He leaned back against the shimmering golden door, crossed his arms, and an eyebrow quirked in silent question.
I waved a hand. “I don’t want to talk about it.” I wasn’t worried about Cain, since Elder Farrar must have forgotten that even though he was the second most powerful Mage on Earth…Cain was also the second most powerful Shifter on Earth, even if Elder Farrar did have a bit more power—eagles were their Vizoacs, but Cain had his strength…a damn even match in my book. “But just watch your back if he ever seems really pissed at me.”
His expression was bored. “So, you know.” He scratched his chin. “I’m surprised he left you with the memory.”
Ah, now it made sense about their “secrets” business earlier. “He didn’t the first time.” I rolled a finger. “But he did after I cut the connection once I realized what he’d done.”
Black brows lifted a bit, speaking calmly. “It’s a long story, but it ends with them so in love they will do anything to protect what they have. He obviously threatened you with Sin and I, and more than likely, did it well, and also meant it at the time…which he shouldn’t have done. It was a premature action made from fear.” He shook his head slightly, tapping his fingers on his biceps. “But putting Elder Samson as your point guard, instead of Farrar is not a wise tactical move. Not that Elder Samson’s not, but Farrar is powerful and fierce and protective, and has more combat experience.” He flicked an absent finger to me. “And, he apologized for the threat, so he knows he made a mistake, since he only does so when he truly means it.”
I shook my head. “My decision stands. I know he did it out of fear, but still, his initial reaction was to violate my trust, and the next, to intimidate me instead of talking things through rationally.” Another shake of my head, and I turned, swiping a glowing hand in the air, a screen of the cosmos appearing in front of me. “He lost a lot of my damn respect with that move.” I sighed heavily, running a glowing hand over my face. “I really don’t like those I care for being physically threatened. And he knew that. Used it.”
Warm palms landed on my hips, and his solid warmth, and body, nestled up against my back. “I used my knowledge against you, too, and yet, we’re…somewhat…dealing with it.”
My chuckle was dry. “You used sex against me, like a weapon.”
He hummed quietly, fingers softly running back and forth over my hips. “Which is equally as bad as what he used, and again, we’re working through it.” I felt him bend, and place his chin on the top of my head, his voice vibrating like warm honey against the back of my head. “Try to do the same for him. He can better protect you than Elder Samson.”
“I think everyone underestimates him.” It took a cunning, strong man to continue as if nothing was wrong in life when it so obviously was.
“Possibly.” A gentle press of his lips on the top of my head, then he rested his chin back on the top of my head. “But try away.”
“You’re a demanding ass.”
“No argument there.” He dipped his head further, placing his cheek against mine, staring into the cosmos as I was, and his voice turned…hesitant, but brusque. “So, you…” he cleared his throat, warm jaw moving against mine, “…care for me? Since you spoke in the plural a moment ago.”
I stiffened…realizing what I had said too late. “Can you forget I said that?”
Warm arms continued holding me close. “That’s…a negative.” Silence became his tactic.
My cheeks flushed, and I felt my heart rate shoot off, and my feet even started squirming the barest bit between his. “A little.” My words were rushed. “But I still hate you.”
He hummed quietly, not quite frozen around me, but not exactly relaxed, either. “Well,” a harsh clearing of his throat, “it might be possible,” his jaw clenched against mine, gritting through his teeth, “you know…”
I patted his hand, my own body tense. “You don’t have to go there.”
He sighed heavily, exhaling all that pent up breath. “Thank fuck.”
A very slow blink from me as my gut churned, feeling queasy, but also, warmed with anger.
His body damn near lying on my back in relaxed relief, he inhaled…then froze utterly…to ever so gradually turn his face to mine, then bark, his expression clearly upset, “That was a fucking lie! You’ve never lied to me before!”
Of course it was. “You deserved it.” You don’t just ask a woman that, then not reciprocate in any way whatsoever, other than to stutter, then say, “Thank Fuck”, when you’re off the hook. It was the oldest language in the damn book, like, a woman smiling, and saying, Oh no, dear. It’s alright you forgot our anniversary…hell no, it’s not alright…you make it fucking right…in a damn hurry before all the loving you see for a year is by your own hand. And in our case, I wanted a damn answer, even if the truth hurt.
Seriously, who the hell doesn’t get that…other than Cain?
He grunted heavily, clearly irked. “I don’t like you lying to me.”
As if he wouldn’t know when I did, anyway. I stayed silent, plenty irked myself.
“You’re upset.”
No shit.
Another grunt. “I’m not good when it comes to this…genuine…emotional crap.”
No…shit.
A long quiet pause, then dry words. “Really, honey?”
Yeah, really. I flicked him an irritated glare from the corner of my eye, just in case my silence, and scent, wasn’t enough for his thick brain to figure out.
He inhaled heavily, eyes narrowing. His wolf huffed, sounding a half growl. He exhaled slowly, his breath rushing against my cheek. Gritted his teeth, speaking slowly between them. “Alright.” He cleared his throat, fingers digging into my hips, and I didn’t think he even realized it, because it hurt a smidge. His wolf huffed/growled again. Another heavy, gradual inhale, then hurried words. “A little.”
Um…no. Call me the greedy bastard now, but that wasn’t going to work for me.
So, I waited. Mutely, with another flicked glare.
“You have got to be fucking kidding me!” He jerked me to face him, then loomed over me, rising to his full height, spreading his arms wide, voice gravelly. “That’s all you said!”
Actually, it wasn’t, since he had caught me saying “those I care for”, so I crossed my arms, the tiny scowl I wore not disappearing in the face of his angered frustration.
He growled low in his throat, the sound all man as he glared. “Fine.” He crossed his arms, our posturing much the same, his own glare in place. “I care. For you.” His eyes narrowed even further. “A little.” His wolf growled softly. “Good enough for you, my goddamn spirit bitch?”