CHAPTER 17
Wild opened the door to his and Diane’s house.
Celise followed him inside.
He held her hand in a firm grip, almost as if he didn’t want to let her go. She loved it. His touch made her feel cozy inside. She couldn’t help but smile as they walked up the stairs to the second floor.
Something amazing was happening.
Wind had never looked at her the way he was now. He’d been driving and gazing at her from time to time with a mysterious smile, studying her, evaluating the situation.
Wind led her toward Diane’s room. He didn’t knock before opening the door.
Diane was still sitting on the balcony, reading a book. She lowered it when they joined her. “How did it go?”
Wind let go of Celise’s hand and approached Diane. “It went great.”
“Well, that depends on how you look at it. At least Wind and Shade are in one piece,” Celise said.
Diane frowned. She looked worried for a moment, but then her eyes sparkled with excitement. “The bond was triggered. Shade touched you, and Wind didn’t like it.” It was a statement, not a question.
Wind fell on his knees in front of Diane and placed his hands on her legs. “It’s happening, my love. I can feel it awakening. I'm falling in love with Celise.” There was so much pride in his voice.
Celise was unable to speak. Her heart skipped as his words sank in. Hearing him say it was like a dream coming true. The warm feeling in her limbs increased, and her love for him exploded in her chest. A tear of joy ran down her cheek.
Wind pinned her with a gaze, and she saw it.
The love he spoke of.
It really was there, sparkling in his mesmerizing eyes, and all she wanted was to hug him and say thank you, but she didn’t move, because that would’ve been childish. Instead, she hugged herself.
A feeling of peace filled her.
For the first time ever, Celise wasn’t afraid to love him. Before she had always pushed her feelings aside, because they could never be, but now, she could finally let everything out.
Diane smiled. “I’m happy to hear that. Are you all right with it?”
Wind nodded. “My feelings for Celise are growing fast. They’ve increased remarkably, even during the short ride back here. I think it’ll continue at this pace until I’m completely bound to her.”
“And what about your bond to me?”
“It’s still there, as strong as always.”
Diane’s smile faded. “Oh. That means—”
“That I’ll be bound to the both of you for some time.”
Celise didn’t miss Diane’s unspoken question when she made eye contact with her. She worried what would happen if Wind remained bound to both of them. Was it even possible for a cyborg to remain bound to two women? And what would happen if Diane suddenly died?
She hoped with all her heart her friend’s passing was in the far future, but judging by her weak appearance, pale skin, and tired eyes, it was only a matter of time.
At worst, Diane had weeks remaining.
“I know Jade forbid it, but I want to spend one day with the both of you.” Wind’s gaze lingered between them with a glimpse of hope. “Just one day. That’s all I’m asking. One day without restrictions of what is right or wrong for me to do. I want to be able to touch you both whenever I want, and how much I want.”
Silence filled the balcony.
Celise and Diane exchanged gazes again.
What her friend wanted didn’t escape her notice. There was so much hope in her tired eyes, it almost broke Celise’s heart.
Diane wanted badly to spend one last day with Wind. Once the bond was transferred, she’d never be able to touch him intimately again.
He would always have feelings for Diane, but his need for her would be gone. Diane would have to spend her final days alone, with no one to hold her or love her ... didn’t matter how long she had left.
Celise took a deep breath. “Let’s do it.”
Hesitation lingered in Diane’s eyes. “What if what we have accomplished so far disappears if Wind and I touch?
“I don’t think it will,” Wind said.
“How can you be sure?”
He gave her a comforting smile. “Because I feel it.”
Diane placed her hand on his cheek as happiness filled her gaze. “I’d love nothing more but spend one last day with you.” She leaned in and kissed him.
Wind wrapped his arms around Diane and deepened the kiss. His tongue mingled with hers, and he groaned as he closed his eyes. Happiness radiated from him, too.
Celise didn’t move as she watched them kiss. To her surprise, it didn’t cause an emotional havoc within her seeing them like this. Instead, she was glad for their sake.
They needed this.
One last time ...