Page 94 of Unmarked Magic

He shrugged, adjusting his top. “I couldn’t afford an emotional connection with anyone, and kissing for me is where casual becomes something more.”

Fair call.

It was the same for me. Although I had never emotionally connected with someone the way I did with Reid. I suspected the mate bond had something to do with that.

“I can’t believe you held that boundary for so long.”

He tucked a stray hair behind my ear. “I didn’t want to put the burden of being a blood mage on someone else. It was a simple solution. Until you came along.” He let out a quiet laugh, his eyes igniting.

“Yeah, I really ruined that plan for you.” I grinned up at him, resting my hand on his chest. His palm covered mine and warmth radiated throughout me.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” he replied.

“Neither would I.” I pressed my mouth against him, and when we finally broke apart for air again, I asked, “Do you think later this week we could get the rest of our friend group over? I would really like to tell them in person about our bond.”

A huge grin spread over his face. “I would love that. I might even have the pool table up and running again. I had a call earlier to say the new material for the top was ready to be collected. I can do the install myself.”

I smiled. “That’s great news.”

“It is. I finally heard back from the insurance company too, so at least that’s a step in the right direction.”

“It certainly is,” I replied honestly. I didn’t know what would become of Reid’s living situation, but I was happy for any kind of progress, and was excited to see what the future held in that respect. I clapped my hands together. “Are we calling this a party?”

Another grin. “Hell yeah.”

He hugged me tightly, and I felt it deep in my bones. His warmth. His love. His protection. All my life, I’d searched for this feeling. Little did I know, it had walked into my life years beforehand. The banter, the stolen glances.

It had all been part of fate’s plan.

I couldn’t be happier.

Reid

“I call dibs on Colt’s team!” Skye called as she crossed the garage toward the group gathered around my restored pool table. I couldn’t stop smiling. I’d spent every spare hour I had restoring it, and now it looked as good as new.

“Trading me in for an earth mage, are you?” Wes replied. He winked at his fated mate, throwing her a cheeky grin.

Skye pressed a hand to her hip, firing back a quick retort. “Not yet. Better get your name tattooed on me before you get replaced.” She winked at him, and he shook his head with a smile.

I swear they treated sarcasm like foreplay. It was a bit like my banter with Scar.

Colt’s arm flew in the air. “Hey I’m good, but I’m not that good.” The group laughed; it wasn’t often we heard Colt make a comment sound like an innuendo.

“You got something you’re not telling us?” Ty asked, sliding him a sidelong glance with a grin. He grabbed the pool cue from Colt’s hand, chalking it.

“Wish I could say I did,” he replied as he racked the balls.

Scar slid up beside him, jutting a hip into the pool table. It was the closest I’d ever seen her get to the thing. “What about that woman with the blonde braid?” She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively at him.

I frowned. Had I missed something?

Morgan leaned her hands on the pool table. “What woman?”

Scar explained about a woman she had seen unlocking the small shop across the road from the apothecary.

“That sounds like no one I know in Cutters Cove,” said Skye, sliding up beside Wes. He wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close.

“Me either,” I agreed. “Who owns that shop?”