Total pages in book: 132
Estimated words: 123477 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 617(@200wpm)___ 494(@250wpm)___ 412(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123477 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 617(@200wpm)___ 494(@250wpm)___ 412(@300wpm)
“You kissed him,” Junjie announced to the room.
“What?” Xiang gasped. He froze in the process of dropping onto the sofa. “When?”
Jun-Jun chuckled and held up his hands. “No. No. I’m mistaken. You didn’t kiss him. I caught you trying to devour the witch’s soul through his mouth!”
“No!” Xiang gasped.
Chen dropped his face into his hands, but it did nothing to stop the intense burning that started at the tips of his ears and spread across his face and down his neck. Why would he ever think that Jun-Jun could keep something like this to himself? Complete lapse in judgment on his part.
“I saw it.” Chen lifted his head from his hands enough to see Junjie hurry to his seat between Xiang and Xiao Dan. “In the kitchen while they were making tea. Chen had Moon pinned against the counter and was kissing him like his entire existence depended on it. He didn’t even notice me until I spoke up.”
Even Xiao Dan’s eyes widened, and the smallest hint of a smile played on his lips. “I can’t think of too many instances when someone was able to surprise you. That must have been some distraction.”
Chen scowled at Junjie for a heartbeat before turning his attention to Xiao Dan. “Shixiong, I swear Moon will not be a distraction from our primary mission. I will focus on my part in the rescue of Didi.”
Xiao Dan’s expression softened further. “The thought never crossed my mind. I’m just…surprised.”
Xiang snorted. “Shocked. In all our years of living together, I have never seen you give anyone a second glance. We thought you were ice on the inside.”
“I’m not frozen inside,” Chen sneered. “It’s called being discreet. A concept that you are utterly unfamiliar with.”
“You aren’t too familiar with it either if I caught you in the kitchen,” Junjie teased.
“A momentary lapse. Nothing more.”
Xiang made another scoffing noise as he placed his elbow on one knee and his chin in his raised hand. His full attention was now laser focused on Chen. “Whatever. I can’t believe that Moon is who catches your eye. He is your complete opposite in every way. Of course, I can’t understand why he’s interested in you.”
Mei Lain gave Xiang’s shoulder a shove as she perched on the arm of the sofa. “Chen-ge is attractive, smart, and dedicated to the clan. How could Moon not be interested in him?”
“Thank you, Meimei,” Chen murmured. At least someone was on his side.
“Besides,” Junjie added, “Moon is sexy and funny. It makes complete sense that Chen is interested in him.”
Chen ground his molars together. Jun-Jun was not allowed alone with Moon ever again. At least not until he was secure in the notion that Moon had eyes for him alone and not for any of his other clan mates.
A choked cough that sounded too much like a laugh Xiao Dan was attempting to cover up drew Chen’s eyes over to his shixiong. “Moon is a wonderful person, and I am grateful for the help he has offered our clan. I’m concerned, Shidi, that this is a little fast. Especially for you. Have you given thought to where this might lead? Will it match with our plans as a clan?” Xiao Dan paused and swallowed hard, his eyes dropping to the table. “Or do you think that your personal plans will one day diverge from that of the sect?”
“No! Never!” The words flew off his tongue before panic could constrict his throat. Did Shixiong seriously believe that he would one day leave the sect to pursue his own interests? That was impossible. All of his interests were devoted to his brothers and sisters.
Except for Moon.
The blood witch was most definitely an interest, but he was also outside the sect. Moon might have made jokes about stowing away in his luggage and following him to China, but those were simply jests. He didn’t mean any of it. Moon had a life here and his own coven. There was no way he would leave his current life for Chen.
Xiao Dan lifted his gentle gaze to Chen and smiled. “It’s not wise to tempt fate with words like never. The road beneath our feet is different for each person. Yours will one day diverge from ours. For our lost brothers, it has been through death, but if I have to choose, I would much prefer to see your path split for a pleasant reason, such as love.”
Chen shook his head. “No, Shixiong. Nothing and no one could make me leave the clan. I have sworn to give my everything to our sect, and I will abide by that oath. This…this thing with Moon is…”
While he started strong, the words became weak and fumbling as his brain tried and failed to come up with any kind of sensible definition. There was none. What had happened was an impulse. Moon had kissed him, and Chen had lost all control. He’d become a creature of instinct. He’d needed more. Everything within him had demanded that he taste Moon, claim him.