Their Mating Illusion [Paranormal Protection Unit 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) by Honor James

nervous tension that Maya gave out was nearly palpable. “I have a feeling that is when…” She paused and stepped into the kitchen with him before continuing. “I have a feeling that’s when the power that my father sent to me upon his death will flow into you.” And when that happened he would be the most powerful Warlock, the one that Gaia herself had handpicked to remove the Griffon family from power and put him in power instead. It is as it should be, she thought to herself. There was no one kinder, stronger than her mate and he would rule with grace and with the knowledge of what happened to those who were hurt because he had lived it.
    Making a face, he looked at her. “I have to admit that’s the only part I’m seriously not looking forward to. I am all down with making love to you and claiming you as my bond-mate but that power bit”—he shivered—“gives me the willies.” But it would keep her safe. He’d be the only one that could transfer it. Plus, with him having the power, that instantly made Michael a fraud and interloper in the Council Chambers, should he be there.
    “I do look forward to the whole making love bit,” Maya admitted with a grin. “I just really, really hope that we are able to do it without making all kinds of mistakes.” Sure she had read about how to make love, and seen videos, but that had to be far different from the actuality of things. Actually having sex had to be far different from what one could learn from videos and books, right?
    “I’m sure we’ll manage just fine,” he told her and again wondered if he should clear up her misconception. While he wasn’t a stud like some of the others on the Teams, he’d had a couple relationships, a couple one-night stands and a few…well, yeah, he wasn’t thinking about the other hour-or-less interludes. “For now, food. Any preferences, allergies, hates, loves?” he asked, moving to his double-wide fridge.
    “No allergies but I really, really hate nuts,” she told him. “Don’t know what it is about them but I hate them. I think it all stems from the fact that I watched some DIY show one time and it showed someone using a walnut meat to erase scratches on a table.” She shuddered. “So yeah, ick. No nuts. Everything else though I’m totally game for.”
    “Right, nuts.” He made a mental note about that. Digging out some thin-sliced roast beef, he held it up, “You okay with a sandwich and some leftover soup?” he asked. He needed to go shopping again. Great, something else he hated wasting time on. “It’s creamy potato and bacon,” he added in case she cared one way or another.
    “That sounds good to me.” She licked her lips. “Now creamy potato and bacon is my favorite soup of all of them,” she admitted to him. “That and broccoli cheddar.” She made another mmm sound and rubbed her belly. “Between those two soups I could totally gorge myself for hours and hours on end.” Sad but very true.
    “Well, no broccoli cheddar, sorry,” he told her, digging out the container. “But we can get the fixings the next time I have to do a shopping trip. Which, given the state of my fridge and the fact we’ve been on mission on and off over the last month, will likely be tomorrow.” Setting the bread, meat, condiments, and other fixings on the counter, he looked at her. “This is likely the last of my fresh stuff, the rest…well”—he shrugged—“we may have to donate it to a wildlife place so that it can run free.”
    Maya laughed at that and shook her head. “You are a card,” she teased. “One that I like. I enjoy your sense of humor,” she admitted to him happily. “So never change if you wouldn’t mind, please. And I wouldn’t mind shopping. I’m sure that we will need to get a few things, actually.” And add to it that she really and truly did need to get more clothing as well. Yep, shopping it would be.
    “Well, we can go tomorrow if that’s all right. I’ll call and let