Page 15 of Shifting Desire
A rustle to my right breaks my thoughts but I don't turn.
“I brought coffee,” Serephine murmurs, appearing beside me like the creeper she is.She passes me a cup without asking if I want one.She knows better—I love coffee.
I take the offering and sip at the robust drink.
“You’re spiraling,” she says, sipping hers.“Watching her from rooftops.Showing up with food.You’re three steps away from full stalker behavior.”
I don’t deny it.“I’ve done worse,” I say instead.
“You’ve done worse to her,” she points out.
That lands like a knife to the gut and I close my eyes.“Forher,” I counter.
“She’s waking up, Malichai,” she says quietly like I didn’t speak.“The bond is clawing its way through.I won’t stop it again.You know that, right?”
“I don’t want you to.”
Her voice softens.“Then tell her.”
“I can’t.Not yet.”
“Is she not ready?”
“I’m not ready.”The words fall from my mouth like confession.“She deserves the truth.But she also deserves a man who isn’t broken.”
“You’re not broken, Mal, just a little bent,” she says softly.“Your father is gone.Claim your damn mate and let the bond heal both of you.You both deserve it.Need it.”
We sit in silence for a long time.Across the street, a light flickers out.Her bedroom window.My heart slows when I see it.Not from calm, from longing.
“Do you know what it feels like,” I murmur, “to need someone who doesn’t know they’re yours?”
“Yes,” she says without hesitation.“But I let him go.”
I look over.For the first time, her expression cracks, just a fraction.Just enough.
“I’m not letting her go,” I say, making sure she understands.
“Then don’t waste time pretending you’re not already hers.”
****
The next night, I arriveat The Gin Room early.Earlier than I should.Just to watch.
I post up in the shadows near the back, where the lighting is low and most people can’t see me well.Her shift starts at 8:00.She walks in at 8:02, muttering to herself, cheeks flushed, scarf half-unraveled around her neck.
I smell the arousal clinging to her and I know the bond is driving her.She has finally started to dream of me.I’ve been dreaming of her for three long years.
My cock is leaden in my slacks as her gaze scans the room and when she sees me her pulse jumps.My own arousal is riding me hard, my dragon fighting to be allowed out to kidnap and claim our mate.
The spell is almost completely unraveled.
I smile at her, and she flips me off.I smile wider as she walks toward me.Her hips sway with every step, enticing me to bend her over the damn bar and fuck her from behind like a beast.But I remain seated, hiding my obscene erection beneath the wooden table.
“Nice tie,” she says, sarcasm sharp as she walks past me.
It’s forest green.For restraint.Control.
Because if I wore the color of what I actually feel right now, if I let my feelings and my magic choose, this entire fucking room would be bathed in black and silver flame.
