“You’re not playing fair,” she told him breathlessly.

“I never said I would love. I play for keeps.”

“Oh boy.”

He laughed out loud at her words and couldn’t help teasing her just a little more before he told her goodnight.

“Hello?” The question in Costin’s voice made Sally smile.

“Hey,” she said cheerfully.

“Sally mine, why are you calling me on the phone?”

She felt the heat of her blush work up her cheeks as she realized just how stupid her idea had been. But she wanted to hear his voice, not just in her mind. She wanted to hear it physically too. She didn’t even know if that made sense, but regardless she had picked up the phone and dialed his cell, something she had never done before.

“Don’t be embarrassed, brown eyes. I know what you mean. It is different to hear someone in your mind than with your ears. I get it,” he told her gently.

“You do?”

“Yeah, I do.”

She smiled as she leaned back against the couch. It was very late and everyone was asleep. She hadn’t been able to sleep. All she had been able to do was think about Costin, about his hazel eyes, his dimple, his warm sure hands, and confident swagger. Her mate, her husband, and she missed him like crazy.

“Is it supposed to hurt?” she asked him.

“Our bond, our wolves, demand that we stay close. We are one soul with two halves, and they don’t want to be a part. I’m sorry you’re hurting. I don’t want that for you.” She could feel his fingers on her face and she closed her eyes and enjoyed the sensation she knew was only there because he was sharing it with her through their bond.

“Why did it take you so long to contact me after your fight with Fane?” she finally asked the question that had been bothering her for the past two weeks. They had talked through their bond daily since the fight, but she hadn’t brought it up. Something in her had told her it wasn’t the right time. But for some reason, now felt right.

“I needed to deal with my emotions before I opened up to you. Violence is not something I want to share with you and sometimes after a fight, our control can be a little testy.”

Sally leaned forward. “What aren’t you telling me Costin?” she paused and thought about it for a second. “Wait, if I had been there, would you have felt out of control?” She waited for his answer and when it didn’t come she snarled, “Answer me.”

“Yes, if you had been here things would have been different.”

“Then why did you let me leave?” Sally’s heart hurt knowing now. From what Costin was sharing through their bond, he had been engulfed in rage after his fight with Fane.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered.

“Don’t be, Sally mine. Itwasn’t your fault. We knew the risks we were taking when we sent you ladies off.”

“Stupid,” she grumbled.

“Probably,” he laughed. “I miss you, brown eyes.”

Sally’s skin heated as she heard the simmer of passion in his deep voice. She knew that tone. She knew before he even sent her the thought that he was planning on turning her skin fifteen shades of red.

He chuckled. “My sweet innocent Sally,” he murmured to her.

“Not so innocent,” she told him boldly.

Costin purred to her through the phone, “Come home and prove it.”

“How are you feeling?” Decebel asked as he listened to Jennifer breath through the phone.

“I’m going on four and a half months pregnant, Dec. I’m feeling fat. How are you feeling?” She didn’t hide the frustration or hurt in her voice.

“I feel lonely baby,” he told her honestly. Every day was becoming more and more painful. Breathing was becoming more of a burden than a necessity and he’d considered giving it up more than once.

“Does that mean you miss me?” she asked.

“More than anything.”

“Good.”

He chuckled at her tone and fought the urge to reach through the phone and pull her to him, if such a thing were possible.

“I’m tired B,” she told him gently. “I love you.”

“Okay baby, I’ll let you get some sleep.”

She snickered, “I don’t think you’ve ever said those words to me.”

Decebel grinned to himself. She was right. “And you like that I haven’t,” he flirted. He shouldn’t be flirting, he shouldn’t be doing anything to strengthen the bond, but he missed her and the pain from it was beginning to drive him mad.

“You are correct, my hot mate; I love that you have never let me sleep. But you’re way over there and I’m way over here, so your incredible hands can’t keep me awake tonight.”

“Wanna bet,” SHUT UP! he thought to himself. What on earth am I doing? I’m flirting with my woman that’s what, he snarled to himself, and I’m freaking talking to myself. Decebel let out an exasperated sigh.

“As soon as you’re home, you won’t be getting any sleep for a while,” he told her suggestively.

She let out an unladylike snort. “That’s just because I’ll have a crumb catcher keeping me awake.”

“Is that my new bedroom nickname?”

This brought a full laugh from her and his wolf wanted to roll around in the joy of hearing their mate so carefree.

“That was a good one, Dec.,” she let out a sigh as the laughter died down. “I really do miss you,” she told him softly.