Moon Sworn (The Bound Series Book 1) by JF Holland Page A

marring his handsome features.  He had beautiful amber eyes, thick dark brows and a slightly crooked nose over a sensual mouth, which was presently pinched. She rolled her eyes because as he spread his knees to crouch down there it was again, right in her face.  Honestly, it was waving around like a spare arm, begging for attention.  Like the geeky kid at the back of the class that always knew the answer.  Sheesh, she so didn't need this right now, she really didn't.
    "Hey, you okay?" that soft query really got her attention, she looked away from his spare part - that currently had her attention, to his face, and found he was still frowning.  Then he leaned forward and put one hand under her knees and the other under her shoulders and pulled her out of the confined space and into his arms.  He then lifted her as if she weighed nothing as he scooted backwards, sitting on the end of her bed and placing her on his lap.  So not comfortable, not with the extra head poking her in the arse, but she was too tired to worry at the moment.  Sighing she tried to ignore the needy little - okay well not so little, bastard as she dropped her head on his chest.  Snuggling in, she took comfort from his steady heartbeat thumping away under her ear.  Her eyes closed, as exhaustion tried to drag her under, but then the image of her mother's lifeless, bloodstained and torn body lit up behind her eyelids, and they popped open again.  Her breath hitched and her heart rate increased in her agitation.
    "Shit, I'm sorry." Jaden said, rubbing his chin on top of her head as he used a hand to rub her back.
    "I'm sorry, I didn't realise I was broadcasting." Maya told him quietly and sniffled once, then turned her head and ran her runny nose down his t-shirt.
    "Did you just wipe your nose on me?" he asked, amusement thick in his voice.
    "I certainly did cat boy.  You have to have some uses," she sniffed disdainfully, and he threw his head back and laughed, she really did amuse him no end.  Even after he'd seen the terrible scene in her head that she'd been witness to, he couldn't help himself.  She didn't seem to have a filter, whatever she was thinking just came straight out.  He liked that, there was no pretence or artifice with her, what you saw was what you got and god that was so refreshing.
    "I suppose you have your moments too," she whispered on a yawn as he ran his hand up her back again and kissed the top of her head before standing.  "Whoa, just put me down, I'll just sleep now, I'm so tired."
    "You can't sleep here tonight, I can't make the window secure enough for you to stay here.  The quick fix should be enough to deter any would be burglars, but not the shifters.  They may try again later on, well if Binks and Sam don't find them." He heard her sigh
    "Bollocks, okay I'll go sign in to the hotel in town."
    "No need, I'm renting next door, you can stay there with me." She snorted.
    "Not happening, I don't know you from Adam and you've already admitted to wanting in my pants."
    "Yeah, but at the moment your pants themselves are more appealing than what's in them, my arse is cold," he grumbled.  Maya burst out laughing, making herself hiccup.
    "Where are your pants, anyway?"
    "Disappeared in the shift.  If you'd have just stopped arguing with me and put out I wouldn't have had them on when I shifted, then I wouldn't be stood here with my junk swaying in the wind."
    "Sheesh, sorry I wouldn't roll over and give it up for the cause.  Put me down Tiddles, I'll have a look what I have, I'm sure I have some spare sweats here somewhere."  He looked down at her suspiciously as he slowly lowered her feet to the carpeted floor, then his mouth twisted as she turned away.
    "Pink?  That really isn't my colour, so don't bother.  Either grey or black or I'll walk next door bollocko, I am not wearing pink."  She snorted as she rummaged in a drawer then handed him a pair of black sweat pants, and turned away with a blush as he stepped