Page 67 of Midnight of Ashes
Knox poked his head out of the bathroom. “What’s wrong?”
“What’s wrong is that you left me with something way worse than hickeys. I’m going to have to wear turtlenecks for a month!”
34
HAYDEN
It turned out that, despite five million articles of clothing in my closet, there was not one single turtleneck. I’d had to opt for a collared shirt instead. It fully covered the claiming marks, but I couldn’t help futzing with it, just to make sure.
Knox finally grabbed my hand and laced his fingers through mine as we headed out of the bedroom. He kissed me quickly. “You look perfect. The bite marks will fade in a matter of days, leaving only a faint scar and the brand behind. No one will know what it is.”
I let out a breath. “Okay.”
Cáel frowned down at me. “You’re nervous.”
It was bad enough when the guys could smell things like anxiety and my being turned on, but them actually feeling it might bring a whole new slew of problems.
“We took a big step last night. I’m just…adjusting.”
Cáel grunted and then moved so fast he was more of a blur than a human form. His large hands dwarfed my face and tugged me to him. He took my mouth, stroking in and demanding a response. I lost myself in the kiss. There was only Cáel and what he made me feel.
It was only when he pulled back, releasing me, that I realized Knox was still holding my hand. I blinked up at Cáel.
He studied my face. “Not nervous now.”
I smacked his chest. “You can’t just kiss away my anxiety.”
He grinned then. “Just did.”
“Whatever,” I mumbled. “Someone feed me before I get hangry.”
Knox snorted, tugging me down the hallway. “Wouldn’t want that.”
“Damn straight. I could get violent.”
Cáel grinned. “You’re vicious, Little One.”
“And don’t you forget it.”
We headed down the stairs and toward the dining room. As we stepped inside, all talking ceased. Three sets of eyes came to us with varied reactions. There was a hint of longing in Maddox’s gaze before he quickly masked it. Cillian’s jaw was hard as granite as he battled for control. And there was no emotion in Easton at all.
The nerves were suddenly back in full force. Had we done something wrong? Should we not have mated?
Cillian shoved his chair back, dishes clattering with the motion. He rose and stalked toward me. I swallowed hard as those green eyes swirled to black.
Cáel and Knox pushed in on either side, ready to step in if there was any threat of harm.
Cillian let out a low growl at their movements, and Maddox stood, braced for action. Cillian prowled into my space. He lifted a hand to my collar, tugging it to the side. Another sound left his throat as he took in the bite. It was some cross between a growl and a purr.
Cillian traced his lips down my neck until they reached the mark. So gently it made my heart ache, he brushed his mouth across the bite.
A shiver coursed through me, sending sparks of sensation radiating through my muscles. Heat pooled low, and my core tightened.
Cillian pulled me flush against him. He was rock-hard against my belly.
I looked up into those dark eyes, searching. I wasn’t sure what I’d find. I worried it might be jealousy or anger, but instead I saw a desperate need.
Cillian’s hand fisted in my hair. “Just need a second,” he gritted out.
