Guthrie swallowed, his gaze boring into Lyn’s. “She’s good… and acting of her own free will about as much as we are.”
“You like it, though.”
“Her lips on my cock? Yeah. Your schemes? No.”
Tracing the tattoos stretching up his neck, Lynette leaned close and whispered in his ear. “This could be your life, Guthrie… every night… forever.”
She nibbled his earlobe as her friend took him deeper into her mouth, and he shuddered and closed his eyes. “You’re a succubus, Lyn.”
“No,” she softly disagreed, sending a chill down his spine. “I am the light leading your way.”
Chapter 7
Layla and Quin had no problem figuring out how to conceal their bonded lights. They'd succeeded on the first try, and while it was uncomfortable, it wasn't as bad as keeping their auras hidden. Having their auras pulled in resulted in mood swings, like they could emotionally explode with a nudge, whereas having their bonded lights trapped inside filled them with so much love, they thought their hearts might burst with it. Still an emotional feeling, but at least it was limited to pleasing emotions.
The worst part of hiding the hazes, they soon found out, was not being able to see each other's. Layla burst into tears the first time she saw Quin bereft of his aura and bonded light. Until that moment, she'd never seen him conceal his aura... ever. The only time she'd seen him without it since he first revealed it to her was when she hid it for him, and the two instances had only lasted a few minutes. His aura was as much a part of him as anything else; to see him pull it in was a complete shock. But that wasn't what pushed her to tears.
Bonding with him had been the most wonderful and life-altering experience she'd had, and the one thing she held most dear was his love for her, so when she looked at him and could no longer see visual proof of those two things, her heart protested. That mixed with the overwhelming love she held for him, and the fact that her aura and bonded light were clammed up, triggered a breakdown.
Quin was quick to soothe her, releasing his aura and bonded light as he took her in his arms. Then he distracted her with a kiss when he sucked the lights back in. Seeing him without them still stung Layla’s heart, but she didn't burst into ridiculous sobs.
Their strengthened powers made it easy to transfer their belongings to the house, and after donning their cloaks and saying a quick goodbye to Karena's best room, they flew from the rose-covered terrace into the night. He quickly pulled her against him. Then he held her there all the way home.
They landed in the middle of their deserted lawn around midnight, and they leaned into each other as they sighed. No matter how beautiful the suite was, it didn't provide that warm and cozy feeling that accompanied a family.
Keeping their hazes hidden, they walked to Caitrin and Morrigan's, eager to get the greeting over with so they could go home.
As Quin reached up to knock, the door swung open to Caitrin, who offered a relieved smile and moved aside, motioning for them to enter. The rest of Layla grandparents and Quin’s parents were seated in the living room, but Layla and Quin ignored them as they moved into each other and released their lights.
“That's better,” she sighed, vanishing their cloaks. Then she shamelessly touched her cheek to his bare chest.
“Yes it is,” he agreed, intently searching her aura.
Layla kissed his heart. Then she took his hand and moved further into the room. “Sorry we're so late.”
“Don't apologize, sweetie,” Morrigan insisted, rising from the couch. “Are you guys hungry? I can have something ready in two minutes.”
They were starving, but they didn't want to eat there. Layla met Quin's stare with a smirk, and he grinned as he forced his gaze away. “Thanks, Morrigan, but we'll eat when we get home.”
“How about coffee then?”
“Yes,” they answered, and Layla's cheeks flushed as she buried her face in Quin’s chest.
Kemble quietly laughed, and Morrigan's lips twitched with a knowing smile. “Have a seat,” she suggested. “I'll be right back.”
Quin and Layla obeyed, sitting beside each other on the couch, but she steadily moved closer as he steadily pulled her in. By the time Morrigan returned with their coffee, Layla was on his lap. “Thanks,” they replied, taking their mugs.
“Made any plans?” Quin asked, his lips alternating between her hair and his mug.
“Yes,” Caitrin answered, summoning chairs for Morrigan and himself. “But before going much further, we need to let the rest of the family in on the secret. We've asked them to be here at four tomorrow. If it's okay with you, they'll find out then.”