“Fine!” she growled, spinning back. “Let’s do this test, then I can get on with my life.”
Vae, she could have planted her tiny fist in his face, and it wouldn’t have surprised him, but this sure as hell did.
“What? You changed your mind now?” she baited.
Jaw clenched, he whipped out his cell from his pocket and shot off a text to Reynner.Is Luc at Exilum?
A response came immediately.Yeah.
Another message followed. You going to do the scroll test? For hell’s sake, tell me you don’t need me there. I’m not fucking going through the cock-stand shit again.
Aerén barely suppressed a snort, aware of those fiery brown eyes on him, watching and waiting, so sure she’d catch him out in a lie.
Guess she’d see soon enough. Besides, he’d let nothing stop him from getting what he wanted. He texted back.No, I’m good.
He just had to keep himself out of her pheromone range when she did the test. He didn’t need the damn thing getting his cock to respond when it already went on alert by simply inhaling her scent.
“Well, since this isn’t happening, goodbye,” her taunting retort cracked through his melded calm.
Shoving his cell back into his jeans, he strode across to her as she pushed her phone into her pocket and reached for her tote on the desk. “Let’s go.” He grasped her wrist.
“What are you doing?” she squeaked, jumping back.
“I have to touch you so we can leave here.”
She cocked her head, then rolled her eyes. “Very well. Go ahead, perform your miracle.”
Urias! He shut his eyes for a second because it was either that or kiss that delectablemouth which took so much delight in taunting him.
Frustrated to his throbbing skull, he yanked her to him, and she fell against his chest with a gasp.
Taking a modicum of pleasure that he’d managed to unsettle her, Aerén dematerialized them, her snapped-off cry echoing in his ears as they shot out through the slightly ajar window in their invisible, molecular state.
Moments later, he reformed them in a thicket in Central Park near the lake where the soft spot for a gateway was located. A damp, earthy smell surrounded them. She stumbled, but he kept ahold of her as she steadied herself, her eyes wide and dark with shock.
Yes, small of him, but he took delight in finally stumping her silent at the truth.
He raised his hands, summoning the portal. As the shadowy air parted, forming a gateway between worlds, Leya stepped closer, peering at it. “What the—?”
“A portal.”
“Awhat?” she shrieked.
He clapped his palm over her mouth. “Don’t, or you’ll draw unwanted attention. Humans can never know about us or see this. It’s asking for trouble.”
“I think I’m losing my mind,” she groaned-muffled against his palm, and he lowered his hand. “I just traveled in an invisible dust-mote state straight to Central Park, and now—”
“You’re not losing your mind.” He clenched his fingers, the imprint of her soft lips on his skin lingering. “My mode of travel is called dematerializing.” Then he cocked an eyebrow and cast her a taunting smile, knowing it was the only way to get her out of her fear. “Scared?”
She glared at him. “Of course I am. But I get the feeling you’ll never leave me alone if I don’t do this test, so let’s go.”
Urias! How, by all the stars in the universe, did she take his victory, toss it in the dirt, and stomp over it without a care?
Barely suppressing a growl, he grasped her hand and pulled her through the portal.
CHAPTER6
Leya squintedas she stepped into sunlight so bright, it nearly blinded her. The roaring sound of falling water deafened her, a misty drizzle wetting her face.
