To his ever-loving embarrassment, Colt decided he should offer Adam some advice when it came to claiming a mate.
And he thought he’d never live it down when Deb talked to him about condoms…
Surprisingly, Colt actually had some pretty good tips.
Number one? Don’t ignore the bond. It wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t supposed to. After all, fated mates were called that for a reason. Colt knew better than most that it wouldn’t go away on its own because he wanted it to, and now he was absolutely devoted to his witch mate.
Number two? Talk to his betrothed. Even though he was a Para with a cop’s instinct regarding lies, he wasn’t a mindreader. Neither was Tabby. Communication was essential. He had to tell her what was on his mind because he couldn’t just expect her to know that he wanted this—whatever this was—to be more than just a casual fling.
The way his Para instincts took over when he saw Tabby get attacked proved that one alright.
And number three? Finish the bonding sooner or later. An incomplete bond could be a weakness, and if he was sure that Tabby was the one, what was the use in waiting?
Adam agreed with the first tip. Decided to use the second one.
The third one?
Not a chance.
With the bond already two-thirds of the way there, it was all too tempting to throw Tabby on the bed, forget the damn condom like Deb cheekily suggested, and claim her for his Nightwalker mate. But what if they finally heard back from Holly and he got the elixir? What happened then?
Even worse, what if she discovered what he wanted to do and she said no? She had every right to—he could never bond her to him for life without her being completely down with it—but Adam wasn’t so sure he could take the rejection.
Which was precisely why, when Tabby snagged his hand and started to guide him toward the bedroom, he had to make his position clear.
“Hey. Can we hang on for a sec?”
“Why?”
Yeah, Adam. Why?
He dug in his heels. “I promised that we would talk tonight. Remember?”
If he had to answer to her concerns over watching Rafe disappear into the Wolf’s Creek woods, he’d do it. It would be the easiest way to lead into the whole “so, yeah, looks like you’re my betrothed” chat he was seriously wishing he could avoid.
Tabby tugged on his hand. “Is that really what you came all the way up here for? Talking?”
She almost sounded disappointed.
He knew how she felt.
“I know. Just humor me, okay?”
“Can I get naked?”
Adam swallowed his groan. “I’d love that,” he said honestly, “but you might want to wait.”
“The talking can wait.”
For her, maybe. “Then allow me. There’s something I want to talk to you about before we go to bed.”
If she still wanted to go to bed with him…
A devilish twinkle filled her dark eyes. “I can listen with my panties on or off. Promise.”
“Tabby. Please.”
“Fine. Clothes on. Gotcha. But can we talk in there? That way, when you’re done with whatever you want to tell me, we’ll already be in bed.”