Shifting Boundaries

Chapter Ten

Everett

Even though Felix had been given the all-clear to go back to work by Paula, his alpha told him to take tomorrow off and to ease back into his work. Starting Wednesday, Felix would be back in the classroom. Next week on Monday, Felix would go back to his regular patrol schedule, too.

Felix and his siblings joked around over dinner that night, looking like they didn't have a care in the world. I tried to smile along with them and to keep the worry out of my expression, but I could tell from the anxious glances Magnus sent me, the irritation on Meleri's face, and the little wrinkle in Felix's brow that they weren't fooled.

After we were done eating, Felix started stacking plates and said, "Meleri, Magnus, why don't you guys go pick out a movie? Everett and I can handle clean-up in here."

They hurried out of the room comically fast, Magnus tripping over his feet a little and Meleri shoving him out of her way. "Come on, Magnus. I swear, you had better balance as a pup. Did you get knocked on your head too many times in training?"

"Aw, Mel, be nice for once in your life, would you?" Magnus groaned, massaging his calf.

Meleri heaved a dramatic sigh. "I guess you can pick the movie."

Magnus lit up and dashed for the living room again, stumbling but catching himself before he fell. Meleri cracked up and followed after him, leaving me alone with Felix.

I glanced at him, smiling a little when I saw that he was watching me. "You wanted to talk to me?" I asked. He had done a tidy job of arranging it so we would be alone and I was sure he had a reason.

A corner of his mouth lifted. "You're right. I just wanted to make sure you're okay."

I nodded – I'd been expecting this. "I'm fine, Felix. Just worried about you."

Felix's eyes lit up, making my breath catch. "Your feelings are showing, Everett," he said with a dazzling smile.

I fought the urge to press myself against him, to kiss those smiling lips. I didn't want to lead Felix on and I still hadn't figured out how we could get around all of the obstacles that stood in the way of us being together. I had to touch him, though, so I wove my fingers into his wavy hair, cupping his head in my hands. I stepped forward so I could really see him. There was a freckle under Felix's left eye that caught my attention and I had the strangest desire to kiss it.

It might have been too late to avoid leading Felix on. He took my embrace as an invitation, and who could blame him? Felix's arms wrapped around my waist, his fingers pushing just a little bit into the waistline of my pants. Aching awareness of every point of contact between us almost consumed me, and that was before his lips met mine.

I was helpless. I knew it was better that I pull away, but instead I opened my mouth and welcomed him in, stroking his tongue with my own while my fingers tugged gently at his hair. I slid one hand down to the back of his head so I could press him even more firmly against myself. Felix changed the angle of the kiss, deepening it and drawing a moan out of me.

The sound I made shocked me out of the spell his nearness had put on my senses. I pulled back and stared up at him, taking in the slightly swollen lips and the mussed hair. Anyone walking in would know exactly what we had been up to. I smoothed his hair down while Felix smiled at me.

"You're blushing," he said softly.

I snapped my gaze to his and felt the heat in my cheeks intensify. Felix rested his forehead against mine and rubbed the tips of our noses together. It was strangely intimate and it made my stomach flutter. I kissed him again, more gently this time.