Page 48 of Shadowed Bond

Royce’s attention falls to our joined hands, and then he hugs me.

“Glad you’re ok,” he says quietly. I feel Ares’ grip tighten slightly. Almost possessively.

And I almost roll my eyes, even if it feels good.

Royce moves back, then looks between us. “Well, congratulations,” he says. “I know how much you wanted to find your mate.”

I nod. “I did, and despite being rough around the edges, he’s not bad,” I say. Then look at Royce and mind-link him. I’m here because of him; he protected me before we even found out we’re mates.

Royce nods as Skyla snickers. “Rough around the edges? He’s rough all over.”

“Well, we’ll leave you to get some rest; you’re still not well,” Royce says.

“Subtle,” Ares remarks. He just has to add something, doesn’t he?

I sigh as Skyla leads Royce out. “Come on, you know how it was when we first got together, right?” I hear her say before the door shuts.

“That was not how I expected to tell my brother,” I say, thinking he walked in on me kissing. I have had a few casual relationships over the years. Two I’d say were boyfriends, and not once did I manage to get caught by Royce.

“No shit. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Royce look so displeased, but he can’t say shit; he and Sky were fucking flirting back when he was meant to be her trainer at the Academy.”

I cock a brow, then laugh lightly. “Yeah, that is true. I’ll just remind him if he ever complains, but he handled it well.”

“He did. If it were my sister, I don’t think I would have handled it so calmly.”

And there it is, that unreasonable cockiness he possesses.

“You’re impossible,” I say, smiling despite myself.

“I’ve been told,” he remarks, his thumb brushing over my hand lightly.

“So what do you want to do now?” he asks.

Heat rises instantly to my cheeks.

He stiffens, then rubs a hand over his face. “Fuck. I didn’t mean that. I meant about the bond,” he says swiftly.

Does he not realise that doesn’t help his case?

“Ares,” I say.

“What?”

“Just stop talking,” I say softly, my cheeks still feeling a little hot and my eyes betraying me, dipping to his lips.

I see the faintest trace of amusement in his eyes as he catches my gaze, and then he leans closer. His gaze falls to my lips before he looks me in the eyes.

“I can do that,” he murmurs, and then his lips are on mine again, and I sink into the utter bliss of having my mate kiss me.

Barely Anything

Ares

By the time they move Charlotte from the hospital room into one of the guest bedrooms in the Rossi Mansion, I’m pretty much healed, and when Ahren gives me the room next door, he cocks a brow.

“Please do use the room, or it would have been a waste of the staff’s time,” he drawls.

I mean… obviously I’ll fucking use it; it’s not like she’s going to invite me into her bed tonight, init. Asshole.