Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 44211 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 221(@200wpm)___ 177(@250wpm)___ 147(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44211 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 221(@200wpm)___ 177(@250wpm)___ 147(@300wpm)
But it felt like they were forming a bond, which only constantly reminded him that Everett couldn’t be a soulmate. He didn’t see through glamour magic, though he did seem to sense magic. He certainly sensed something in that study.
Could that mean anything?
Could he maybe have the ability to see through glamours with some kind of nudge? The research he’d done hadn’t given him a lot of answers and his conclusion was mostly conjecture, but it could also be possible that humans could be soulmates without that ability.
It was worth looking into. Dax could also ask Xavier, who he suspected knew more about magic than anything out there. Xavier might be the oldest preternatural in existence. Dax didn’t know for sure, but he definitely had a hunch. The sorcerer’s aura of power was beyond that of anyone Dax had ever encountered, and that was with the sorcerer masking some of it.
And now, as he stared at this beautiful, sleeping man, he yearned for answers. Because he wanted Everett with a fierce passion that threatened to overwhelm him. The need to touch that golden skin, to taste. He looked down at his massive hands and shuddered at the thought of losing control over his strength. He didn’t know for sure that he would because he’d never risked being with a human, but what if he did? What if he snapped a bone or broke a rib? He wouldn’t be able to live with himself if he did that.
So watching and yearning was a bad, bad idea.
And so was dating, probably…
He left his book on the side table and stood. Instead of waking Everett, he grabbed one of the many throws and leaned over him to tuck it around him.
Fuck, Everett smelled good.
He leaned just a little closer to better take that slight citrus deep into his lungs and froze when Everett’s eyes opened. He gazed up at Dax with slow, sleepy blinks then shocked Dax when he reached up and wrapped his hand around the back of Dax’s neck. He pulled him down and pressed their lips together.
A bolt of raw lust shot through Dax.
Everett’s tongue teased the seam of his lips, and Dax was powerless not to open and tangle their tongues together. A sexy moan rumbled into his mouth, and he knew then he’d do anything to cause this man to make more of those noises—even get over his fear of touching him. He hesitantly placed his palm on Everett’s chest, feeling the softness of his old T-shirt and wishing it were that golden skin under his palm. Just the thought of it had him sliding his hand down to Everett’s waist, where he teased at slipping his fingers under the hem.
The kiss deepened as Everett moaned again and tightened his fingers on the back of Dax’s neck. His lips were surprisingly soft, and his taste went to Dax’s head. He caved, sliding the tips of his fingers underneath the T-shirt and gliding them along the skin of Everett’s belly, pausing at the trail of soft hair he encountered. He shuddered.
Everett gasped into his mouth with frenzied desperation.
Maybe he was as touch-starved as Dax.
He kept his touch light, being so very careful, but just the feel of Everett’s skin and soft trail of hair made Dax’s fingers tingle.
Everett pulled back, stared at Dax, and pressed his hand on top of Dax’s to push it more firmly into his stomach. “Touch me harder,” he whispered. “I’m not as fragile as I look, Dax. And trust me, I want you to lose it with me.” He pressed another kiss to his lips. “I’ve never been so drawn to someone like I am with you. I know we just met, but it was there from the beginning, from the dream of you carrying me—which was surprisingly hot.”
“I can carry you anytime you like,” Dax murmured, kissing him back.
“Then carry me to bed, Dax.”
He wanted to so badly, he had to curl his fingers into fists as he forced himself to step back. “That’s not a good idea.” He knew regret laced his voice, but he couldn’t help it.
Everett sat up, frowning. “I know you’re feeling this, too.”
“Oh, I’m feeling it, but you were right when you mentioned my fear of my size. There’s a reason I’ve only been with…people as large as myself. I’m strong, Everett—very strong.” Supernaturally strong, but he couldn’t tell him that. It was his power. The reason he got sent on the jobs that required brute force. He knew he could probably focus, keep that strength in check, but what if he lost control? If anyone had the power to make that happen, it was Everett. If only he knew Everett was his soulmate. He felt it, but he needed to know before he took the risk.
Everett stared at him for several heavy moments before he sighed. “My entire life, I’ve been underestimated. The last thing I want is for you to underestimate me like everyone else. I happen to like that you’re so much bigger than me. Frankly, I want to climb you like a monkey, so don’t stand behind that fear.”