“You know that isn’t true,” I coaxed, still slowly moving closer. “The bond is there. We have to strengthen it…a tiny bit.”
I wasn’t going to force her to complete it; that wasn’t what we needed. Just a little nudge. Only enough so she could borrow my strength to heal. It was more than I wanted to push her into. I’d avoided touching her for the most part because I wanted the bond to grow organically. I wanted her towantit. Now, I was taking even this small choice from her.
“H-how?”
I was close enough to see the slight tremble in her shoulders, and the way she nervously bit at her lip. That she wasn’t outright bolting from the room was a good sign. Then again, I hadn’t told her my plan yet. Slowly, so I wouldn’t spook her, I brushed a fingertip over her cheek and traced it down to her mouth, where I freed that bottom lip.
“Skin to skin.”
thirteen
Eryn
The moonlight didn’t hide a single detail. His broad chest was toned with enough muscles to make me take a second look. A light dusting of hair started just beneath his navel and danced an enticing path beneath the band of his briefs. I ripped my gaze away and looked up.
Kaiden’s usually tamed locks were wild and unkempt. The soft strands tempted me to touch as they fell over one eye, hiding the scar there. I kept my hands clenched in my lap.Focus. He spoke again, saying those same words—skin to skin. My pulse kicked into a gallop at the idea, and my stomach rolled along with my next shiver.
I wanted this to stop—the pain, the nausea, feeling like I was about to shake right out of my own body. The antidote was obviously not working, that wasn’t a lie, but maybe I hadn’t taken enough of it. Was jumping to this extreme really the only option? I turned my head to break Kaiden’s stare. His thumb slipped from my lip, leaving his hand hanging between usbefore it dropped down to the bed. My gaze caught on the half-empty vial he held.
“C-can you ask Ezra to make more, please?”
Kaiden’s head cocked to the side. “I can,” he said slowly. “I was going to regardless, just in case, but that won’t help us right this moment.”
He settled more solidly on the bed, leaning closer in the process, and I nearly fell on my ass as I scrambled off the other side. My bare feet met the cool hardwood, and my knees almost buckled at being forced to abruptly take my weight. I locked them. With more space between us, I felt a little more in control.
We could figure this out. I appreciated his worry, but I was sure there was another solution to my…predicament. My stomach clenched, and I bent in half at the pain. Okay, that hurt. Groaning, I crossed my arms over my waist and rode out the responding shivers.
“Eryn—”
“No!” I held out a hand and took a deep breath. After another moment, I straightened. “It’s passed.”
Kaiden’s expression hardened as he slipped off the bed in one fluid motion. Definitely smoother than my attempt. He rounded the bed. Each step closer, I mirrored with one step away, until I felt the dresser dig into my back.
“This isn’t really up for discussion,” he warned, blocking my attempt to flee to another part of the room.
Gone was the gentle-talking TA I’d gotten to know these past months. Standing before me now was the stubborn warlock who refused to let me run. His jaw was set; there was no talking my way out of this. My eyes darted to the door on my right. I could reach it, if the next round of stomach cramps didn’t take me to my knees. Even now, my symptoms were worse, and I shivered despite the sweat beading on my brow.
I glanced back at Kaiden. Yeah, I could make it to the door,but out of the apartment? Escape? I wasn’t so sure. Still, I had to try something.
“Don’t even think about it,” Kaiden growled, legs spread and shoulders back. He was ready to rush after me and take me down if he had to.
Dammit.
“P-please Kaiden.” My teeth chattered. “I don’t w-want to do this.”
“I know.”
He was right in front of me now. The heat of him did nothing but battle with my rising fever. So close. He was so close. I swore each of the hairs on my body rose and reached for him. We weren’t even touching, and the bond between us was palpable. Like my body knew what it needed—what it wanted—and holding out became harder by the second.
“We won’t complete the bond,” he promised. “I won’t touch you anywhere that’s covered.”
I glanced down at my lacy bralette and matching panties. Too exposed. Peering over at him, I got an eyeful of tanned skin only restrained by a dark pair of boxer briefs. A tight pair. There was little left to my imagination as I stared at the growing bulge in the front. Kaiden groaned, and that bulge twitched. I sprang for the door without thinking.
“Seriously?” he sighed, arms catching me and caging me in.
His forearm hit hard against my hips and lower stomach, sparking a new wave of nausea. When it eased, my back was once again against the dresser, and less than an inch separated us. He lowered his head, cool breath mingling with mine.
“What are you really afraid of?” His lip curled. “If forcing you was what got me off, we wouldn’t be here. We’d already be bonded.”
