Chapter 42 Kent dreamt about Lily again. She was standing near the ravine that she loved so much, wind and rain whipping her long black hair around her. He yelled her name but she didn't look at him, just kept staring into the ravine. He tried to reach her, but every step he took seemed to cause him to go backwards for some reason He started running but it only took him further and further away from her. He woke in a panic, his heart felt like it was going to beat out of his chest. He shucked the blankets off, trying to catch his breath. Mate, Pax said softly. It's mate. Kent took a deep breath, realizing that Pax was right. The panic he was feeling wasn't his own. It was Riley's. He was out of the room without a second thought, praying she had left her door unlocked like he had asked. He knew he had the spare key in his office, but he didn't want to waste time looking for it. He didn't even think about the fact that all he was wearing was a pair of pajama pants. When he grasped her doorknob, he breathed a sigh of release as it opened easily. She was thrashing in her bed, her brown hair a halo around her head. "Paul!" she yelled. "Paul! Come back! Help! Please! Paul!" "Riley!" Kent said, hurrying over to the bed. She continued thrashing, yelling for Paul. Kent grabbed her arms to shake her away, yelling her name again. Her hazel eyes flew open wide. She gasped, trying to swing up to fight him off. He tightened his grip, pinning her to the bed. "Stop!" he cried. "It's me. Calm down. I won't hurt you." "Kent," she gasped. She relaxed back into the bed, but her whole body trembled. He could see the sheen of sweat across her forehead. He reached up and gently pushed the hair out of her face. "You're shaking," he whispered. "What are you doing here?" She pushed his hands away, wiping her own forehead. "You were yelling and screaming," he explained. "I woke up to feeling your panic through the bond." "It was just a dream," she whispered, closing her eyes for a moment. He couldn't help but ask, "Who is Paul?" "What?" She opened her eyes again. "You were screaming his name," he said. "You kept yelling for him to come back, to help you." She cringed. "Paul was my previous mate." His eyes widened slightly. "You were dreaming about him." "I've been dreaming about him a lot since I got here," she admitted. He opened his mouth to tell her that he had been dreaming of Lily often too, but thought better of it. Instead, he closed his mouth and swallowed hard. She was fine now. He didn't want to make her uncomfortable < Chapter 42 "I should go back to bed," he said finally. "Can you stay for a minute?" she whispered. His eyebrows and his heart lifted slightly. "If you want me to." She nodded. "Just for a few minutes." Ports He tried to hide his smile as she scooted across the bed to make space for him. He caught a glimpse of the short pajama shorts and cami she was wearing. He tried to ignore the flush of heat that ran through him. He crawled in, wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her against him. She buried her head into his side and he leaned his head down, breathing in her scent. "Don't get any ideas," she whispered. "I wouldn't dare," he half-laughed. "And you leave when I fall asleep." "Anything you want, babe." She burrowed even tighter into his side, resting a hand on his chest, right over his heart. He wondered if she could feel how fiercely it was beating right then. He laid there quietly, listening to the sound of her breathing even out. The last thought he remembered having before he fell asleep was how he hoped he could hold her every night like this. Riley woke up feeling warm and safe. She shifted slightly and felt strong arms tighten around her waist, holding her back securely to a hard, muscled chest. She stilled. Clearly Kent had not returned to his own bed last right. She momentarily considered pushing him away, but also couldn't bear the idea of not having him close. So, against her better judgement, she snuggled into his embrace. This is nice, Rose said. I could get used to this. You're back. Relief washed through Riley at hearing Rose's voice again. Yes, Rose replied. Now could you please mark Kent so I can talk to Pax. And now I'm wondering why I missed you. Rose huffed but said nothing else. She snuggled further back into Kent but froze when her bottom came in contact with the ridge of his erection. Kent shifted behind her and she held still, hoping she hadn't woken him. He shifted again, raising a hand to move the hair off the back of her neck. He softly kissed the nape of her neck, sending a shiver down her neck. spine and right to her core. When he did it again, a second rush of heat went right through her and she could smell her arousal in the air. He ran his hand down her side, pulling her hips back and pushing his erection against her with a faint moan. He drug his teeth from her neck to her shoulder, nipping the skin softly. She moaned softly, leaning back into him. His hand moved up, sliding under her cami, pushing the fabric up. Sparks ran through her as he touched her skin, his fingers grazing over her breast, her n*****s hardening at his touch. 2/3 < Chapter 42 18 Ports She arched into his touch as he palmed her breast, his teeth catching her earlobe. Her body felt like it was one fire. He ran his fingers back down her stomach, slipping them into her panties. He drug a finger along her seam, parting her just enough to lightly flick over her clit. She moaned as electricity shot through her, her body jolting slightly at the contact. "f**k, Riley," Kent groaned into her ear. It was his voice, deep and guttural, that suddenly brought her back to reality. What was she doing? She jolted away from him, her body shuddering at the sudden loss of contact. She scrambled to the edge of the bed, turning to look at him. His eyes were hazy with lust as he reached for her. "What are you doing?" she said accusingly as she slipped out of bed, adjusting her clothes. He smiled, his blue eyes flashing vividly. "Just enjoying the moment." His voice sounded rough and hoarse. "I was asleep," she said. He laughed, his head tipping back. She couldn't help but look bobbing up and down. the arch of his throat, his Adam's apple "No you weren't. You'd been awake for several minutes, just enjoying being in my arms." She blushed and took a step away from the bed. "Why didn't you say anything?" He kept smiling. "I think actions speak louder than words." She took another step away. His smile slipped a little. "Where are you going?" "Away from you," she snapped. "We can't do this." "Why not?" he asked with a shrug. "No." She chewed her lip for a moment. "That's a slippery slope. I remember it well." He tilted his head, the smile disappearing completely as he considered her. "I'm going to take a shower," she said after an awkward moment of silence, taking another step backwards. "Is that an invitation?" He winked, his smile back. "Oh my Goddess," she cried, "get out of my room!" She ran to the bathroom, ignoring his laughter that trailed after her. 1 Comments Get Bonus (Ad) >