Free Connected (Twists of Fate #1) by Jolyn Palliata Page A

she opened her eyes. Too bad she couldn’t go through life with her eyes closed at all times. Actually…she probably could. Blind people made it through life just fine without being able to see, and…
    Oh, my God. What was she thinking?! Sex—even superior mind-blowing sex—wasn’t worth not being able to see again. Then again…
    Rhys chuckled in her ear, his hand splayed across her belly. Interesting train of thought.
    Shit, I knew I was good, but to the point of wishing you were blind? Damn, I’m a god.
    Oh, crap.
    She groaned and mumbled, “Get out of my head.”
    Now, sweetheart, let’s be honest. You don’t really want me out of your head. Not now, or ever again. You’d be fucking lost without me. Admit it.
    “I admit to nothing.” The lift in his tone implied he was teasing, but there was still no way she was stroking that enormous ego of his.
    You know what you can stroke…, he mused, the implication clear.
    “Don’t even say it.” And it appeared she had to work on muting selective thoughts. Again.
    Back to square one.
    Oh, I don’t know about that. I’d say we’ve gotten a lot further than square one.
    “Hardy, har, har. Smartass.” She threw a pillow over her head—like that was really going to help.
    Um, duh!
    “I’m gonna have to learn how to block you all over again, aren’t I?” Why would you want to?
    Being able to read his tone, as well as his emotions, was becoming very useful. “Don’t even try to pretend you’re hurt by that, Rhys. Your fake guilt trips aren’t going to work.” Dammit, woman. I’m gonna have to find all new fucking ways to manipulate you. This is your fault, ya know. If you hadn’t gotten yourself all horny—
    He pinched her ass and she yelped, returning the assault with a light elbow to his gut. Well, it was supposed to be light, but it earned her a grunt in her ear followed by a quiet snicker.
    Allowing herself an indulgent smile, she pulled the pillow off her head and then reluctantly opened her eyes to the morning brightness. The sensation of Rhys next to her immediately faded.
    Yup, same as the night before.
    Can you feel this?
    “No.”
    Close your eyes.
    She did, and promptly jumped and giggled, pressing her ear to her shoulder. “Stop blowing in my ear.”
    That answers that. No matter how hard I concentrate, you’ll only feel me with your eyes closed.
    “You sound disappointed.”
    I am, little bit. I could’ve had a helluva lot of fun with that.
    “Oh, man,” she moaned as she straightened out into a good, muscle-pulling stretch. “I can only imagine.”
    Hey. Hold up a sec. Do you hear that?
    What now? “Here what?”
    Are your eyes open or closed?
    “Open.” She glanced around the room reflexively, and listened for Rhys. Other than the distant buzz of his thoughts, the only thing she could hear were the birds outside. “Rhys, what is it?”
    I can hear birds.
    Her gaze shot to the window. She hadn’t been concentrating on the sound at all. “You can hear them?”
    His voice lifted in wonder. Yeah. Sure as shit, I can. And your eyes are fucking open?
    “Uh…yeah.” Her stomach plummeted like a rock. By focusing on specific senses she’d been able to control what she transmitted. But she didn’t even have that restraint anymore? “What happened between us… It must have strengthened our connection.” Looks like. But I can tell you’re not too thrilled about that. What the fuck’s up with that? His tone was tight, almost accusatory.
    “Look. Don’t get all pissy with me. I’m just trying to figure out how either one of us is going to get any privacy now. That was our problem before, remember?” She sighed as she sat up. “I’m already having trouble blocking my thoughts from you, and now this?” Okay. Just take a step back. Have you really even tried to block me? Go ahead.
    Concentrate. Give it your damnedest.
    Without much faith it was going to work, Addison closed her eyes. She could feel Rhys next to her, which