Page 79 of The Lunatics

“How the hell are you doing that?” I said.

He looked at me. “Close your eyes and try. I’ve inherited your power. Perhaps you’ve gained my control.”

I did as he said, reinforcing my bars like he had, and then willing them down until I felt like my psyche was being put through a vise.

“Well done,” he said. “I wonder if…” His presence slid against mine in invitation.Layla?

I jerked in response.Oh. Hi. I guess our connection still works even when our power is caged.

Good to know. We should test the range on it at some point.

We can on the way back to my parents’.

“You know, I believe I actually prefer this to suppressing,” he said aloud.

“Me too. Especially since it doesn’t lessen the bond. You still feel like you in my head. And if you contain yourself like this and stop suppressing, shifting to wolf form might become easier for you. Less painful and less confusing.” I grinned. “I might not have to sit on you next time.”

He half lidded his eyes and sent me a scorching smile. “You’re more than welcome to sit on me any time you like.”

CHAPTER 18

Iblinked at my mate. He did not just say what I thought he said.

He gazed steadily back, his power growing outward again until it enveloped me in its electric warmth. Goose bumps sprang up over my skin.

“I almost hate to go back to the city,” he said. “I like looking at you like this.”

I knew what he meant. My first glimpse of him with expanded power was seared into my mind, and I had to fight a near constant internal battle not to drop my shields and stare at him through it. There was no reason to fight it now, out here where no one could feel me, so I let my power slide free and brushed it against him. Goddess, he was beautiful. How had I not seen it right away? His heart thudded beneath his ribs, slow and steady, keeping mine in check when it threatened to pick up speed.

“You have a meeting first thing Monday morning,” I reminded him.

“Fuck the meeting.”

I rocked back. It was the first time I’d heard him swear, and the vehemence in his voice caught me off guard. “You don’t mean that.”

He gaze darkened. “Oh, but I do. I would happily cancel it if it meant gaining another day out here with you.”

I frowned at him. “Are you sure, Michael? This doesn’t seem like you. I don’t want you to start skipping out on things that are important because your judgment is clouded by the bond.”

“I am quite positive. This isn’t the first meeting I’ve wanted to skip, and I assure you, even without your presence in my life, it wouldn’t be the last. The only thing that’s changed is my inclination to actually skip it.” He reached out and pulled another long strand of my hair through his fingers. “I think this is very much me. Who I am when I don’t suppress. When I do what I want to instead of what I have to.”

It was hard to argue when he put it like that, but I still gave it the old college try. “Won’t you acting out of character be noticed?”

He twirled the strand of hair he held, staring down at it with fixed concentration, learning each shade like I’d wanted to learn Emma’s.

“Michael,” I said when he didn’t answer.

“Hmm?” he asked, his gaze slowly rising. It stopped when it met my own. He sat on the floor of the cave with his legs out in front of him, feet crossed at the ankles. One hand was braced behind him, holding him up, while the other continued to ply my hair. For the first time since we’d met, he looked at peace. Like he was finally comfortable in his own skin. No way in hell was I going to do anything to ruin this moment.

“We can stay here as long as you like,” I said.

He nodded. “I’ll let my team know that we’ll be delayed through Monday.”

The fire popped by our feet. I clambered up and added a few more logs to the flames. It had finally caught, and warmth suffused the stone chamber, turning it toasty. I shrugged out of Michael’s sweater and sat back down beside him. He reached out to take it from me, but I hugged it close to my chest and took one last deep pull of his scent.

His fingers froze inches away. “You know, I’m right here. You’re more than welcome to come take a pull off the real thing.”

I shook my head and lowered his sweater. “I don’t know if I trust myself.”