Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 119846 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 599(@200wpm)___ 479(@250wpm)___ 399(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119846 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 599(@200wpm)___ 479(@250wpm)___ 399(@300wpm)
“Noelle? Baby? What the fuck is going on—are you okay?” he demanded, heart pounding in his chest.
There was a pause, then a thin, trembling voice.
“I don’t… don’t know.” Her words trailed off, muffled by sobs.
Burn’s patience snapped.
“That’s it—I’m going in.” He tried the handle and found it unlocked—thank the Goddess—then pushed his way into the room with Bright on his heels.
The room was dim, lit only by a soft golden glow from the bedside lamp. Noelle was a small, lonely figure in the middle of the enormous bed. Her hair was a wild halo around her lovely face, and tears shone in her big brown eyes in the dim light. The red nightgown she wore clung to her curves, almost translucent in places, especially over her nipples which looked dark and tight beneath the sheer fabric.
When he saw her tearstained face, Burn’s heart twisted in his chest with a fierce need to protect—to fix whatever was wrong.
He scanned the room quickly—no sign of the Trollox. In fact, there was no sign of any intruder. Relief flooded him, making his knees weak for a split second.
She’s alone. She’s safe.
But even so, it was clear something was very wrong.
Bright moved forward first, kneeling on the bed beside her.
“Noelle, sweetheart, what is it? What’s happened?” His voice was gentle, coaxing.
Burn came up to sit on the other side of her. He wanted to pull the curvy little human into his arms, but he held back—uncertain what was the right thing to do when she was so upset. His heart burned inside him.
Gods, she looks so fucking fragile right now. I’d do anything to take her pain away. Anything.
Noelle sniffled, wiping her face with the coarse sheet, but still not meeting their eyes.
In the lamplight, Burn caught a glimpse of something glistening on her chest—golden drops at the tips of her nipples. His brows drew together.
What the fuck? Is she… leaking?
“Talk to us, baby,” he said, trying to soften his voice. It still came out rough, but there was nothing he could do about that. “Are you in pain? Did someone hurt you?”
She shook her head, a fresh wave of tears making her shoulders shake.
“No, I… it’s not that. I just… I don’t know what’s happening to me.”
Burn exchanged a look with Bright—his friend’s hazel-green eyes were filled with concern and confusion. Burn felt out of his depth. If this was a physical threat, he knew what to do—fight it or kill it to protect the woman they both cared for. But when the threat was something he couldn’t see, couldn’t fight…well, what could he do?
Bright, as always, was better with words than he was.
“You don’t have to face this alone,” he said quietly, reaching out—slow, gentle—to take her hand. “We’re here for you, Noelle. Whatever is happening, we’ll get through it together.”
Burn knew the Light Twin meant every word—and he spoke for both of them. He only wished he could put his own thoughts into words as well as his best friend.
I swear, I’ll tear down this whole fucking house before I let anyone hurt you, baby. I’ll kill every monster in this galaxy if I have to, he thought. You’re ours now. And we’re never letting you go.
44
BRIGHT
Bright’s heart squeezed painfully at the sight of Noelle, curled in the center of the massive bed, her body wracked with sobs. She looked so small, so lost—a fragile spot of color in a vast white sea of sheets. He felt Burn’s big presence at his back, restless and angry, but for once, the Dark Twin’s fury was shadowed by something more urgent—fear. Not for himself, but for their woman.
Gods, I can’t stand seeing her like this. I’d give anything to make her pain go away! Bright thought.
“Hey, sweetheart, what’s wrong?” he asked softly. “Can you talk to me—tell me what’s going on with you?”
Noelle shook her head, unable to speak for the moment. The tears just kept coming, tracking down her cheeks and dripping onto the sheer red nightgown she wore. The fabric was already damp, clinging to her lush curves, her nipples tight and dark against the thin silk. If she hadn’t been so clearly in pain, the sight would have been almost unbearably erotic—but now, all Bright could feel was worry.
“It…it hurts,” she managed at last, her voice low and raw. “And there’s nothing I can do…I mean, I can’t even…even touch myself!”
“What hurts, baby?” Burn asked, and for once his voice was gentle—rough velvet, no growl in it at all.
“My…my breasts. My nipples. They ache. And they’re leaking!” Noelle sobbed again, clutching at the front of the nightgown, as if she could hide the evidence.
Bright’s concern sharpened as he leaned closer. The damp, sheer silk was nearly transparent, outlining the curves of her full breasts. He could see the wet spots, glistening in the low light, and the dark nipples pushing stiffly against the fabric. He reached for her, stroking her hair back gently from her face.