He sighed. “Nah. It was just some nutjob thinking they could scare me.”
“Do you have any idea who might have done something like that?”
“Anyone. No one.” He rubbed his cheek on my chest.
“We need to deal with it.”
“You’re about to tell me I need to follow the protocol, aren’t you?”
“Yes. At least until we find out who was driving the SUV this morning.”
“Does that mean you’re staying?”
As if I could tear myself away. “I didn’t see you get out of the car. How did you do that?”
“I unsnapped the seatbelt when I heard the ambulance coming. When he was about to hit me, I jumped up, kicking off the passenger seat. I half shifted midair and slowed the impact with my wings. When I landed among the bushes below the incline, I shifted back. If it weren’t for the freaking cacti hiding among the shrubs, I’d be unscathed.”
My brain overcooked just imagining that. “For fuck’s sake. You’re insane.”
He kissed along my collarbone. “You’re staying, Terry, right?”
“Yes.”
“Not just because someone’s after me?”
“We need to talk to my boss alone. Devon won’t be happy I’m on your account if I’m involved with you, but since we’re mated, he could be convinced.”
He sagged over me, tension disappearing from his body. His horns and thorns withdrew, and the skin on his arms regained its tan hue. “Okay. I’ll be good, I promise. The best client you’ve ever had. I’ll do whatever you tell me.”
“Somehow, I can’t see that happening.”
Propping his chin on my chest, he smirked up at me. “Maybe I’ll enjoy obeying your orders.”
13
Mated
LOTHAIR
My mate.
He looked gorgeous, sprawled on my bed, all long limbs and hard muscles.
Caressing his face, I lingered with my thumb on his lips. He wasn’t making any promises, but he was here, and he wasn’t pushing me away.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
His chest lifted with a deep breath. “I’m sorry. I’m…processing.” He smiled crookedly and stroked my wrist, holding my hand to his face as he kissed my fingers.
“I feel like I should apologize too,” I said. “I didn’t handle it well this morning.”
Terrance scoffed softly. “You looked like someone had died.”
“I figured it out in the middle of the night. I woke up plastered to you, dick hard, the ridges tingling. It took me a few minutes to put two and two together. Then I couldn’tsleep, waiting for you to wake up and freak out. But I had time to think about it, and I’m glad it’s you.”
A little crease appeared between his eyebrows, so I bent my head and brushed my lips over his heart. “You’re a good man,” I told him. “A better person than me.”
Closing his eyes, he shook his head but didn’t say anything.
