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“I can go with you.” Pike offers, making me smile, but I shake my head.

“Nah, I need to face her on my own. I’ve been being a little bitch about all of this, and she might very well hand me my ass. You don’t need to be on the wrong side of her wrath, too. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

Pike laughs, but I hear the hint of nerves. Serena is scary when she needs to be, even more so with those damn shadows now.

“I…” Pike stops, blowing out a breath as if readying himself to say something difficult. Which doesn’t make sense; what could he have to say that would be difficult after he just sucked my dick, and I fucked him?

“I love you, Storm,” he says in a rush, his voice low, damn near a whisper, and missing all of his usual conviction.

For a long moment, I sit, frozen, unsure if I really just heard what I think I did.

Pike loves…me?

He pulls back, looking up at me, and I see the worry there, the fear as he searches my eyes, his mouth opening and closing like he wants to say something but can’t.

Fuck, I hate that look.

Without thought, I press forward, my lips collide with his clumsily, our teeth knocking together in a terrible way, but as myhand comes up around his neck, his eyes fall closed and his heart rate slows, even if just slightly.

Our kiss is almost gentle, unhurried, and sweet. Not at all our normal, but I want it to be.

This thing with Pike might have started as a way for us to escape, but over the years it’s become more, and I don’t know that I could live without him.

I know I don’t want to.

Pulling back, I open my eyes. I don’t go far, just enough that I can look in Pike’s eyes as they flutter open, his pupils blown wide. His dazed, glassy look lets me know I’m not the only one who enjoyed that kiss.

“I love you, too, Pike.”

The smile that turns his lips is breathtaking, and I know we’re going to be okay.

There isn’t another option for any of us.

Last night, like most other nights over the course of the last few weeks, kicked my ass and left me walking with a limp after tripping over a rock that I swear appeared there when I wasn’t looking.

Ryker looked at me like I’d lost my mind when I told him that, but Blair and Sol just shook their heads. Unfortunately, they both know how clumsy I am, and Ryker clearly still needs some more lessons on sarcasm.

Having the guys there more is great but also means they get to see me fail and I often fail…hard.

“I’m sure everyone’s out of the room by now. Why don’t you take her up for a nap, and I’ll make sure Garrett stays busy,” Blair says to Sol across the table.

We’re in the library, again, for what has to be the hundredth time, and just like always, we haven’t found a single thing. At this point, I think we come here mostly because it’s a good place to hide, not because I think it holds any answers. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for research, but we’ve poured over hundreds ofbooks, spent so many hours here, I don’t think I could get lost if I tried anymore.

It kills me to admit it, but it looks like Garrett was right about this at least; the library won’t be any help with learning about the chimeras or how to change Lyle back, but it’s still nice.

And it’s quiet.

Without lifting my head, I wave Blair away. There’s no need to go up to the room. “I can nap here. I don’t need a bed.”

Hell, I’m pretty sure I was sleeping before he spoke.

“No.” Blair’s voice is low, but the command in that one word is impossible to miss.

Lifting my head, I peek up at him, giving him my best death glare, which is pretty shit right now, considering I’m exhausted. Not that it matters; Blair is immune.

I know it’s pitiful when Sol chuckles to my left, and I turn it on him, only for him to laugh harder.

Okay, assholes.