Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 34989 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 175(@200wpm)___ 140(@250wpm)___ 117(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34989 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 175(@200wpm)___ 140(@250wpm)___ 117(@300wpm)
“This shit isn’t your problem. I keep dragging you into—” He was cut off by Sky’s choked laugh.
“Dragging me? Do you know how long I’ve been trying to get you to talk to me? I jumped into all of this willingly.”
Nolan opened his mouth to argue with him, but Sky was shaking his head. The adorable witch pulled him to sit on the sofa again, but this time, Nolan’s head was resting on Sky’s shoulder while Sky wrapped an arm across his waist, as if trying to keep him in a protective cocoon.
“I’m going to say this now so there are no more misunderstandings—if you need anything, you can come to me. Even if you don’t let me kiss you anymore. If it’s something magical, I’m your guy. If it’s non-magical, I’m still your guy. Need someone to house-sit? I’m on it. Got tax questions? Okay, maybe not that, but I’ve got a great accountant who can help you.”
Nolan closed his eyes and simply enjoyed being held in Sky’s arms. He needed this. He needed it so fucking bad. Yes, he was still worried about Christoph hurting Sky, but things felt a bit more manageable because he had Sky at his side.
“Jacob,” he said suddenly, breaking the comfortable silence that had fallen between them.
“Hm? Who’s Jacob?” Sky murmured, sounding so relaxed and content, like a sleepy cat who’d finally gotten curled up in his favorite place in the sun.
“I am. Nolan Jacob Banks.”
“Oh. Well. I guess that’s better than Walter.” Nolan huffed a laugh and Sky squeezed him tighter. “Okay, so you had the unfortunate luck to run into this Christoph at Phoenix, and he bit you.” Sky straightened and turned to face him. With extreme care, he reached up and tugged Nolan’s hoodie aside to stare at the bite mark. He chewed on his bottom lip, frowning at it. “Did it look like this when you got home that first night after the club?”
Nolan shoved away the swirling feelings of shame and fear that lived in his stomach now. “Yeah. Partially healed. Like it had happened a few days earlier rather than a few hours.”
After releasing the hoodie, Sky’s hand dropped to his lap. Furrows dug into Sky’s forehead as he turned his attention to meet Nolan’s gaze. “That seems wrong. I always heard vampires healed the bites they made. How else would they be able to hide from humans all these centuries?”
“He calls me his pet. I think that’s why he could get through the ward. Because I belong to him.” His voice caught on the last three words. He didn’t want to belong to some vampire. Yes, Christoph was sexy and powerful. Yes, it felt so good when Christoph bit him, but he didn’t want Christoph. He wanted the sweet and positively livid witch sitting right in front of him.
“That is a giant pile of bullshit right there! You are not his pet! He does not get to keep you!” Sky jumped to his feet and slapped his hand on his chest. “I saw you first! Mr. Bitey McFangface is gonna learn real quick that this is finders fucking keepers!”
Nolan had to close his eyes and process that last sentence for an extra second before he could gather enough working brain cells together to speak. Thankfully, Sky wasn’t waiting for him to comment. The witch grabbed his hand and attempted to pull him to his feet.
“Come on. You’re packing up your laptop and some clothes. You’re staying at my house until we can get this nonsense all cleared up.” Sky pulled on Nolan again when he didn’t budge. The witch continued to grumble under his breath. “Fine. Get past my wards. I motherfucking dare you to come into a necromancer’s house. You ain’t gettin’ past my garden, bitch.”
“Sky, I can’t go with you,” Nolan stated as he rose to his feet but didn’t take another step. “You shouldn’t even be here now. He said he would kill you if I talked to you.”
“That’s because he’s afraid of me. He knows I can get you free of him, and he’s scared. You’re coming with me.”
“Sky, I’m not putting you in danger.” On this, Nolan was going to remain firm.
“You’re not.”
“He’s powerful. You can’t underestimate him.”
Sky flashed him a tight smile and patted his cheek with his free hand. “I’m not. I have no doubt he’s powerful, but you’ve got to stop underestimating me. I can protect my house from a vampire. Please, Nolan, let me keep you safe from this Christoph.”
Nolan was wavering, and he hated himself for it. But the temptation was so great. Just to close his eyes at night and not worry about Christoph sneaking in. To finally feel secure and untouchable. “Are you sure you’ll be safe?”
“Yes. And I promise to call Winter Varik the second we get to my house. I’m sure he’ll have some advice that will be useful.”