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

zero interest in being in control of anything. They just wanted to live their lives and feel safe in their new home. “We’ll meet all the newbs in the morning, and see what’s what. Would that make you feel better?”

“I think that’s a good idea, but I still worry. I don’t think anyone can do the job like you.”

Xander was pretty sure that if he told Braxton that he could climb the sky and wrestle the moon to earth, the man wouldn’t doubt it for a second. He couldn’t remember another person in his life who had ever had so much faith in him. Rather than feeling pressured, however, he found it gave him a new sense of determination to be the man Braxton saw him as.

Without thinking, he reached forward to touch his lover’s arm and ended up knocking over his glass in the process. Water gushed over the tabletop and down the side, right into Xander’s lap to soak his slacks.

“Shit,” he mumbled as he grabbed his napkin and shoved back from the table. A snort drew his attention, and he looked up at Braxton warningly. “Don’t do it.”

Braxton clapped a hand over his mouth and bobbed his head, but it was no use. Muffled laughter erupted from his lips, and he squeezed his eyes closed while his cheeks tinted an alluring shade of pink. “I’m sorry,” he gasped through his giggles. “I’ll go get you some more napkins.”

His laughter was infectious. With a quiet chuckle of his own, Xander rose from his seat and brushed more water from his pants. “I’m going to the bathroom to see if I can mop some of this up.”

Pulling himself together, Braxton rose as well and pulled his wallet from his back pocket. “I’ll pay the check and go start the Jeep. It’s colder tonight than it has been.”

They’d filed the insurance claim on his pickup, but it would be several more weeks before he saw any of that money. Using Logan’s SUV was okay, but Xander would prefer to have his own vehicle. “Let’s go look for a truck tomorrow. We’ve got some money saved, and I don’t like being without a car.” Anything could happen, and he didn’t want to have to rely on someone else to get him where he needed to go if an emergency arose.

“I think that’s a good idea.” Braxton spoke calmly, but the look on his face was like someone had told him Christmas was coming twice this year. “Two days of having you all to myself? I won’t complain about that.”

Xander was in high spirits as he made his way to the restroom. After ten minutes of dabbing at his crotch with wadded up paper towels, however, he finally had to admit defeat. He’d managed to blot out most of the water, but there wasn’t anything to be done for the wet stain on his expensive gray slacks.

It was a cool, crisp night, and he was probably going to freeze his balls off walking around in damp pants. Braxton wanted a kiss in the moonlight, though, and Xander aimed to deliver. Come hell or high waters, the night would be perfect.

Smoothing the wrinkles from his white, collared shirt, he checked his reflection in the mirror one last time, and turned to leave. An overwhelming sense of panic flooded his senses the instant he stepped out of the room. His heart pounded frantically as it lodged in his throat and cut off his air. Perspiration beaded across his forehead and down his back. Lights became brighter as his pupils dilated, and his stomach twisted into knots.

He started off at a jog but gained speed quickly until he was sprinting toward the exit. A server rounded one of the tables, stepping right into his path, but Xander didn’t have enough time to dodge him. The young man spun once before falling to the ground, and the tray he’d been carrying crashed against the table, spilling food and drinks all over the patrons seated there.

The entire scene only registered in his periphery. He’d apologize later and make amends, but right then, the single, dominating thought in his mind was reaching Braxton as quickly as possible.

A pungent scent he’d smelled only once before slammed into him when he charged out into the cold, crisp night. Logan’s SUV was right where he’d left it, the engine was idling, and everything appeared normal—everything except the wide-open passenger door.

White-hot, all-consuming rage boiled his blood and heated his skin until steam rose from his flesh and drifted away on the chilled breeze. A shiver rippled from his nape to his hips as the beast inside him gnashed his teeth and screamed. Scorching lava settled into his gut, unmitigated power danced across his limbs, and his upper lip curled as a vicious snarl rumbled through his chest.

His torso began to lengthen. His arms and legs shortened. Sharp, pointed fangs exploded from his gums, and velvety white fur covered him from ears to tail. With a hissing screech that echoed around him, he took off toward the east, following the goblins’ scents. A noise toward the unlit corner of the parking lot made his ears twitch, and he increased his speed, flying across the pavement in single-minded pursuit.

His tiger was out for blood, and Xander was all too happy to give in to him.

* * * *

Kicking, flailing, biting, and scratching, Braxton fought like a demon to get free of his captors. They were almost to the rusted pickup that had run him off the road, and if they managed to get him inside, he highly doubted he’d ever see the light of day again.

The goblin holding him grunted and stumbled when Braxton’s heel connected solidly with his shin. Taking advantage of the loosened grip around his midsection, he contorted his body and jerked his elbow back, wincing when it smashed into his attacker’s nose. He found solace in the fact that it had probably hurt the asshole behind him much more than