Midnight Moonrising (Moonrising #2)(115)

"I can explain those," he said quietly.

"No need. I already saw everything in your head last night."

"Right," he sighed, "no secrets anymore, at least not from you. I've never been ashamed before. It's not a great feeling. I'm sorry. I can feel that you're angry."


"I don't even know why I am—"

"Because I'm yours," he said, and I didn't have to look inside his head to know that he was being one-hundred percent truthful; it was written all over his face; he considered himself mine. He glanced toward the window as he finished. "It's the same feeling I get when you think about him. Because you are mine."

"I love him, Ace."

"I know, but I wish you didn't. It would make this a lot easier on both of us."

"I won't apologize for the way I feel."

"I'll never ask you to."

God, why did I feel like shit all of a sudden?

"Food."

He nodded, sensing that I needed the subject to change. "What would you like?"

"I want to go out and get something. I've been locked in a cage for two weeks. I need to shower first. Do you mind asking Lea to bring me some of my clothes from Phoenix's closet? I'm not ready to see him yet, and I know he will want to talk."

Running his palm down my arm, he laced our fingers together. Our anxiety rose at the thought of us being apart for only the length of time it would take me to shower. I was torn between wanting the bond to ease up and being terrified that it would. It scared me how much I needed him to be close to me, but I could feel that he was experiencing the same emotion. At least I wasn't alone in this, though I wouldn't wish something like this on my worst enemy.

"I'll be right back." He squeezed my hand one last time then threw back the covers and walked to the door. Chaos jumped up from his pallet and followed after him.

Ace had on pajama bottoms and a t-shirt. I guess he thought it would make me uncomfortable if I woke up with him naked beside me. It wouldn't have bothered me, really. Like I said before, there wasn't anything sexual between us. I wasn't ready to let my mind go there. I'm sure the sex would be great, but—

"It would be… mind-blowing," Ace said, breaking into my thoughts.

I huffed as I threw back the cover and stomped to the bathroom. "A little privacy would be nice!" Memories of the last uninvited mind-guest surfaced, although this was so different, they dissipated almost as quickly as they came.

He snickered. "I'll be quiet and let you fantasize about me nekkid."

I growled in frustration as I flipped the shower lever up to HOT.

"Andra?"

I sighed. "What?"

"You're sexy when you're irritated."

I laughed. "Piss off, Ace."

His chuckle sounded low, like he was far off or in a tunnel. That was different. "Ace?" No response. "Ace!" Still nothing from him. Panicking, I shut the water off and ran for the door, but just as I got there, it burst open and he ran into the room, his face white with panic.

"What is it?" he shouted.

I trembled as he wrapped me in his arms. "I couldn't hear you anymore. I couldn't feel you."

Breathless, he swore silently as his fingers gently rubbed my back. "I know. The mind-reading thing has a short range on it. I'm okay. We're okay."

I rested my ear against his chest and listened to his heart pound. This damn bond was going to drive us mad as hatters.

"Go shower. I haven't found Lea yet. I'll go get your clothes if I have to. I'll be back, Andra. Five minutes tops."

I nodded, and he kissed the top of my head before leaving the room.





v''''v





Mena





I was freaking starved!

I ignored Ace's amused expression and the server's there-is-no-way-in-hell-you're-going-to-eat-all-this look as he jotted down my order.

Food had been brought to me while I was locked up, but my wolf refused to eat any of it, convinced she was doing a good job of punishing me for betraying her.

Fifteen days! Fifteen days, she tried to starve me to death. What a bitch!

I would have eaten something last night after the bonding, but I was too exhausted and so confused by everything that I didn't have an appetite.

It was back full force now.

Ace scratched his eyebrow with his thumbnail. At the same time a shy smile curved his lips. "I guess this is our first date. I'm really glad you're not a salad and water girl."

I smiled. "I like salad."

He laughed. "I know, but usually girls act like that's all they eat until they've got a guy hooked, then they start ordering steak, lobster and cheeseburgers."

"Well, I've already got you hooked, so we can call this the fourth date, if you like." I smiled at him, while my eyes were glued to his. They were the color of amber, the gemstone hardened from tree sap, millions of years old, gaining beauty as it aged. It was probably appropriate, as Ace was over a century old, and had more wisdom than he let on. But that thought filled me with a pang of shame. Even though I knew it was the bonding, I was still turning my back on Phoenix. And it hurt. That I could be that woman.