CHAPTER 13
Celise opened her eyes and yawned. She’d slept like a baby. No wonder considering what she’d been through the past day.
It was far from over, but at this very moment, she was happy. She lay on a comfortable bed, covered with white linens, and was surrounded by a pleasant warmth.
The sun was shining outside, spreading a bright light inside the room.
Wind lay beside her, still asleep.
She couldn’t help but smile and admire his handsome face.
Wind breathed slowly. He looked relaxed, and she didn’t miss the gentle smile on his lips. Was he dreaming about something nice?
A lock of his brown hair lay over his forehead. Celise brushed it away and touched his warm skin. It made her heart jump. She wanted nothing more but to move closer and embrace him, but she pulled her hand back instead. She didn’t want to wake him. He needed his sleep, too.
The best part was that Wind really was trying to transfer his bond to her even if it caused him great pain. That meant a lot to her, because his love for Diane was strong, and that would never change.
She hated being the one to take him away. She wanted Diane and Wind to be happy. She wanted her to live, even if it meant she’d never be with him. He preferred Diane, and always would. They were so much more alike.
Celise sighed. This was a complicated situation that gave her a headache. She didn’t want to hurt Diane, but hurt was unavoidable, probably for all three of them.
She remembered the crying she’d heard before falling asleep. At first, she’d thought she’d imagined it, that her fatigue had played tricks on her, but now she knew it had been Diane. Without a doubt.
Celise knew what she had to do. It didn’t matter how much she wanted to stay in bed with Wind, she and Diane needed to talk. They still hadn’t had the chance just the two of them.
She glanced at Wind one final time. He was still asleep and didn’t wake when she climbed out of bed.
Celise put her clothes on and left the room. She headed for the bathroom, took care of her needs, brushed her teeth, and combed her hair. When she was ready, she went looking for Diane. Hopefully, she was awake.
She headed for the room Diane had taken last night and knocked on the door. At first, there was only silence.
“Come in,” Diane finally said.
With a heavy heart, Celise entered the room. It wasn’t big. It had a rectangular shape, with space for a bed and a wardrobe. The interior was bright and appealing, just like the rest of the house. It was a guestroom, and it made her heart clench even more.
Her friend had spent the night alone in her own guestroom.
On the other end of the room were wide open doors leading to a balcony with white metal railings. Diane sat out there on an armchair with her back to Celise.
She swallowed and stepped out on the balcony.
It was warm, but Diane’s legs were covered with a blanket. A small, round table stood by the chair. A hot cup of tea with a tiny slice of lemon in it rested there. Steam rose from the cup.
Celise studied Diane. She didn’t look well at all, with the dark bags under her eyes and uncombed hair. Her skin was paler than usual, and her hands and lips had a bluish hue. She seemed to be freezing.
Maybe their activities last night with Wind had been too much for her.
“Good morning, Celise.” Diane smiled.
Celise swallowed hard. “Good morning.”
“Did you and Wind bond?”
Heat rushed to Celise’s cheeks as she leaned against the railings. “Not yet.”
Concern crossed her friend’s expression. “You weren’t able to have sex?”
Unease swept over Celise. Telling Diane these things didn’t feel right. She was his bound one after all. “He could touch me, but … um … couldn’t kiss me for long, and he wasn’t able to—” Celise looked away.
“I see.” Diane was quiet for a while before she sighed. “I guess we still have things to work on then.”
“Jade said this could take time, but I believe we’ve accomplished a lot for one day.”
“Yes, I agree. He knows you and likes you. That’s probably why.”
Another silence filled the balcony.
“Diane, I—” Celise lost her words.
Diane’s lips twitched. “I know what you’re going to say.”
She winced. “You do?”
“You feel like you’re stealing Wind from me. Am I right?”
Celise held her breath as she nodded.
