huff, trying not to love being enveloped by the scent of woodsmoke. It’s so cozy being held like this. Sin gives off a lot of heat, and I wrap my legs around him to steal more of it. He stiffens but doesn’t stop me.
“You’re going backwards,” I answer, feeling very much like the authority on the subject.
“Care to elaborate?” Sin rubs his beard on top of my head, and I nuzzle into him.
I sigh at his lack of understanding.
“You. You’re backwards. You keep touching me and teasing me. You admitted that you want me when we don’t like each other. We haven’t even kissed. It’s all backwards. And now I’m in your bed, and god only knows where that will go,” I huff.
Sin chuckles, “I’m not going to touch you.”
I manage to squirm out of his hold enough to look up at him, disgruntled. “Then why are you keeping me? What do you want from me?”
Sin’s answering smile is wicked, and it sends my heart into a wild beat. “So much. But we’re going to start with one thing since you’re in such an agreeable mood.”
I narrow my eyes at him.
Sin’s arm tightens around me. “Names, kitten. I want the names of those who hurt you back in your realm.”
My head swims, and danger bells start going off in my head. Sin’s tone is mild, but I know there’s a reason I didn’t want to give him names. Why don’t I want to tell him about Em?
A sharp intake of breath, and I remember. “You can’t kill them, Sin.”
“Why in the Fates not? They tried to kill you.” Sin looks annoyed, but he also seems genuinely curious.
I smile at his reasoning. It’s kind of sweet in a morbid way. Giggling, I tease him, “Okay, I take it back, you like me.”
Sin rolls his eyes and lightly pinches my waist. I squeak, and he prods again, “I want an answer. Why can’t I kill them?”
I sigh. He isn’t going to drop it. He’s been tenacious in trying to get the answer from me. But then, I think I wanted answers about things, too.
I chew at my bottom lip, trying to remember what it was I needed to know.
Right, mates. Damien is freaking out. Sin can set him straight.
Giving Sin my own wicked grin, or at least I think that’s what that was, I shift so our eyes are level. “I’ll give you the names on two conditions,” I note, feeling ridiculously impressed with myself for stringing together such cohesive sentences.
Sin arches a brow, and I continue, “You can’t kill them. I love Em’s parents. They were really kind to me, and they already lost their son. I can’t be the reason they lose their daughter, too. So please, no killing. Promise?”
Sin sighs and agrees, “Fine.” But his small smile is entirely at odds with the subject matter. My brows furrow, confused, when he prods me, “What’s your other condition?”
“I want to know about the mate bond.”
At my demand, Sin’s hands tighten around me, and I’m back to nuzzling at his neck. His grip doesn’t loosen when he asks, “Who told you about mate bonds?”
I giggle. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
I take another breath, and Sin doesn’t answer me, so I pinch his arm. “Tell me,” I demand, fighting to keep my eyes open when I’m being lulled by his delicious warmth.
He sighs again, and I rest my hand on his chest, fully committing to the cuddling. “Mate bonds are something more frequently found in other realms. They’re only found in creatures that hold magic. Some, like shifters and Fae, can usually pick up quite quickly if someone is their mate. It’s like a rubber band snapping into place, and they know they’ve found their other half. The person who compliments their soul. The mate bond tethers their souls so they can be together eternally. Amongst other perks.”
I frown, thinking of the corrupted Keeper bond I have with Leon. The idea that there are pre-determined mates for people gives me the creeps.
