The Moonlight Breed 8: Leap in the Dark by Gabrielle Evans (chrysanthemum read aloud .txt) 📕

door and wandered into the common room, knowing Braxton would be waiting on the sofa for him. For the most part, they never had heavy discussions or debates in their bedroom. That was their sanctum, a place for them to get away from all the problems of the world. Neither of them wanted to sully it with negative energy.

Braxton wasn’t on the couch, though. He was standing by the window, staring out into the dwindling sunlight. “I’d like to go out,” he said without turning.

“Brax, you know that’s not an option, not until its safe.” He hated telling the guy no, but there were some things he just couldn’t allow.

“Let me rephrase. I want you to take me out tonight. We haven’t had any quality alone-time in months.”

That wasn’t such an awful request, and it was much better than the argument he’d been expecting. Unfortunately, it also wasn’t a request he could honor. “I’m sorry, chulo. I can kick everyone out, and we can have a night in, but it’s too dangerous to leave Haven right now.”

“First,” Braxton said dangerously as he finally turned and folded his arms over his chest, “I’m not stupid enough to think that I can take on a couple of goblins alone. I also like myself quite a bit and have no desire to die any time soon. Secondly,” he continued, as he prowled forward with a determined look in his eyes. “You’ll be with me to make sure no one even sneezes in my direction.”

“No.”

“I’m not asking,” Braxton shot back. “We’re going into town tonight. We’re going to have a nice meal and take a walk. Then you’re going to kiss me in the moonlight, and you’re by fuck going to enjoy every goddamn minute of it!”

“I can’t protect you!” Xander yelled as he jabbed at his right arm.

Braxton didn’t look surprised at his outburst. He came closer, moving slowly but without hesitation. “So you’re too afraid to take me out to dinner, but you still refuse to do anything about it?”

“I’m not afraid of anything,” Xander replied without really thinking through his answer. Once he’d processed what his lover had actually said, a low groan rumbled through his chest. “What do you want me to do, Braxton?”

“I want you to take this seriously. I want you to try.” He took the last step that pressed him against Xander’s chest. “I’m glad that you’re talking to Dr. Araceli, even if he is a bit unconventional, but you only did that because I forced you. Do you always want to feel like you’re second best? Or are you going to get out there and do something about it?”

It was so hard to feel hopeless when Braxton smiled at him like that. When those green eyes pierced him right down to his soul, it was like sunshine invaded every part of him. “I love you, baby.”

“I love you back, but don’t change the subject.” His fingers brushed down Xander’s right arm. “This is just one piece of you.”

“We can talk about it more at dinner.” Xander hadn’t realized how much he was worrying his mate, hadn’t understood that this pain was also Braxton’s. Being a morose bastard was one thing, but it was unacceptable for his actions to cause Braxton suffering. “Where would you like to go?”

“Seriously?” His whole face lit up, making him look like the angel Xander had compared him to on their first meeting. “We can really go?”

Cupping the side of Braxton’s face, Xander just stared at him, completely in awe that such an amazing person could love him so unconditionally. “Anything you want, chulo. Pick the place and time, and we’ll go.” Changes were in order, and getting out of the damn house to go on a date with Braxton sounded like a good place to start. “Spiro had some ideas that might help my arm. Maybe we should try them.”

“What? When was this? Why didn’t you tell me? What did he say? Do you think it will work? Why haven’t you tried it? Xander, what is wrong with you?”

Xander couldn’t stop the laughter that rolled through his lips. “Take a breath, would ya?” The smile fell from his face, and he shook his head. “I don’t know. What is the likelihood that it any of it will actually work?”

Braxton huffed and rolled his eyes. “What is with you alpha types? No, maybe it won’t work, but you won’t know until you try. What do you have to lose? It’s not like your arm is going to fall off or something else extreme. The worse that will happen is that nothing changes.”

He was going to regret the next words out of his mouth, but that didn’t stop him from saying them. “You’re right. I’m miserable just sitting around the house. I feel like I’m letting everyone down. The coven is stretched thin with security as it is, and I need to be out there patrolling.”

“But you don’t want to get your hopes up and then be disappointed.” Braxton bobbed his head once. “I know, love, but I think we should try.”

“Spiro suggested that shifting might fix whatever is damaged.”

“Well, let’s do it.”

Xander hesitated, still uncertain about his options. “Maybe we could wait until the full moon. It’s just the night after next.”

“Okay,” Braxton agreed easily. “I’ll come with you. We’ll do this together.”

It was hard to stay depressed in the presence of such hope and resilience. “You are the most amazing person I know.” He bent slowly to press his lips to Braxton’s in a soft, easy kiss. “Thank you for being mine.”

“There’s the man I fell in love with.” Then Braxton gave him a wicked grin, climbed him like a tree, and slanted their mouths together in a kiss that sizzled Xander’s nerve endings. “Take me to bed.”

The blood from his brain was rushing south, but he did remember that he’d already taken his love twice that day. Braxton was moving a little gingerly, and he was obviously sore from their