Free Spiritbound by Dani Kristoff Page A

instantaneous system like she had at home. Hopefully, it recovered quickly or Declan was likely to be peeved with her for hogging all the hot water. As she dried herself, she eyed a pile of clothes he’d provided for her—a white singlet top and a pair of his boxer shorts. She brushed out her hair and absently used her talent to clean her own clothes and arrange them in a pile.
    Grace used a touch of magic to dry her hair and style it neatly around her face and over her shoulders. She looked down at herself, dressed in the singlet shorts, and shrugged. Conjuring items was not one of her talents so she had little choice but to wear his clothes to bed. A neck-to-toe nightgown would have provided more comfort, perhaps with a padlock at the base to seal her in it. Despite his reassurance, she did feel that she was running the gauntlet in sleeping in the same bed with him. She brushed her lips with her fingers, remembering the heat of his kisses. Definitely taking risks there, as she had been seriously turned on.
    Declan was leaning against the hallway wall when she opened the bathroom door. ‘I’m sorry. I think I used all hot water.’
    Declan laughed. ‘That’s fine. I’m quite set up for a cold shower.’ He stepped into the bathroom, and Grace didn’t know what to do with herself. Should she climb into bed and feign sleep or wait to be invited under the covers?
    It had been a long day and she was rather done in. Definitely in bed before him , she thought. And sound asleep . That had to be her tactic.
    There was a double bed in one room and a single in the other. She decided the double bed was the best option for sharing, particularly with such a large man. Her eyes rolled up Goddess save me. I can’t actually be doing this .
    Nerves aside, Grace rolled back the bedcovers and slid inside the clean-smelling sheets. Her handbag had been placed next to the bed. Declan must have moved it from the lounge room where she’d left it. Fetching her mobile phone, she quickly sent a text to Elena to let her know that she was fine, but gave no other details. She didn’t want to be dealing with their questions and the potential for gossip. Elena returned a quick ‘okay’.
    Grace tossed the phone into her bag and lay back against the pillows, staring at the ceiling. Fatigue mixed with wine caught up with her, making her eyelids heavy. She slid easily into sleep.
    Her awareness returned when a muscled arm encircled her waist and drew her within the warmth of a large, firm body. Declan nuzzled at the back of her neck, his nose ruffling her hair. A sigh escaped her and she drifted back off to sleep. A warlock’s honour? She’d never heard that they had any, but that thought drifted away.
    Declan broadcast relaxing vibes as she nestled in the cradle of his arms. They tickled at her awareness, even in sleep. She wasn’t sure if he did this on purpose or whether it was natural for him to do so. She was comforted rather than alarmed at being held so close, and basking in his warmth. His vibes made her experience comfort to her soul, such that she’d never thought she would feel ever again. Then her awareness sunk into unconsciousness.
    ***
    Declan clung to Grace, luxuriating in the feel of her tight bottom snug against his groin. Her soft breathing was like a balm to his soul. Her trust and friendship were important to him. He hadn’t realised until he returned to Sydney how much a part of him he’d left behind, and how much Grace filled up that empty space.
    Moonlight filtered through the blinds, brightening the room and filling it with restless energy. Declan was not ready for sleep. He kissed Grace’s shoulder, his mind filling with thoughts of her.
    She demanded nothing from him and he liked that. The thought that it wasn’t enough snuck up on him. He’d been avoiding entanglements, running from witches who were willing to give him anything he wanted. Except for Grace. She wanted nothing from him.
    Begrudgingly, she’d