Page 65 of Tethered to the World
The same thing happened when she touched Mason earlier. His emotions were different, but no less intense. He wanted her…there was no mistaking his erection…but his need went deeper than the physical. She felt him drowning, and her touch had steadied him.
As soon as she stopped touching them, the connection between them dampened, but she could still feel them in her chest, a warm glow from each of them. Every time she probed the spot, it would heat until she could sense them. Xander tasted like a sea breeze, while Mason was all fresh pine and a touch of copper. Camden was a little harder, the scent of exotic flowers and wild jungle just a hint in the air, the opposite of Logan’s bold scent of fresh snow and warm heat.
Every time she touched the small sparks, it was like they were standing right there with her. She could almost hear them in her head, could swear that if she reached out she could actually touch them. She hurried up to her room, staring blankly at the sea of bags Logan had delivered, then smiled and grabbed a pair of shorts and a tank top before jumping into the shower.
A spark in her chest burned suddenly, and she gasped when an image of Xander appeared in her head. He was completely naked, standing under the powerful spray of the shower, his head thrown back, the strong cords of his neck standing out, but what caught her attention was the way he braced one arm against the wall while he stroked his erection with his other hand.
He moved violently, his hips flexing while he worked himself over from base to tip, and she watched in complete fascination while water cascaded down his hard body. She didn’t see the scars, didn’t see the killer, she only saw him.
She imagined her hands running down his chest, practically able to feel the heat of him under her palms. He moaned her name, his grip tightening, and she watched him pleasure himself. Heat flashed through her at knowing she affected him so powerfully. Seconds later, he groaned as he reached his release. Her knees weakened at the pure lust etched on his face...for her. She retreated, her body aching for his touch, and cursed her overactive imagination.
And nearly drowned when the shower spray hit her right in the face.
She sputtered, then shook her head at her foolishness, quickly finishing her shower before she did something foolish like touch herself. She toweled off and dressed quickly, wishing she could turn off the ache as easily. She curled her fingers into fists, letting her nails bite into her palms, the flash of pain easing the ache for a few seconds. But it wasn’t nearly enough.
She stomped into the kitchen to find Camden and Mason already waiting. Xander arrived only a few minutes later. She studied him closely, then froze when he turned and stilled when he caught her looking.
She bit her lip, quickly dropping her gaze, when a thump on the stairs and loud cursing caught her attention. A ferret was slinking down the staircase with a pair of jeans caught firmly in his mouth, while behind him was another ferret dragging his shirt. “Thieves!”
Logan charged after them, sopping wet, his hair dripping into his face. He didn’t see the third ferret make a grab for the towel Logan had haphazardly tied around his waist. The critter charged in the opposite direction, yanking the towel free.
Logan cursed again, stopping dead on the stairs, cupping himself, a puddle of water spreading beneath him.
She burst out laughing at the comical look of outrage on his face. She was laughing so hard, she had to lean against the counter. “The mighty hunter. Snookered by a ferret.” Another peal of laughter escaped her, and the guys snickered behind her.
“They’re a menace! They opened the bathroom and stole my clothes when I was still in the shower.” He awkwardly backed up the stairs, and she couldn’t help but appreciate the view when he finally turned and scrambled back toward his room, grumbling all the way. “This means war!”
She watched his naked backside disappear, leaning against the counter as she wiped away tears of laughter.
When she turned, she saw the other three guys were grinning. They quickly went back to their work, but the tension among them had dissipated. One of the ferrets dropped Logan’s shirt in front of her like a prize, and she couldn’t resist patting him on the head. She scooped up the shirt, pulling it over her head, pleased when the scent of fresh snow enveloped her.
“I suppose you want a reward.” The ferret bobbed his head, then scurried toward the fridge, and she obediently opened the door. The other two ferrets appeared as if by magic, climbing over each other to form a ladder until they reached the bottom shelves, then one of them scrambled inside, rummaging through the food for the perfect prize.
He shoved containers over the edge, where the other two waited on the floor and deftly caught their treasures. It wasn’t long before they were shoving their hoard across the floor and disappearing with their prizes. She closed the fridge and noticed Mason watching her thoughtfully. Instead of reprimanding her, he smiled. “I’ll stop by and pick up an automated feeder and some food for them.”
He held out her usual chair, and she accepted it gratefully. “Thank you. I’ll pay you back for—”
“My treat for the free entertainment.” He flashed her a bright smile, chuckling as he took his own seat, then grabbed her plate and began filling it with breakfast foods.
Logan joined them a few minutes later, his dark hair slicked back, the deep red making it look like the tips were burning. He sauntered into the kitchen and kissed the top of her head before taking his seat, his eyes heating when he noticed she was wearing his shirt. She stopped chewing, startled by the casual affection, but he didn’t seem to notice as he filled his plate.
She peered at Camden from under her lashes, but there was no reproach in his gaze.
Instead, he wiped his face with a napkin and leaned back in his seat. “What would you like to discuss first?”
“The case,” she replied immediately, not wanting to admit to the random sexy images and thoughts that kept popping into her head when the guys were near.
“Who gave you the drug?” Camden kept his face neutral.
“I didn’t take any drugs,” she snapped, stiffening at the implications. She pushed away her plate, her appetite suddenly gone.
“Of course not.” Mason folded his huge arms on top of the table to gain her attention, casting a quick scowl at the others before he turned back toward her. “What he meant to ask is did anyone besides us give you anything to eat or drink?”
She shook her head, then stopped abruptly. “Vicki…” She waved her hand. “One of her wolves was handing out drinks. I didn’t think anything of it.”
“Vicki?” Xander’s brows lowered ominously. “She’s the one who attacked you at the party.”
Annora absently scratched her neck, gazing over his shoulder to the forest beyond. “Actually, she was picking on Loulou, and I objected. There might have been a little scuffle.”
