Air of Seduction (Elemental Enforcers #3)

Chapter 18

Payton

My phone pings with a text, and I sit bolt upright on the couch, where I’ve been dozing for a while.

I snatch the phone off the table and stare at the text from Ronan. I’m sorry.

My heart skips a beat, and my lips stretch into a wide smile. “Thank you.”

I quickly type out a response. Thank you. I didn’t mean to hurt you. Are your balls okay? I press send and hold my breath. He seemed okay when Olivia and I left, and he can’t be too angry with me if he sent me a text to tell me he’s sorry.

A text pops up after just a few seconds. They’re fine. I heal fast. I’d rather you didn’t do it again, though. He’s added a winking emoji.

My already wide smile becomes even wider. He wrote again. Does that mean he wants to see me again?

I chew on my bottom lip. Good to hear they’re okay, or I’d have to kiss them better. I hit send and immediately freeze. Them as in his balls and not you. My pulse pounds in my ears. I’m never this forward, ever.

I flip my phone facedown and stare at it. I have no idea how he’s going to respond to that, or if he even will.

My phone pings, but I just keep staring at it, not sure if I want to see his response.

It takes a minute for my curiosity to get the better of me, and I reluctantly turn the phone over to see the screen.

The pain is back. I accept your offer.

Heat rushes through my veins and settles between my legs. My clit tingles as it swells, as if it thinks it will get some action.

Licking my bottom lip, I read his text again and again while I consider what to do.

Should I invite him over? It might be a bad idea since it’s Olivia’s apartment, and seeing him might remind her of what happened.

She’s sleeping, though, and probably will be for many hours yet, considering how exhausted she was. Unless she wakes from a nightmare. But if she does, I can tell Ronan to leave.

Before I can change my mind, I type out a text and send it.

∞∞∞

Ronan

Sounds like you should come over.

My heart slams against my ribs as I stare at Payton’s text. This is so much better than I expected. But should I go? Olivia is there, and she might freak out when she sees me.

I shake my head. No, Payton wouldn’t have invited me if she thought it would upset her friend.

My thumbs fly over the keyboard as I stride toward the door. I’m on my way. Can’t wait to feel your soft lips on my sensitive skin.

Before opening the door, I adjust my hard dick. I know I shouldn’t expect sex, no matter what Payton’s texts implied. Olivia is in the apartment, and the last thing I want is to upset Payton’s friend. But my cock doesn’t listen to reason.

I haven’t taken more than five steps from my door when Noah walks out of his suite. His eyes lock onto me as he stalks toward me. “How is she?”

Fuck. “Noah, I don’t know yet.”

A deep crease forms between his brows. “Payton didn’t answer?”

Fuck, fuck. I can’t lie to him. “Yes, she did. I’m going over there now. I’ll—”

“How’s Olivia?” His nostrils flare, and his muscles bunch as he stares me down.

I stay calm but mentally prepare to defend myself if necessary. I’ve never seen Noah this out of control, but then this is his mate we’re talking about. “I don’t know yet. We just exchanged a couple of texts. But I’m sure she would’ve told me if—”

“Fuck you! You should’ve asked.” His dark-brown eyes start glowing as he glares at me.

“I will as soon as I get there, and I’ll let you know.”

“Not good enough.” He shakes his head. “I’m coming with you.”

“No!” I cross my arms as anger and regret war inside me. “Then I’m not going.”

He chuckles, more with triumph than with humor. “Yes, you fucking are. Or you’ll disappoint Payton.”

He’s probably right, and that’s the last thing I want to do right now. “I’m going, but I’m going alone.” I try to walk past him, but he takes a step to the side, putting himself directly in my path.

“If you won’t let me ride with you, I’ll follow you.” His body is practically vibrating with tension.

I let my arms fall to my sides as I breathe out in a deep sigh. “What do you think Olivia will do when she sees you, Noah?”

His jaw clenches, and for the first time since he stepped out of his suite, he looks away from me.

Several seconds go by in silence before he opens his mouth. “I only want to see her. It doesn’t have to be up close. I just need to see her face.”

“She’s inside her apartment. You won’t be able to see her unless you walk in there. In her space. How do you think she’ll react to that?”

“I…” He shakes his head like he doesn’t know what to say. Then he buries his face in his hands. “I’m going crazy. My mind, my body. Every part of me is urging me to go to her, to take care of her. She needs help, and who can help her better than her true mate?”

He’s got a point, but the fact still remains that he scared her when she was already traumatized. Approaching her so soon could spell disaster for the both of them.

There has to be a solution to this that will help him calm down a little while maintaining her need for distance.

My lips purse. “What if I can get Payton to record a short video of Olivia when I get there? Then you’ll get to see her and how she’s doing without disturbing her more than necessary. I know it’s not what you want, but it’s better than having her run from you.”

He lifts his head, his eyes narrowing, and I expect him to tell me to go to hell. But instead his shoulders sag, and he nods. “I guess it’s better than nothing.”

I breathe out a silent sigh of relief, but it might have been too soon.

“I’m still coming with you.” He lifts an eyebrow at me in challenge. “But I’ll stay outside.”

“Give me your word, or I won’t go.”

He gives me a sharp nod. “I promise.”