Page 132 of Eclipse Sector
Every detail was accurate.
“You also like your steaks served rare, typically marinated with lemon and pepper, and you’re not too keen on fish—which is unfortunate, given where we live. But you’ll tolerate it so long as there are condiments nearby to smother the fish in. And you’re not fond of mushrooms, carrots, raspberries, or black olives.”
All true.
“How do you know all that? From my thoughts?”
He shook his head. “No. I just pay attention.”
“Oh.” That made sense. He was in charge of guarding everyone in the sector. “I suppose you have to, with your job and everything.”
“No, Ivana.” He leaned forward, his hand cupping my jaw. “I’ve paid attention to you. I always have. And I always will.”
Oh, I repeated to myself.Oh.
I really didn’t know what to say to that. I’d always thought Cillian paid me little mind, choosing only to notice my presence when I stood right in front of him.
But this…
“I had no idea,” I whispered.
His lips curled a little. “Now you do.” He gestured his chin toward my plate. “Finish eating, macushla.”
I shivered, the promise underlining those three words making my stomach clench in anticipation.
He’s going to bite me.
Yes, I am,he agreed into my mind.But not until you finish what’s on your plate.
Another tremble worked its way through me at the dominance in his voice, his Alpha tone speaking on an intimate level to my inner Omega.
I took another bite, followed by a sip of heavenly lemonade, all while he watched.
The darkening gleam in his gaze made his future objectives clear, but I couldn’t help feeling a little curious about what he was actually thinking. What he was planning.What he’s imagining…
His mind opened to mine in a blink, showing me just what he wanted to do to me.
How and where he wanted to bite me.
There were three—no,four—places he had in mind. And right now, he intended to indulge in all four locations.
My throat suddenly felt dry, forcing me to take several more swallows of lemonade. Gods, I needed a distraction, or I was never going to finish this meal.
Something grounding.
Something… something not sexual.
The baby, I thought, palming my stomach.Yes. Think about the baby… not the process by which the baby was created… or my heat… or… or Cillian’s desire to claim me…
I shut my eyes.
And I swore I heard Cillian chuckle in response.
But when I peeked at him, he was the epitome of seriousness.
Which meant that laugh had been in his head.
Reading minds is… overwhelming.The words were meant for Cillian, but rather than think them as I usually would, I tried to speak directly to him. Like he could with me.
