Page 103 of The Firebrand
“I can’t read minds. I wipe them—other than yours, of course. With older vamps who share the same skill, I can speak mind-to-mind. But this wasn’t telepathy.”
“Okay. I’m stumped.”
He dropped onto the mattress. “I can’t explain what you did.”
“Try. ’Cause you’re scaring the shit out of me.”
“You arrowed images and words into my mind.”
“That’s ridiculous. That’s not possible. Is it?” Her laugh was giddy.
“No, it’s not.” He swiped a hand over his hair. “It shouldn’t be.”
“Talk to me. I’m very confused. I can’t hear your thoughts. Why can you hear mine?”
“I don’t know, but it wasn’t telepathy. That’s an exchange that can be shut down by either party at any time. Our D-chips imitate it because they are wired to our minds.”
“So, I’m a one-way telepath?”
“No. The images, the words you sent to me were … invasive. As if you shot them into my brain. As if your thoughts manipulated my mind. Took control of it. I don’t think I could have kept you out.”
“I’m sorry.”
He shrugged. “I rather enjoyed the visions. Just keep things G-rated while we have company.”
“Do something to block me. I don’t want you to know what goes on in my head.”
“I told you. I don’t think I can. Besides, you’re not firing all thoughts my way. Somehow, you aimed that particular message at me. Received loud and clear. Happy to act on it once we’re alone.”
He leaned over to kiss her forehead, giving her a sinful smile, a promise. “I’d prefer you didn’t blast those ideas to another male. You also might want to control yourself in public. I have no problem finishing what you start wherever we are.”
“This is embarrassing. How can I stop if I don’t know how I started?”
“Try hard.”
“That’s your advice? How about if I just think clean thoughts?”
“Good idea. Flowers are safe, especially until Alarik and Castia leave.”
“Daisies or lilies?” Braelyn scrunched her lips together, squinting.
Rein received a vivid, uninvited image.
He was naked, resting on an elbow in bed, one knee bent, his hand stroking his swollen cock. Braelyn slinked toward him in high-heeled, fire-engine-red stilettos. She was nude except for the crimson rose clasped between her teeth.
After the vision faded, Rein crossed his arms, shooting her his best glare.
“What? I’m experimenting. Did I do good?”
“That was on purpose? Do it again.”
She closed her eyes. But instead of a sexy nude Braelyn, kittens and puppies bounced around him on the bed. He was still on his back, naked, rock-hard.
“Smartass.” He attempted to block the images.No go.“How’d you do it?”
“I pretended to be at the gym. You were the target. In my mind, I chucked the image toward you like a spike.”
“Hmm. Fair warning. Puppies or kittens may be irritating, but naked has consequences.”
