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“Fine—but only while we read. When we turn off the lights, he can go sleep in the damn living room.”

Winnow’s mouth splits wide in a stunning grin as she throws her arms around me and presses a firm kiss to my cheek. And damn it, if it doesn’t make me wanna sink my teeth and my cock into her. She pulls back, patting the bed at our feet as she encourages him to climb up. I’m still shaking my head as he hesitates, his dark brown expressive gaze darting to me for permission, like even he can’t believe I’d ever allow such a thing.

Rolling my eyes, I pat the same spot. “Better hurry up before I change my mind.”

Trigger gives an excited bark and leaps straight onto the bed. Overwhelmed with joy to be joining the party, he immediately attempts to lick our faces, and I have to swat him away.“Sit.”

With a huff, he plops down. I show Winnow the book in my hand. “How do you feel about murder mysteries?”

Winnow’s brows leap. “I can honestly say I’ve never read one.”

“Do you read much?”

“Loads, but it’s mostly either relative to the healing arts, horticulture, botany, or romance.”

Despite the termhealing artsbeing a little strange, I make an internal note. Ya know… Just in case I stumble upon something she might like.

“You willin’ to give it a try?”

“I’m a bit of a wimp when it comes to violence, but I’m happy to try for you.”

“Only if you want to. I’m happy to read to you, and if you don’t like it, I have loads of other stuff on my bookshelves you might like, though the romance section might be a little limited.”

Winnow’s brows pinch with emotion like I’ve just offered to give her the world.

“You’d read to me?”

“Of course. Why not? I mean, it’s the least I could do, considering I don’t have a TV.”

WINNOW

Despite the fact that all logic would tell me it’s fucking weird to share a bed with a man I’ve known for barely two days—even if we aren’t doing anything in it, it feels so…right.It feels natural. I’ve only very rarely shared a bed with someone for more than just sex. Rarely have I allowed anyone to actuallystayin my bed.

And yet, curled up beside Gideon, with Trigger at our feet, as his sonorous voice curls around me like a warm blanket… That feeling of having never felt so at home before returns to me, and what I’ve begun to suspect is thesoulboundtether gives a pulse of acknowledgement.

Sacred fuck, should I be thanking Violette?

GIDEON

I’ve only been reading for half an hour or so when I realize Winnow has fallen asleep. It takes the remainder of my rapidly slipping restraint to not lean over and kiss her goodnight. Instead, I place the dried autumn leaf I use as a bookmark back in place, stem outward, and quietly set my book on the nightstand.

At my glare, Trigger reluctantly follows me out of the room when I point at the floor for him to get off the bed before I turn off the lamp and close the door behind me.

It’s no laterthan 4:40 in the morning by the time I wake up.And fuck me, I forgot to get my clothes.Heaving a sigh, I throw the blanket off me and quietly pad back to the bedroom, opening the door as quietly as I can so I can sneak into my closet.

My jaw clenches as my cock instantly hardens at the sight of Winnow asleep and her bare ass and pussy pointed directly toward me.

Fuuuuuck.

Again? Dear God, I don’t think I have the restraint a second time.

I force myself to move to my closet, taking the few items of clothing I need, and manage to make it back to the bedroom door. That strange, unfamiliar ache in my chest feels like a rope is pulling me toward her. Hesitating at the door, my eyes gradually return to her, and I realize thatno, I do not have the restraint to resist her a second time.

WINNOW

Despite his silent feet, the moment Gideon enters, I wake. My heart is pounding so hard it’s in my throat, and it takes considerable effort to keep my breathing even to give him the illusion that I’m still asleep.

Peeking through the slits of my eyes, I watch Gideon stalk over, dressed in nothing but his sweatpants hanging low around his waist. With only the moon for illumination, it allows me to see the undeniablymassivecock tenting his pants, and I very nearly moan with delight.