Page 66 of Blade

Before I could try again, he sat down at the head of the bed and patted his lap. “Come sit with me.”

He’d been doing too much research. “That’s cheating.”

That grin was addicting. “I thought you’d like that.”

“I don’t even know what to say to that.” Especially since I crawled over to straddle his legs. “You like winning too much.”

Shrugging, he gave me a quick peck on the nose before smiling. “Since that usually involves trying to make you happy in some way, I’m not going to apologize for it.”

Brat.

“That’s not the point.” I crossed my arms over my chest and glared at him, but he just ran his hand over my head and played with the hair around my ear. “The point is that you’re cheating.”

“I thought the point was that I liked to win?” He pressed his lips together as I huffed. “Either way, I’m trying to make you happy.”

Being sweet was cheating too.

“You aren’t quite rational enough to see that at the moment, though, so let’s try to work some of that out.” I thought that was a terrible idea, so I just stayed quiet. “Do you know why the thought of leaving the trailer makes you nervous? You even dragged your feet going to use the main bathroom facilities and you like their showers.”

He needed to pay a little less attention to me.

“You aren’t happy with the food we’ve got stocked but when I suggested going to the grocery store you got very anxious.” My shrug didn’t stop him. “At first I thought it was money related but talking about going to the cheap store didn’t ease your stress.”

Okay, so maybe I wasn’t exactly feeling rational.

“We’re still good about the money part. I helped a guy clear his house from being haunted. He paid really well. It turns out he had a ghostandshifter kids living under his house but I helped find a family to take them.”

I’d originally thought his house was just haunted as well, so I didn’t blame him for being confused.

“The ghost wasn’t the problem. The kids were loud at night.”

And since they’d been the issue, I hadn’t felt bad about taking the guy’s money.

Blaine wanted to ask more questions, I could see it in his face but he stayed on track. It was a good story as far as distraction went, but I was going to have to work harder next time. “I have no problem hiding out with you for days as long as it’s for fun or to relax. My type of shifter is known for being loners unless we’re with family. But this isn’t making you happy.”

I really should’ve prepared for this conversation better.

“How do you know it’s not making me happy?” That wasn’t a lie, so I didn’t have to feel bad about being a pain in the ass. Questions were neutral. “I like spending time with you.”

Ha.

Not a lie either.

He chuckled.

What had I missed?

“I know I’ve mentioned this but I don’t think I was clear enough. You’re my mate, so that means we have a bond. It ties us together. I’m not sure how it will grow over time with you being human, but part of that bond means I can sense a range of your emotions.” My sigh made him smile. “And being a shifter means that even in this form, my senses are stronger than a human’s.”

Well, shoot.

“But not as good as if you’re in your other form?” I lifted my arms and smelled my pits. “Do I stink?”

Was that what the shower comment had been about?

Blaine threw his head back and laughed.

Brat.