Chasing Secrets - Jessica Sorensen Page 0,13

probably couldn’t even get any words to leave my mouth as he lightly pinches my nipple and I bite down on my lip so hard I probably draw blood.

“I’m not going to fuck this up,” he mutters, but I think it’s more to himself. “If at any time I become too much, promise you’ll tell me?”

I shakily bob my head up and down. “I promise.”

The corners of his lips quirk. “That’s a good pet.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “How many times do I have to tell you that I’m not your pet?”

Amusement sparkles in his eyes, but then he surprises me when he says, “Maybe you’re right. You’re definitely more.” Then he kisses me deeply but, to my disappointment, quickly.

I try not to pout when he pulls back, but apparently, I miss the mark since he says, “Don’t pout, little mouse. We’ll play later. Right now, we need to get going.”

“Right.” I’m suddenly reminded of all the other stuff I’m supposed to be doing instead of being in this room and fooling around with him.

I turn toward my closet to get a coat, and he follows me.

He remains silent for a few footsteps before he asks, “So, about this going to Midnight thing. We all talked about it and decided that, if you don’t want to, one of us can stay here with you, and you don’t have to go.”

I promptly shake my head. “No way. I already told Asher this, and now I’m telling you.” I cross my arms, trying to look as tough as possible. “If you guys want me in this group, I want to be part of this group. I’m not a damsel in distress. I want to help.”

He smiles at that. “If that’s what you want.”

“It is,” I assure him, surprised at how easily he’s giving me what I want. Then again, he’s not Asher. East isn’t as bossy and, when I really think about it, has always tried to give me whatever I want. Well, except for when I told him to leave me alone right after I sliced open my arm. But it was probably a good thing he didn’t listen to me then.

“Okay then.” He threads his fingers through mine and tugs me into the closet. “Let’s find you a coat that’ll keep you warm but still be fashionable.”

“Is being fashionable really that important?” I ask.

“Abso-fucking-lutely,” he assures me as he sifts through the clothes hanging up. “Style is always important, no matter what mission we’re doing.”

“Because you have to keep up appearances?”

“That and because I love being stylish. In fact, our band’s outfits are part of what we’re known for.”

“Oh.” Something occurs to me then. “Are you guys going to get bombarded by fans while we’re here?”

His gaze flits to me. “No. Midnight’s a little different than other planets.”

“How so?”

“It’s just … filled with more dangerous creatures that don’t really give a shit about who we are.”

“So, you’ve never been here before?”

“No, we have. It’s been a while, though. And that last time we were here, things got”—he gives a short pause—“complicated.”

My lips part with more questions, but he places a finger to my lips.

“As much as I’d love to spend the rest of the day with you asking questions instead of endeavoring into Midnight, we really do need to get going. However, we can circle back to your questions later, okay?” When I nod, he lowers his finger and his smile returns. “Now, unfortunately, none of these coats will do. So, I guess I’ll have to just create one for you.” Then he lifts his fingers and draws a circle in the air. Sparks of silver hiss from his fingertips and circle around me.

It’s the first time I’ve actually seen magic coming out of him, and I’ll admit, it’s really fucking weird, but in a totally awesome way. And it only gets more awesome as a coat appears on my body. Black with buttons and a hood, it sits tight at the waist and poofs out, longer in the front than in the back.

East reaches around and draws the hood up over my head, then he assesses me with his glittering eyes. “Sometimes, I amaze myself.”

“Yeah, me, too,” I say truthfully.

He grins, kisses me, then he takes ahold of my hand and spins me around, causing me to giggle.

“So damn gorgeous,” he murmurs as he stops spinning me.

“I take it you like the coat, then?” I ask, smoothing my hand along the front of the coat.

“Not just the coat.”