“I chose this. I proposed this to Wind, and he accepted. You don’t have to feel like that, because I’m glad you’re the one to take over the bond. You’re the best option.” Diane grabbed her arm. “I’m calmer knowing he’ll be safe with you once I’m gone. Seeing him with a stranger would’ve given me a stomach ache.” She smiled. “I’m glad you chose him, too.”
Celise stared at Diane. She had no idea what she should say.
“I’m all right with this. I really am, Celise.”
“But ... I heard you cry.”
Her friend’s smile faded. “Well, those things are unavoidable. He means the world to me, and when I heard you last night—” Her gaze turned serious. “Don’t get me wrong. I love Wind with all my heart, but I’ll also do everything in my power to make sure the bond is transferred to you. The last thing I want is him dying with me, or worse, ending up as one of the Fighters.”
Celise agreed. “I don’t want that either.”
“After listening to what Shade and Phoebe had to say about Nightmare and his gang, I can’t stand the thought of my gentle Wind being among them. If my death doesn't kill him, they would. One way or another.”
She shivered. She’d heard Shade’s and Phoebe’s story as well, and it hadn’t been pretty.
Nightmare had injured Shade by trying to remove his bond to Phoebe. He’d tried to replace it with another signal, to make Shade forget her. The rogue leader had been sure it’d work, but it hadn’t. Shade had almost died. He’d spent days in MedAct’s care after that. Now, Phoebe’s cyborg was in her care. She checked him every other day and reported back to Jade. So far, things seemed all right.
“So, what do we do today?” Celise asked.
“I guess we continue where we ended yesterday. Wind can touch you now, but he can’t kiss you. We must make sure you two have sex as soon as possible.”
They’d always seemed so open about sex, but Celise had a hard time with that. “Do you think you’ll need to—?” The words died in her mouth.
A grin appeared on Diane’s lips. “I don’t know. Maybe. Is that something you’d mind?”
“I .. um ... I don’t know ...”
Diane studied her. “Have you ever slept with a man? You seem so shy about sex and intimacy.”
“Yes, I have. I’ve had a few relationships, but my work has always been more important to me.”
“So you don’t have much experience?”
She shook her head.
“Well, I guess it’s a good thing Wind and I have plenty of experience.”
Celise almost jerked out of her skin. “What?”
Diane chuckled. “Don’t look so surprised. He and I have experimented a lot over the years. We both have high sex drives, and once the bond is yours, you’ll have all that to yourself. I’m sure Wind will want to teach you all about it.”
Celise couldn’t stop staring at Diane as all kinds of images crossed her mind of Wind in different sexual positions. She’d never believed Wind was into sex that much. He didn’t seem the type.
“I don’t mind a threesome, just so you know, Celise. If that’s what has to happen then don’t be afraid to ask me. I’m sure Wind won’t mind either.”
Celise was unable to answer. Her jaw dropped, and the back of her neck went hot, searing into her cheeks.
“I shocked you, didn’t I?”
She closed her mouth and tried not to imagine all three of them in bed, but strangely enough, a tiny hint of interest awakened within her.
“I know I did,” Diane went on with an undying smile.
The door to the room opened, and Celise winced.
Wind entered the room and joined them. He was dressed in black sweatpants and a white shirt. His hair was wet, and his skin almost seemed to glow from freshness.
It made her heart stutter. He was breathtaking with his fit and elegant features, and he looked her right in the eyes. He didn’t seem the slightest ashamed of what they’d done before going to sleep. She, on the other hand, couldn’t escape the embarrassment flushing her.
“Good morning, ladies.” He approached Diane, bent down, and kissed her on the cheek.
Diane caressed his arm. “Good morning, love.”
When he straightened and turned to her, Celise tensed. He approached her slowly, looking her deep into the eyes. Excitement lingered in his. “Celise.” His voice was like the sweetest whisper, teasing her tingling insides.
She swallowed and nodded, unable to say his name.
He cupped her face and gave her a look that made her melt on the inside.
