Dev arched one brow. "I can't do anything if I'm holding you. Not that I mind. I'm just saying."
She looked down at the floor, wishing she could stand on her own two feet. "I need some of my shoes."
Carson frowned. "You can't even touch the ground?"
"No."
"Dang," Dev breathed. "Artemis got her jollies with you, didn't she?"
"Yeah. I definitely didn't get one of the better powers. Now could you please get my shoes for me?"
Carson stepped back to give them room. "I have a thought. If you're immune to Dev...would his room work for you?"
Dev looked down at her. "Want to try?"
She wasn't so sure about that. The last thing she needed as bad as she currently felt was another assault on her senses. But she couldn't stay in his arms all day either and if she couldn't go home...
"Let's try it."
Dev heard the reluctance in her voice. "Just because I'm a bear doesn't mean I live in a cave, you know?"
She frowned up at him. "Pardon?"
"My room's not gross. You don't have to have that I-am-so-disgusted-by-the-mere-thought tone."
"That wasn't what I meant. And do we have to argue this while I'm in pain and bleeding?"
Dev flashed her into his room, then cringed as he realized he was a bear in a cave. Why didn't I make up my bed before I left? And for that matter, pick up a few of the dozen car and motorcycle magazines on the floor. The bag of potato chips...and the three pairs of dirty socks. Good thing he didn't wear underwear or there would probably be a pair or two on the floor to mortify him even more.
His mom had been right. He'd finally lived long enough to be embarrassed by his messy ways.
When he started to put her on the bed, she clamped around his neck so tight, it strangled him.
"Um, Sam...you're killing me. I'm not immortal. I really do need to breathe."
She loosened her hold. But only by a little bit. "Sorry. Reflexive habit." She swallowed. "Let me try this before you set me down completely."
"Try what?"
She reached out with one hand and gingerly touched his pillow.
Sam held her breath as she waited for the pain to start and his memories to surge through her.
But just like touching him, they didn't. There was nothing in her head but her own thoughts.
She wanted to shout in relief. "Set me down."
He hesitated. "You sure?"
"I think so."
"All right." Dev very carefully lowered her to the bed, then stepped back. He didn't go far though. He hovered near, just in case.
Sam didn't move for several minutes as she waited for the images to come. Not until she was sure she was safe. At least in a manner of speaking. The warm masculine scent of Dev was all around her. That conjured images, but they were fantasies of what she wanted to do to him and had nothing to do with his memories or thoughts.
She leaned back on the bed, still free of his emotions. It was so amazing. "I think I'm good."
Dev gave her a cocky grin. "Cool. Let me go get something to clean you up and--"