Page 75 of The Curse Trilogy

I know Hale has to know who interrupted our heated session now, and I‘m praying he doesn’t run in to pound Brazen’s face. Brazen doesn’t want to see Hale’s savage. It won’t end well if he ever does.

“Why can’t you just let me breathe?” I exasperate, and then I pick up the drink I had abandoned when Hale got there.

“Because you’ll run. I know you, Araya. If you don’t fix something soon enough… you leave when it gets too hard to deal with. I don’t want you running from me. I can’t fucking think without you, and I’m starting to wonder if I’ve lost my damn mind. Please, just spend the night with me. I swear I won’t touch you at all. Just stay with me for one damn night,” he pleads, and tears spring up to my eyes.

Another knock at my door interrupts this conversation, and it’s all I can do not to scream.

“Who the fuck is it this time?” I grumble to myself, and I swing it open to see the dramatically sardonic expression on Clay’s face.

“I need your help with something,” he murmurs out vaguely.

“Gladly,” I sigh out, and Brazen’s shoulders drop.

“Captain Mordel,” Clay formally offers.

“Commander Jude,” Brazen responds, and he follows us out. “Do you need her help while she’s wearing a robe?” Brazen suspiciously adds.

“It doesn’t matter what she’s wearing. I just need her to sift through the files of the hybrids that are and aren’t gifted. Our cadet list is very extensive, and she promised she would help me out earlier. I realize now she got distracted.”

I did? When was I supposed to do that?

“Oh,” Brazen says in acceptance. “I’ll talk to you later.”

I just shake my head, and then I follow Clay into his room. He types something into his phone, and then he puts it down while stifling a laugh.

“Not that I don’t appreciate your excellent timing, but I really don’t remember you asking for my help,” I say with bemusement.

He lets his laughter creep out, and then he strolls over to the couch where he has several screens that have dropped down from the ceiling.

“Hale sent me a text from the bedroom of your suite. He told me to get you the fuck away from Brazen before he walked out ended the charade himself.”

“Oh,” I grumble while blushing fiercely.

“I’m sure Brazen has gone on by now. You might want to get back to your steaming hybrid,” he snickers out.

“Shit,” I grouse. “Thanks,” I murmur, and then I sneak back out of Clay’s room while his laughter continues.

Fortunately, Brazen isn’t haunting the hallways, and I dash into my room, not risking a dawdle. I smirk as I pull off the robe and return to the bedroom, but then I feel my smile fading into a pissed off scowl. Hale has fled from the bedroom, and all that’s left is his fucking shirt.

This is so fucked up.

I sprawl out on the bed and cover my head with my pillow so that I can scream into it to prevent anyone else hearing my little tantrum. I pull Hale’s shirt to my face and smell his incredible scent before my eyes become to heavy to hold open.

The air whistles through the crack of the balcony doors, and I stand up to go shut them, silencing the eerie sound. It’s late, and I’m not sure how long I’ve been asleep. I walk over to my door, and I check the peephole to see if anyone is in the hallway. I sigh when I see Brazen sitting on the ground in front of my room, his eyes shut, his head propped back. Several empty bottles of whiskey lie at his feet, and I huff as I open the door.

He doesn’t stir, and I squat down to wrap his arm around my neck. His eyes open, and his drunken stare becomes very apparent.

“I’ve been knocking,” he slurs while staggering around.

“I’ve been sleeping,” I retort, and he starts laughing as though I’ve made some brilliant joke. “Damn you’re drunk,” I grouse.

“I’m not drunk, I’m still drinking,” he laughs out, and then his whiskey flavored lips cover mine.

“Stop it,” I grumble, and I feel his door behind us.

I begin digging around in his pockets to find the key, but he pins me against the wall more to deliver his kissing assault. His erection reminds me of how incredibly gentle and wonderful our sex has always been, but I can’t do this.

Having been successful in my key digging attempt, I push him back against the wall to steady him. I quickly open his door, and then I help him stagger into his room. His hands grip me tighter as he finds his balance, and he throws me onto the bed before forcing me beneath his body.