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“Raven,” he rasps, eyes fixed on mine, and I smile at him. Softly and genuine this time.

I feel like he’s letting me in, past the final hurdle, and despite the circumstances being terrible, it’s one of the best feelings I’ve experienced.

The chairs scrape along the floor as the guys start to rise from the table, but Creed quickly shakes his head, darting his eyes at them. “Outside.”

Zane, Eldon, and Brax pause, which kicks Creed into action. He reaches for my hand, tugging me to his side, and I lean into him as he heads for the patio doors. I can practically feel him vibrate with anger from his thoughts, but as we step outside into the late afternoon air, I sense another small shift in him.

The door closes behind us and he cuts across the grass until he’s happy with the view it offers. The horizon settles in the distance. The sky sits awkwardly and heavy on the waterline, and I desperately wish to see the sun setting, bask in the feeling it gives me to watch something so natural and exquisite. But until Burton is dealt with, I don’t think that’s going to change.

Creed’s hold on my hand tightens as he lowers to the ground, sitting on the grass with another heavy sigh, and I follow suit. I settle in beside him, looking over the shoreline where I know Ari and the other creatures are.

I can’t hear him or talk to him, it seems, but I sense him there, in my soul. A warmth I’ve never felt from him before, and it fills me with a dose of hope I long to soak in forever.

Time passes us by, and with every minute, I feel another level of calmness wash over the man beside me. I don’t want to overstep a line I can’t see, but I want him to know I’m here in whatever capacity he needs me.

Turning to glance at him, I startle when I find his eyes already aimed in my direction. His lip curls, barely, but it’s there, and I take that as my opening to speak.

“If you can’t find the words but want me to know, you can always use…” I trail off, using my free hand to tap at my temple, and his brows furrow.

“I wouldn’t do that to you.”

“Even when I’m asking you to?” I push back, and his lips part. I think I may have finally stunned him into silence, even if only for a few moments.

When he doesn’t protest, I take a chance, raising my hand that is enveloped in his and bringing it to my face. His hold loosens as I keep my eyes locked on his, slowly splaying his fingers to feel his palm press against my cheek.

My eyes flutter closed at the contact, and I feel his magic dance along mine in a heated caress. A moan slips from my lips despite my best efforts to contain it, and I hear him curse under his breath.

“You’re not supposed to moan like that.”

“I can’t help it,” I admit, unable to pry my eyes open. I feel like I’m panting. I’ve felt his magic before. I've felt all of their magic before, but there’s just something in this moment that makes me weak to the touch.

“It’s like I can feel you caressing me. It’s hard to ignore,” I explain, running my hand over his, and he takes a deep breath before my vision is filled with four onyx eyes. A replay of everything spoken between them filters into my mind, and when he’s done, I’m left gasping at the revelation he ends with.

I don’t know what to make of it, and when I finally manage to open my eyes, I can tell Creed feels the exact same way. Nothing about this is okay and we both know it. My lips part to ease his worry. With what words… I don’t fucking know, but they quickly slam shut again when I realize he’s in no position to analyze any of this.

I don’t know how to help, how to take his pain away, but before I can figure out a way to verbalize any of that, he presses his palm firmer against my cheek, sending a stronger ripple of his magic over my body.

Holy fuck.

I shiver, the move involuntary and pointless when it does nothing to expel the thrum of magic flooding my veins. I gasp, lips parting as my eyes fall closed again. It’s like he’s dancing along the edge of my mind without actually playing with anything.

It’s like he’s riling up all of my nerve endings, and I’m lost to the feeling as another moan tumbles from my lips.

“Fuck, Raven.”

“You’re doing it on purpose,” I murmur, panting with every word. I can’t deny how much I like it.

“You’re the most beautiful distraction sometimes. Especially when I’m supposed to be focused,” he states, and as desperate as I am to see his face, wanting to read into his eyes, I can’t pry mine open. It’s too intoxicating.

“Sometimes a distraction is exactly what we need,” I reply, my nipples pebbling beneath my uniform.

“You sound sure.”

“I know from experience,” I promise, unable to stop the sultry tone of my voice.

I’d tried to block out distracting myself like this, but that doesn’t mean I can’t offer it to him.

Whatever he needs. That’s what I promised.