Page 22 of The Bookseller and the Alpha (Witch Twins #1)

Luc

“This isn’t my building.” Calypso turned to look at me.

“It’s mine.”

“I thought you were taking me home.” Anger heated Calypso’s beautiful voice, adding a sexy rasp.

“Your building is a crime scene and the intruders opened a portal.” We’d need to test the site for magical residue, but my gut told me that was what had happened.

A portal. In the middle of her fucking living room.

My anger woke Beast who’d been content since I’d held Calypso in the hospital.

Threat? He asked . No, no threat. I forced the anger down. Go back to sleep . “This is safer.”

“You said I was safe with Sam.” Was there a wobble in her voice? You dolt. You’ve made her cry. I pulled into my car spot, killed the engine and turned towards her. The overhead light showed me the tears that filled her eyes, blurring the green. Her lower lip quivered.

“Ssh, sweetheart, it’s okay.” Before she could react, I reached across her body, unbuckled her seat belt, and lifted her from her own seat and onto my lap. I tipped my chair backwards to accommodate us both.

“What the —?”

I put my arms around her. Shielding her, protecting her.

“It’s okay to cry, sweetheart. Let it out.

” She burrowed into my lap, seeking comfort, her forehead resting against my chest. My arms tightened around her.

She let out a strangled sob. I smoothed her hair.

Silky and soft, it whispered through my fingers.

I breathed in the smell of her, trying to fix all the details of her in my mind.

This was a moment that I wanted to remember for the rest of my life. My mate in my arms. Safe.

Calypso’s tears burned out quickly, but I was in no hurry to let her go.

Having my mate in my arms felt right, like I’d discovered a part of my soul I hadn’t known I was missing.

At some point she wriggled around, and I loosened my arms in case she wanted to sit up, but she just made herself more comfortable and snuggled back against me.

An unfamiliar feeling filled my chest. Sort of sweet.

Sort of sharp. It pierced my chest. Right around my heart.

I didn’t know how I was going to make this work. But I would sort it out. I would stay in control. I had to. Now that I had her in my arms there was no way I was going to let her go. She was my mate. She was mine .

Calypso’s breathing slowed and evened out.

She was almost asleep. I needed to get her to a comfortable bed, something better than being cramped on my lap in a car.

She barely stirred as I opened the car door and carefully stepped out with her still in my arms. I kicked the door shut before I walked to the elevator.