Celise didn’t move. She couldn’t move. His touch almost made her forget to breathe. His masculine and appealing scent hit her senses. He smelled fresh from his shower, like an ocean breeze.
He bent down to kiss her but stopped before his lips touched hers. Wind tilted her head to the side and went for her throat instead.
Celise was unable to hold back a gasp as his lips made contact with her sensitive skin. He made her shiver all over. She closed her eyes as warmth in her body rose, making her head spin.
He nibbled her earlobe as his hands explored her form.
She loved it. She hated it. Diane was watching, and that made it awkward.
Wind pulled back with a wide smile. “The bond wouldn’t let me kiss your lips, but kissing you elsewhere is apparently acceptable.”
“Good.” She tried to shake off the arousal, but it was an impossible task. He aroused her just by being close to her, and when he touched her, she drowned in her own fire. Celise didn’t miss the grin on Diane’s lips.
“I must say it’s rather arousing watching you two,” her friend said.
Anticipation filled Wind’s shiny gaze, and when Celise saw pride in them as well, it hit her. He’d do anything to please Diane.
“You liked it? Do you want me to kiss her again?” he asked.
Celise held her breath. He definitely wanted to please Diane. Would he want to please her too once she was his bound one?
Diane chuckled. “I think Celise has had enough for now. She looks ready to fall apart.”
He gave her a once-over. “She’s aroused.” Wind glanced back at Diane, his gaze lingering on the bed inside the guestroom. “I could take care of her need if you want me to. My bond allows me to do that now.”
Shock rippled through Celise. They discussed her and sex so … casually.
Wind noticed. “Don’t worry. I won’t hurt you. I can ease your need the way I did last night. I’m sure you’re going to like it.”
Celise couldn’t avoid a look toward the bed. “In here?”
“Yes.”
“With Diane here?”
“Is that a problem?”
She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “You really don’t mind her seeing us together, do you?”
He frowned. “Should I? She’s still my bound one, and Diane doesn’t mind us being together. So if she doesn’t mind, then I’m fine with it, too.”
Celise sighed. “If Diane wasn’t … dying, would you agree to it as well?”
He winced. “Of course not! Only my bound one touches me, and I only touch my bound one. I’m touching you because you’re becoming my new bound one.”
Celise nodded and relaxed.
Diane rose from the armchair and wrapped the blanket around her shoulders. “You’ve nothing to worry about, Celise. If it turns out I have to be with you and Wind, I’ll treat it professionally.”
Celise swallowed hard. “I understand, but I never thought we’d have to go that far.”
“Who knows. Maybe we won’t.”
Something rang from the bedroom. Wind went inside and approached a small and flat screen attached to the wall. He pressed its right corner, and the signal stopped. Phoebe’s attractive face appeared on the screen.
“Hello, Phoebe,” he said with a smile.
“Hi, Wind. You don’t happen to know where Celise is, do you? I’ve tried to call her, but she isn’t answering.”
“She’s right here.”
Celise approached the screen. “I’m sorry you had to search for me, I’ve been here since yesterday.”
Surprise crossed Phoebe’s eyes before she glanced at Wind. “Is something wrong with you?” She gasped and placed a hand against her mouth. “Is Diane all right?”
“Don’t worry,” Wind said. “We’re both fine.”
Phoebe studied them. Obviously, she wasn’t convinced. “Very well,” she said after a moment. “We had an appointment today, Celise.”
Celise gasped. “I completely forgot.”
Her friend grinned. “I figured.”
“Give me a few minutes, and I’ll be there.”
Phoebe nodded. “See you soon.” She hung up.
Wind turned to her. “I’m going with you.” There was unexpected anger in his eyes.
She studying him. “Maybe you should stay with Diane.”
Diane entered the room. “It’s better if he goes with you. He’s supposed to be by your side from now on, not mine.”
He nodded. “No way I’m staying here when Shade will be near you.”
Celise’s jaw dropped.
Where had that come from all of a sudden?