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“No, Mr. Robinson.”

“Kass is fine.” He wasn’t about to give his rank and serial number.

“Maybe it was just a kiss. Had you been drinking?”

“I’m wasting your time.” It was nothing. He was lonely and horny and in need of a fuck before he deployed—which wasn’t going to happen now.

“You called, so it must be troubling you. There are no other calls coming in.”

Kass forced out a breath and closed his eyes. “It was like kissing a live wire, I felt it everywhere.” He sounded more and more like a fuckwit with every sentence. As much as he liked his magic in that moment, he would’ve given anything to be human. They didn’t have to worry about fated mates bullshit. His father was human—the one magic had skipped in his family—but his mother a witch. Why did he have to find the only shifter in the club and kiss him?

“Any side effects?”

“Like what?” Was he supposed to talk about spying on Bailey last night via the bond? Was Bailey able to spy on him? He raked his fingers through his hair and stared up at the ceiling.

“You tell me.” He almost heard her smiling as she spoke.

“I can’t stop thinking about him.” His cheeks heated and his dick throbbed. This was a mistake. How could he tell what the changes were when he wasn’t even sure they were real or his imagination?

“Do you feel a pull? Like if you started walking, you’d end up at his door?”

Since Bailey had walked out of the club. He’d thought it was because Bailey carried his wallet. “I think so? We kissed, and he ran.” Because he’d realized what had happened? “I didn’t mean for this to happen, but I need it undone.”

More clicking. “No one has reported a witch for mate hunting.”

That was a small win.

“His name’s Bailey.” And he hadn’t even admitted to being a shifter. He’d brushed off the question by pretending that Kass had asked something very different and claiming to be versatile. Kass smiled. He’d have liked to find out. His body remembered the way Bailey had moved and his lips wanted more.

“Do you have a last name for him?” She cut through his thoughts.

“No.” He was lucky to have any name. He didn’t want to be thinking about Bailey in case their thoughts touched again.

“I don’t have any shifters by that name.”

Kass bit back the curse. He needed to find him. “Look. I’m in the Army. I’m going to the Middle East tonight. I can’t have a mate when I’m in a war zone.”

“I understand your concern.”

“Do you? I don’t want him to die if I die. I don’t want a mate at all. Can you undo it?”

Silence. “Mr. Robinson, both of you need to be present to break a mating bond.”

And Bailey didn’t exist in their system. Which was weird, as most paranormals made themselves known in case they ever needed help.

Kas rubbed his hand over his eyes and sighed. “What do I do?”

“For the moment nothing. I’ve noted your concern. From our perspective, you did nothing wrong—though we need to confirm your story with him. Just because you have a mate doesn’t mean you have to do anything with the connection.”

“Our lives are bound.” If something happened to Bailey,hewould wither away and die. He shuddered like iced water had been tipped over his bed.

“True, but one kiss creates only the smallest of bonds, one filament out of a rope. It is possible that it will fade away while you are away because of the distance. Or it might remain. If it does, when you return you should find him and both of you should come to the bakery to talk.”

He nodded. “So, there’s nothing I can do?”

“Not unless you can find him today.”

He wouldn’t be getting off the base until it was time to leave. “If it doesn’t fade, then what? It can be broken?”