Page 39 of Kiss of Smoke

Also, dragons? Very real.

As I sat up and pulled the sheet to my chest, the smoke formed into Alec. His hair was wet, and he wore nothing but a satisfied smile.

“Mornin’, lass.”

I tucked a stray curl behind my ear. “Um, good morning.” Don’t look at his cock. Do not look at his cock.

He grinned.

Heat blasted my cheeks. I had to start remembering he and Lachlan could read minds. And turn into smoke. And move so quickly I couldn’t track it. Good grief, what had I gotten myself into?

More importantly, how could I have jumped into bed with them after their revelation? Was I really that susceptible to muscled chests and a Scottish brogue?

Alec stepped toward me with a concerned expression. His shaft swung heavy against his thigh, the thick length appearing even bigger in the daylight.

My face grew hotter. “M-Maybe you could put on some pants.”

A contrite expression flashed over his features. “Sorry. Clothes and shifting don’t mix. But I can make do.” He sat on the mattress and pulled a corner of the bedding over his lap. “Better?”

“Yes,” I choked out. Somehow, the fact that I’d slept with him and Lachlan—twice—was more shocking than finding out they were mythical creatures with magic powers.

Although, who was I kidding? Everything about the past two days was shocking. Maybe that was my life now, just stumbling from one disaster to another.

Alec frowned. “Last night was not a disaster.”

I pulled the sheet higher, as if the fabric might keep him out of my head. “Can you hear my thoughts all the time?” Oh God, had he been listening in since I’d met him?

“No,” he said quickly. “The gift doesn’t work that way. With most people, I can only send, not receive, although I can pick up a person’s thoughts if they’re very strong or directed specifically toward me. I can’t grab images or dreams, just words, and I typically have to be in the same room with someone to communicate mentally. I hear Lachlan more clearly than most because he’s my mate.”

My stomach did a little flip. “You used that word last night, when I asked what you are.”

“That’s right.” His voice grew husky, and something glinted in his eyes. “You’re also my mate. Mine and Lach’s. We’ve waited a very long time for you, Chloe.”

Verra. What was it about his accent that made me abandon all sense and melt into a puddle of lust? But I couldn’t afford to do that now. I needed answers. “What exactly does that mean, me being your mate? Is it like a girlfriend or—”

The door opened and Lachlan entered. He wore black pants and a dark sweater that looked like cashmere and was probably something far more expensive. His shoulders strained the material, and his hair was damp.

Immediately, my brain conjured images of him and Alec together in the shower, their powerful bodies slicked with water. I slammed my mind shut, shoving the pictures from my head before either man could discern my thoughts.

Lachlan stopped at the foot of the bed and frowned at Alec. “Would it have killed you to use the door like a normal person?”

Alec shrugged. “Chloe knows about us now. We’ll have no secrets between us.”

But I didn’t know everything. And questions flooded my mind so quickly my head seemed to spin.

Except it didn’t just seem to. The room tilted, and my stomach lurched as a wave of queasiness crashed over me.

“Chloe?” Lachlan was at my side in seconds. “You’re as pale as the sheets. Here, let me help you, lass.” He guided my upper body down so my forehead rested on my knees. Cold sweat pricked my temples and under my arms, and my mouth watered uncontrollably.

Gentle fingers stroked my hair back from my head. “Deep breaths,” Alec said. “Nice and slow.”

I did as he instructed, inhaling air until my lungs burned, then releasing it through my mouth. The nausea passed quickly, and I straightened, embarrassed to the core. “I’m sorry,” I mumbled. “I must still be jet lagged.”

The guys exchanged a glance, an odd look passing between them.

“What?” My embarrassment deepened. “Is something wrong?”

“No, honey.” Alec patted my knee. For once, he seemed hesitant, as if he was unsure of himself. “You’re human and…well, it may take a while for you to…acclimate.”

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