Page 179 of Glutton for Punishment

Right now. In this chair.

His grip tightens once, reassuring.

“I’m surprised,” he admits. “That’s all. But I understand it. And I respect your decision. It was always your decision to make.”

The weight in my chest eases, and on impulse, I lean in and press a soft, careful kiss to his lips.

The second I realize what I’ve done, heat crawls up my neck. Atticus is sitting right there.

I pull back too quickly, very aware of the fact that I have no idea what the etiquette is for having two bonded partners in the same room and whether I’m supposed to be… coordinating this better.

Atticus doesn’t comment. His expression barely shifts, though I catch the faintest flicker in his eyes—something possessive and quickly controlled.

I clear my throat. “Something else happened.”

“After Atticus and I completed the bond…” I hesitate for only a second before forcing the rest out. “I developed a second power. A Pride power.”

Maddox seems to stop breathing.

“What?” he asks.

I swallow. “I can apparently issue commands that have people jumping to follow them. Like, literally jumping.” I say, looking to Atticus.

Maddox straightens. “You mean like Vex’s power? Do you gain influence over someone’s mind? Make them more susceptible to their will?”

“No,” I rush in. “I don’t think so. It’s not… sustained. It’s more like bursts. Short commands. I think it stops almost immediately the action is done.”

Maddox’s eyes narrow, already analyzing. “And you’ve tested it?”

I tap my chin, thinking. “…Not really.”

Atticus leans back in his chair, arms crossed, and a brilliant idea pops into my mind. I look at Atticus and focus on the power stirring under my skin. I let it slip into my voice as I put all my focus on Atticus.

“Strip. And then dance provocatively on this table.”

Hiss eyes go unfocused as he stands. “Oh no,” he mutters, but his hands are already moving. He unbuttons his shirt slowly.

Maddox jumps to his feet.

He takes a step back like he’s physically distancing himself from what’s about to happen, one hand half-raised like he can block out the sight.

Atticus gets halfway down his shirt before he blinks hard as the daze snaps.

He freezes and looks down at his hands.

Then at me. “Are you serious?”

I burst out laughing at the incredulous look on his face.

“I had a feeling it wouldn’t stick through the entire command! Although I’m sad, I missed out on the show.” I pout.

Atticus shoots me another look. “I can’t believe you were about to make me do that in front of him.” He points to Maddox.

“I can’t believe I almost had to burn my eyeballs out of my face,” Maddox replies.

The tension breaks enough for the room to feel normal again. Atticus sits back down, still irritated, while Maddox returns to his chair and exhales.

“Arwen,” Maddox says, his face serious. “You cannot tell anyone about this. Not right now.”