Obsession: A Rejected Mate Shifter Romance (The Mate Games #1)(39)

“I . . . how would that even work?”

Moira lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “That’s the kind of thing you guys would have to figure out for yourselves. But I’m pretty sure admitting to your feelings is the first step. And if you really do have it bad for the Prince of Darkness—”

“I told you not to call him that.”

“—then you’re going to have to strap on your lady balls and tell him.”

I tipped my head back and groaned again, which only made Moira laugh.

“You don’t have to decide anything now. Play the field for a while. You certainly have enough options. Just know that being with all of them is . . . one of your choices. The only opinions that matter, Sunday, are yours and whoever you give your heart to. No matter how many someones that might be. Just make sure they’re worthy of it first.”

“Aw, that was actually sweet. Maybe you should be part of my harem.”

She grinned at me. “Tempting, but the thought of all that man meat flapping around makes my skin crawl. I’ll stick to being your bestie.”

Moira moved over, using her hands instead of her magic to play with my hair, making me think the conversation was over. But she surprised me by asking, “What was that thing the lady in your dreams keeps telling you? Embrace them? Maybe she’s talking about the guys. You said each of them makes you feel stronger and in control. What if they’re the key to unlocking your power?”

A current of electricity buzzed through me. The kind that made my hair stand up on end and my body go hot and cold at the same time. It felt like . . . premonition.

“I told you about the dreams because they were weird. Not so you could make sense out of them.”

I’d finally caved and told Moira about my recurring dreams the other morning after she’d heard me muttering to myself in my sleep. While I hadn’t had any more sleepwalking episodes, I’d been having the same dream almost every night since my sessions with Caleb started. Unfortunately, I hadn’t gotten any closer to deciphering it. Leave it to my mother to keep things vague and confusing.

But what if Moira was right? What if ‘my guys,’ as she called them, were the answer to discovering who I really was? Kingston had already woken my wolf, and all he’d done was annoy and arouse the hell out of me. And as mad as I was at Noah for once again disappearing, I couldn’t deny the peace I gained when he was around. And Alek? Power pulsed inside me just thinking of him.

If I had them all . . .

The thought was both terrifying and enthralling, like the promise of something forbidden but oh-so-sweet. Because if Moira was right, maybe, just maybe, I really could have everything I wanted.

I guess the real question was, would I be brave enough to find out?





Chapter

Twenty-One





SUNDAY





My steps were slow and measured as I trailed down the hallway to Father Gallagher’s office. Unfortunately, slow steps or no, there was no getting around what waited for me behind his closed door. If our sessions together were any indication, this was going to be a barrel of laughs.

I reached the door too soon, my hand poised to knock when his voice came from behind me, his breath tickling the little hairs on the back of my neck.

“You’re late, Miss Fallon. Not a good way to start out our evening. What do you have to say for yourself?”

Shame washed over my cheeks as I thought about what exactly I’d been doing while fantasies of Noah Blackthorne played out in my mind only minutes earlier. I’d needed something good to help take the edge off before coming down to face my unwarranted punishment.

Since it wasn’t like I could go with the truth, I stalled. “Um . . .” I bit my lip. “I got lost?” As far as lies went, it was beyond weak. I’d been down here every night for almost two weeks now.

He snagged my wrist and brought the fingers of my right hand to his nose, inhaling deeply. Those dark eyes locked on mine, intense and needy. “In your panties?”

Hearing the good priest talk about my panties shouldn’t send all sorts of wicked butterflies swirling around my stomach, should it? I probably should have been a little more embarrassed that he could smell exactly what I’d been up to, but if he was going to be a dick and mention it, then I was going to own it.

“Jealous, Daddy?”

“Caleb. I’m not your priest, nor your father. And definitely not your daddy, Miss Fallon. I’m here to keep you in line, and if you’re going to be late because your hormones are so out of control you have to abuse yourself before you can meet your obligations, we’ll add extra time to your punishment.”

“Goodie. Just what I always wanted. More time on my knees with you.”

His jaw went tight, and he leaned in close. For a moment I thought he might kiss me, but he reached past me for the doorknob instead. “As you wish, Miss Fallon.”

I brushed past him, trying to ignore the delicious and smoky scent of him that reminded me of sin and all the things we could do in a confessional booth. Man . . . this priest has really brought my undiscovered fetishes to light.

“Shall I assume the position, then?” I asked as I breezed into the space.

He swallowed, and the tightly balled fists at his sides told me everything I needed to know. “As much as I enjoy seeing you on your knees before me, I’m afraid we have other matters to tend to before we get there.”