Despite my playful greeting, I felt winded and dizzy again. Shocking both of those girls took more out of me than I’d anticipated. I’d expected to feel much better by now, like I had the last time. The shocks hadn’t seemed as strong as Nicole’s had, but perhaps because it had split between the two of them, it drained me more.
At least my head didn’t hurt. I took a break from my search to look up at the fading bruises on Clay’s face. He still wore his hair back. I loved seeing his face.
He must have seen something in my gaze because he pushed away from the wall, moving closer to me. He stopped in front of me, and without breaking eye contact, reached into my bag and pulled out a pair of jeans. Holding them out to me, he tapped his lips.
I smiled widely, “A kiss for the jeans?” I grabbed the jeans from his hand, he hadn’t even held them tight, and tossed them on the bed.
He watched me, curious as I stood and placed my hands on his chest for balance.
“I don’t need bribes to kiss you Clay. Come here.”
His lips covered mine in a move so fast, my head spun even more. I clutched his shirt tightly in my fists, not sure if it was his kiss or my condition causing the current wave of dizziness. He wrapped his arms around me, supporting me, making me feel safe.
Wanting more, I pressed myself closer. He increased the pressure on my lips, his warm breath fanning my face. One of his hands roamed up to curve around the back of my neck.
My heart skipped a beat and my breathing became more erratic. I knew he’d hear, but didn’t care. Standing on my tiptoes, I loosened my hold on his shirt and slid my hands up and around his neck. I didn’t want him to let go just yet.
Tentatively, I opened my mouth and ran my tongue across his bottom lip. He growled, tightening his hold fractionally. A thrill shot through me heating my limbs and tickling my stomach. I did it again. His mouth opened in response, and he took control of the kiss turning it from tender-sweet to passionately melting. Our tongues touched. I stopped breathing. My world titled then steadied. He anchored me. How could I doubt this? Us?
My lungs burned for air and he gently pulled away even though I whined in protest. He kissed my cheek, then my forehead.
It took a minute for the world to right itself again while I caught my breath. Clay placed his chin on my head holding me tight. My head rested on his chest over his thundering heart. The kiss had affected him as much as it had me. It made me smile because now I knew without a doubt; I attracted him, not my strange pull.
I heard the apartment door open and figured it was Sam. With regret, I pulled back and Clay let me go. Even knowing it was useless with Sam’s keen hearing, I spoke quietly to Clay. “Can you come with me for this, or will that cause more problems?”
Sam answered from the doorway behind Clay. “It would be best if he stayed away, Gabby.”
“I didn’t ask what was best. Best went out the window years ago, Sam, when ‘making do’ moved in. Is he allowed?” I moved around Clay to look at Sam and waited for the real answer.
He flinched when I repeated his words and then ran his hand over his face muffling his sigh. “It’s allowed. He’s unmated, but he’s considered rejected. He’ll be challenged by everyone for his place in the Introduction order.”
I made a non-committal noise and looked at Clay. “The question is… do you want to be there?”
He nodded sharply.
“Alright then. Sam, please head over and get things ready. Clay will walk me there. Clay, I just need to change and then I’m ready.”
Both men stared at me as if I’d grown horns. I knew I looked like hell, probably still pale and definitely had a worse tangled mass of hair than I did this morning. But it didn’t matter. Sam wanted an Introduction, and I wanted peace for Clay. I arched a brow at both of them.
Sam grumbled to himself as he left. Clay followed, closing the door softly behind him, leaving me to dress. I smoothed down my hair, not really caring, and changed into a shirt and jeans, which caused me to start shivering again. My legs weakened and I had to sit on the bed for a minute.
Taking a fortifying breath, I made my way out to the living room. Clay waited for me by the kitchenette with a glass of orange juice. He knew me well. I smiled my thanks and gulped it down. It felt good and gave me a tiny energy boost, which I sorely needed.
“I need just a minute in the bathroom. Can you find my shoes for me?” I held the wall as I made my way there and leaned on the sink while I brushed my teeth. I wondered what Sam would do when I insisted that Clay sleep next to me tonight. He was warm and comforting, and I needed both desperately.
Clay stood right outside the door when I opened it, slippers on the floor by his feet. “Where are my shoes?”
He shrugged and pointed to the slippers. Hey, he’d packed for me and remembered the jeans. He’d even packed underclothes and a toothbrush. If he forgot the shoes, I really had no complaint. I stepped into the slippers. Then squeaked when my world spun and I suddenly found myself in his arms.