Page 85 of Bound By the Sleeper’s Harp

My pussy fluttered. The question, the way he said it, the animalistic wickedness that simmered beneath his surface unnerved me. This was Bastian at his basest level. If I ran from the room, he’d chase after me. He’d tackle me on the stairs and claim me entirely.

Anticipation and deep longing welled up inside me, all warring together into a potent cocktail of emotion⁠—

A shrill chime fractured the silence. We both froze, our eyes locked. The ringing continued. His phone.

I lifted my eyebrows in question.

“You think I’d let you get away so easily, little female?”

Shivers raced across my skin. My eyes darted over the creature before me. How much was Bastian and how much of him was his goblin? I really wanted to find out.

My tongue darted out, licking my lips and his eyes traced the motion. The phone stopped and silence followed. Then it rang again. He growled, annoyance morphing his features as he glanced over at the nightstand. I used the brief distraction to dart away and slip through the door, closing it behind me before I raced down the stairs, slipped into my room, and locked the door.

I leaned against my door, nearly gasping for breath. I wasn’t entirely sure why I ran. Yes, I liked teasing him. But…it was more than that. What we’d shared—I needed a moment to cool down. To process.

And yet, I also wanted him to claim me. I was ready for it, had been ready since last night, since seeing him race out of the bedroom with a massive sword in hand. But I was also overwhelmed. The way he’d looked at me after coming, like I was the only woman on the planet for him, like no one had ever given him what I had…

It left my heart swollen to near bursting.

I frowned, listening for any sound from upstairs. There was nothing but silence now. The phone had stopped ringing—he must have answered it. As the minutes ticked by without any footsteps on the stairs, my stomach sank. Whatever that call was about, it had been important enough to pull him away from this. From us. I caught my lip between my teeth, chewing nervously. Maybe it was better this way? Maybe we both needed time to think about what had happened between us?

Yes, that was probably for the best. Nodding to myself, I strode across the room and closed myself in the bathroom.

I emerged clean and showered, dressed in yoga pants and a T-shirt that I knotted at my belly button, revealing a strip of exposed tummy. I hesitated, listening. There was activity in the kitchen, so I went there. Bastian was pouring coffee into a travel mug, capping it off. He was dressed in his usual attire of dark jeans and a black T-shirt that was tight enough to show every line of his muscular frame. He must have had a hundred of them.

No complaints here.

He turned. His eyes landed on me, sweeping me from head to toe. His pupils dilated, hand tightening around his cup, making his rings more stark against his tattooed fingers. “Gotta head into work, sugar. Need you to stay here and stay put. Don’t leave the house.”

“Oh.” My lips pressed into a tight line.

“There’s coffee and plenty else in the pantry. Toast, oatmeal, or whatever you feel like eating⁠—”

“Is it Luke?” I asked. “Did something happen? The phone call…”

His body tightened. A dark expression crossed over his features at the mention of Luke. “Not quite sure. But I’ll know soon enough. I gotta go.”

Suddenly, my ribs felt too tight for my body, too tight to breathe. Was he keeping something from me? Why did this feel like he was shutting me out? Why, after what we’d shared?

“Right. Okay.”

His brows drew together. He strode over and wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me close. My breath hitched, muscles immediately relaxing beneath his touch. “We’re not done, sugar. Not even a little bit. This morning? It isn’t over.” Then he kissed me, his mouth hot and coffee flavored. I groaned, going limp in his arms. His tongue caressed mine, the bite of metal sending sparks straight to the back of my throat.

I was instantly wet again.

He inhaled and pulled away, then pressed his forehead to mine. “Fuck,” he breathed. “I’ll never tire of that scent on you.”

I blew out a breath, my shoulders dropping.

“Gotta go.” He said it like he was reminding himself, not me. Then he gave me a chaste kiss on the lips. “Stay here. I mean it.”

I nodded, gazing after him as he retreated to the garage. His truck revved, followed by the rumble of the garage door, then silence. I took a deep, settling breath.

First things first. Coffee. I went to the coffee maker. Everything I needed was already sitting out. The extra large mug I loved, the cream and brown sugar. It was a thoughtful gesture I hadn’t anticipated. One that made my eyes suddenly cloud with tears. Everything I was feeling for this male—it was intense. A small watery smile crept to my lips. I loved his thoughtfulness. It caught me off guard at the smallest moments.

I prepared my cup then went to sit at the island, staring at the kitchen, listening to the silence press in around me. Having this much time on my hands wasn't something I was used to. My normal routine kept me busy—working at Vortex into the early hours, sleeping away the mornings, filling afternoons with martial arts, drop-in dance classes, or chores. Books on my e-Reader when time allowed. Then back to work to do it all over again.

Here in Bastian’s house, I felt almost…lost.