Chapter 11 · You have neither to spare

"You have neither to spare."

Evelyn leaned closer, close enough to feel his breath brush her mouth. "I have you."

His gaze dropped to her lips, then snapped back to her eyes. The pause was tiny, but she felt it. So did he.

"That sounded like a threat," he said.

"It was."

"Good."

A blast struck the wall above them. Chunks of brick rained down. Kade turned and covered the back of her head with his arm. The impact knocked them both through a half-open maintenance door.

They crashed into a dark utility room. Evelyn landed on top of him. His hands caught her waist before she could roll away.

"Get off," he said.

"You first."

"You're sitting on my ribs."

"Your ribs are attached to the problem."

"You enjoy this."

"Watching you suffer? A little."

"Liar."

The word was quiet. Too certain.

Evelyn pushed away, but his hand stayed around her wrist. His thumb dragged once over her pulse, checking the beat. Her pulse answered through the bond, and the limiter glowed.

Kade's eyes narrowed. "Our rates are syncing."

"Stop counting my heartbeats."

"I need to know when you're about to crash."

"Worry about your own."

"I am.