Page 124 of Primal Bonds

“Yeah. And the good guys won, didn’t they?” She gave him a crooked smile.

“You go ahead,” he told her. “I have to call Rock Run.”

“I’ll wait.”

She listened as Jace patched into the Rock Run Clan’s landline and asked for Rui do Mar. “You didn’t hear this from me,” Jace told him, “but Tyrus is dead.”

He wrapped an arm around Evie’s shoulder and she leaned close, nuzzling his neck. She couldn’t hear Rui’s side of the conversation, but she could guess the river fada was relieved.

“Yeah,” said Jace. “I think he planned to go after your family next.”

Rui’s growl came through the phone. Jace held it away from his ear.

The other man spoke and Jace nodded. “You’re welcome. Tell Merry I love her and I’ll be up to see her in a couple of days.” He ended the call and brushed his lips over Evie’s. “How about that shower?”

He nudged her into the bathroom, locking the door behind them and stripping off his shorts. She had time to remove her shirt, and then he pushed her up against the stone wall. Hot and aroused, and yet his fingers on her face were so gentle, fresh tears welled up.

She blinked them back. “I don’t know why I keep crying.”

“Reaction. It hits everyone a little different. Me, I’d like to rip Corban’s head off. We’ll find him, I promise you.”

“I know.” Because these men weren’t going to let a threat like Corban walk around alive for long.

Jace set his forehead against hers. Concern poured off him. “Don’t ever do that to me again—go off with a fucking night fae. My heart can’t stand it.”

She was tired and hungry, but at his touch, a slow burn started in her belly. Her fingers slid into his hair. “It’s not like he gave me a choice.”

“I don’t care.” He brushed away her tears with his thumbs. “Promise me anyway.” He didn’t wait for an answer, just slanted his mouth over hers. His tongue swept inside, tasting her deeply. She sucked on it, and he groaned, a primal sound that made her insides tingle.

His mouth moved to the turn of her shoulder, his night beard an erotic scrape against her skin. He bit her—a sharp nip that made her nipples pebble. “I’m mate-claiming you.”

Yes, shouted her heart. But practical Evie said, “What does that mean?”

His gaze bored into hers. “That you’re mine—forever. Any objections?”

“I—” He was moving at the speed of light. She felt like she was on a carnival ride, whipping dizzily through space. Her fingers dug into his shoulders, seeking equilibrium.

But he seemed to want her dizzy. Green fire flashed in his irises. “Mine.” The word was intensely possessive—but his hands moved over her as if she were the greatest treasure on Earth. Tracing the line of her collar bone…cupping her breasts…teasing her nipples through the satin bra until her knees turned to jelly. She would’ve slid down the wall if he wasn’t holding her up.

Kisses seared her throat, the tender skin of her cleavage. Need washed through her, rich and intoxicating.

Her head fell back against the wall. If it were only her, she’d take the chance—jump on the ride with Jace and see where it led. But it wasn’t only her.

She caught his wrists, stopping those clever fingers as they started down her abdomen. “I want to say yes—you know I do—but I have Kyler to think about.”

Jace didn’t hesitate. “He’s mine, too. I always wanted a kid brother.”

God, she loved this man.

“But—”

He lifted his head. “What are you afraid of, Evie? Because I’m not sure this is only about Kyler.”

“What do you mean? Of course, it is.”

“Is it? Or are you afraid that someday I’ll leave you—that it’s just for a few years like your mom and dad?”

She opened her mouth to say no, and then swallowed. “How do you know it isn’t?”

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