Page 119 of Bound By the Sleeper’s Harp

His forehead came to rest against mine. “You made all the difference. I don’t fucking deserve you. Elle, baby, I’m so fucking sorry. I should have told you when I realized what we were. I should have⁠—”

I kissed him, locking my hands around his neck and pulling him close. I wanted to talk about these things, but I wanted his body more. I needed to feel him inside me.

“When can you take me home?” I demanded. “Sex now, talking later.”

He chuckled, fussing over me, making sure every inch of my skin was unscathed. “You’ll need to give your statement to Christian or one of the others, then I can get you out of here.”

He brushed a strand of hair from my face as I nodded, doing exactly that.

When we were done, he didn’t fuss with human transportation. Shadows wrapped around us and that awful falling sensation returned. I pushed out of his arms as soon as the night air kissed my skin, stepping away. I bent over and he lifted my hair as I took deep breaths, felt the bile rise, then vomited. “You’re all right,” he murmured, his hand rubbing my back. I vomited again, completely emptying my guts. When I finished, I stood up and wiped my mouth on my arm before looking around. We were outside my apartment building.

I frowned. This wasn’t…

“I thought you might like to get your stuff if you’re going to spend the night.”

“Oh. Yes, I suppose that would be good.”

“And Vivi? She’s probably worried about you?”

“Shit.” I turned on my heel and raced into the building. I’d recovered my phone when I’d given the WBI my statement. But things had been too chaotic to call her. I punched in the code and raced inside. Bastian was close on my heels. In the elevator, he kept his hand on the back of my neck. My stomach fluttered at the clear possessiveness in his touch. He wasn’t going to let me go anytime soon.

The elevator dinged and I strode to the apartment door, banging my fist on it. Rustling and cursing sounded from the other side. And then Vivi flung it open, her wide eyes darting between us.

“Motherfucking fuck!” She threw her arms around me. “If you ever make me worry like that again, I’m going to kill you!”

I hugged her back and breathed her in, the smell of her shampoo comforting me. “I’m okay. I’m okay.”

“You better be.” She pulled back to look at me, then her eyes widened at my disheveled appearance. “Oh my, God!”

“I’m fine. Seriously.”

Her eyes darted to Bastian. “Did you do this?!”

“It’s a long story,” I said before he could answer. “I’ll tell you everything later. Right now, I want my clothes. I’m staying at Bastian’s tonight.”

Her lips pulled downward.

I made a sound and said, “I need to fuck his brains out, Vivi. Unless you want to hear us in my room⁠—”

“Okay! Okay. Fine! No. Get your stuff and go.” She stepped out of the way and I rushed in, dashing around my room, grabbing my things. I made a quick stop in the bathroom and brushed my teeth, getting rid of the vomit taste.

When I came back into the living room, Vivi was staring at Bastian with cautious curiosity. The room was absolutely silent. He held Teddy in his arms, petting the cat’s head. I faltered, watching those large hands stroke Teddy’s fur. Wanting those large hands all over my body. Warmth curled in my core.

“I see you’ve had time to bond,” I said.

“Who?” he snapped, his eyes darting toward Vivi. “Me and the cat? Or your friend who keeps giving me the death glare?”

“Both?” I grinned.

Vivi huffed, rolling her eyes. “You put my best friend in danger, Bastian. Excuse me if I feel inclined to glare.”

Bastian lifted an eyebrow at me, as if saying see? without turning toward her. “She does make a good point.”

“I put myself in danger,” I clarified, adjusting the strap on my shoulder.

“Only because you felt inclined to play hero and rescue me, which, mind you, was very dangerous. We’ll be having a chat about that later, by the way.” And something in the promise of his voice sent shivers over my skin. We’d do more than chat about it, I was certain.

“The harp can’t be used on humans.” Not that I’d known this before setting out. “Far as I’m concerned, I was the best woman for the job.”