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He drew in a deep breath, his hands clenching and releasing. “When I said my blood was hunted, I meant it. There are minimal blood mages born with the gift to heal. When I was in my late teens, it happened by mistake. I healed my father. Someone saw it, and I was locked away and experimented on.”

My fingers curled around my bottle until the glass dug into my palm. “Reid, that’s…” I couldn’t find the right thing to say, because nothing could suffice. I held my breath, not sure what would come next.

“My father got me out of there. My family moved town and changed our names. My name isn’t actually Reid, but, for everyone’s safety, I have never disclosed my real one. Only you guys and Colt’s dad know of my gift. He granted us entry into this coven with name suppression, and the promise we would be safe here under a new identity.”

I took a moment to take in this information. “Reid is not your real name?” The notion seemed ridiculous. I’d always known him as Reid, never anything else. It fitted the tall, dark, handsome stranger I met on the bleachers that night.

“Everyone here knows me as Reid, and that’s how it will remain. It’s the way it has to be.”

Tears stung my eyes at this new revelation. “Wow.”

A moment of silence passed between us.

My eardrums thrummed with my heartbeat, a constant reminder that I was not dreaming and this was real.

“Ready to run yet?” he asked, his gaze suddenly dark. “I completely understand if this is all too much for you.”

Blinking repeatedly, I was lost for words again. When they finally came, they were stubborn. “No. Not a chance.”

Uncertainty drained from his eyes, and a hopeful warmth quickly took its place. His lips moved, but words caught in his throat. He shook his head. “What did I ever do to deserve a friend like you,” he murmured, searching my eyes with an intensity that would have buckled my knees if I’d been standing. “You’re amazing, you know that?”

I smiled, I couldn’t look away if I tried. “I’m just trying to help a friend.”

He smiled. “Well, I think you’re the most supportive, confident, kind woman I’ve ever met in my life.” His eyes moved from mine, diving to my lips.

Oh shit.

My mouth went dry, and I ran my tongue over my lips to moisten them. “I think that’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me,” I whispered.

Somewhere along the way, this conversation had gone from light and easy to deep and meaningful. He’d told me things he had told no one else, and without meaning to, tied us into an emotional connection neither of us had expected.

His hand rested behind me, and I shivered when his fingertips grazed the nape of my neck as he played with my hair. I closed my eyes, surrendering to his unexpected touch. “Reid?” I said lowly, unsure of his intentions.

His raspy timbre came out huskier than usual. “Yeah?” His free hand caressed my jaw, his thumb moving to drag over my bottom lip, drawing it open slightly.

Opening my eyes, I found him staring at me in a way he had never done before. A newfound hunger had replaced the normal uncertainty lurking in the depths of his stare.

“You run again and I’ll kick your ass,” I warned.

“Noted.”

Reid

Gods, I couldn’t fight this any longer.

I was too far gone.

Covering her lips with mine, I kissed her slowly, drawing her into me fully. I took my time, until the room faded away, and it was only her. Scar’s lips, her touch, her scent. My tongue explored hers in no rush. I couldn’t stop kissing her. It was dangerously emotional after everything I’d shared with her, like we were speaking the same language without saying a damn word. I didn’t know a kiss could feel this way.

Moaning into my mouth, her hand slid up the side of my face and into my hair, sending a rift of goosebumps over my skin. The pads of her fingers dug into my scalp, pulling me closer, and I shuffled forward, nudging her back onto the couch.

Sliding my leg between hers, I let her feel what she did to me. Gods, it blew my mind, being with her like this. I’d always appreciated her curves, but getting to dig my hands into her thighs and grip her the way I’d always wanted did things to me.

Good things.

Her hips rolled in a slow grind against me, wanting more. I pressed myself into her, my hips reaching for hers. If this couch had a life source, it would be one fucking happy couch.

I pulled away for air, staring down at her beneath me. “Look at you,” I whispered, in awe, taking her in completely. Her hair fanned around her like a halo, her freckles dusting her glowing, makeup-free cheeks like speckles of fall. She was devastatingly beautiful every day. But, beneath me, splayed out like this? Fucking gorgeous.