“Well, I love you too, beautiful. Now, why are you freaking out?”
“What if I learn how to take and give life force and then I can no longer control it? That’s possible, right?” I start pulling on the sleeves harder, my hands slick with nervous sweat.
“It’s not possible, actually,” David cuts in as Colten walks through the door.
“What’s not possible?” he asks as he walks over to me and plants a hard and fast kiss on my lips.
“Harleigh is concerned that once she learns how to take and give life force, that she will no longer have control over her power. I told her it’s not possible,” David fills Colt in, and he looks at me.
“Why would you be worried about that, babe?” he questions, turning me to face him.
“Because I don’t want to hurt you guys. I love you,” I say, then scrunch up my nose and Colt laughs.
“Well, that’s an interesting way to tell me you love me, but just so you know, I love you too.” He kisses me softly before pulling back.
My heart does a little happy dance at his confession.
“Also, there is no way you’re going to hurt us. All that the training today will do is make you more aware of how to use the powers you were born with.”
Before I can respond, David starts speaking again.
“He’s right, Harleigh. You will be aware of it and feel it tugging at you, but you can’t lose control of powers you already have control over.”
I nod. “Okay. Let’s do this then.” I swallow the lump of fear and emotions in my throat, and walk over to him while the guys follow close behind.
“Alright, then. Which of you guys wants to be the first to go?” David asks the guys, and Colten is front and centre.
“You can use your sexy powers on me anytime, babe.” He winks at me, and I laugh when David rolls his eyes.
“Fine. Colten lay down. Harleigh, kneel beside him and I will guide you through the exercise.”
While Colt and I get into position, I can’t help but let out a strangled breath and Bry comes up beside me, turning my face to him.
“I forgot to tell you, beautiful. The day that you found your power in the gym, I found one of my own.” He reaches up to cup my cheek with one hand and holds my other while I feel a calming sensation wash over me. My anxiety drops away, and I lean into his touch feeling completely at peace.
Opening my eyes, I look at him and meet his smile with my own. “You’re the one that calmed me that day.”
“I am. I didn’t really understand it at the time, but Dad explained it after.” He kisses me on the head before resting his forehead on mine. “You can do this, beautiful. Just breathe.”
I seriously don’t know what I would do without you.
I think and hope that I have let my walls down enough for him to hear me.
I feel the same way, beautiful.
I pull back shocked. “Did you?” I ask.
“Uh…” Bry says looking just as shocked as me. “Dad!” Bry hollers, making Colt jolt upright.
“What the hell happened? What’s wrong? Babe?” he asks, looking me over to make sure I’m alright, but all I can do is nod.
Did Bry and I really just communicate with each other without talking? It can’t be, right? I mean, I know he can hear some of my thoughts and we’ve been working on that more, but since when can I hear him back?
“What happened, Brian?” David asks, and he has to shake his head to pull his thoughts together.
“Harleigh and I— we just had a conversation without talking,” he tells David as he smiles at me.
“Well, that’s an interesting development.” His father chuckles.
“What does it mean?” I ask him, turning my attention to him.
“I’m not entirely certain, but I can assume it’s always been there, but with him connecting to you to calm you, you were open and relaxed and so was he. He has to feel that calm to transfer it to you. Both your walls were down enough. Interesting.”
The guys and I look between each other, and Colt actually pouts. I can’t help but laugh. He’s so cute when he’s pouting.
“Aww, baby, I’m sure we will find something just for us, too. Don’t pout.” I lean over and kiss him hard before moving to straddle his lap as he grabs my ass, taking the kiss deeper.
I moan into him before a cough breaks us apart, reminding us that we have an audience.
“Oops,” I squeak.
Colten smirks and winks as I get off his lap, and I can feel the blush creeping onto my cheeks.
“Yes, well then. Let’s do this, shall we?” David says after clearing his throat.
The poor guy is definitely not the PDA type.
I nod, and he talks me through the steps of how to take life force from someone.
