Read Online Power Unleashed by Savannah Stuart - Free Book Online Page B

was like when she’d
    found her mate. It was supposedly just biology but the deep ache was low in her belly
    and it pulsed throughout her entire body. She needed to be near him. Needed to feel his
    hands on her again. “I’m not embarrassed you’re my mate if that’s what you think. The
    opposite in fact.”
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    His gaze narrowed as he assessed her face, but some foreign energy rolled off him
    and nearly bowled her over. Hope? She couldn’t put her finger on it. Before she could
    change her mind she walked toward him until they were barely inches apart. “Can I
    sleep in your room tonight?”
    At her question, mercurial storm clouds swirled in his eyes, but he nodded. When
    he didn’t make a move, she brushed past him and was surprised when he placed his
    hand on the small of her back. She was even more surprised that he left it there as they
    ascended the stairs all the way to his room. It was almost as if he was making a
    statement, but she wasn’t exactly sure what it was yet.
    She knew she’d been the one who had screwed up so it would be up to her to get
    him talking again. The lights were off, but the curtains on the broad window were
    drawn back, giving them plenty of illumination. She frowned when she realized the bed
    wasn’t even rumpled.
    “Have you gone to sleep yet?” She looked at him as he shut the door behind them.
    “No.” He shook his head and nodded at the small desk by the window. A laptop
    was on and papers were fanned out.
    A sudden wave of apprehension threatened to sway her, but she forced her legs to
    move toward the bed. “What side of the bed do you like?”
    “Doesn’t matter.” Short, curt and to the point.
    A knot formed in her belly as she pulled back the chocolate-colored comforter and
    equally dark silky sheet. She slid under the covers and turned on her side as he shut
    down his computer. When he got in next to her, she reached out to touch him, but he
    tensed so she pulled her hand back. It was obvious he didn’t want to talk so she rolled
    onto her other side and stared at the huge curio cabinet against the wall. Asking to sleep
    in the same room as him was a dumb idea. She was wound up and now she’d never be
    able to sleep.
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    The bed moved suddenly and before she realized it, he’d slipped his arm around
    her waist and pulled her back flush against his chest. “You want to start over?” he
    murmured against her ear. His hot breath sent shivers to her toes.
    She nodded and shifted so that she was on her back instead of facing away from
    him. “I’m sorry—”
    He placed a gentle finger over her lips. “No more apologies. We’re starting over.”
    His expression was still unreadable, but his eyes filled with undeniable lust. He
    might be mad at her, but he still wanted her.
    “So we really are mates, huh?” she whispered.
    “Afraid so.” He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead and lay back against the pillow
    but still stayed turned toward her. And he kept that hand across her stomach.
    Her shirt was pushed up and she was very aware of the bare skin his fingers idly
    caressed. She had no clue what the future held for them or if they’d ever bond, but if he
    was her mate she wanted to know more about him. Stephan was right. Before she
    condemned Adam, she needed to find out what kind of man he was. “So how did you
    get the job as The Council’s enforcer?”
    His fingers stilled and tightened against her. He was silent for so long she doubted
    he’d answer, so he surprised her when he spoke. “Centuries ago when The Council
    formed I handled a few skirmishes between packs and since I don’t have a pack to
    speak of, the job fell to me.”
    The sadness that rolled off him sent a dagger through her chest. Maybe it was
    because they were mates or maybe it was because she’d never fit in well anywhere.
    Whatever the reason, she ached for him. “Do you like what you do?”
    He shrugged. “It’s my job.”
    Not