Page 44 of Touched

He doesn’t break eye contact as he chews, and I’m absolutely mesmerized by the crystal-blue depths of his eyes. My gaze drifts down to his full lips. A droplet of apple juice is beaded on the surface. Swallowing hard, I bring my attention back up to his eyes.

“See something you like?” He chuckles, pausing with the apple just at his mouth.

Somehow, I break out of my daze. My body tingles at the deep baritone of his voice and sensations I’ve never felt before him, yet, are becoming common around him, pool between my legs. My whole body feels electric. I feel the air whisper across my skin.

So, this is what they’ve described in all those books…

Oh, hells…

I don’t respond, so he speaks again.

“So… werewolves. Fucking weird.”

The word seems to break the spell I’m under. Though it takes a minute for what he’s said to register. I clear my throat, my cheeks flaming at being caught staring. I’m so fevered. “Uh, Rougarou. That’s what they’re called. What we call them. But yes, werewolves. Rougarou are indigenous to this area.”

“What’s the right word? Um… I think humans call the native people that inhabited the swamps Creoles. Though not all live in the swamps. They live everywhere. We call them the settlers. Because they were some of the first humans here.

“The Rougarou, though… they’re wolves who can control their shifts, or er… their morphs I think you call them. They have control while other shapeshifters cannot. Most shifters are controlled by the moon’s cycle.”

“Seriously?” he asks, the apple paused at his mouth. He blinks in disbelief as his jaw drops. “Werewolves don’t shift with the moon cycles?”

“No. They can control it. The moon phases can make them stronger, but they can shift at any time. What were you doing consorting with them?” My voice rises as the fear I felt earlier comes raging back. “They are dangerous, Callum! Your measly, human weapon is not enough protection against the likes of their kind. They’re monsters. Literal monsters.”

He stares at me before smirking. “So, I should just wait for a beautiful fairy to swoop in and rescue me? Like an angel from Heaven? My very own mighty, pixie warrior?” He cocks an eyebrow at me, trying to cover his grin.

I hear the humor in his voice. Licking my teeth behind my closed lips to keep from grinning in response, I say, “Well, I was there tonight. I don’t know how, but I was. I knew exactly where to go.” My brow furrows as I remember the urgency I felt to get to him, knowing he was in danger. Feeling he was in danger. My voice hitches as I retort, “But I won’t alwaysbehere to rescue you, Callum. I’m not supposed to be here now!”

His face turns serious, the blue flame of his gaze boring into mine. “I don’t need rescuing, sweetheart. I had it covered. I was stalling so my colleagues could get out of there.”

I snap, “Well, it didn’t appear as though you had it under control. I was very frightened when I saw those beasts posed to strike. They would have easily overpowered you! And then, they’d have drained you.”

He stops chewing and says, “First off, I had it. A few dozen rounds may not have killed them, but it certainly would have slowed them down. Second, what do you meandrainedme?”

I sigh. “I don’t think it would have. Your bullets are not silver mixed with wolfsbane, are they? That is the only thing that can harm a Rougarou… And well… fire. You’d have to incinerate them. And as for your question, in the books I read in the Archives tonight… well, the text said Sylph blood is very enticing to the Rougarou. It can empower them… increase their strength and stamina.”

He stares at me, in horror, as the blood visibly drains, leaving him pale. He mutters, “And here I thought they just wanted to kill me for busting their little crime ring.”

“That may be the case. However, you would have certainly been drained by thembeforethey killed you.” My eyes start to water at the thought of anyone hurting my Kindred, this gorgeous man in front of me. “If something happened to you, Callum, that is something I could not bear. I would rather die with you, than see those nasty mongrels so much as lay one filthy claw on you. You are my Kindred.”

A smile lights up his face. “Aw. You care about me? Your Kindred? Like your soulmate? I’m your soulmate.” He sounds elated.

Hastily setting the apple down, I put both hands on his face, my palms cupping his cheeks, caressing the rough scruff there. I cannot stop the words that spill from my lips. “Yes! Iloveyou, Callum. I knew it from the very moment we met. You’re my Kindred and I am yours. We arefatedto be together. We Zinged. Soulmatesisthe term humans use.” I smile. Then, I gaze into his eyes. “We’re soulmates. We really are meant?—”

I’m cut off when he tosses the apple over his shoulder. His mouth covers mine, silencing my rambling. The perfect pressure on my lips from his has me gasping into his mouth. I kiss him back, instinctually knowing exactly what to do, a million thoughts swarming through my brain.

Oh, hells! My first kiss!

This is what all of my books described!

I’m so aroused.

Is it like this with every kiss? With every human?

Will we have sex? Oh, gods!

I want to have sex!

My body bows into his, his arm wrapping around my waist. He falls onto the piece of furniture along the wall, pulling me into his lap. My thighs rest over his hips and his hands cup my rear. We simply kiss for the longest time, both just reveling in the moment… in the feelings. Leaning back, he breaks the kiss. I groan in protest as my eyes slowly open, locking on his. I gasp at the desire staring back at me. Both our chests heave as we gaze into each other’s eyes. His fingers dig into my hips.

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