Quiet settled between us, both lost in our own thoughts. My head was tilted toward the sunset, as I enjoyed the last splashes of light before it began its final descent while Cross stared into his glass. It was nice but I knew he didn’t come to spend time with me. “Ready to talk?”
He sighed, a universal male sign for he absolutely did not want to talk. I wasn’t surprised. Disappointed maybe, but Cross didn’t owe me anything so no, not surprised. “There’s not much to say, Moon.”
“I hear you, but your aura is vibrating red and black, which means you have a lot on your mind and whatever it is, there’s danger associated with it and possibly death.” I didn’t want to tell him what else, but I had to. “And you don’t know where all the threats are coming from.”
His blue eyes were obsidian with nothing but the fading sunlight surrounding us, but I could see the emotion written all over his handsome face right now. Shock. “How in the hell could you possibly know that?”
I was used to that response when I offered an analysis because people always vacillated between shock and anger, sometimes defensiveness and accusations. “I just told you, red and black surround you like Deadpool.”
He wanted to say more, to question if I really saw it or had another source for my information. Thankfully, he didn’t. He poured more wine and took his time finishing the glass before he spoke. “You’re right and you know almost as much as I do about it. Roadkill is one of our problems even with Vigo now worm food, but I can’t say for sure where the other threat is coming from. But fuck, it feels like something is coming. Something big.”
“Are you ready for it, whatever it is?”
He huffed out a purely masculine laugh. “Fuck no.”
I stood and reached for the blanket I used as a cushion on my chair, fanning it out on the ground. “Come on, sit. Take off your vest, your shoes and any weapons you have.”
“Weapons?” Thick brown brows arched in a question.
“Yeah, aren’t people trying to kill you?” Arms crossed, I dared him to argue.
“And I suppose you don’t have any weapons around?”
I heard the challenge in his voice and raised my chin in defiance. “I’m used to being underestimated,” I told him. “When I was younger, I hated it. It always bothered me. And then I grew up. I accepted it for the advantage it gave me.” The look on his face when I pulled the butterfly knife was priceless. “See? That advantage.”
His smile curved up, highlighting his soft lips and the sparkle in his eye. “You never fail to surprise me, Moon.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” I told him and sat on the blanket with my legs folded in front of me. “Sit here.” I patted the space right across from me and when he sat, our knees brushed. His scent and his heat swirled around me with the impact of a tornado, making it hard to focus.
“Okay. Now what?”
“Now we breathe.” He groaned but I held a serene smile. “Not deep breathing necessarily, just calm breaths. Listen to my voice and breathe like this.” His gaze tore through me as if he could see more than I was allowing, which was somewhat unsettling. “None of that.”
“None of what?”
I pointed at his face. “None of that heat and desire. We’re being calm. Relaxing.”
“I’m getting very relaxed.” His gaze turned predatory, intense with a raw hunger I’d yet to see on his usually stony expression.
“Pay attention,” I admonished, and he only smiled again.
“You have my undivided attention Moon.”
Why did my whole body light up like a Christmas tree when his voice pitched low like that? Probably because I knew he could more than match the promise in his gaze. His intoxicating voice. I shook i
t off because I had to, because Cross needed me to. Sex was amazing most of the time and so far with him it had been better than ever, but it wouldn’t fix this.
“Focus,” I told him and closed my eyes, continuing the deep breathing exercises while letting the sound of his breathing slow my own.
“This isn’t working.” Cross sounded frustrated but I kept my eyes closed and reached for his hands.
“Give it time.” It didn’t always work but with a little effort, I knew it could help him clear his mind and focus on the big picture.
“I have a better idea.” His voice was a deep growl, forcing my eyes open. Reluctantly.
They opened just in time to see his handsome face twisted with desire and heading my way until his big body pressed against mine, slowly leaning me back onto the ground. “This isn’t the right position.” But it was one I enjoyed as his denim-covered cock settled against the wet panties that separated us.
“But it is a pretty damn good position. Right?” For emphasis his hips moved against mine, sending a fiery trail coursing through my veins and a starburst behind my eyes.